Notes on Celtic Music - Reviews of Celtic CDs

This month's CD is "Mac-talla ... mairidh goal is ceol". It includes 12 songs which is a superb mix of traditional favorites. The members of Mac-talla are already well-known as leaders in the field of Gaelic music and song. Christine Primrose, Elidh Mackenzie and Arthur Cormack have all led the way in braking the mould into Gaelic song had been forced. Through their extensive repertoire, fine voices, impeccable style and critically acclaimed records, the audience for this proud tradition has been vastly widened.

To say the Alison Kinnaird (Scottish harp and 'cello) and Blair Douglas (keyboards and accordion) accompany the singers is to underestimate their influence and importance to the overall sound. Both these musicians are foresmost exponents of their instruments, and their understanding and sympathy for the traditional gives as much to the songs as it owes to them.

These singers and musicians have known and played with each other, both formally and informally, over many years. About a year ago when Robin Morton, their producer, suggested they get together to make this album, all were immediately enthusiastic about the idea. Then, when world slipped out about it, many offers came in for concerts both in Scotland and abroad. In their live performances and on this album they all combine to add their unique voices to an ancient and vibrant tradition.

This album costs $19.95 plus $2.00 postage and handling. To order go to our secure credit card service.

If you would like to order by phone or check go here.

You need a Real Audio player which is available for download at Real Audio. to play the noted songs.

MAC -TELLA

1. Illean Bithlbh Sunndach (Boys Be Happy)*
This is an example of a traditional song that deals with the prospect of emigration. Unlike many of the other Gaelic songs that deal with this issue however this one enjoys a positive stance urging those leaving Scotland to look to the future in Nova Scotia, Canada, and not to wallow in self-pity.
2. Seann Oran Seilge (An Old Hunting Song)*
The sources fro this song are two-fold, in this instance both from print. Margaret Fay Shaw's collection provided the melody and the longer text came from Sinclair's "An t-Oranaiche". The stanzas tell of the hunter's catch and list weaponry of the time. This is a work song as such enjoys a constant rhythmic pulse to accompany the hunter at task.
3. Griogal Cridhe (Beloved Gregor)*
A lament and lullaby sung by the wife of the chief of the Clan MacGregor of Glenstrae who was executed at Taymouth Castle, Perthshire, on 7th April 1570. This event recorded by the Vicar of Fortingall, gives us an example of one of the earliest documented Gaelic songs, hence the exact date of execution.
4. Puirt-a-beul (Mouth Music) (Eadaraibh a huinn o/Domhnall dubh an DomhnallaichlNighean rudh' bhan/Meal do bhrogan/ Ciamar a ni ml an dannsa direach)*
Puirt-a-beul (mouth music) is a form of dance music sung by Gaels and is thought to have developed around the times that the playing of the pipes and the fiddle, and even dancing were outlawed in Scotland by the Church and the state, though for different reasons. Some of these examples are well-known, the more unusual ones were learned from the singing of the Campbell family from Greepe in Skye. This set constist of two strathspeys, a jig and two reels.
5. Crodh an Tailleir(The Tailor's Dowry)*
Two versions of this lullaby are amalgamated here. One version comes from the well-know Gaelic singer, Kenna Campbell and the other from Margaret Fay Shaw's Folksongs and Folk-lore of South Uist. The verses indicate a link with Ireland, as the singer tells of the thousand ships sailing on the Irish Sea and how she wishes she was on board.
6. Barcelona (Eilidh Mackenzie Pub. Kinmor Music)
A visit to Barcelona in June of 1993 to take part in the British Councils first festival of Celtic music inspired Eilidh to write the song "Barcelona". Struck by the fact that first impressions of a place can be clouded by the obvious tourist attractions she built the song around the renowned unfinished church, the "Sagrada Familia". The song comments on the similarities between people of different backgrounds but sharing a common origin in this instance the fight to preserve a language and culture labelled "minority."
7. Ailein Duinn (Brown Haired Alan)*
Roderick Morrison was a sea captain from the Isle of Lewis. In the spring of 1788 he left Stornoway to go to Scalpay, Harris, here he was to marry Annnie Campbell. Unfortunately they sailed into a storm and all the crew sank with the vessel. The broken-hearted Annie wasted away throught grief and died a few months afterwards. This lament she composed. There are quite a few variants of this song.
8. Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite (Chades Grant, Arr. Mac-talla, Pub. Kinmor Music)
A 19th century fiddle tune composed by Charles Grant. He was born at Strandhu, Knockando, in 1806, and was a pupil of the famous North-East fiddle player, William Marshall. The 'cello' was a popular instrument in Scottish music of this period, notably in the hands of John Gow, brother of the celebratred Niel Gow. Alison and Blalir play the tune first on 'cello and piano, then Alison joun in again on the wire-strung clarsach.
9. Puirt-a-beuI (Mouth Music)(Dh'lhaibhainn sgiobalta/Fhuair mi nead a ghurra-gug/Fear a bhios fada gun phosadh/Ruidhlidh na coillich dhubha)*
Another set of dance tunes, this time a jig, strathspey, another jig and a reel.
10. A Chain Aiuinn (The Beautiful Girl)*
A song sung by Eamonn O Faogain at a ceilidh in Belfast, translated from Irish to Scottish Gaelic. The melody is very similar to the Mingulay Boat Song and it is typical of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic songs of unrequited love.
11. Togail Curs air Leodhas (Setting a Course for Lewis) *
Leaving the lowlands and spending the rest of their days in the place of their birth is a very popular theme for Gaelic song-writing. In this particular one the place referred to is the Island of Lewis where the homeland is praised along with the community and the landscape.
12. Braigh Uige (Uig Brae)*
The origins of this song from Uig in the Isle of Skye are not very clear, but it tells of a hunter who has gone out and has not come back. His lover imagines him lying dead among the deer on the hills of Uig. There are several versions of the song and this one is from the singing of the late Catriona MacDonald of Braes, Skye. The refrain is unusual, and was learned form the singing of Catriona's great aunt, Flora MacLean.
* All Trad. Arr. Mac-talla, Pub. Kinmor Music
Mac-tella

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