Red Rattler RATCD 004 CD (51:15)
Sleepy Scotland, I am reliably informed by the pithy track notes, was the epithet bestowed on the seemingly indolent workforce north of the border by we (and possibly wee) Sassenachs. It was a perception that prevailed until the labour revolts known as Red Clydeside took place during World War 1.
The title track gives a more contemporary view and provides some very memorable images - pubs like air raid shelters, the last of the Mohicans blew away like sagebrush down the road to God knows where, the fat cat with a briefcase wearing a camel coat and trilby, being three that pop into mind. A splendid song that comes at just the right time, following on and providing a welcome respite from 'Tam Lin'. Not that there's anything wrong with the latter; it's just that the comings and goings of a particular Halloween is rather a tour de force, lasting over nine minutes. This then is Alistair's traditional album; the long planned and finally delivered one. The arrangements for most are quite sparse - just voice and guitar ('...exactly as I do them in my solo set...') and for the most part are just right. Alistair's voice and excellent guitar playing provide all that is required to bring out the richness of songs. The instrumental tracks - 'Waterman's Hornpipe' and 'The Battle of Waterloo'/'John D Burgess' - are slightly more adorned and benefit from this slight augmentation.
The album is not strictly traditional, however, as three tracks - the title songs 'By Ibrox Park' and 'The Dark Loch' - are Hulett originals, but they slip seamlessly - virtually seamlessly - in with the other tracks so that it is only the modern references on the first two that give the game away. "In Sleepy Scotland" is a wonderful album, maintaining the high standard set by its predecessors: together they confirm (to me) that Alistair Hulett is one of the defining voices of Scottish music.
