Hebridean Celtic Festival
Review: Griff by Ruaraidh Mackay
Griff, a Flemish band opened on Friday night of the Festival and introduced a sound completely unique and dripping with talent and enjoyment with the music they play.
The band played some of their well known tracks, such as “Carnaval” and “Fils du Roi” to the modest crowd (it was early after all). Carnaval proved to be a hit, with an extensive use of Bagpipes in the song. The subtle tone of Raphael De Cock’s voice was a joy to listen to and to even analyse as he moved inbetween different tones and varying abilties of which his voice could reach.
The use of the flute by De Cock also added a charm and variety to the music which was warmly received by the crowd, whilst singer/bagpipe player Remi Decker contrasted De Cock with some eccentric and altogether well appreciated singing, all the while creating a great rapport with the crowd of mainly parents and children at this time.
The band proved as lively at performing their traditional music as they were at pleasing the crowd. The talent displayed by De Cock, Decker and Birgit Bornaun on the bagpipes was excellent, and despite many of the bands songs being in a different language, the crowd were very receptive to what they clearly realised was a unique and experienced band, oozing with confidence and desire to impress the crowd. They achieved that.
The band used a variety of instruments as they utilised the bulging number of talents they possess to create a strong well oiled sound, which played delicately on the ears of the delighted crowd. Benny Van Acker on double bass kept the bands rhythm and melodic beats going all the way through with some finely tuned finger fretwork up and down the bass.
The touching nature of Griff’s fine flute play and slow paced songs bled from the bands heart as the crowd swayed, transfixed, watching the band perform to admirable uniqueness. The fast paced songs however, such as “Leksand” was where, like every other band at the festival this year excelled beyond their boundaries, creating such an accelerating tempo which enthused the crowd. A cracking one of a kind band, and a very useful addition to the festivals every expanding and improving wealth of talents.
