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Review by Jack Foster
I am always ever so slightly wary when bands are titled
around one member, there is a worry that it may be an egotistical
move on the lead singers part - Paddy Bort suggested simply
that it was because "she is the tallest of the three"
- but the reason is clear, Lucy Pringle is the driving force
of the band, and whilst Denise Cant & Robin Galloway
are both excellent musicians in their own right - it is
Lucy who brings that certain x factor (for want of a better
phrase) to the group.
There are currently only two other female vocalists within
the traditional scene with whom I could compare Pringle
to, the likes of Karine Polwart or Kate Rusby - both for
the style of songs she chooses and the charisma with which
she conveys. The natural ease with which she engages the
audience, and the powerfull emotional delivery which she
gives to every note of the performance. Her arrangements
of folk classics such as 'Aye Waulkin O'er', 'Broom o' the
Cowdenknowes' and Karine Polwart's 'Follow The Heron' were
moving to say the least, but it was Robert Tannahill's 'Fle
We Tae Some Desert Isle' which almost reduced me to a wreck
at the back of a packed Wee Folk Club.
To describe Pringle's voice is not easy, it has the jaunty
rythm and technical perfection of Emily Smith entwined with
the down to earth honesty of Karine Polwart - but it is
a uniquely rich sound, which stands alone. I must, however
say at this stage - that the band should not be overlooked,
without the lilting fiddle of Denise Cant and subtle guitar
& mandolin of Robin Galloway - we would be looking at
2 hours of strictly a'cappela, which could perhaps become
tedious (though it would take a while) - the band offer
a perfect bed of music within which to showcase Pringle's
talents. Galloway did give us a couple of songs during the
course of the evening, something which could possibly do
to be expanded upon, as his interpretations of a few folk
classics certainly kept the standard high -- though, as
ever in the wee folk club - I was frustrated not to be able
to hear the amazing harmonies between Galloway and Pringle,
due to the Wee Folk Club faithfull singing along dutifully
through the chorus' (regardless of whether they knew the
lyrics or not).
The Lucy Pringle Band are still a little known treat on
the Edinburgh folk circuit, but - mark my words, within
a couple of years (perhaps even less) - they will be a force
to be reckoned with. See them in these intimite settings
whilst you can.
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