I must confess that frequently, I find compilation albums such as this to be places to discover one or two new talents whose careers I will want to follow, relive a few I'm aware of, and write a few others off as folks I'd probably not want to listen to ever again. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised to find this album to be a wonderful overview of Gaelic song, as sung by women, without a bum track in the fourteen songs by twelve artists. What a treasure-trove of Gaelic talent all represented in one collection.
The songs range from traditional to modern in both style and content. There are modern and traditional instruments used to back the tunes, and sometimes no accompaniment at all. There is a Puirt a Beul (mouth music), a hymn-like tune, traditional ballads, and totally new material represented. The voices range from ethereal to earthy, giving the recording a wealth of texture and subtlety.
One of the wonderful treats of this recording is the liner notes, complete with full Gaelic lyrics and their English translations. Gaelic singers can study and sing along with any of the tracks with ease, while English speakers can get the full gist of the stories behind the songs. The information about the tunes and the artists are also given in both Gaelic and English. The result is a wonderful saga of Gaelic singers and song.
Overall, although this is a compilation album, ideal for finding new talent and rediscovering old, it is also an excellent individual work, standing well on its own. Gaelic song by immensely talented Gaelic singers are featured throughout, and playing the recording straight through provides a rambling journey through the timeline of Gaelic vocals. The final track, "Language of the Gael," combines the talents of many of the artists on the album, featuring solo voices on the verses, and a full chorus. Composer Murdo MacFarlane celebrates the Gaelic language in the lyrics, lamenting its slow demise, but maintaining hope that it will live on, if only in voices of singers like these Gaelic Women. http://www.greenmanreview.com/
Media Reviews
a fully perfect album.
This album is a labour of love presenting the beauty of Gaelic song in a unique collection of songs. This is not a CD sampler and features only highest quality recordings with highest quality sleeve notes. Having been some three years in the making, the project features 14 original recordings of some of the best female Gaelic singers from Scotland. Each singer contributes a song of her particular choice; all the songs together demonstrate a diversity of approach and style of the rich Gaelic traditions. The involved singers include old established Gaelic singers, who have carried the old traditional way of singing into today's life, as well as the new generation of singers that will carry the traditions into the next generations. Involved are among others Flora MacNeil, Magaret Stewart, Capercaillie's Karen Matheson, the young beautiful voices of Anna Murray and the trio MacKenzie, Mairi MacInnes, Catherine-Ann Mac Phee to name just a few. Instrumental backings provide also some of Scotland's best - Tony McManus (guitar), Malcolm Jones (guitars, accordeon), Allan MacDonald (pipes), William Jackson (hars, whistles), Donald Shaw (keyboards) etc. The songs are either traditional or composed by the great bards of the last centuries. They carry the beauty and fascination of this old language and culture, with all the singers having the ability to bring out the full spirit of the songs. The CD has its big finale when in title 14 all women come together to sing Cana Nan Gaidheal, the anthem for the Gaelic language. Accompanying the CD is a big booklet with song lyrics and information on both the songs and the singers, all bilingual in Gaelci and English. This is a terrific album giving a fascinating insight into the scene of Gaelic female singers. Ian Green's efforts for this album have proved well worth; it is a fully perfect album. www.folkworld.de
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