tracklisting

1. Voyage

Words and music by Johnny Duhan (MCPS/PRS).
Performed by Michael Marra.
This song, written by Johnny Duhan from Galway, has been covered many times. Sheila and I first heard it in the late 1980s when we went to see Christy Moore at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. We fell in love with it instantly and, as with so many people, it became one of “our songs”. This version was recorded for Sheila by Michael Marra with the full approval of Johnny Duhan.

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2. Peighinn na h-Iodhlann

Written and performed by Blair Douglas.
Blair wrote and recorded this tune for Sheila but left it for me to name. It is called after the old name for the land on which we built our house in Borve. Roughly translated it means the pennyland of the (corn) stack yard.

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3. Flow Gently Sweet Afton

Words and music by Robert Burns. Performed by Rod Paterson
I wanted at least one Burns song on this album and I could have chosen many. But this remains my favourite and Rod Paterson kindly agreed to record it for me, ably assisted by Christopher and Michael Marra.

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4. Green Fields of Rossbay & Dunmore Lassies

Music traditional. Performed by Peatbog Faeries
Innes Hutton of the Peatbogs has been tremendously supportive of what I have been trying to do with this album. These tracks were specially recorded for the project at the Phat Controller’s studio in Dunvegan.

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5. The Homeless Do Not Seem To Drink In Here

Words and music by Michael Marra . Performed by Michael Marra and The Cauld Blast Orchestra
One of two tracks recorded by Michael more than ten years ago (but not released) and donated for the album by him.

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6. Dr Stephen & Mrs Sheila McCabe

Written by Jennifer Forrest. Performed by Jennifer Forrest and her Scottish Dance Band
Jennifer and Sheila grew up together in Airdrie and when we wanted a band for our wedding reception in Auchterarder there was only ever going to be one choice. Jennifer wrote this tune as our wedding waltz for the occasion and it was played once again to welcome Sheila to her surprise 40th birthday party in Skye in April 2004.

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7. A Mhàiread Òg

Words and music traditional, Performed by Donnie Munro
This track first appeared on Donnie’s album ‘Gaelic Heart’ and it appears here courtesy of Hypertension Music. The title translates as ‘young Margaret’.

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8. An Ath-Dhoras

Words and music by Eilidh Mackenzie, Performed by MacKenzie (with Brian Ó hEadhra, David Boag & Brendon Eade)
A long time admirer of the work of the MacKenzie sisters it was actually Michael Marra who suggested that I approach Eilidh to write a song for the album. This is the result and the title translates as ‘(The) Next Door’. It finishes with the poignant words “lie with me my love, my darling, and we will still see the next door”.

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9. The Atholl Highlanders

Trad. – Paterson Pub.

Calliope House

David Richardson – Gildroy Music

Mòrag’s Cèilidh

Fergie Macdonald – Rannoch Music

The Boys Of Ballymore

Trad. – Tigh na Teud, Performed by Jennifer Forrest and her Scottish Dance Band

A set of lively jigs including “Mòrag’s Cèilidh” composed by fergie MacDonald for Morag MacDonald, a presenter with BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. Coincidentally both Sheila and Jennifer’s mums are Morags! Jennifer lists “The Boys of Ballymore” as one of her favourites.

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10. Calum Sgàire

Words and music traditional. Performed by Arthur Cormack (with Ingrid Henderson)
The words for this song are attributed to a fisherman from Lewis, Malcolm MacAulay, in the mid 1800s. The tune followed afterwards and was composed by Kitty Macleod, the legendary Gaelic singer from Lewis, in the 1930s. It tells the story of a fisherman who tries to elope with his young love before she is married off to an older, wealthier man but their plans are thwarted by misty seas. She marries the merchant and Calum is bereft.

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11. Seudan a’ Chuain

Allan MacDonald, MCPS

Chloe’s Passion

Dr Angus Macdonald, MCPS

Nighean na Caillich

Trad., Arr. Dr Angus, Performed by Dr Angus MacDonald

Some beautiful tunes performed by one of the world’s greatest living pipers who also happens to be a great doctor and a good friend. Seudan A Chuain (Jewel of the Sea) was composed by Dr Angus’ brother Allan and is followed by Chloe’s Passion, a 9/8 jig composed by Dr Angus. The final tune Nighean na Caillich (The Old Woman’s Daughter) is a 6/8 jig.

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12. A’ Chaileag Bheag

Comp. Ingrid Henderson

The Broken Reed

Comp. Iain MacFarlane, Performed by Ingrid Henderson and Iain Mac Farlane.

The first tune, “the little girl”, was inspired by a little girl called Gladys from the jungles of Venezuela, a reminder of how beautiful and precious life is. The “Broken Reed” was written by Iain following an incident involving Rory Campbell, a broken chanter reed and a five minute panic before a gig in Orkney!

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13. An t-Oighr’ Òg

Words and music traditional, Performed by Anne Martin

The title translates as The Young Heir and refers to the heir to Dunvegan. The bardess laments how she will never be good enough for the young heir while at the same time she has a wee dig at him for his philandering ways! This song serves to illustrate how the human voice remains the most powerful musical instrument.

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14. Chain Up The Swings

Words and music by Michael Marra, Performed by Michael Marra

To Sheila, Michael Marra is nothing less than a hero. Of all his songs this is possibly her favourite. Recorded by Michael over a decade a go it has gained almost mythological status. Its gentle nature belies its cutting message – intolerance is the scourge of humanity – and I for one could think of no better way to finish the album.

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