Millennium Hall, Invermoriston, Wednesday 11 June 2003

Members of 'Cliar'

TO PERFORM to a packed hall near the start of a tour is a rare occurrence, but that is precisely what happened in Invermoriston Hall. In an evening filled with JCB’s, curly haired heroes and  tragic heroines struck by lightning, Gaelic ‘supergroup’ Cliar proved that they deserved all the accolades heaped upon them.

The hall proved the perfect venue for the intimate, relaxed stage presence from all six band members. Somehow, though, the audience gets the feeling that it would be just as relaxed if it was in the Albert Hall. Whilst always nice to hear some of the old Cliar favourites, it was a pleasure to hear material from the latest album ‘Gun Tamh’ alongside brand new material on its first outing.

Mary Ann Kennedy and Maggie Macdonald’s duet on the love ballad Iain Ghlinne Cuaich was of stunning tonal clarity, raising the hairs on the back of the baldest neck. It was great to see Ingrid Henderson emerging from behind her clarsach and keyboard to join Mary Ann and Maggie centre stage for an acapella waulking song where the three different voices blended superbly to produce a lovely rich tone.

Vocal tone is something which Arthur Cormack is not short on. From his first Gu ma slán a chi mi to his final Fill O Ro , he held the audience entranced with his warmth and sensitivity of sound – even the large numbers of non Gaels present would have understood the emotion behind the songs.

Stunning vocal – and breathing – partnerships in sets of puirt a beul (mouth music) set the 260 or so  feet tapping. Sparkling fiddle and whistle playing from Allan Henderson (who has taken over from Bruce MacGregor in the group) and  wonderfully sympathetic guitar from Ross Martin combined to produce superb instrumental sets as well as providing the perfect musical partnership for the singers.

Cliar can only go from strength to strength with their new material  and if they are this good at the start of the tour, I will definitely be making a space in the diary for another date at the end!

Cliar perform at:
Resolis Community Hall, Thursday 12 June 2003, 8pm
Laggan Hall, nr Newtonmore, Friday 13 June, 8pm
Bunessan Hall, Mull, Saturday 14 June, 8pm
Lochinver Village Hall, Tuesday 17 June, 8pm
Ness Community Hall, Lewis, Wednesday 18 June, 8pm
Tarbert Community Centre, Harris, Thursday 19 June, 8pm
Sgoil Lionacleit Theatre, Benbecula, Friday 20 June, 8pm
Skye Gathering Hall, Portree, Saturday 21 June, 8pm (with the Peatbog Faeries as part of the An Tarsainn’s Prince Edward Island celebrations)
Phipps Hall, Beauly, Thursday 24 July, 8pm
The Tolbooth, Stirling, Friday 25 July, 8pm

Cliar is grateful for the support of the Scottish Arts Council, HAIL, HI~Arts, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, The Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and The Macallan.

Fiona Mackenzie is the Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellow.

© Fiona Mackenzie, 2003