high-energy guitar and piano rhythms to the fore.

The lightly woven pipes and fiddle, the intimate pairing of whistle and flute, the distinctive rhythmic force of the guitar/piano combo, the awesome three-part vocal harmonies....

Back of the Moon are another tremendous Scottish traditional band, comprising Gillian Frame – fiddle, vocals Ali Hutton –pipes, Findlay Napier – guitars, vocals and Hamish Napier – piano, flutes and vocals. The founder members got together in 2000 and were finalists in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. In 2003 they were voted ‘Best Celtic Group’ at Lorient intercelique Festival. The band has performed at several British folk festivals and is touring extensively.
The lightly woven pipes and fiddle, the intimate pairing of whistle and flute, the distinctive rhythmic force of the guitar/piano combo, the awesome three-part vocal harmonies in their Scottish songs – in which each unique singer takes turn at the lead – all contribute to Back of the Moon’s giant acoustic sound. This is their third album and an added bonus – they sing in English!....

Ivan North

an award-winning pedigree, respect for their traditional roots, but an adventurous streak which lets them shake up expectations in both material and arrangement

A young band with an award-winning pedigree, respect for their traditional roots, but an adventurous streak which lets them shake up expectations in both material and arrangement, Back of the Moon have certainly made themselves worth listening to. Not that there would be any nodding off to htis handsomely presented album. The core team of  singer instrumentalists Gillian Frame (fiddle) and the Napier brothers Hamish (flute and piano) and Findlay (guitar) shift with ease from the from rousing instrumentals to reflective songs all well arranged. New band member Ali Hutton can lend subltle support on the whistle, but when given his head can blow up a storm on the pipes and guests Rick Taylor on trombone and cellist Christine Hanson also serve notice this is far from a standard folk album.

Calum Macleod

A gripping and fascinating album with top-rate musical values

Luminosity is a well-produced album with depth and spirit, a varied and polished example of young Scottish talent..

"A third album from these award-winning yougsters is more than welcome. Luminosity shows them in the best light yet. The core line-up of Gillian Frame on fiddle, Findlay and Hamish Napier on guitar and keyboards respectively, and Ali Hutton on pipes and whistles is intelligently augmented by Christine Hanson's cello and Rick Taylor's trombones. Vocals are shared by Gillian and the Napiers, with three of the six songs delivered by Findlay and two by Gillian. Gillian also contributes five tunes, Hamish two, and Ali one.

The six instrumental tracks are rich and varied, plenty of punch from pipes and fiddle, a charming gentle slow air from Hamish, and a good choice of tunes old and new. The set of four reels referred to as Hawp is a stotter (for the benefit of non-weegies, that's a good thing). Ali Hutton's Voodoo Chilli has its own special atmosphere, and I look forward to more of his tunes next time. It's nice to hear Phil Cunningham's Bombadier Beetle again, and the two pipe jigs with it are equally enjoyable. There's a slightly bottom-heavy feel to the tracks without Ali's pipes, but this is actually a plus on the lush instrumental accompaniment to the songs.

Findlay Napier's voice has grown and matured into a powerful instrument indeed, and he makes good use of it on the traditional ballads The Mill Mill O and Glenlogie. Ship in a Bottle is a gentler song, written and sung by a more low-key Findlay. Hamish sings a delightfully upbeat version of The Brewer's Lad, and Gillian divides her light sweet voice between a murder ballad and Archie Fisher's depressing Final Trawl. Backing vocals and arrangements are spot on. Luminosity is a well-produced album with depth and spirit, a varied and polished example of young Scottish talent, well worth a whirl."

This is a first-class, superbly musical third album from the excellent Scottish quartet Back of the Moon.

This is a first-class, superbly musical third album from the excellent Scottish quartet Back of the Moon. Ali Hutton is a recent addition to the band, playing whistles, border pipes and bodhran. The other band members are Gillian Frame (fiddle/viola/voice), Findlay Napier (guitars/voice) and Hamish Napier (piano/flutes/voice).

Their sound is eclectic. Their rhythmic drive is immense on several of the instrumental tunes; they quite literally throw "Lumsden's Rant" and "Hawp!" at you, the latter song featuring superb bodhran playing as well. Keyboard and guitar conspire to convey a real sense of urgency, forming the tightest backdrop for fiddle, pipes and flutes. "Goodfellas" hurls a hugely satisfying blast of border pipes at the listener, and Rick Taylor's trombone lends a touch of sophisticated panache towards the end of the tune -- he features on several tracks on this album, and his contribution is very fine indeed.

The band excels vocally, too; Gillian and Findlay infuse the songs with their rich, commanding vocal presence. There's dark drama in murder ballad "Nine Stone Rig" and there's poignancy in "The Final Trawl," both songs featuring Gillian on lead vocals. Findlay inspires on songs like "The Mill Mill O." Guest musician Christine Hanson's cello adds warmth and depth on "Joey Beauty's" and elsewhere.

Luminosity strikes a near-perfect balance between vocals and instrumentals -- it's a satisfying and enjoyable album that demonstrates this band's commanding vocal and instrumental presence -- proving Back to the Moon is most definitely a band to go and support if they play a venue near you.

The encores alone could have lasted for days..

...Back of the Moon, from north of the border, have had numerous accolades bestowed on them since their formation in 2000. Theirs is a well-earned reputation, based on brilliant musical virtuosity and superb harmonisation between all four group members......Despite the bleak February night, Priddy Village Hall was almost packed to the rafters, with a very appreciative and discerning audience. The encores alone could have lasted for days....Mike Elliott..BBC Somerset

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