REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

 

 


 

 

 

MÀIRI SINE CAMPBELL Thall An Loch Aillse (Back In Lochalsh)

MÀIRI SINE CAMPBELL Thall An Loch Aillse (Back In Lochalsh)
Macmeanmna SKYECD41

Màiri is regarded as one of Scotland’s foremost singers and tradition bearers, yet (surprisingly) this is her debut CD.  A Mod gold medallist, Màiri specialises in Gaelic songs from the Lochalsh and Kintail areas, and is keen to share her appreciation of the history behind each song.  Having said that, hers is not the dry and dusty approach of cloistered academe, for her delivery is as infectious as her enthusiasm.  You can hear this at once on starting up this disc, as her singing takes flight above a supremely airy backing (piano, guitar, border pipes, whistle, bass and gentle percussion), with all elements neatly judged and in place yet with just an element of playfulness that makes this waulking song an uplifting listening experience.  Actually, more musicians are employed on this opening track than on the majority of the rest, but it doesn’t sound overloaded in any way – and with players of the calibre of Findlay and Hamish Napier, Mary Ann Kennedy, Seòras Campbell and Ali Hutton on board, you’d expect nothing less than masterly control of light and shade, qualities that totally complement Màiri’s superb singing.  Happily, Màiri also treats us to a couple of songs sung unaccompanied, where the excellent recording enables us to appreciate the special nuances of her voice, while two further songs benefit from the sparsely florid setting of Mary Ann’s clarsàch alone.
 
 Màiri’s inspired choice of material, much (though not all) of it of Lochalsh or Skye origin, brings many delights, and a keen sense of sharing her discoveries with her listeners.  As well as the “local” songs, Màiri also performs an enigmatic song of Cape Breton origin (‘S e Mo Dhùthaich a dh’fhàg Mi – I have left my country), one of just two on the CD where Màiri’s accompanied by Seòras on the shuttle pipes (the second being a heart-stopping Crò Chinntàile, based on a pipe tune often played at Kintail funerals, on which Màiri’s joined by the chorus vocals of Fin, Seòras, Gilliebrìde MacMillan and James Graham).  The disc’s closer is also a highlight: heavenly perfection in a tender, beautiful lullaby (Tàladh A’ Phuilein) with an atmospheric flute prelude; here, as wherever Fin picks up his guitar, the standard of accompaniment is truly exceptional.  (Oh, and do leave the disc playing after the final guitar harmonics have evaporated, for another little surprise…) What a fine disc.  And typically for this Skye-based label, the disc comes complete with full texts and translations in the booklet. Very much recommended.
 
David Kidman

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This album was reviewed in Issue 78 of The Living Tradition magazine.