Shining a modern light on traditional tunes, Back of the Moon is on the rise here after seven years touring Scotland, the UK and Europe. The band creates a big acoustic sound with tightly woven Scottish border pipes and fiddle, an intimate pairing of low whistle and flute, and a distinctive rhythmic force of guitar and piano. They also boast three strong individual vocalists, with three-part vocal harmonies in which each unique singer takes the lead.Singer/fiddler Gillian Frame was named the inaugural Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year in 2001. She found reflecting lights in brothers Findlay (guitar) and Hamish (piano/flute) Napier, both fine singers as well, and like Gillian (pronounced "Jillian") were raised in households surrounded by music. Ali Hutton came on last, a young piping phenomenon with an impressive resume (Dougie McLean, Capercaillie’s Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw).
Luminosity is Back of the Moon’s third and latest CD and was released in Scotland in late 2005 to glowing reviews. The 12 tracks, evenly split between songs and instrumentals, feature both traditional and contemporary compositions by Phil Cunningham, Archie Fisher, and Ali’s own piping hot ‘Voodoo Chilli.’ The Scotsman and Herald each gave the album four stars, and it took the band to the top at the Scottish Trad Music Awards with "Best Folk Band" award.
Fortune’s Road (2003), the band’s previous album, was produced by Jonny Hardie (Old Blind Dogs) and also drew raves from press and fans.
American Tour November 2007
Nov 1 – Traverse City, MI – Union Street Station (231) 941-1930 http://www.unionstreetstation.net
Nov 2 Bay City, MI – Bay St Theatre (989) 774-3105
www.wcmu.org/radio/cmuradioproductions/ourfrontporch.html
Nov 3 St Marie, MI – LSSU Center Sault (989) 774-3105
www.wcmu.org/radio/cmuradioproductions/ourfrontporch.html
Nov 5 Ann Arbor MI -The Ark (734) 761-1451 www.theark.org
Nov 7 E. Dixfield ME – New England Celtic Arts (207) 562-4445 http://www.necelticarts.com
Nov 8 Portland ME – One Longfellow Square (207) 761-1757, onelongfellow.com
Nov 9 Voorheesville , NY – Old Songs for Traditional Music (518) 765-2815 http://www.oldsongs.org
Nov 10 Middlebury VT – After Dark Music Series (802) 388-0216 www.afterdarkmusicseries.com
Nov 11 Cumberland , RI – The Blackstone River Theatre (401) 725-9272 http://www.riverfolk.org
Nov 13 Wilmington , DE – Costa’s Grill & Wine Bar, www.greenwillow.org
Nov 15 & 16 Carlisle , PA – Dickinson College (717) 245-1671 http://www.dickinson.edu
Nov 17 Wormleysburg PA – Susquehanna Folk Soc. (717) 214-ARTS (2787)
Nov 19 Washington DC – Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center http://kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
