Fàilt' oirbh gu iris eile de Macmeanmnaidheachdan.  Tha sinn toilichte innse dhuibh mu dheidhinn dà chlàr ùr eile a tha dìreach air nochdadh bhuainn, agus mu dheidhinn rud neo dhà a tha a' tachairt thall 'sa bhos leis na daoine a tha air clàradh còmhla ruinn, a bharrachd air sreath ùr de phrògraman telebhisean far an cluinnear sibh mòran de na seinneadairean a tha air clàradh air Macmeanmna.

Welcome to another newsletter, in which we are delighted to let you know about two more releases from us, and about one or two other things happening with the folk who have recorded with us, as well as about a new series of television programmes in which you can see many of the singers who have recorded for Macmeanmna.
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Dòchas – an dàrna umhail
We have pleasure in announcing the release of the new album from Dòchas - an dàrna umhail
Catalogue number SKYECD 34   Bar Code number 5032475003427.  Further details in attached PDF.
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Dòchas have taken the traditional music scene by storm over the past couple of years, with an extremely successful debut album - Dòchas (Macmeanmna, SKYECD 23) - and culminating in their winning the Best Up and Coming Band at the Traditional Music Awards last year, which rather belied the fact that they have more than come of age already!  

The five girls, and one guy, exude professionalism and rare talent throughout their performances of traditional music and song.  They play bodhrán, fiddle, accordion, pipes, whistles, clàrsach, piano and guitar and are masterful on these instruments.  This is complemented by powerful and poignant Gaelic Singing.

Dòchas have rocketed to success with sell-out shows throughout Scotland, the United States, Ireland and Canada, as well as several other European countries and their keenly awaited second album will surely add to their continued success.

The album is another varied selection of great instrumental tracks, all with thoughtful arrangements, and fabulous Gaelic songs.  There is a well known Scots song Ae Fond Kiss sung by fiddler Jenna Reid, and the band are joined on one track by legends of Irish music Maighread and Triona Ni Dhòmhnaill, formerly of Skara Brae.

With an armoury of fiddle, twin bagpipes, accordion, clàrsach, piano and guitar, they can play big rumbustious barnstorming tunes with the best of them - and then turn round and slay you with the exquisite poignancy and lyricism of Julie Fowlis’s Gaelic singing: a suitably sparkling finish to a memorable weekend - Sue Wilson, The Scotsman, Sept 2003

Dòchas are: Kathleen Boyle (Accordion, Piano, Guitar); Julie Fowlis (Vocals, Whistles, Pipes, Oboe); Carol-Anne MacKay (Pipes, Accordion, Whistles); Eilidh MacLeod (Clàrsach, Piano); Martin O'Neill (Bodhrán) and Jenna Reid (Fiddle, Piano).  The album was produced by Iain MacDonald.

Check out www.dochas.co.uk for further details, and see below for concert appearances.
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Finlay MacDonald, Simon McKerrell & Chris Gibb - Highland Games
We have pleasure in announcing the release of the new album from Finlay MacDonald, Simon McKerrell & Chris Gibb - Highland Games
Catalogue number SKYECD 31   Bar Code number 5032475003120.  Further details in attached PDF.

Some of the great pipe tunes of Scotland, played by the most talented young pipers around.  Add to this the grace and skill of the band and you have Highland Games - the most fun piping album around!

This was the concept behind Jonny Hardie bringing together three of Scotland’s best young pipers - Finlay MacDonald, Simon McKerrell and Chris Gibb - and asking them to play some of the best known pipe tunes in a new, energetic and innovative way.  And he has succeeded!

They are joined by Jonny Hardie himself on Guitars; Brian McAlpine on Piano and Keyboards; Aaron Jones on Bass and Bozouki, Iain Copeland on Drums and Percussion; and Rick Taylor on Trombone.

Track listing
(1) The Cockney Jocks, The Battle of Waterloo, Flett from Flotta; (2) The Grinder, The Bobs of Balmoral, The Kitchen Maid; (3) Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, Susan MacLeod, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran; (4) Hector the Hero; (5) Traditional Reel, Kalabakan, An Drochaid Chliùteach; (6) The Coppermill, Greenwood Side, The Siege of Delhi; (7) Lucy Cassidy; (8) Lament for Donald Doughal MacKay; (9) The Battle of the Somme, Donald MacLean of Lewis; (10) Malcolm the Tailor, Kail and Porridge, Mrs MacLeod of Raasay; (11) Lochanside
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CLIAR in concert
One of the most beautiful sounds in 21st century Scotland – The List
Arthur Cormack, Hector Henderson, Ingrid Henderson, Mary Ann Kennedy, Maggie MacDonald and Ross Martin

Friday 18 March @ 8pm
The Blend Festival @ The Tolbooth, Stirling
Tickets available from Box Office 01786 274000
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth/

