CLUTHA FOLK GROUP - PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

The Clutha..... combines a scrupulous respect for the tradition with a vigorous and experimental flair. Its individual members are sensitive and thoughtful musicians who have an intimate rapport with the tradition they have inherited...... and thus are capable of presenting it with clarity and authority.

                 Hamish Henderson   Senior Lecturer, School of Scottish Studies

......................................................................................................................................

The Clutha.....are characterised by a superb raw drive that has remained undiminished and uncompromised thoughout...... Erlend Voy and Calum Allan are prime examples of musicians who are so steeped in traditional music that it is difficult to define whether they are traditional or revivalist musicians.

                   Fred Woods  "Folk Revival; The re-discovery of tradtional music"

.....................................................................................................................................

Not surprisingly the Scots and Irish came off best. Not only did they have the most traditional contingents......like ex-Planxty piper Liam O'Flynn and Scotland's Clutha. They were also superior in their understanding of tradtional techniques.

                                   Karl Dallas    Festival Review,  "Melody Maker"

...................................................................................................................................

Then came the Clutha to conclude the concert. Pipe music..... I love it. Tom Johnstone is by far, in my estimation, the finest piper I have ever heard. They are truely professional and if you are into this kind of music you could listen to them all night.

                                    Wallace Lockhart  "The Orcadian"  Orkney Folk Festival

..................................................................................................................................

One of the highlights of the tour was a public concert with Swedish folk musicians including the famous Eric Salstrom. Clutha contributed not only with an inspired performance of traditional Scottish folk music but also with an open-hearted warmth towards the audience that penetrated the cool formality of the concert atmosphere and drew the audience along in happy hand clapping and singing. The Clutha's repertoire was of great interest to folk music enthusiasts that heard them.

                 Karen Hjort    Producer, Rikskonserter [State Concerts] Stockholm

...................................................................................................................................