Scottish world-beaters play tonight

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Scotland-based Celtic worldbeaters Old Blind Dogs play the grassy knoll at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park tonight at 7.

The Dogs are all about mixing rootsy Scottish traditionalism (fiddles, pipes, citterns) with eclectic musical love (blues harmonica, reggae-infused electric bass, African djembe). Their set list boasts a mix of traditional and original reels and ballads.

Demand the Dogs toss in "Bogie's Bonny Belle," a strangely affecting Scottish country ballad about being down with "other people's property." Also sweet from the Dogs' interesting, if not always consistent, 2003 disc "The Gab O Mey," is the uptempo djembe-and-fiddle-infused "Monymusk Lads" and the Blues-Traveler-gone-Braveheart instrumental "Whistler."

Having weathered several membership changes over its 14-year history, the road-tested neo-traditionalist Dogs remain an impressively tight musical unit.

Tickets are $12 advance, $17 door. Call 271-9140 for more info.

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.