At the top of their game

We were lucky to get last minute tickets in the front row at the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles for the gig by John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick and John Doyle. Three musicians well known in traditional music circles. I listen to a fair bit of traditional music, and dabble a wee bit myself (quick plug for Minchmoor), but to hear three guys as good as this playing together was a very, very special treat indeed.

Where to start? John McCusker has played with musicians ranging from Phil Cunningham to Patti Smith and, as well as being a beautiful fiddle player is an acclaimed composer and producer. A glance at his tour schedule shows what demand he is in.

Michael McGoldrick is an Irish player of tin whistles, Irish Flute and the haunting Uilleann Pipes. Has played in Flook, the Afro-Celt Sound System, Capercaillie and toured with Mark Knopfler.

John Doyle is simply the best guitar player I have seen on the traditional music scene. Swapping between delicate finger-picking and driving, flowing, rhythmic strumming, his superb left-hand technique allows to accentuate the beat in exactly the right, and sometimes surprising, places. Catch him here. He is a great singer too with a hypnotic voice.

It was a good-humoured gig too, with them establishing an easy rapport with the full house. A friend of mine, himself no mean piper and whistle player, said, "These guys really are at the top of their game". He was right. It was inspiring, and I am really looking forward to our next Minchmoor practice on Monday.

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