Macmeanmna News - December 2005
CLIAR | GRINN, GRINN
We have pleasure in announcing the release of a new album from Cliar
Catalogue number SKYECD 40 Bar Code number 5032475004021
It’s been a couple of years of change since the last album but the new line up has emerged stronger than ever, still capable of ‘bringing you heaven without the inconvenience, as it were, of going to the other side’ (Rob Adams, The Herald). Guitarist, Ross Martin, is now a firmly established member of the line up and newest recruit, Hector Henderson, brings a fresh new sound with pipes and whistle.
One of the most beautiful sounds in 21st century Scotland – The List
Featuring some of Gaeldom's very finest singers and instrumentalists Cliar (pronounced "Clear") are a six-piece band who have developed a unique close harmony vocal sound backed up by an instrumental powerhouse. Arthur Cormack, Hector Henderson, Ingrid Henderson, Mary Ann Kennedy, Maggie MacDonald and Ross Martin
This is Cliar’s third band album for Macmeanmna, and you may like to check out the othera - Cliar (SKYECD 14) and Gun Tàmh (SKYECD 21) as well as Lasair Dhè (SKYECD 19).
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JENNA CUMMING | KINTULAVIG
We have pleasure in announcing the release of a new album from a bright star of Gaelic music, Jenna Cumming
Catalogue number SKYECD 36 Bar Code number 5032475003625
Jenna Cumming has a rare singing talent, which has been evident since she was a very young girl. Encouraged by her mother, Gaelic singer Chrissie MacVicar, the whole of Gaeldom has watched over the years as she has gone on to win no less than 3 Gold Medals at the National Mòd: the Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal, the Mary Lamont Gold Medal for traditional singing and the Oban Times Gold Medal. But these were just the most recent in a string of prizes she has won. And little wonder. In Jenna, you have a lovely, natural voice, and the clearest Gaelic you could wish for. She is undoubtedly a star, and this CD amply demonstrates that she deserves her place among the best young Gaelic singers of today. The album has been long-awaited, and you won’t be disappointed. [Morag MacDonald, Mire ri Mòir, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]
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MACMEANMNA ARTISTS IN AWARDS LIST
Several Macmeanmna artists were nominated for this year’s Scots Trad Music Awards. The awards ceremony took place on Saturday 3 December at The Queen's Hall in Edinburgh, and was broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland the following week.
Cliar were nominated in the Folk Band of the Year category. Arthur Cormack was nominated for the Gaelic Singer of the Year section. Ordinary Angel was nominated in the Album of the Year section. Arthur Cormack was also nominated in the Services to the Industry section, and a BBC programme, on which Mary Ann Kennedy was Musical Director, Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil, was nominated in the Media section. A new music festival, Blas, organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal (with whom Arthur Cormack works) on behalf of the Highland Council was nominated under the Best Event section. Finlay MacDonald, who features on Highland Games was nominated in the Instrumentalist of the Year section, and Jenna Reid of Dòchas was nominated in the Up and Coming Artist of the Year section.
The winners were:
Julie Fowlis – Gaelic Singer of the Year
Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil – Media
Jenna Reid – Up and Coming Artists of the Year
Congratulations to them - and to all the winners - whom you can view at http://www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/press/tradmusicawards-results.htm
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Various Artists | Ordinary Angel
Thanks to all of you – and there have been many - have purchased Ordinary Angel, a 14-track, 54-minute CD, featuring tracks by Blair Douglas, Michael Marra, Anne Martin, Donnie Munro, The Jennifer Forrest Band, Mackenzie, Dr Angus Macdonald, Peatbog Faeries, Arthur Cormack, Ingrid Henderson and Iain MacFarlane. Most of the tracks were recorded specifically for the CD and the only body to benefit financially from this project will be the Liver Fund, which was set up by Professor James Garden, Regius Professor of Surgery at the Liver Unit in Edinburgh, to support research in the treatment of victims of liver disease. So far, at least £3,000 has been raised, and the CD would make a great Christmas present, at the same time as contributing to a very worthy cause. Keep buying, and tell all your friends! Check out http://www.ordinaryangel.org for more details.
*** SPECIAL OFFER UNTIL 31 DECEMBER ***
Buy Ordinary Angel, and any other Macmeanmna album, and we’ll give you a full-length sampler CD FREE OF CHARGE. Only available by ordering through http://www.gaelicmusic.com
