CAPERCAILLIE - Beautiful Wasteland (Survival Records SURCD 021)
The now highly refined musical experience that is Capercaillieis a far cry from their early outings. If your tastes are for gungho brash arrangements don't look here. The creative output of producer and all round good guy Donald Shaw has put the band into a 'funky' groove all its own. Karen Matheson's vocals have never been better and in collaboration with the chants of the North African vocal group Sibeba are quite stunning. The addition of ace flautist/uillean piper Michael McGoldrick (he should be a full time member!) is a marriage made in heaven such are his contributions. Not to be outdone, the backroom boys - Wilf Taylor (drums) and Chimp (percussion/berenbow) lend weight with their thoughtful non intrusive excursions. Without doubt the finest Capercaillie release to date!
(Pete Fyfe)