by James Christopher Monger
Celtic music began to gain enormous popularity in the late '80s, and after the release of Land of Light, Scotland's the Tannahill Weavers -- who are now known in the U.S. -- spent the next three years touring. In 1987, after a lineup change that included the departure of piper Alan MacLeod, they released their seventh record. Dancing Feet is a real return to form for these folk veterans. Their brief experimentation with keyboards and electric guitar -- while tastefully executed -- isolated some of their most fervent supporters. Beginning with an explosive set of reels, &Turf Lodge/The Cape Breton Fiddlers' Welcome to the Shetland Isles/Lady Margaret Stewart/The Flaggon& and featuring the definitive version of the Scottish classic &Wild Mountain Thyme,& the record as a whole is meticulously arranged, yet spirited and touching. Newcomer and master piper Iain MacInnes -- the band goes through pipers like Ozzy Osbourne goes through guitar players -- carries each song like his job depended on it -- it probably did -- and proves himself proficient on the penny whistle and small pipes as well. Founders Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie share the lead on the rousing battle anthem &Tranent Muir,& and Gullane delivers a heartbreaking version of Archie Fisher's fishing lament &The Final Trawl.& This is an exceptional record.