Scottish Music Delights: Hannah Rarity and Face the West Shine at ‘Under Canvas’
The first time I came across a Hannah Rarity performance was when she sang on a “Niteworks” track called “Gloomy Winter” and fell for her voice immediately; she has the most delightful tone to her voice which was an absolute joy to listen too. During her set Hannah accompanied by Innes Smith treated the audience to a blend of traditional folk music with a smattering of contemporary and self-penned pieces, all beautifully delivered to an eager and appreciative audience.
Face the West.
Later that night, Face the West took the stage. My introduction to this group was their captivating rendition of ‘The Sands of Kuwait’ on YouTube. Any band capable of taking such a powerful piece and making it uniquely their own is worth hearing, and Face the West proved me right; they certainly won over new fans at ‘Under Canvas.’ Typically a five-piece, they were joined by a sixth fiddler tonight, creating a beautifully balanced sound with a fiddle on each side of the stage. The band delighted us with superb songs like ‘Long Night to New Orleans’ and ‘Would the Minister Not Dance,’ interspersed with anecdotes. One particularly memorable moment saw a young woman, perhaps emboldened by a gin cocktail or two, loudly declare her Granny was from the Isles and that she could count to ten in Gaelic! The band playfully encouraged her, and her enthusiastic recitation delighted both them and the audience. It was truly a great evening of entertainment and music, complete with a bit of dancing.
All photos © Alan Cruickshank
