Julie Fowlis postscript: the Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh connection
September 19, 2024
Colin Randall writes: in my review of a listen-as-you're-massaged single featuring Julie Fowlis and Ewen Henderson, from a forthcoming album on which they also appear, there was passing reference to the Irish singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, formerly of Danu, these days part of an Irish electronica duo Aeons.
What caused me to mention her was Cearcall Mun Ghealaich, which starts with a stirring poem by Catriona Montgomery (sadly, she died in January aged 78 and may have preferred the Gaelic, Catriona NicGumeraid) before merging with a lush ballad. Spotify and Scottish Poetry Library both give Nic Amhlaoibh shared vocal honours, a detail I duly repeated.
Fowlis has seen and graciously acknowledged my review, offering no correction, so although no track listing I have seen credits Nic Amhlaoibh, I shall assume she contributed the harmonies I hear as listen now for the umpteenth time to the thing of beauty that is this song.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful review Colin 🙌
— Julie Fowlis (@juliefowlis) September 18, 2024
Muireann Nic Amlaoich, with flute, 2016, by Myrtle26
Fowlis by Daniel Farrell, 2011
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is a wonderful singer, too. I have not seen or heard Danu since she belonged to the band but have the fondest of memories.This is her live with Danu, performing a Tommy Sands song, County Down, in 2011.
Now back to Fowlis, this time unmistakeably with Nic Amhlaoibh, on Tha 'M Buntata Mor (helpfully translated as The Potato is Large or, as the French have it, La Pomme de Terre est Grosse), with impeccable instrumental in put from Eamon Doorley (aka Mr Fowlis)= and Ross Martin.
And finally, to show Fowlis's versatility, an infectious folk-rockish song Touch the Sky from the soundtrack of the successful animated fantasy Brave, set in the Highlands and directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman. I like this, too.
Let this postscript stand as minor salute two great figures of Scottish and Irish folk.
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