Canan Nan Gaidheal

Catherine-Ann MacPhee - Canan Nan Gaidheal (The Language of the Gael): Cathy-Ann MacPhee from the Island of Barra is one of Scotland's finest Gaelic singers and this album first recorded in 1987 and re-issued on CD in 1993 is still regarded as a classic Gaelic release. Cànan Nan Gáidheal is a fabulous collection of mostly traditional Gaelic songs, sung in MacPhee's unquestionably traditional style. There are also songs by Runrig's MacDonald brothers and Murdo MacFarlane's wonderful title track Canan Nan Gaidheal, a "rallying song" which urges the Scots to speak and uphold the Gaelic language. The Scottish traditional repertoire is filled with songs that reflect the rhythm of daily tasks such as spinning, rowing and waulking (finishing tweed cloth)  MacPhee includes a number of work songs with infectious, often hypnotic rhythms. "Iomair Thusa, Choinnich Chridhe" is a 16th century rowing song from the Isle of Lewis. "'S Fliuch an Oidhche/Wet the Night" is a waulking song that praises the seamanship of the men of Clan MacNeill. Many of the songs are sung a capella, as would be traditional for waulking songs and mouth music. Others are beautifully accompanied by Billy Jackson (clarsach, whistles, double bass), Tony Cuffe (guitar), Iain MacDonald (Highland bagpipe, flute), John Martin (fiddles, viola) and Jim Sutherland (bodhran, double bass, percussion).