Peatbog Faeries

*****

Performing at Celtic Connections 2007

See peatbogfaeries.com

Review by Tom Harland

Folk-fusion powerhouse band the Peatbog Faeries made a storming reappearance at Glasgow's Classic Grand venue during the last weekend of the Celtic Connections festival. The band have been taking some time out for recording and they played a couple of exciting new tunes.

Due to its minimal size, the venue was a hindrance to those who, like myself, cannot help hearing the Peatbogs live without jumping and jigging like a lunatic when caught up in the closest the folk scene gets to a rave. Further, the incredible experience of the Peatbogs energetic live stage presence was muted by the fact that front-man, whistle and pipes player Peter Morrison had a broken leg so was not as animated as we have come to expect. Nevertheless, sporting a stookie below his sporran, the infectious enthusiasm Morrison poured into his instruments along with sensational electric guitar, fiddle, bass, drums and a sizzling brass section more than compensated for his lack of foot stomping.

With their front-man handicapped, fiddler Adam Sutherland stepped into the breach admirably and played some outrageous rock-and-roll-folk fiddle spotlighted under strobes on their final and audience bouncing rendition of the Folk Police from their seminal album Faerie Stories. A highly enjoyable night but the Peatbogs need a venue large enough to allow the audience to show their appreciation for their epic ambition by holding massive impromptu jigs. Bring on the warmer weather so we can see them again and dance our socks off at an open air festival!

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