efn Reviews
Swan and Dyer

“Scatter Pipes” Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer
Wildgoose WGS324CD
By the end of the first bar of the first tune, Donald MacLeod's Reel my feet were tapping. Track one is the only completely traditional set of this dynamic duo's (who are now formally 'an item') second album. They have put together a great compilation of sets of mainly their own music. Track two, tune one, The Willows us becoming a standard around sessions these days and is aptly named after a pub in their village (Cressing).

Those familiar with Vicki and Jonny know that they play to the highest standard. Vicki's specialities being the Scottish small pipes and flute, Jonny's are guitar and accordion. They are both excellent vocalists too and the first chance to hear their close, haunting, harmonies is on The Hare's Lament.

The fourth and longest track is probably the best which includes the title track, inspired by scat jazz. Vicki later plays the tune that inspired her to take up the small pipes, Hector the Hero and there are more self penned tunes wrapped around traditional songs and music. Track nine is a tribute to Vicki's father, Pipe Major Roddy Swan and includes The Bulgerian Bandit with an eastern European feel that Jonny says will completely throw any bodhran player. The final set is their version of Wraggle Taggle Gypsies and Dark Eyed Gypsy that they call Seven Little Gypsies, great vocals.

The fact that this CD has spent so long in my car lays testament to it being one of the better albums that I get for review.

Review By: John New
From efn issue 132 - September 2006
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