Christchurch Folk Music Club

Scottish-born musicians Kenny Ritch and Bob McNeill of the duo Ben the Hoose are the winners of the Tui for Best Folk Music Album of 2006 for the album The Little Cascade.

The winner of the Tui for Best Folk Album has been announced and the trophy was presented at the Auckland Folk Festival on Sunday January 28.

Fiddler Kenny Ritch and guitarist Bob McNeill embody the modern Scots tradition with spirited interpretations of modern and traditional dance music of Scotland.

It’s the third Music Awards Tui for McNeill who won the same award as a solo artist in 2005 with his album Turn the Diesels.

Ben The Hoose formed in early 2005 when the two discovered their shared passion for the music of the Highlands and a common desire to play it to New Zealand audiences.

The album, which is the first from the duo, features three of McNeill’s compositions. Their tastes run not only to traditional tunes but also to modern Scottish compositions, music from movies and McNeill’s original songs.

The other finalists were Birmingham-born Bob Bickerton for The Likes of Us and evergreen Kiwi folksters The Warratahs with the quintet’s seventh album Keep On.

The Best Folk Album award is part of the New Zealand Music Awards and it is the third year it has been presented at the Auckland Folk Festival.