By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Contributor
Love is a precious thing, I’m told.
It burns just like West Virginia coal.
But when the fire dies down it’s cold.
There ain’t no ash will burn.
On September 13, dozens of spirited concert-goers at the Walpole Library let their voices ring out in harmony with Scottish folk group North Sea Gas.
North Sea Gas played original music and several covers as they captivated the audience with high-energy Scottish folk music. The band has toured in the U.S. before, with different gigs taking them up and down the East Coast, as far south as Georgia, and as far west as Michigan.
Dave Gilfillan started the band in 1980 and wrote some of the songs the group performed on the evening.
When those in attendance weren’t enjoying the music, they were laughing at the sharp-witted Scottish banter of the musicians.
“I think they are very talented and they have a real passion for what they do,” said Paula Mariani, who had come to see the band for the first time.
The group often had its audience singing along and clapping to the beat of the music. They also told stories about the inspiration behind their songs, all the while telling several jokes, many of which were at their own expense.
“That’s one of the main things we do, trying to do a concert but making sure people are having fun,” said Grant Simpson, who played the violin and joined the band back in 2006. “We always try to get the audience involved.”
“I loved them,” said Mary Coughlin of Norwood. She had heard of North Sea Gas from a friend and decided to attend the performance. “I’m of Irish heritage, so I appreciate all the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh songs.
“It is wonderful that the library does things like this.”
North Sea Gas will be touring the area for the next few weeks before heading back to Scotland for two weeks, then on to Germany for a month.
