First of all something to avoud misunderstandings: there are two folk bands with the same name: there are “Irish“ Slide and “British“ (from Leeds) Slide: this latter band is concentrating on itself, in these last months, the interest and approval of the English public and critics, and in the spring of 2001 has released its first CD, The Slippery Slope: from it we present two tracks that you may find on the CD that comes with this issue of Keltika.

“English“ Slide's line-up is composed by Tom Bliss (voice, guitar, mandocello, mandolin. Whistle, harmonica, fiddle and keiboards), Derek Magee (fiddle, low whistle, mandolin and uillean pipes) Neil Russell Whitaker (voice, banjo and guitar) and John Layton (bass). So, we have here an acoustic quartet that presents a successful and balanced mix of folk, bluegrass, acoustic rock and Celtic music. All these features are wonderfully presented in The Slippery Slope, a CD that shows very well the “plus“ points of this band, a great attention in the resarch of the “right“ sound particulars, but inside the pleasant and relaxed sensation of a nearly live album. Most of the tracks of this CD are composed by the members of the band, and – this is rather unusual due to the young age of this band – almost all of these self-penned songs and tunes are very nice and convincing. Particularly interesting are the compositions by Tom Bliss, often inspired by the history and the legends of the Channel Islands. Slide's sound is particularly “full“ and rich, even if they have no percussionist. We asked Tom Bliss and Derek magee to introduce their band to the readers of Keltika:

<Some questions and answers>

The Slippery Slope received great reviews from several English, Americam and Australian specialized radios, and opened to Slide (UK) the doors to the festivals of Otley, Saddleworth and Wath. On the compilation-CD of Keltika we present two tracks from The Slippery Slope: "Boat To Burhou/The Casquets Light" has been composed by Tom Bliss, and tells the sad story of the unlucky love of a sailor, who decides to direct the prow of its boat towards the desert island of Burhou. Tom told us that this song was inspired from the song “Columcille“, by Iona.

The instrumental medley "The Cottage In Hayley Wood/Connemara Stockings/Swinging On The Gate" begins with a slow jig composed by Derek Magee, to continue with two Irish traditional tunes.

The CD The Slippery Slope can be ordered directly from Slide's web site: www.slipjig.co.uk Here you may also find further information about the band Slide (UK) and the texts of the songs of The Slippery Slope.

Interview by Alfredo De Pietra