I will review on this bright page monthly a Celtic CD which I think might be of interest to you. This month the CD is Sioda by Ishbel MacAskill. Ishbel is a name which may not be familiar to you. She sings in Gaelic but do not let that put you off from discovering a unbelievable voice. When I first played this album I was totally awe struck.

I think the review on the back of the CD says it perfectly. "There are some voices so sublime they transcend all differences of language, culture, class or creed, and Ishbel MacAskill has one of them. I have watched this remarkable lady not only entrance a Catalan audience but also have them singing the true version of The Eriskay Love Lilt in Gaelic, with passable Lewis accents, too! That devastating combination of bubbly sense of fun, warm, low, golden pure tones and supreme interpretive skill could melt a heart of solid marble. When Ishbel sings, it is the song that matters, and all the tragedy, the hope, the endurance, the love and the courage of the Gaels shines through. Whether you have Gaelic or not, Ishbel's singing will speak to you and you will understand. This lovely album, lshbel's third, makes compelling listening - and for the misguided few who would still doubt the value and importance of Gaelic to the world's culture, should he compulsory." By Sheena Wellington, October 1994.

SÌODA

1.Thig an smeòrach as t-Earrach (The thrush comes in Spring) A familiar sound of unrequited love - some things never change! 2. Chì mi'n toman (I see the hillock) A rather gruesome story, written by a woman whose lover was murdered by her brothers. This version come from a tape form Dr. Alasdair Maclean, via Shona Cormack. 3. Aignis (Aiginish) An emigrant song, composed by John Archie Morrison, inspired by a gravestone in Carolina. 4. Tha mo spiorad cianail (My spirit is low) This song was written by Murdo Ferguson, full of nostalgia for his youth, spent on the Isle of Lewis. 5. Bha mi latha Samhraidh an Steòrnabhagh (One day in Stornoway) The Conundrurn I find this light song gives me a great lift in between singing the "heavies" - hope my audiences agree! It is followed by Peter MacLeod's 2/4 march. 6. 'S daor a cheannaich mi'n t-iasgach (I paid dearly for the fishing) This is a very old song, the best-known version of which was collected by the late Calum Maclean from Mrs. Kate MacCormick, Hacleit, Benbecula. 7. Ho ro chan' eil cadal orm (I cannot sleep) A salutary lesson to any girl contemplating marriage to an older man, purely for financial reasons! 8. Gràdh geal mo chridh' (Fair love of my heart) The traditional version of the song which has become known (courtesy of Marjory Kennedy-Fraser) as the Eriskay Love Lilt. The English version has little to with the original Gaelic version however! 9. Gur muladach sgìth mi (I am sad and tired) A classic love song, the original version of which was also collected from Kate MacCormick by Calum Maclean. The vocables always take me by surprise. 10. Bràigh Loch Iall (The Braes of Locheil) A beautiful love song from a beautiful part of the country. 11. Oran na maighdinn-mhara'The Mermaid's Song Legend has it that this song was composed by a mermaid when she deserted her "on land" family to go back to follow the tides - a theme common to Gaelic songs. To order go to our secure credit card service. If you would like to order by phone or check go here.