TREMBLING BELLS - Carbeth

It’s no secret that many of us here are infinitely susceptible to British Isles rock-outs, not to mention just about anything that pops up from the fine folks at Honest Jon’s. It seems the stars are in our favour with this album from Glaswegian stickman and songster Alex Neilson. The proceedings unfold with a bit of an updated Fairport flavour, albeit spiced with a solitary trombone that brings to mind a strange place somewhere between Shiny Beast-era Beefheart and Caravan’s "Golf Girl". Nielson’s broguishly raw vocals alternate with those of the rather intense Lavinia Blackwell, whose high-octane Jacquie McShee may be a little much for some at first, but should win any doubters over as it brings the most out of the beautiful "Willows Of Carbeth". The two join forces on album closer "Seven Years A Teardrop", a drinking song delivered in a sauced-up counterpoint that could get even the most pious excommunicated at the drop of a hat.