News May 2006
Fàilt' oirbh gu iris eile de Macmeanmnaidheachdan. Tha greis on a sgaoil sinn fiosrachadh mu dheireadh, ach tha cùisean trang mar is àbhaist. Tha naidheachdan ann air rud neo dhà a tha a' tachairt thall 'sa bhos leis na daoine a tha air clàradh còmhla ri Macmeanmna. Agus, bu mhath leinn taing mhòr a thoirt dhan a h-uile duine a tha air a bhith a’ ceannach bhuainn, oir tha sinn air soirbheachadh gu mòr air a’ bhliadhna a chaidh seachad.
Welcome to another Macmeanmna newsletter. It’s been a while since the last one, but we’re as busy as ever. There’s information here about one or two other things happening with the folk who have recorded with Macmeanmna. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who ahs been buying from us. We have had our best year ever.
Scroll down for news on
Cliar – new album and tour dates
Inverness Gaelic Society event in Strathpeffer
Blas – Celebrating Highland Music
Jenna Cumming reviews
Ordinary Angel – a very worthwhile purchase for a very worthwhile cause
New releases due from Macmeanmna including Bannal, Arthur Cormack, Gillebride MacMillan, Màiri Sìne Campbell and Stuart Liddell
MACMEANMNA CDs ARE AVAILABLE IN THE UK FROM THE FOLLOWING WHOLESALERS:
Macmeanmna | sales@gaelicmusic.com | Phone 01478 612990 | Fax 01478 612990 (No requirement to open an account)
Gordon Duncan Distribution | gordon-duncan@sol.co.uk | Phone 01236 827550 | Fax 01236 827560
Highlander Music | info@highlandermusic.com | Phone 01463 871422 | Fax 01463 871422
For details of distributors in other countries, contact us at sales@gaelicmusic.com
==================================
Cliar released their newest album Grinn, Grinn just before Christmas, and the critics have been kind! The band has just returned from a successful trip to New York, where they played at the City Lore Poetry Festival (and had a great time to boot!) and have just launched their new website at http://www.cliar.com/, which will shortly become completely bilingual. They are off to play four gigs in Tiree, Mull, Islay and Denholm before the end of this month. Details below.
CLIAR | GRINN, GRINN
Catalogue number SKYECD 40 Bar Code number 5032475004021
Take three of Gaeldom's finest young singers, add equally good clarsach and pipes, and spread on a foundation of inspired accompaniment: that's Cliar, the latest Gaelic supergroup. Grinn Grinn is their third full album, eleven tracks of songs including two stunning "puirt a'beul" sets, plus two instrumental tracks led by new boy Hector Henderson. From the rare and intriguing Si Nighean Mo Ghaoil to the Irish favourite An Gille Mear, Cliar's repertoire covers all aspects of Gaelic song. Their music is energetic, imaginative and deeply moving. The vocal front line of Mary Ann Kennedy, Maggie MacDonald and Arthur Cormack produces gorgeous clarity and powerful harmonies. The backing vocals from Ross Martin, Ingrid and Hector Henderson are second to none. Multi-instrumentalists Ingrid and Hector weave melodies around the enchanting words of Ho Ro Mo Chuachag and Mo Run air na Maraichean, and take the lead in a wonderful medley of 9/8 pipe tunes. They're joined by Allan Henderson's fiddle for the final set of reels, recorded on tour with Altan: lovely stuff.
For sheer beautiful sadness, Iain Ghlinn Cuaich is hard to beat: a classic song of unrequited love, magnificently sung here. The contrast between this bittersweet story and the punchy mouth music tracks is striking. Cliar take the unusual step of mixing "puirt a'beul" with instrumental breaks, setting voice alongside pipes and whistles, and I must say the vocals more than hold their own. Grinn Grinn mixes ancient and modern songs, showing the best of both. A Nighneag a'Ghraidh is a stunning 20th century composition from the island of Harris, arranged sensitively by Arthur and Hector. Si Nighean Mo Ghaoil is two hundred years older, but the slightly funky backing is a perfect fit. And so it goes on. With informative sleeve notes (including translations) and online sales at www.gaelicmusic.com, this recording is a highly accessible taste of Gaelic culture .... Alex Monaghan
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
Upcoming gigs:
Cliar will be appearing at the following venues shortly ......