Thursday 24 March @ 8pm
The Sage, Gateshead appearing with Fine Friday
Tickets available from 0191 443 4661
http://www.thesagegateshead.org/
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Dòchas set for a busy time
Dòchas have a very busy year, and are currently in Austria on tour.  Here are their dates for the year, but check out www.dochas.co.uk to stay in touch

12 March – Austria – Igel - WAIDHOFEN/Th
13 March – Austria - Gwölb – KORNEUBURG
14 March – Austria – Lehartheater - BAD ISCHL
15 March – Austria – Kitzmantelfabrik - VORCHDORF
16 March – Austria – Metropol - WIEN
17 March – Austria - Kulturni Dom - GORIZIA (I)
18 March – Austria - GH Kaiser - ROTTENMANN
19 March – Austria - Cselley Mühle - OSLIP

1 April - Glenuig Hall - 01687 470267 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
2 April – Stirling, Tolbooth - 01786 274000 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
3 April – Edinburgh, Queen's Hall - 0131 6682019 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
5 April – Islay, Rhinns Hall - 01496 810262 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
6 April – Skye, Aros Centre - 01478 613649 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
7 April – Aberdeen, The Lemon Tree - 01224 647999 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
8 April - St. Andrews, Younger Hall - 01334 477959 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
9 April – Inverness, Farr Hall -  01808 521333 - Tune Up Tour with Michael McGoldrick Band
28, 29, 30 April & 1 May - Shetland tba - Shetland Folk Festival
 
19 June – Tyneside, Irish Cultural Centre TBC

1 July – Italy, Celtica Festival
2 July - Italy, Celtica Festival
4 - 8 July - Vancouver Island, Canada tba - Pacific Celt Festival
9 & 10 July - Washington DC, tba
12 July – Seattle tba
15 – 18 July - Vancouver, Canada tba - Vancouver Folk Festival
21 – 24 July – various venues in Canada tbc
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BBC’s Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil
Feuch nach caill sibh Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil  -  prògraman ùra bho BhBC Craoladh na Gaidheal mun t-saoibhreas òrain Ghàidhlig a th’againn, a thòisich air 10 Màrt air an telebhisean agus air http://www.bbc.co.uk/aigcridhearciuil/ agus air 12 Màrt air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.  Bha Màiri Anna NicUalraig, tè de stiùirichean Macmeanmna na riochdaire ciùil air an t-sreath.

Thairis air na h-ochd seachdainean a tha romhainn, cluinnidh sibh taghadh farsaing de dh’òrain agus gheibh sibh beachdan mun dlùth-cheangal a tha eadar òrain is cànan, eachdraidh, beul-aithris is daoine.  Gach seachdain bidh sùil ga toirt air aon  de na prìomh chuspairean a tha rin lorg ann an òrain Ghàidhlig, leithid Cogadh, Àbhachdas, Gaol-dùthcha agus Creideamh, ochd cuspairean thairis air dà mhios.

Se Calum Dòmhnallach bho Runrig a tha ag aithris an t-sreath telebhisean, agus chìthear na prògraman aig 1900 gach feasgar Diardaoin air BBC2 Alba.  As gach prògram chi sibh measgachadh sònraichte de dh’ òrain a chaidh an clàradh as ùr, cluinnidh sibh seann chlàraidhean ainmeil: gheibh sibh fiosrachadh agus  beachdan pearsanta, corra sgeulachd, air an cuairteachadh le ìomhaighean cumhachdach.  Bidh cuid de  shàr sheinneadairean na Gàidhlig rim faicinn, nam measg cuid de na seinneadairean òga a tha ag ath-bheothachadh nan seann òran.  Se Gaol  cuspair a’ chiad phrògram, agus a’ seinn ann tha Jenna Chuimeanach, Màiri Anna NicUalraig, Mairead Nic’IllFhaolain agus Raonaid Walker. ’S i Liz NicBheathain stiùiriche na sreatha. Se riochdaire na sreatha Seumas Mac an t-sagairt.

Cluinnear Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal aig 1030 gach madainn Disathairne. Anns a’ chiad phrògram air Disathairne 12 Màrt, bidh Aonghas Phàdraig Caimbeul a’ bruidhinn ri Mòrag Dhòmnallach mu na h-òrain gaoil as fheàrr leis fhèin, le Julie Fowlis is Pòl MacCaluim a’ seinn nan òran.  Chaidh am prògram a chlàradh aig Taigh-tasgaidh Chìll Donnain is Radio nan Gaidheal air aoigheachd aig Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Deas.

Agus le làrach-lìon sònraichte an cois Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil – bbc.co.uk/aigcridhearciuil gheibh sibh cothrom  na h-òrain a chluinntinn a-rithist. Bidh  facail nan òran agus beagan fiosrachaidh mun deidhinn ri lorg an sin cuideachd, a bharrachd air annas no dha eile co-cheangailte ri na prògraman.

