Ironworks, Inverness, 15 May 2011

OVER the last twelve months, HI~Arts have been working with a number of artists from throughout the Highlands and Islands on a compilation highlighting a selection of the finest emerging singer songwriters in the region.  With the release now complete, they hosted a showcase featuring four of the acts set to appear on the forthcoming MIDAS Highland Songwriters CD.

Dorec-a-Belle

Skye’s Sarah Jane Thomson and Inverness’s Ashley Mackay opened proceedings with fine sets boasting some promising original material, the latter sounded especially accomplished in places, deftly backed up by local veterans Robin Abbot, Dickie Bills and Ben Hesling.

Now fronting all female quartet, Dorec-a-Belle, Inverness based singer-songwriter Maryann Frew’s artistic development in the last year has been significant. Having delivered a deeply encouraging solo performance at last year’s MIDAS showcase, her newly formed band, comprising accordion, cello and saxophone, added a level of sophistication and depth to her material, whilst skilfully retaining the captivating intimacy which made her early performances genuinely affecting in places.

Frew’s acutely observed lyrics possess an engaging emotional candour which promises much for the future, and bolstered by some beautifully inventive instrumentation, Dorec-a-Belle may well prove to be legitimate contenders within their genre. Also, despite only recently forming, as a unit they sounded remarkably coherent throughout.

Ashley Mackay (Image by Al 'Houdie' Donnelly)

Despite some technical difficulties, local favourites Iain McLaughlin And The Outsiders closed the showcase with a typically assured performance.  The new line up appears to be finding real creative cohesion and their moody indie-rock sounded bolder than ever in places. With a string of successful 2011 campaigns patiently developing audience further afield and a bigger platform confirmed for Belladrum this year, The Outsiders remain near the vanguard of a strong group of Highland based acts who appear capable of breaching the particularly strong wider Scottish scene.

© Alexander Smith, 2011

Links

• HI~Arts
• Dorec-a-Belle
• Sarah Jane Thomson
• Iain McLaughlin And The Outsiders