Glasgow Letter
On Friday September 14, the Gaelic music world will have a brilliant new CD - and 11 new songs - to listen to.
I have been lucky enough to get a sneak preview of Freumhan Falaichte (Hidden Roots), Gillebrìde Macmillan’s third studio album, comprised entirely of his own material.
Produced by Mhairi Hall and featuring a strong line-up of musicians, I can highly recommend this album.
I have known Gillebrìde for a number of years. He was one of my lecturers at Glasgow University when I studied Gaelic as an elective part of my degree and I have sung at countless cèilidhs with him over the years.
At one such cèilidh, Gillebrìde was singing just before me and, when he finished singing, the fear-antaighe took the stage and said: ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, that great performance from Gillebrìde was unbeatable and impossible to follow but, nevertheless, we now have Robert Robertson!’
I enjoyed Gillebrìde’s singing for years before meeting him - back when Mary Ann Kennedy’s Na Seòid released their album on which Gillebrìde sang A’ Pheigi A’ Ghràidh. At any cèilidh he sings at, he will still be requested to sing this song due to the brilliant job he makes of it.
His first two solo albums, Air Forladh (On Leave) and Thogainn Ort Fonn (I’d Sing You a Song), are packed with similar songs from the Uist tradition interpreted in his own contemporary style. This new album is a step in a different direction given that all the songs are self-penned and he has proven, I believe, to be an excellent songwriter, adding himself to the tradition of Uist bàrds he previously championed in song.
There is huge variety between the songs. The first track, Baile nam Bàrd, on which he duets with Julie Fowlis, is endearingly catchy and upbeat. Yet there are far darker moments in tracks such as Feum thu ràdh a-rithist and moments of great beauty in tracks like my favourite, A Chailinn Donn, on which he is joined by his sister Mary.
While we in the Gaelic world know Gillebrìde well, it is worth mentioning he has a significant fan base all round the world due, in part, to his performance on the television series Outlander where he appeared as Gwyllyn the Bard regaling those in Castle Leoch with traditional Gaelic songs and tales.
It is therefore fitting the foreword for this album was written by the author of the series, Diana Gabaldon, and I end my review with her words with which I heartily agree: ‘While warriors may rise and fall, the need of a good bard is with us still. And we are privileged indeed to have the music of Gillebrìde Macmillan - one of the modern world’s great bards, whose music reminds us so brilliantly of the world around us and the world within.’