The Poozies’ music is delightful enough as it is, but there were a few extra hands on deck for the Celtic folk band's return to The Queen's Hall: internationally travelled and renowned musicians Su-a Lee and Signy Jakobsdottir. With harmonies expanded to six parts, instrumentation even more complex and eccentric than usual (including a turn from Su-a Lee on the musical saw) and a sense of humour unharmed by the presence of unfamiliar faces, the Poozies were on top form.
They may have formed over two decades ago now, but the founding members of the Poozies who remain have lost none of their vitality over the years. Sally Barker's vocals are as diverse as ever, softly serenading on myth-evoking Celtic numbers one minute and howling through more bluesy tunes the next. Her rendition of Michelle Shocked's 'When I Grow Up' in particular had a certain fiery spunk to it that isn't necessarily expected from a song about becoming an 'old old woman'. Mary Macmaster's playing showed equal variety, alternating between caressing her electro harp and beating it around like a slap bass.
Relative newcomers Eilidh Shaw and Mairearad Green are hardly slouches either. Despite the humility she displayed in conversation with the crowd between songs, Green's dexterity on the accordion was nothing short of remarkable. Shaw's stage manner was considerably more boisterous but she showed no less skill on the fiddle and the pair of them combined for a number of instrumental duels that were riotously good fun. Between older members who are young at heart and youngsters who play with the maturity and skill of their seasoned counterparts, The Poozies put on one heck of a show.