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.