Fred Morrison at Celtic Connections

Thanks again to Archie MacLullich from Scotland, who sent the information on Scots piper Fred Morrison that appeared on the BIB on 27 Oct. 2009. Fred's CD Outlands, which blends Celtic music and bluegrass/old-time music with the aid of Tim O'Brien and Ron Block, has won critical acclaim (see below).

Archie now sends the news that Fred Morrison and his band will be performing at the O2 ABC in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday 28 January as part of the Celtic Connections festival, where they will be joined by Tim O’Brien, giving a unique chance to hear live the distinctive Celtic/bluegrass blend of the album. Sample tracks of the CD are available on Fred's MySpace site and further details are on his website.

Album reviews:

Drafting in Ron Block on five-string banjo and the always-excellent Tim O’Brien on mandolin, tunes such as ‘The Wildcat’ and ‘Kansas City Hornpipe’ blend the traditions beautifully, in the manner of the best sessions from the Transatlantic Sessions, with each side of the pond enriching the other and none of the dilution that can so often occur in such experiments. This is a joyous, celebratory album that exudes sheer exhilaration. (Rock 'n' Reel magazine)

Fred’s technique on all these instruments is staggering, perhaps most obviously in the double-speed ending of 'The hard drive'... Magic moments abound... Outlands is a feast of fine tunes and another testament to this master piper. (The Piping Times)