ROBERT MATHIESON - The Big Birl (Lismor Records LCOM 5262)
Pipe Major Robert Mathieson is without doubt one of the finest pipers to grace this land. A master of both the Scottish Highland and Shepherd Small pipes his eloquence featured so lovingly throughout this album shows how versatile this often misunderstood instrument can be. A lot of credit must also go to producer Bob McDowall who's restrained studio technique helps to underpin the beauty of the instrument by letting it breathe with occasional forays into Calypso, a Wolfstone style workout or a simple keyboard wash. With a majority of the tunes written by Mathieson himself, he can be justifiably proud of his contribution to the piping community and I'm sure many of his tunes will be soaked into the 'folk' tradition. Congratulations on a job well done to all the musicians involved.
(Pete Fyfe)