Review - Haggis Rampant - Tri
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Artist: Haggis Rampant
CD: Tri
Bonnie pronounces: Tri, by Haggis Rampant, is an instrumental album featuring more awesome bagpipe tunes than you can shake an Arbroath Smokie at. If you’re one of those people that likes to tell jokes starting with “Why do bagpipers walk while they’re playing?” just skip this entirely. If you’re like me, however, and the very sight (not to mention sound) of an aerophone is enough to make you start thinking happy, naughty, musical thoughts, minimize the page right now and go buy this c.d. I’ll wait.
You’re back? Oh good. Unfortunately for you, now you have to wait for your copy of Tri to arrive. I’ll just tease you with what you’re going to be missing until it does, starting with the Dark Island/Amazing Grace arrangement. I think this is now one of my favorite renditions of Amazing Grace, it’s that … amazing. Yeah, that was terrible, sorry.
Track seven, Bonny Portmore/Highland Cathedral, is plaintive and utterly entrancing.
Clumsy Lover/Annie’s Excellent Sannies is a stand out not only for the piping, but also for the addictive drumming. I was tempted to put the song on repeat and step dance right next to my computer. I can’t step dance, and I probably would have done myself an injury, but that’s beside the point.
In the interests of making this look somewhat objective, I have to say something critical. (For the record, it’s extremely difficult for me to say something bad about good piping.)
Oh, the “Holy Smokes” track was 22 seconds of hell if over the top Southern accents make you cringe.
But if you love bagpipes, bodhrans, and traditional tunes with inventive harmonies, Tri will send you straight over the moon. If you don’t, well, I hope a leprechaun kicks you right in the shin. Just kidding. Mostly.
Mike muses: If you’re the sort of person who goes to the St. Pats parade just to watch the kilted lads march by with their pipes wailing Scotland the Brave, then Tri, by Haggis Rampant, is a CD you probably ought not attempt to live without. If your love for the pipes is a bit more tempered, however, you might be better served to let this one lie.
Several of the songs I recognized as the well-known tunes of other songs, but on many tracks I had trouble discerning the intertwining duet piping parts. I found the tracks which featured the bodhran or bass drum much more accessible than those which were only piping, because the solid rhythmic background provided a unifying base for the songs.
Everyone will love the haunting rendition of Amazing Grace, which of course is almost universally recognized as the quintessential bagpipe song. This was my favorite track on the disc, with Scotland the Brave as a close second, even through the two songs couldn’t be more different stylistically.
More info about Haggis Rampant can be found at www.haggisrampant.com and you can get the CD @ CD Baby.
