Yella Hoose

Peopled solely by original tunes from John McCusker – Scottish prodigy, member of The Battlefield Band, producer of a Mercury nominated Kate Rusby album, guest of Teenage Fanclub, and purveyor of a rake of exceptional tunes – Yella House is a remarkable record.

Though fiddle is his mainstay, McCusker takes possession of piano, whistles and cittern with equal panache. Even the casual listener won’t help being bowled over by McCusker’s virtuosity, soaring all over Yella Hoose.

The set that begins with ‘Wee Michael’s March’ captures his essence: buoyant and celebratory, it dips and soars with the fluency of a bird in flight, aided by Michael McGoldrick’s flute and rooted by Conrad Ivitsky’s double bass.

There are simply no duds on this collection. McCusker needs little embellishment, but plays with the generosity of a musician at home with his talents. Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott lend thoughtful mandolin and guitar to ‘Emma And Jamie’s Wedding’, Capercaille’s Kate Rusby adds vocals to ‘Night Visiting Song’, and each and every track is more gorgeous than the last.

If this review teeters on the precipice of ecstacy, it does so gleefullly. Yella Hoose is truly a first among equals, and John McCusker is a player we should be hauling over here straight away for a session.

Superlatives can barely do his playing – or writing – justice.