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Bob McNeill: Following Distance

Bob McNeill has been based here for 10 years, and has carved himself quite a niche in the local folk scene, winning three Tuis - two for his previous solo albums and one with Ben The Hoose. As the title might suggest, 'Following Distance' is music from the soul of a journeyman, filled with travelling imagery and sober reflections on the human condition. Bob's Scottish roots show clearly, both in the warm timbre of his voice and in a musical sensibility that owes much to Dougie MacLean - this is tasteful modern folk with a Celtic flavour. At first listening I found that the songs tended to be a bit too even (lacking MacLean's edge of angst). Delivered with a measured-ness that drew a bit too often on long, slow-bowed fiddle notes or husky, tremolo electric guitar sonority (all played with very good taste, by the way), this lilting feel was a bit soporific, making it hard for me to stay focused. However on subsequent listens Bob engaged me much more - I guess I just had to find my own following distance.

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