FIONA MACKENZIE hears two young singers who epitomise the feature of Gaelic – and Gaelige.

IT MAY HAVE been snowing outside, but the atmosphere in Hootananny was full of Celtic warmth and ‘bon-homie’ with the concert from Ross-shire based Gaelic singer and musician Julie Fowlis and Irish singer and musician, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.

Julie, originally from North Uist and now living in Ross-shire, is vocalist, whistler and piper with Dochas, and was the winner of the solo singing competition at the Pan Celtic Festival itself in 2004. She has just released her first solo album ‘Mar a Tha mo Chridhe’.

Muireann,  a native Irish speaker, was born on Innisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands, in Galway Bay, and started playing whistle when she was three years old.  She is a member of the band ‘Danu’ along with fellow fiddler and bouzouki player Eamonn Doorley, who also played  in the lineup at Hoots. ‘Danu’ were named as  the coveted Band of the Year at the Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2004.

This evening was described as “a unique concert showcasing songs from Gaelic Scotland and Ireland & instrumental music from both countries and beyond”, and it definitely was a great platform for the Gaelic/Gaelige culture. Both girls have voices ideally suited to their own particular tongue, and they also  complemented each other when singing together.

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“Julie and Muireann are certainly two of the finest young vocalists and musicians I have seen and heard recently”

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Muireann possesses a beautifully warm, brown timbre in her voice which is presented in a  very relaxed and emotive manner. Julie sings ‘from the heart’ and has a lovely, soft rounded, traditional tone which suits her songs and range perfectly. She also manages to keep us completely enthralled with her song, which she self accompanies on small pipes.

The singers confident presentation of contrasting beautiful laments, bawdy drinking songs, foot stomping puirt a beul (mouth music)  and waulking songs, in both Gaelic and Gaelige, was hugely welcomed by the appreciative (and knowledgeable) audience. It was particularly pleasing that the girls were so obviously at home in either language and also great to hear both languages being used in introductions ‘gu nadurrach’ – naturally.

Eamonn Doorley on fiddle and bouzouki and Ross Martin of Daimh on guitar, accompanied the girls in very sympathetic and exciting arrangements  and certainly brought out the best in all the sets. Eamonn played a haunting Irish fiddle lament, and instrumental sets of jigs, strathspeys and reels from all four had the audience up on the floor, making the best of the opportunity to get the cold  weather totally banished from the blood.

Julie and Muireann are certainly two of the finest young vocalists and musicians I have seen and heard recently and for me certainly epitomise the present and future of contemporary Gaelic/Gaelige culture – great ambassadors of a joint culture without a doubt. We can only hope that their proposed tour of Ireland later this year will happen, giving our Celtic counterparts across the water the opportunity to see and hear them working together.

© Fiona MacKenzie, 2005