The First solo recording; 1999

Review of Springwell by mandolin virtuoso Simon Mayor in Folk Roots, April 2000 The opening sets of jigs and reels establish beyond any doubt Kevin Macleod’s rare fluency on the mandolin, as he confidently stamps his mark on a joyous tour of (mostly) Scottish fiddle and pipe tunes. Joined by an impressive studio band of Alec Finn, Frankie Gavin, John Martin, Malcolm Jones and Freeland Barbour, Macleod’s playing has a foot tappable quality, a dancability that stems no doubt from his experience in that field. But he’s also capable of capturing the stately beauty of the slower material - The Waltz from Orsa and Faeroese Waltzes coming off particularly well. The lack of a bass instrument even the grand piano is low in the mix - lends the CD a light, spacious feel that pushes the melody right to the fore, and there are many memorable ones here. Review by Lindsay Porteous in Traditional Music Maker, January 2000 Review by John O’Regan, Irish music broadcaster, Jan 2000, Irish Music Magazine You really should have a listen to Kevin Macleod with guests Alec Finn, Frankie Gavin, John Martin, Malcolm Jones and Freeland Barbour. A consummate instrumentalist full of style flair and sensitivity. His taste and sense of adventure knows no bounds. Definitely one of the GREAT discoveries of 1999! Kevin Macleod’s Springwell focuses on treating traditional music with predominantly stringed instruments bouzouki, guitar and mandolin to the forefront. Macleod’s agility and musical flair puts him in the class of a Brian MacNeil or an Artie McGlynn balancing rhythmic buoyancy with technical expertise. Here you have an album crossing both fire and subtlety in equal proportions. Scottish Jigs, the opener is powered along by Alec Finn's rolling bouzouki and Frankie Gavin's fiddle adds a pronounced De Dannan like atmosphere to Scottish Pipe and Fiddle Reels. While the bulk of the material is Scots, Austrian Zither Landler‚ and Waltz from Orsa add extra musical dimensions. Springwell is full to the brim with fine music exhibiting class at every turn. Review in Scottish Music for the new Millennium Three cheers for Kevin Macleod whose bright and breezy acoustic mandolin and bouzouki made me get up and start dancing as soon as I heard the very first bars of the first track - three light and lively Scottish jigs. That spontaneous impulse - the irresistible urge to allow your heart to run away with your feet comes through loud and clear on each succeeding track. Phew! The use of no less than nine beautiful and varied stringed instruments - everything from mandolins to bouzoukis and tenor steel resonator guitars gives the music a delightful, timeless quality. I know you will love it. I did. Comment by Martin Taylor, October 1999 “Thanks for sending me your CD "Springwell". I'm really enjoying listening to it. I am a keen amateur mandolinist and always enjoy listening to guys like you that can really play. I'll keep your CD along with my growing mandolin CD collection, so you will be in good company alongside Jethro Burns, Bill Monro, Dave Apollon and the Dawg! I wish you every success with your CD and future work.”