Thursday 25 April
Tiree ~ Fèis a' Bhuain @ 8pm
Tickets from 01879 220520
Friday 26 April
Mull ~ An Tobar presentation at Aros Hall, Tobermory @ 8pm
Tickets from 01688 302211
Saturday 27 April
Islay ~ Fèis Ile at Bowmore Hall @ 7.30pm
Tickets from the festival office
Monday 29 April
Denholm ~ Cross Keys Inn @ 8pm
Tickets from 01450 870305
and later in the year .......
Thursday 2 November
Stornoway ~ An Lanntair
01851 703307
Saturday 4 November
Stirling ~ The Tolbooth
01786 274000
Friday 10 November
Skye ~ Aros Centre, Portree
01478 613649
Saturday 11 November
Arisaig ~ Astley Hall
01687 450263
Saturday 25 November
Farr ~ Farr Hall
01808 521333
=====================================
Gaelic Society of Inverness
Annual Concert
26th May 2006, Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer @ 7.30pm
with
Kenna Campbell | Maighread Stewart | Gillebride MacMillan | Donnie Murdo Macleod
Dingwall Gaelic Choir | Malcolm Jones | Mairearad Green | Jenn Butterworth | Gillian Frame
Mairi Campbell and Iain MacInnes
Sarah Naylor | Sìneag MacIntyre | Catriona Watt | Norrie MacIver
Though this year there are a couple of significant changes in the annual Gaelic Society of Inverness’s musical event, the tried and tested formula of gathering together some of the nation’s best talents to perform material relating to a particular theme remains the same. The chosen theme this year is ‘spirituality’ in the Gaidhealtachd, a topic which encompasses a vast amount of really beautiful material. Performers have been invited to choose the material they would like to perform at the event. With a view to helping in the choice of material and providing focus for the evening, spirituality has been defined as ‘the quality of being concerned with deep, often religious, feelings and beliefs, rather than with the physical parts of life’.
Being held on the 26th May is a new departure for the Gaelic Society event. In previous years it has been held in late winter but to make it easier for the great numbers who travel some distance for the event, it has been moved until later on in the year. Another innovation is the event’s flitting from the Eden Court in Inverness to the Spa Pavilion in Strathpeffer. This move has been occasioned by the building work associated with the former’s re-development. The Spa’ facilities and comfort make it a very suitable alternative to the usual venue for the event.
A tremendous array of talented people has agreed to take part in the event. Singers Kenna Campbell, Maighread Stewart, Gillebride MacMillan and Donnie Murdo Macleod are to appear. They will be joined by the Dingwall Gaelic Choir, Malcolm Jones and a ‘house-band’ which includes Mairead Green, Jenn Butterworth and Gillian Frame. Also appearing will be fiddler Mairi Campbell and piper Iain MacInnes who have been performing together very successfully over recent months. The winner of last year’s Glenfiddich Championship, fiddler Sarah Naylor has also confirmed that she can perform. So also have three students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Sìneag MacIntyre, Catriona Watt and Norrie MacIver.
According to Society Secretary, Anne Souter, a great evening of entertainment is anticipated and, if anything, the change in the event’s timing and location will make it even more special than usual. “Strathpeffer is a beautiful place to spend a May evening and the Spa Pavilion has great character to complement its superb facilities. Add to this the terrific programme arranged for the evening and a cordial ‘fàilte’ from the Society and a very pleasant and entertaining night is assured.”
