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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hug Air A Bhonald Mhoir | |||
| 2. Mo Ghruagach Dhonn | |||
| 3. A T-Aparan Goirid 's A T-Aparan Ur: Oran Do Sheasaidh Bhalle Raghnaill | |||
| 4. Ille Dhuinn, 'S Toigh Leam Thu | |||
| 5. Puirt-a-beul Set 'S Toigh Leam Fhin Buntata 'S Im/Tha Fionnlagh Ag | |||
| 6. Set Of Jigs | |||
See all 12 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Lon-dubh / Blackbird | |||
| 2. Òganaich Ùir A Rinn m’ Fhàgail | |||
| 3. Mo Bheannachd Dhan Bhaillidh ùr | |||
| 4. Turas San Lochmor | |||
| 5. The Thatcher/Peter Byrne's/The Soup Dragon/Mo Chuachag 's Laghach Thu | |||
| 6. Biodh An Deoch Seo 'n Làimh Mo Rùin | |||
| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. DVD: A 7 minute documentary filmed in the Outer Hebrides on North and South Uist tracing Julie’s upbringing and musical roots. Includes unreleased live footage and interviews with Julie. | |||
Product Description
Review
With the recent upsurge in interest in folk, artists that would previously have found small audiences are being pushed into the mainstream, which, while being good for the genre, can throw up some oddities. Just when you think you've got a handle on what's happening, someone else comes along and blows it all apart.
Think about it; you're getting used to Karine Polwart's rolling wonders and Seth Lakeman comes along with his fiddle and sends you reeling in another direction. Still, few people could have predicted the rise of Julie Fowlis. After all, she sings entirely in Scottish Gaelic.
The fact her songs are not English is not a matter of fierce patriotism or defiant politics. As a resident of the Hebridean isle of North Uist, it is simply her mother tongue, yet its curious sounds and unusual structures make her songs take on the otherworldliness of some distant land.
In truth, trying to pin down the beauty of her music is like trying to grab the Highland mist. Her voice rings out with a joy and gentleness that is enhanced by the non-Gaelic speaker's need to rest simply on the sound.
As canny as any of her countrymen, Fowlis has also brought in the finest musicians to make Cuilidh even better. Danu's Eamon Doorley, Altan's Mark Kelly, Michael McGoldrick, Nickel Creek's Chris Thile and the incomparable John McCusker are amongst those called upon to put the final shine on an already gleaming gem.
That said, it could all have been for nothing had the poetry of the songs been denied to the wider audience. Thankfully, translations in Cuilidh's accompanying booklet reveal the beauty and humour the likes of ''Mo Ghruagach Dhonn (My Brown-haired Lass)'' or ''Turas san Lochmor (A Journey In The Lochmor)'', adding extra layers of treats.
Whether she can break into the mainstream like Lakeman or simply glances it in passing, remains to be seen, but the truth is that Cuilidh is possibly the most aptly-titled album ever. Listen to it and see if you don't agree; after all, it means 'treasury'. --Chris Long
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Mark Radcliffe - Radio 1
Like beautiful messages from another world - enchanting and beguiling
Utterly charming
Traditional material transformed by clear, thoughtful vocals
Utterly charming
Traditional material transformed by clear, thoughtful vocals
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
77 of 80 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Julie's second album and is even more charming and wonderful than the first, with more rounded arrangements and wonderful backing from the likes of John McCusker and Michael McGoldrick. Yes all the lyrics are in Gaellic, and no I don't speak it, but I am won over by Julie's beautiful clear voice and by the homely charm of it all. Pop/rock it is not, you could call it Gaellic folk - the tunes are from her home of North Uist (Outer Hebrides), but that would be condemning it to the few wheraes Julie deserves to be heard by anyone who loves simple beautiful songs sang in a heartfelt and sincere manner. Check out the translated lyrics - Julie sings like her heart is breaking then you find the song is about a farmer spreading manure! - it all adds to the old world charm. In somes ways she's like a Scottish Kate Rusby - certainly the John McCusker fiddling underpinning some of the arrangements gives it a similar sound, and the songs are sometimes about girls pining for sailors gone off to sea (very Kate). Very relaxing and life affirming.
45 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I also own Mar a Tha Mo Chridhe and it too is an excellent album. Julie Fowlis is a truly exceptional singer, having a voice that seems magical, with a clear, beautiful and pure tone - always a perfect fit for the engaging acoustic accompaniment of the fine supporting musicians. In that sense Julie Fowlis has made such a well-balanced album, endlessly listenable, engaging and overflowing with the clarity and emotion of her voice. On the basis of her recordings I saw her sing live on her 2007 tour with her band, including her man Éamon Doorley of Danú fame, and what a fine treat it was. Highly recommended. If you have any doubts then listen to the tracks within Julie's myspace.com site and be convinced.
41 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Shame on me but Julie Fowlis is a new name in my collection. However I know most of the musicians on the album and it is to Julie's credit that she's not overpowered or intimidated by such company. Shades of Clannad, Altan and Capercailie. The songs (all in Scots gaelic) are delivered in her lovely clear, warm voice - coping with a variety of themes and tempos effortlessly. Even better, these are unfamiliar songs, sung with feeling, arranged with restraint and subtlety and unadorned by intrusive "modern" influences or unnecessary gimmicks. You can just let the album flow over you and relax like you're on holiday in the Highlands. No new directions here then, just friendly, charming, reassuring surroundings. Encore.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Buy the album folks!
This is an excellent album which both relaxes and stimulates the mind. Would recommend heartily to those that like music and particularly a traditional variation.
Published 2 months ago by 15fullback
excellent
I bought this album for 6-99 and that is clearly great value. Julie Fowlis does have a very pleasant crystalline voice and many of the melodies are engaging and well-played. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Hugh Crawford
Breaks your heart then mends it again
I saw/heard Julie Fowlis as part of an arts festival in Galway a couple of years ago and found myself alternately with tears pouring down my cheeks and unable to stay seated... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lady Fancifull
A Scottish nightingale talking to the soul
This is a wonderful selection of Gaelic songs from this songbird from the Hebrides. Needless to say I do not understand Gaelic but this is music for the soul. Read more
Published 20 months ago by matilda special, Belgium
Another discovery from Transatlantic Sessions
I don't think I would have purchased a CD of Gaelic music if I hadn't heard it presented in the context of US, Scottish and Irish folk music on the BBC series Transatlantic... Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. F. Head
Superb Scots Folk music
I must add my voice to the eloquent reviews already posted. Julie Fowlis is quite enchanting and the songs of her native Hebrides are of staggering high quality. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by Fergal Woods
Captivating
Recommended by a friend, I was a little dubious about buying a Scottish folk music album. However the beauty of the voice and the musicianship wins through.
Published on 21 Nov 2007 by R. C. Tanton
Musician's musician
Well, I'm going to add my voice to the chorus.
As I write, there are no musical samples available on Amazon; but I saw the glowing reviews. Read more
As I write, there are no musical samples available on Amazon; but I saw the glowing reviews. Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2007 by Paul Magnussen
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