While
Brother's previous album
Exit From Screechville seemed to drift noticeably from the band's traditional roots in an effort to establish a big rock sound (à la
Scorpions on watered-down Scotch whiskey), Black Stone Tramp does a more equitable job of balancing the two. In fact, this album challenges
Wolfstone's early- to mid-'90s releases as the premier of Highland pipes-led rock recordings. Tracks like "Mr. Maintenance," "He'den.bro," "Paddy's Leather Breeches," and "The Clumsy Lover" clearly display the talents of the piping brothers Hamish, Angus, and Fergus. They also double on all other instruments (except percussion) like didgeridoo, whistles, guitars, bass, and mandolin. Produced by
Ross Hogarth, Black Stone Tramp adopts clear American attributes while still retaining Australia's undeniable Scottish heritage. ~ Dave Sleger