Bloom

Comprising ten classic Scots folk songs Siobhan Miller’s new album is a celebration of Scots song. But this is no slavish cover album, each track is tested and stretched in new routes – most notably, perhaps, in the traditional ‘Cold Blows the Rainy Night’ which is given a more dance, upbeat vibe with some lively accordion.

‘Go, Move, Shift’ doesn’t quite work, Ewan MacColl’s protest song delivered with too light a touch. Similarly, Jim Malcolm’s ‘The Battle of Waterloo’ is too polished for its dark, war-torn, subject. Stronger footing is found on David Francey’s ‘Saturday Night’ and especially Rab Noakes’ ‘Open All Night’, with a late-night bar lounge vibe – the highlight of the album. The set finishes with the classic ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. There are only so many ways to play this well-worn but much-loved song, and Miller plays it safe, taking it back to its intimate, heartfelt root. Miller’s soulful voice is the star here though and, effortlessly, she makes each song her own. Delivered with care and with love for both unknown traditional songwriters as well as more familiar names, Bloom is a beautiful, soothing and charming listen.