Christine Primrose: Gràdh is Gonadh – Guth ag Aithris

Temple Records Since she released her first album in the early 1980s, Christine Primrose has become a champion of Gaelic song. This recording – the title means “Love and Loss: A Lone Voice” – sees her take the bold step of committing it solely to unaccompanied singing. From the yearning of the opening O A Leannain to the heartbroken lilt of

Gad Ionndrainn, Primrose’s singing floats with beautifully poised clarity. Some songs are traditional, such as

The Thrush Comes in Spring; others from recent bards, such as Hector Mackinnon’s lament for unbearable wartime loss, Marbhrann do dh’alasdair Macleòid. For non-gaelic speakers smitten by Primrose’s sheer musicality, there are notes in English and translations on her website. Several songs feature preludes intoned by Dolina Maclennan, Dr John Macinnes and Angus Peter Campbell, who sums up in his sleeve note: “Every song and every syllable here is a note of grace.” ■