New harp album connects traditions
Karen Marshalsay (photo by Archie MacFarlane)
Leading Scottish harper Karen Marshalsay celebrates connections
between the Scots, Scottish Gaelic and Irish musical traditions in
solo, duo and trio performances on her second album, Eadarainn a’
Chruit : Between Us the Harp.
The follow-up to Karen’s 2019 album, The Road to Kennacraig, Eadarainn a’ Chruit : Between Us the Harp is a statement of tradition. Comprised of traditional tunes and songs and original tunes composed in the traditional style, it also showcases all three of the harps associated with Scottish music.
Tracks include Boys of the Lough founder Cathal McConnell’s soulful
interpretation of the deeply affecting Irish War of Independence song,
The Valley of Knockanure. There’s also a possible “first” in the duet
MacDonnell’s March, on which Karen and her friend and mentor Alison
Kinnaird both play bray harp, the distinctive sounding harp from the
Renaissance and Baroque periods.
As well as playing harp, Karen plays whistle on one track, Leaving
Bellevue, and makes her recorded singing debut on Uamh an Òir (Cave of Gold) in a duo with piper and Gaelic singer Allan MacDonald. This
atmospheric story of an otherworldly occurrence here gathers the four
versions from Tolmie’s collection with William Matheson’s more familiar version.
The Cathal McConnell Trio, in which Karen features with
fiddler-violist Kathryn Nicoll alongside the great singer, flautist
and whistle player, delivers The Gates of the Yellow Town and The
Eagle’s Whistle set and a quartet of harps, all played by Karen,
creates a magical soundworld on the lovely Uncle Hugh’s Lullaby.
Growing up in Ayrshire, Karen has been influenced by Robert Burns
since her teens and a trio of tunes associated with Scotland’s
national bard that she has arranged include Rory Dall’s Port, the
melody Burns originally chose for Ae Fond Kiss.
New tunes by Karen include dedications to her nephew, a mouse and a
tortoise and a melody to mark her move from Scotland’s capital,
Edinburgh, to her new home in the gorgeous East Neuk of Fife.
The album was recorded in Gran House’s studio in the Clyde valley and
engineered and co-produced by another connection, Angus Lyon. Angus and Karen first worked together almost thirty years ago, before Angus became known for his classic 18 Months Later album with fiddler Ruaridh Campbell and his tenure as keyboardist-accordionist with Blazin’ Fiddles.
“Having recorded a solo album in The Road to Kennacraig, I wanted the second one to reinforce the musical partnerships that have been such an important part of my musical journey,” says Karen. “I’ve always enjoyed playing with Alison, Allan, Cathal and Kathryn, as well as playing solo concerts, and their contributions enrich the music on the album just as their friendship and musicality have enriched my
experience."
Eadarainn a’ Chruit : Between Us the Harp is out now on Cramasie Records.
Nick Harper releases the album of the show
Nick Harper releases 58 Fordwych Road, the album of his live show of the same name that celebrates British folk legends, on 26th September.
A singer and guitarist of extraordinary talents, Nick grew up surrounded by music. The family flat in North London was a regular haunt for guitar mavericks Davey Graham, Bert Jansch and Martin Carthy and singer-songwriters including Sandy Denny and Jackson C Frank, among other friends of Nick's dad, singer-songwriter-guitarist Roy Harper.
Harper senior, as well as creating a catalogue of outstanding albums including Flat Baroque and Berserk, Stormcock and HQ, was the inspiration behind Led Zeppelin’s Hats Off to Harper. He also sang Have a Cigar on Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album.
With 58 Fordwych Road, Nick focused on and interpreted songs and guitar pieces by visitors to the flat at that address. It won a Herald Angel for outstanding performance when Nick took it to the Edinburgh Fringe and included Davey Graham's guitarists' rite of passage, Angi, Bert Jansch's Blackwaterside and Sandy Denny's Who Knows Where the Time Goes – all linked by Nick's entertaining chat.
The album is available to pre-order now here
