Ben the Hoose

Waikato Times Review
What: Ben the Hoose. Bob McNeill and Kenny Ritch.
When: 7.30pm February 26, 2009
Where: English Flower Garden, Hamilton Gardens
Reviewed by: Ben Stanley
No one tells a story better than a Scotsman.
And after hearing New Zealand-based Scottich folk group Ben the Hoose at the Hamilton Gardens on Thursday night, I'm inclined to think no one plays the fiddle better than a Scotsman either.
Acoustic guitarist Bob McNeill and fiddler Kenny Ritch played an intimate two-set show at the English Flower Garden. It would be fair to say they held the audience captive for 95 per cent of the time - the other five per cent was hijacked by a nosy dove hoping to steal the show.
Both sets were dominated by traditional Scottish fiddle compositions.
Tracks by the likes of Gordon Gunn feature prominently, though McNeill's own compositions such as the soulful Southland Man's Lament gave the audience a good taste of his own outlook on life.
Little Cascade and Orkney, both from the duo's 2006 album Little Cascade, were ethereal, with the pair allowing the song to rise and fall easily, bringing a captive crowd along for the ride.
A pleasant surprise, and highlight of the show, was McNeill and Ritch's version of Mark Knopfler's Local Hero theme song Going Home.
Combining Ritch's incredible fiddle playing, and McNeill's voice, which has a real John Martyn-like quality, it was a high point in a thoroughly enjoyable performance.

For more information visit: http://www.benthehoose.com