NEW ALBUM RELEASE:
OUT OF THE BLUE
10 original songs in a contemporary mouth music style with multilayered harmonies, modern beats, and a celtic flavour.
"But Mary McCrae heeded not, and went on her own way, singing her songs and ballads, intoning her hymns and incantations, chanting her port a'biel, mouth music, and dancing to her own shadow when nothing better was available." - Carmina Gadelica.
This woman I know in my bones. The above quote I found in a book of Songs of the Hebrides that my mother used to own. In the old times when the British banned musical instruments in Scotland music could only be sung. The old songs were primarily work songs, songs sung to the rhythm of the loom, or the scythe, for walking or for dancing to.
My grandmother's family were from Dundee and as a child I spent time walking the farm looking for cast sheep. I somehow seemed to find this type of singing quite natural. It sits well with my love of a nifty lyric and wide intervals in a melody.
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This music I call contemporary mouth music starts there but by means of the wonderful recording programs available now is built up with layers of harmony and counterpoint and unconventional beats reflecting my love of Bach and Ravel.
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Are there any singers out there who would like to play with these songs? I'd like to think so but I've never heard of any. There are the traditionalists out there but no, that is certainly not us.
Dancing on Your Toes
Lament for a Son Lost at Sea
Two Feathers Two Wings
Who's My Darlin'