But none of that tells you how ruddy marvellous the Under One Sky album is. Best described as a 'suite' (i.e. all the tracks run into each other, with songs giving way to dazzling instrumental tunes) this is, for all his lack of ego, largely a John McCusker album with guests.

But the former Kate Rusby fiddler has assembled a stunning group of contrasting talents to compliment his musical mastery. While we've never quite been able to see what all the fuss is about with Idlewild (and there is fuss) Woomble's 'Lavender Hill' is modestly gorgeous, 'Devonshire Rufus Wainwright' Jim Causley is effectively restrained on the album's best song, the John Tams composed 'Will I See Thee More', and Julie Fowlis, quite possibly the most beautiful singer in the world right now, bewitches on the majestic, Gaelic ''S Tusa Thileas'.

We wanted to end on some kind of "too many musical cooks don't spoil the Scotch broth" joke, but that would be rubbish. So we won't.

Under One Sky is released on February 2
Get it, it's good. And stuff.

by Tim