From Scotland With Love is the new album to be released by Kenny Anderson, known to most as King Creosote, under Domino Records, coming out on the same day as the single, 21st July. Commissioned for the Commonwealth Games 2014 this album was meant to reflect the less obvious side of Scotland to the tourists. On the nib of a complete turnaround with an Independence referendum taking place in a couple of months time also, this album will be an interesting sell on a presently topical nation.
Alluding to many aspects of Scottish living, bar the stereotypes, this heartwarming, lyrical masterpiece certainly suggests that Kenny Anderson could find himself on several award nominations yet again. Steering away from the more poignant, melancholic Make Diamond Mine, tracks like Largs and One Night Only certainly create an enormously cosy feeling in it’s listener, guitars and fiddles harmoniusly adding to that.
After his mesmerisingly transcendent previous album, also released by Domino, a collaboration with Jon Hopkins, it was always going to be a difficult task to follow precedent, unless of course you are an impeccable contemporary in the ways of folk, particularly with this commissioning. With the aid of his band, the production talent of David McAulay and Paul Savage, as well as a grand plethora of talented string musicians, From Scotland With Love gives us a very different side to the music of the charming Mr Anderson.
Working with filmmaker Virgnia Heath, and archival footage to create this piece of poetic visuals all in aid of the Games, King Creosote’s wonderfully traditional, nostalgic lyrics, sounds, and musical talent, divinely evoke a wonderful side to Scotland that is not often referred to, at least a gratifyingly comic nod towards the days of yonder. Writing songs through the eyes of more than his usual persona, KC, he was tasked with writing about differing industries through the perspectives of different ages, genders, but all hinting towards to those from the ground – up.
Far from equivocal, tracks like Bluebell, Cockleshell, 123 which commences with the very traditional hand-clapping games sounds, the listener is immediately transformed to a feast of yesteryear. The complete lack of vocals, and heavy placement on the fiddling capabilities for A Prairie Tale, is another perfectly structered track for this sentimental, homely cinematic album, stripping it back down before the album comes to a halt.
I think I can safely say that no one will mind if this well-respected folk artist gets his frock and lippie out yet again for another album of this ilk, ‘stepping out boldly’ into nether-regions.
Released on 21st July From Scotland With Love can be purchased via this link, either CD or deluxe double LP edition which includes more tracks that can be found underscoring the film:
http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/albums/30-04-14/from-scotland-with-love/
[Rating: 3.5]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b047lx52/a-century-in-film-from-scotland-with-love
