Ian Bruce & Ian Walker: Edinburgh Festival 2007

*****

See edfringe.com

Review by Jack Foster

Ian Bruce and Ian Walker took to the stage of the back room at the Acoustic Centre St. Brides for a special re-union 'Greatest Hits' Show, Bruce set us straight from the off - explaining that greatest hits "means they've been requested at least more than two times".

The set consisted of a heady mixture of folk styles, ranging through originals by the two Ians respectively and collaboratively - such as 'Gotta Get Outa Here', 'Too Far From the Shade', 'Hawks & Eagles' and 'Blue Denim Days' - to songs such as 'Some Hae Meat', a collaboration between Walker and the legend that is Robert Burns (surely showing his age?) which mixes the bard's classic 'Selkirk Grace' with a comment on food advertising and consumer culture.

Together, the two Ians are a force to be reckoned with - creating harmonies which fill the room and bring every line home. On their own, it has to be said that I would sooner hear Bruce - why? Because when Ian Bruce sings, he produces a sound unrivalled by many of the great folk singers over the years - sheer passion shines through and he can easily fill a room without the aid of a PA. That being said, Bruce's voice was complimented beautifully by Walker, the two performers clearly understand one another's styles.

My major criticism of the show, was not with either of the two Ians though - but with the venue - St. Brides (Acoustic Centre), why, oh why, were the house lights left on throughout the show?

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