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REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

 


 

 

 
SGOIL CHIÙIL NA GÀIDHEALTACHD - Come Spend A While Wi’ Us 

SGOIL CHIÙIL NA GÀIDHEALTACHD - Come Spend A While Wi’ Us 
Private Label SCGCD021 

Another year, another release from the inspired and inspiring students at Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, the centre in Plockton where the best traditional musicians of the future are encouraged, developed and prepared for the wider world that awaits. This last year, of course, has been as different for these students as for us all, and a particular difficulty for them was the lack of opportunity to play in live performances. Has this been reflected in the quality of the CD? Don’t you believe it! This demonstrates resilience at its best – just play when you can.

The opening song, the last written by the outstanding Lionel McClelland, was secretly arranged by the S6 students and recorded live for their tutors on their last day. That’s how to get back into things! As is the way of such recordings, there are varying combinations of the 23 different S3 – S6 musicians, and instrumentation includes accordion, clarsach, drums, fiddle, flute, guitar, piano and pipes (both Highland and Border) to complement the vocals.

The tracks and arrangements reflect the choices of the students themselves, including self-compositions, one of which, the haunting Eilean na Sìth, being written by Emily MacDonald at the age of 11. With such latent talent being skilfully enhanced by the tutors, the future of the “carrying stream” is most certainly assured. The playing and singing are of a standard that belies the notion that these are students. They perform with a confidence and poise that would put many to shame.

Hats off to all the students and tutors involved.

www.musicplockton.org

Gordon Potter

 

This review appeared in Issue 144 of The Living Tradition magazine