THE spread of formal educational opportunities is exerting a growing influence on what was traditionally a grassroots, learn-by-example folk music scene, and not only in Scotland.
Like the stream of young bands that continue to emerge clutching degrees from the traditional music courses here, The Outside Track are a bright, highly accomplished five-piece group that came together at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick, where the great Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin presides over a go-ahead academic programme.
The group features two young Scottish musicians, clarsach player Ailie Robertson and accordionist Fiona Black, alongside Canadian singer and flautist Norah Rendell, Irish guitarist Alan Jordan and English fiddler Patricia Clark.
That mix of national traditions adds its own spicing to the instrumental sets and songs, with tunes from Galicia and Cape Breton and songs by Karine Polwart and Dar Williams also helping to broaden out the largely Scots-Irish palette.
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