Bagpipe music is rarely described by adjectives such as pretty or soothing, but this beautiful tune is both of those. The harmony of bagpipe, synthesizer, and banjo-like cittern is one that probably was never heard on Earth before this band tried it, but the combination is unforgettable. One highlight is "Ansa: One for Alan," a tranquil French dance tune given hypnotic force by Rare Air's brilliant pairing of different instruments on each verse. The album is composed of a series of traditional medleys that are given singular character by the unusual instrumentation. Mad Plaid was the first album this group recorded after changing its name from Na Caberfeidh, a fine old Gaelic name that the band's fans couldn't agree how to pronounce. In fact, Trevor Ferrier plays Indian tabla most of the time, and once you hear how good this instrument sounds with the pipes you'll wonder why it hasn't been done more often. ![]() Rare Air's sound is built around two bagpipers, a guitarist, and a percussionist who plays anything but a bodhran, the traditional Irish drum. This isn't just the oddest looking Celtic band you've ever seen, it is also the one with possibly the most unique sound in folk fusion history.
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