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Reviews
The Sunday Herald, Rob Adams – 17th June 2012
Based On True Events,
Two of Scotland’s most adventurous and accomplished young duos got together on a boat, MV Halton (hence the name) in 2007 and pooled a collective sense of daring that results in music that has roots in the Scottish tradition but roams freely and naturally across a frame of reference that includes Pat Metheny, bluegrass, Philly Soul, Astor Piazzolla, George Benson and a few more besides. That it’s taken five years for accordion and fiddle team Angus Lyon and Ruaridh Campbell and their colleagues from Wingin’ It – guitarist Chas MacKenzie and guitarist-mandolinist Adam Bulley – to deliver their first album together could have made this an anti-climax. It’s anything but. From the opening reprise of Washington Square Park (from Lyon and Campbell’s classic 18 Months Later album), through to Then And Now’s grooving, bass-and-drums-assisted mash-up, this is joyful, sometimes beautifully melancholic and frequently glorious melody-making, supported by inventive rhythmic, harmonic and tonal variations that add momentum, richness, wit and exhilaration.
Simon Thoumire, Hands Up For Trad – 11th June 2012
Based On True Events,
The Halton Quartet’s CD ‘Based On True Events’ is outstanding. Their music is both beautiful and breathtaking at the same time and the quality of their musicianship is fabulous. I thoroughly recommend this album and the quartet. 10 stars.
Northern Roots 2012, Bogbain Farm, Inverness – 2nd June 2012
“Sometimes people add one and one and don’t always get two. In the case of The Halton Quartet, they added two and two and they certainly got four. The group are a combination of Angus & Ruaridh Campbell and Wingin’ It, and combined they whip up quite storm. As the opening act they set the bar high with their set which contained pieces of stark beauty as they played a tribute a departed friend, doing for Roots what local band Shutter did for prog rock. This runs through pop tinged numbers to that tradition classic, ‘Toxic’, first aired by that rootsy gal herself, Britney Spears.”
By Frank Finlayson for Inverness Gigs
Bright Young Folk
“The Halton Quartet was formed from two well-regarded Scottish duos, namely Wingin’ It (comprising Chas Mackenzie and Adam Bulley) and Angus Lyon & Ruaridh Campbell, following their 2007 meeting on the boat MV Halton. Based on True Events is their debut album release, comprising nine original compositions based, as the title suggests on true stories known to the group.
Purely instrumental and driven by strong fiddle work, the Halton Quartet pack quite a punch. Theirs is a multifaceted and rich sound, full of energy yet also quite subtle. With a strong traditional base, the musicians are not afraid to experiment with modern elements, particularly on the excellent, jazzy & funky Then and Now.
The Violin Maker is a beautifully laid back piece with fine finger picking, while The Fall of Warness opens with a rapid guitar intro before a series of pace changes alternately thrill and relax the listener.
An excellent debut album, promising fine things to come.”
Mike Hough for Bright Young Folk
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow – 27 January 2011
“The Halton Quartet is steaming steadily into the territory mapped out by Fraser Fifield and Lau, where world music merges with jazz and minimalism, a voyage in search of beauty aided by superb musicianship. On the evidence of an all-too-short set, in which the breathtaking dynamic and tonal colour range of Campbell’s fiddle work was particularly noteworthy, plain sailing seems assured.”
By Jennie Macfie for Northings.com