Don’t miss Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil (At the Heart of our Music) –   a new tri-media series about the Gaelic song tradition from BBC Craoladh nan Gaidheal which started this week.  One of Macmeanmna’s directors, Mary Ann Kennedy was the Musical Director on the series.

The 8 part series - on BBC 2 Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and bbc.co.uk/alba, explores the place of song in the world of the Gael, & the intrinsic link between song, language, landscape, & people. Each week takes a different theme, covering subjects such as War, Humour, Love of homeland & Religion, and over the coming 2 months, these complementary series will combine to create a rich tapestry of song.

The television series, narrated by Runrig’s Calum Macdonald, can be seen at 1900 every Thursday evening on BBC 2 Scotland. This unique musical journey weaves together an impressive blend of contemporary performance, classic audio archive, history, opinion, folklore, and graphics, to create an informative & inspiring television experience. New contemporary takes on songs – some familiar, & some unfamiliar – featuring some of the best Gaelic singers will be a highlight of the series. Gaol (Love) is the theme of the first programme and features stunning performances from Jenna Cumming, Mary Ann Kennedy, Margaret MacLellan & Rachel Walker.  The Series Director is Liz MacBain. The series was produced by Seumas Mactaggart.

The complementary radio series can be heard every Saturday morning at 1030 on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. In programme 1 on Saturday 12 March, writer, Angus Peter Campbell talks to Morag MacDonald about his favourite Gaelic love songs. Again classic song archive is mixed with new, imaginative, contemporary performances by Julie Fowlis & Paul McCallum. Recorded on location at Kildonan Museum, the programme was hosted by the South Uist Historical Society.

Aig Cridhe ar Ciùil’s accompanying website – bbc.co.uk/aigcridhearciuil also makes it possible to hear all of the songs again whenever you want. You can also access the lyrics and background information to the songs, and there’s extra in-depth features following on from each week’s tv and radio programmes.
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THE BEST GAELIC and HIGHLAND MUSIC CDs

You can buy albums by Freeland Barbour, Donald Black & Malcolm Jones, Kenna Campbell, Cliar, Arthur Cormack, Dòchas, Blair Douglas, Jennifer Forrest & Her Band, Allan Henderson,  Mary Ann Kennedy, Rona Lightfoot, Ishbel MacAskill, Alasdair MacCuish & The Black Rose Cèilidh Band, Bruce MacGregor, Iain MacKay, Mackenzie, Maeve MacKinnon, Donnie Murdo MacLeod, Charlotte Petersen, Mary Smith, Chaz Stewart and Kenneth Thomson now, on-line, at http://www.gaelicmusic.com. 
There are also features about Gaelic song, dance, Gaelic traditions, the recent Macnas concerts and links to other sites.  Soon there will be song lyrics and mp3 samples files, plus much, much more....
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AN T-EILEAN from VARIOUS ARTISTS
Catalogue number SKYECD 30.  Bar Code number 5032475003021.
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WINTER’S JOURNEY from FREELAND BARBOUR
Catalogue number SKYECD 29.  Bar Code number 5032475002925.
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EADARAINN from RONA LIGHTFOOT
Catalogue number SKYECD 28   Bar Code number 5032475002826
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SGIATH AIRGID from MARY SMITH
Catalogue number SKYECD 27   Bar Code number 5032475002727
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SEOLADH DHACHAIDH from KENNETH THOMSON
Catalogue number SKYECD26   Bar Code number 5032475002628
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AN LINNE DHUBH from FREELAND BARBOUR
Catalogue number SKYECD25   Bar Code number 5032475002229
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ESTD 1976 from ALLAN HENDERSON
Catalogue number SKYECD 24   Bar Code number 5032475002420
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.... AND DON'T FORGET - ORDER 3 CDs AND YOU GET A FREE CD!

Macmeanmna is giving away an album of 19 full-length tracks featuring some of the best music produced by the company over its first 15 years.  Entitled Macnas it is a great album in itself, and is definitely one for those of you who have not heard our music before.

It will not be available to buy in the shops, but can be obtained absolutely free only when you buy 3 or more CDs from us, either on-line or by fax, phone, e-mail or post. We'll send it automatically to anyone who buys three or more CDs through http://www.gaelicmusic.com
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MORE ALBUMS TO COME ...

Gaelic waulking group Bannal finished recording an album some time ago, and it looks like we will be able to release this soon on a DualDisc with a normal CD on one side and a DVD documentary made by MacT V which featured Bannal, on the other.  The new Iain MacKay album Creag an Fhraoich should be our next release.  Jenna Cumming has completed her second series of sessions in the studio, and Arthur Cormack goes back into the studio this month to complete his new solo CD.