Magic Roundabout has SessionA9 in a spin
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Don’t be fooled by the album cover: this is nothing to do with the dreaded dualling!
The only truck Session A9’s latest, and glorious, album has with maddening road issues is to be found in its title. As the witty sleeve notes explain: “The Magic Roundabout is a very special roundabout in Swindon with lots of little ones inside it. Absolute chaos!”
The swirling fiddle of Kincraig’s very own Charlie McKerron mingles hypnotically with those of composer Kevin Henderson, Adam Sutherland and Gordon Gunn as they take the listener to the dizzying depths of life on the road.
But what a wonderful trip this is from a genuine supergroup.
You don’t win ‘Best Live Act’ at MG Alba’s Scottish Trad Music Awards without that extra special quality which comes from years of gigging together, loving every note of what you’re creating.
McKerron told the Strathy: “The Magic Roundabout was recorded at The House of Newe in Strathdon, an amazing location for creativity.
“The album was recorded and engineered by Marc (Clement), arranged and produced by the band members.”
It is an album of eight tracks made up of mostly self-penned compositions. McKerron said: “We are excited to bring the CD out after such a long break. The world went crazy for a wee while and we think this recording brings a new energy and positivity.
“It is still very much recognisable as Session A9 of old but with new twists and amazing new tunes. We really hope everyone will love it as much as we do.”
Available now on RAJ Records RAJ006, this glorious collection of reels, jigs, waltzes and songs – one a warmly re-worked classic of Tom Waits, ‘The heart of Saturday night’ featuring the sweetest backing vocals you could ever want, the other being ‘Twilight’, a heartfelt homage to the genius of The Band’s own Robbie Robertson – needs to be in your collection, if you like seriously good music.
The story is all there: after many musical get-togethers and sessions up and down the A9, the band started performing together as Session A9 more than 20 years ago.
The band members come from all over Scotland, as far up as Wick and then Shetland. They have performed at most of the UK festivals throughout the years including Celtic Connections, Hebridean Celtic Festival, Shetland Folk Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Glastonbury and many others.
They have also played throughout Europe including Tonder Festival and Lórient Festival and Ortiguera and have also toured the United States.
Each member of Session A9 can also be seen performing on stage with many of traditional music’s most respected bands, including Capercaillie, The Treacherous Orchestra, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, as well as their own individual ensembles.
The fiddlers are joined as always by David ‘Chimp’ Robertson on percussion, Clement on guitar and vocals and Brian McAlpine on piano. The band are no strangers to rave reviews and the latest from Edinburgh Music Review, states: “Fantastic tunes, great banter and a good fun time makes it a show not to be missed”.