Further information from Cailean Maclean 01470 532481 | cailean@skye-media.com
=====================================
Blas Festival 2006
Celebrating Highland Music
Venues in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh, Lochaber, Badenoch & Strathspey and Nairn
1-9 September 2006 | 1-9 Sultain 2006
Le Blas, gheibh sibh measgachadh sònraichte de sheinneadairean is luchd-ciùil, cuid à tobar an dualchais fhèin is cuid de na ‘rionnagan’ òga a tha a‘dèanamh ainm dhaibh fhèin ann an saoghal a chiùil. Cha bhiodh am pasgan buileach slàn gun cheòl bho ar càirdean à Canada agus à Eirinn. Thèid am brat ciùil a seo, agus cànan nan Gàidheal, a sgaoileadh fad is farsaing air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Feuch nach caill sibh e!
From tradition bearers to the ‘young bright stars’ in the firmament of Gaelic music, as well as our Canadian and Irish Cousins, Blas represents and brings Highland-wide all that is beautiful and lasting in our traditional musical culture and Gaelic language. Don’t miss a single show!
Gheibhear barrachd fiosrachaidh aig www.blas-festival.com, far a bheil an cothrom agaibh tiocaidean a cheannach aig prìsean gu math saor ro 30 Òg-mhìos tro www.thebooth.co.uk
Further information is available on the Blas website where you can buy tickets at vastly reduced prices until 30 June online through The Booth http://www.thebooth.co.uk/
Cuir sùil air http://www.blas-festival.com/ an-dràsta fhèin!
=====================================
JENNA CUMMING | KINTULAVIG
Jenna Cumming released her debut album with Macmeanmna to great acclaim, just around Christmas time.
Catalogue number SKYECD 36 Bar Code number 5032475003625
The young Gaelic singers of Scotland are making their voices heard these days. Inverness-born Jenna Cumming has been immersed in her country’s song culture since she was tiny; she’s won prizes at the National Mòd, and she’s perfected her linguistic proficiency under the tutelage of Janet MacGregor of Inverness Gaelic choir. Blessed with a naturally beautiful, exquisitely pure voice, Jenna brings a wonderfully clear enunciation to these songs - listening would help any learner of the language, and her voice demonstrates the breathtaking musicality of this beautiful language.
This recording sounds very honest, and this is its real strength. Simple, spacious arrangements allow Jenna’s voice to shine, and it’s palpable that the beauty of the songs seems to be all that matters here. An impressive roster of Scottish musicians lend a hand, including Aaron Jones, Brian McAlpine, Cliar’s Mary Ann Kennedy, and Jenna’s mother Chrissie MacVicar. They provide rousing backing vocals (witness the sparkling ‘Seinn, o ho rò, Seinn’), as does recent Traditional Musician of the Year winner, James Graham.
Kintulavig, in the Isle of Harris, is mum Chrissie MacVicar’s birthplace, and Jenna sings two of her compositions here. But all these songs celebrate a hidden, very special part of Britain’s culture, and the Gaelic song store is enriched by the less well-known songs. Jenna’s vocal maturity and emotional depth are never more captivating than on album closer, ‘O ho ro ille dhuinn’, a hauntingly beautiful song lamenting the death of her ‘brown-haired lad’. A lovely debut album. Debbie Koritsas, Songlines Magazine
======================================
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.
============================================
THE BEST GAELIC and HIGHLAND MUSIC CDs
You can buy albums by Freeland Barbour, Donald Black & Malcolm Jones, Kenna Campbell, Cliar, Arthur Cormack, Jenna Cumming, 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.
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
============
MORE ALBUMS TO COME ...
Gaelic waulking group Bannal’s DualDisc will be our next release (CD one side, DVD the other). Arthur Cormack has still to complete his new solo CD, but it’s getting there, with all his recording sessions done at last! Gaelic singers Gillebride MacMillan and Màiri Sìne Campbell have just completed album for us too, and a debut album from top piper Stuart Liddell is well on its way. So, the best of Gaelic music will continue to appear from Macmeanmna throughout 2006.
