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REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk
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RACHEL
WALKER Braighe
Loch Iall Skipinnish Records SKIP03 |
Rachel Walker's
'Braighe Loch Iall' is an exquisite, moving collection of much-loved Gaelic
songs by a musician of outstanding vocal beauty - a powerful reminder
that the human voice is the most expressive instrument after all - Walker's
clarity of tone and elegant vocal nuance are a joy to listen to. Kenna
Campbell taught and mentored Rachel through her RSAMD studies, and writes:
"Her performance became the yardstick against which I measured later students.
To date she is unsurpassed".
This is Walker's first solo album (following earlier recordings with Dochas/Skipinnish),
and it received a quietish, understated launch in Inverness this summer.
Runrig's Malcolm Jones provides the steadiest of hands as producer - the
instrumentation on each song is beautifully and subtly arranged to maximise
the impact of Walker's magnificent voice, which is allowed to flourish,
high and pure, throughout. The sublime title track sees Allan Henderson
leading on piano (he plays with a lovely touch!), whilst on 'Smeorach
Clann Domnaill' Jones leads on acoustic guitar. Jones also plays electric
guitars (with restrained elegance!), accordion, basses, keyboards and
percussion - his role is fundamental to this album's beauty. The laments
are performed unaccompanied and are thereby all the more moving. Other
contributing musicians are Donald Black (mouth organ), Iain MacFarlane
(fiddle), and Andrew Stevenson (small pipes/whistle/flute) - their impact
on the album is memorable. The backing vocalists are another significant
strength - Abigail Walker, Julie Fowlis, Mary Ann Kennedy, Angus MacPhail
and James Graham provide rousing, robust vocals, especially on the 'waulking/rowing
songs' and 'puirt a beul'. I could listen to this album all day.
This recording serves to convince me that the song tradition of Scotland's
Highlands & Islands not only transcends language barriers, but also remains
Britain's most hidden cultural treasure. This has quickly become my personal
favourite album of the year.
Debbie Koritsas
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