New CD of the Melbost Bard's Work Released

A new CD based on the songs and poems by one of the most important and respected figures in Gaelic has been launched by the Stornoway Arts Centre, An Lanntair in partnership with the Hebridean Celtic Festival.

The CD, Dhachaigh (Home), celebrates the work of Murdo Macfarlane, a leading poet and campaigner for Gaelic who was widely known as the Melbost Bard. It features standards such as Canan nan Gaidheal and Mi le m’uilinn, and includes some previously unrecorded pieces and new commissions.

Alex Macdonald, Programming Officer with An Lanntair said: “The CD is an important record, especially as Murdo Macfarlane made such significant contributions to Gaelic culture.

“The songs themselves cover such vital topics as emigration; local disasters, such as the loss of the Iolaire; a call to beware the looming threat of nuclear war; and a rousing appeal to stand proud and fight for the Gaelic language. It is truly a stirring and heartfelt compilation of works by a great bard.”

Festival Director Caroline MacLennan said: “An Lanntair and the Hebridean Celtic Festival have worked together for a number of years and this CD is a shining example of partnership between two of the foremost arts organisations in the Hebrides. We are both firmly committed to promoting Gaelic culture locally and on an international platform.”

The artistes performing on the CD are Paul Mounsey, Isobel Ann Martin, Alasdair White, Fraser Fifield & Calum Alex MacMillan, Christine Primrose, Alyth McCormack with Lau, Ishbel MacAskill, Blair Douglas, Anna Murray, Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie, Mary Smith, and Karen Matheson.

The CD is available from An Lanntair, Hebridean Celtic Festival and various distributors, including Footstompin at www.footstompin.com

Track listing and artists (in order they appear on CD)

PAUL MOUNSEY - DHACHAIDH/HOME
ISOBEL ANN MARTIN - 'S FHADA LEAM AN OIDHCHE GHEAMHRAIDH
ALASDAIR WHITE - THE "SYMMETRY"
FRASER FIFIELD & CALUM ALEX MACMILLAN - TOBAIR TOBAIR SÌOLAIDH
CHRISTINE PRIMROSE - MHÒRAG, LEAT SHIÙBHLAINN
ALYTH MCCORMACK WITH LAU - LEAG IAD AM BOM AN RAOIR
ISHBEL MACASKILL - NAOI CEUD DEUG 'S A CEITHIR DEUG
BLAIR DOUGLAS - CÀNAN NAN GÀIDHEAL
ANNA MURRAY - THIG MI GAD IARRAIDH
BRIAN O'HEADHRA & FIONA MACKENZIE - THUG IAD A THUNG THU
MARY SMITH - RAOIR REUBADH AN IOLAIRE
KAREN MATHESON - MI LE M' UILINN AIR MO GHLÙIN
BLAIR DOUGLAS - CHUNNAIC MI UAM A' BHEINN
PAUL MOUNSEY - TILL/RETURN