THE GLENCOE LADS: SEÁN HEELY, COLIN MCGLYNN - Home Port: Port na Dachaigh
Private Label
Now, you can immediately tell from the cover photo of two young, kilted fiddlers in front of a modern harbour that they’re not in that most sombre of Scottish glens – the duo takes its name from the Glencoe Inn in Portsmouth, Virginia, where some of the album was recorded. Both Seán Heely and Colin McGlynn are American award-winning fiddlers and singers with a love for Scottish and Gaelic culture and language. Throw in a similar regard for all things maritime and you get the background for this CD.
Seán also plays octave fiddle, clarsach and cezouki (mandocello-bouzouki) and there are guest appearances by Lucas Ashby, percussion; Matt Bell, bodhrán; Kevin Elam, guitar, bouzouki, piano and vocals; Zachary Mills, vocals; and Connie Austin Smith, vocals and guitar. This allows for a great range of intonation and helps drive things along.
In addition to well-known traditional tunes, there are a couple of self-penned sets, and a jaunty version of The Wellerman, the sea shanty that had a touch of success in Scotland recently; and a more fittingly poignant take on Tha Mi Sgìth. Some of Seán’s classical training shows through on the Niel Gow lament as well, to great effect.
All in all, this is a well-produced CD, with good clarity of all instrumentation and a good balance throughout. Just be aware (if you don’t know the tunes) that tracks 7 and 8 are
misnumbered on the sleeve notes – maybe to see if reviewers are paying attention!
www.seanheely.com
Gordon Potter
This review appeared in Issue 142 of The Living Tradition magazine