Customer Reviews

Edge

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alyth McCormack is a young singer from the Western Islands of Scotland who sings entirely in the Gaelic language. Despite her youth, McCormack's voice is rich with a striking, honest maturity. At times she reminds me of Helen Merrill (mainly the H.M. heard on her beautifully eclectic Jelena Ana Milcactic a.k.a. Helen Merrill album) and Sheila Jordan (sensuously smoky `n' airy, though not wispy), as well as the trad-Balkan singer Marta Sebestyen and the singers of such contempo-Irish groups Solas and Altan. The rhythm of these songs is implicit and poetic, more in the rhythm and meter of the words (traditional) rather than that of the instruments, save for a couple of tracks the use drum `n' bass rhythms. Whereas some would use jungle/d `n' b sounds to "modernize" (read: make more lowest-common-denominator "accessible") traditional sounds, McCormack uses electronic sounds sparingly, as counterpoint and as a respectful modern interpretation of traditional elements. The instrumentation is spare (acoustic and electric guitars, piano, fiddle, cello, harp, whistles) and the mood somber but not oppressively so. An Lomall (The Edge) has an affinity with the ECM Records "sound," particularly on albums by Lena Willemark, Jan Garbarek and especially John Surman (many of his albums feature Celtic over/undertones). This is austere yet soulful music for deep rumination and restless, moonless nights.

Last year I visited the a place called Stornoway, which is a town on one of the many islands off the coast of Scotland. This is the place where Alyth McCormack grew along with the haunting voice she has developed. An Iomall has captured all that is beautiful and wonderous in this part of Scotland and the first time I listened to Alyth, the memories of the scenery and the people came flooding back to me, as they still do each time I listen.

The vocal flexibility of Alyth and the musical accompaniment causes the hairs on my neck to stand on end. I feel that this CD will be the cause of greater appreciation of Gaelic song and culture.

I too first heard this singer in Stornoway, under a soggy tent--it was cold as well as wet, there was nowhere to sit down, and not enough to drink or eat--yet the crowd was enraptured by Alyth. I didn't want to leave the concert even when my fingers went numb--just as I never wanted to leave the Isle of Lewis. Mystical and mournful, hauntingly beautiful, strong and sweet--yet also modern, varied, and surprising--her voice and her music are like the best part of being there. I see why people who bought Alyth's albums also bought Leonard Cohen and Bjork--although she is very different, her music has in common with theirs a quite distinctive and sophisticated style, along with intellectual as well as emotional depth.

I first heard Alyth singing during a gaelic class at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye and I knew from that day that she was on her way to Stardom. I waited patiently for the release of her first album and having heard it decided it was well worth the wait. The songs A Mhairead Og, O mo Dhuthaich, A Fhleasgaich Og and Mar a Tha are exceptionally moving. Her voice is among the best I have heard for many years. Although subtle she conveys all the emotions connected with the songs.

Lovely vocals, although with somewhat overly-saccharine, synthy arrangements. It's too slick for me, but if you enjoy both the softer side of Sinead O'Connor and the rougher side (such as it is) of Enya, as well as the strange, alluring sound of the Celtic language, then this album might be for you.