If your knowledge of The McCalmans is confined to television, radio or
record - that is until this record-you only know the half of it. A live
performance by Ian McCalman, Hamish Bain and Derek Moffat is an
experience to be enjoyed, savoured, and then repeated at frequent
intervals. An audience adds an extra dimension to their performance,
inspiring them to greater heights and, occasionally, sending them
crashing to the depths - with Ian's eyes upturned to heaven for divine
guidance or a swift and merciful release.
This album captures The McCalmans at their best - with an audience. As
with all their live performances, it is a mixture of traditional songs
such as My Johnny is a Shoemaker and The Trawling Trade, good
contemporary material like Bread and Fishes, and their own inspired
versions of old Mills Brothers' hits including their show-stopping
treatment of Sweet Senorita.
So, if you have not yet experienced The McCalmans
live let this album serve as an introduction to their unique talent -
if you have you will buy it anyway. The only other thing you need to
know is that, when you see them in concert, Ian is on your left, Hamish
is in the middle and Derek is on the right...
Jim Lloyd
