Home Ground - Live From Scotland

by

Battlefield Band

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I feel this album suffers from two things: too much '80s digitalization and too much American pop.

(1) Alan Reid is a great musician, but he went overboard with his keyboard work on this one. Almost every track has a prominent keyboard piece, even the bagpipe 'solos'. I like Alan a lot but there are times I wish he would've kept quiet. The modern B.B. plays excellent music -- the traditional instruments (bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, guitar, etc.) are at the forefront and the keyboard plays mostly in the background. And when Alan does play it's more of a traditional piano sound. But on the "Home Ground" album it's digital which just doesn't sound right to me. On a couple tracks there are also drums employed, which is disjointed, albeit not as badly as the keyboard.

If I wanted a modern/traditional music mix I'd listen to someone else... but I expect the B.B. to play traditionally arranged songs. Thus, when I bought this album I was somewhat disappointed.

(2) Apparently Scots like American music more than I was aware. Really only two tracks (9 & 12) feature American songs, but that's more than enough for me. I actually like B.B.'s version of "Bad Moon Rising"; it's amusing. But others, like "Lets Twist Again" don't translate well I guess.

Altogether, they tried to make this album too modern. They might be able to accomplish this successfully if they chose a better set of songs. I gather this was a persistent problem with their albums from the '80s (reference a review of "Anthem for the Common Man") so, therefore, I think I'll avoid their other mid-80s work.

Not to be a total douser, I grant that tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 do present some nice work.

This disc is alright; just good enough to purchase. But not one I listen to often.