This album is a special collection of Scots Gaelic music and song, accompanied by Dáithí Sproule (guitar, of Altan) and Andrea Stern (harp), with singer Laura MacKenzie adding wooden flutes, whistles, concertina and Scottish smallpipes to the production’s colorful palette. The North Star Gaelic Singers also add their spirited vocals to two tracks. The album is a gorgeous selection of traditional music, ranging in theme from great longings to humorous delights, with a special connection to Scottish heritage in America.

From Uig to Duluth
Scots Gaelic Music and Song

Laura MacKenzie - vocals, wooden flutes, whistles, Scottish smallpipes. concertina
Dáithí Sproule – guitar; Andrea Stern – harp; The North Star Gaelic Singers – additional vocals

Featured on NPR's "Thistle & Shamrock" program, alongside field recordings of our Scots Gaelic source singer, John Matheson.

The songs and melodies were sourced primarily from field recordings made in Duluth, Minnesota in 1937 of Scots Gaelic singer John Matheson, who immigrated to Duluth from Uig, Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland in 1905. In both Scotland and North America, Matheson was held in the highest regard as a traditional singer, and his music gladdened the heart of many an immigrant Scot in Duluth and beyond.

"Laura and her colleagues skillfully and subtly convey the songs’ essence with a gentle, light touch....it's easy to be won over by the creative flair of Laura's performances."- The Living Tradition
"Fascinating musical project performing the Gaelic repertoire of singer John Matheson, who migrated from the Isle of Lews to Minnesota in 1905. Laura's clear Gaelic vocal has lots of expression. Guitar, smallpipes,harp and whistles provide sprightly, bright, smooth accompaniment" -- fROOTS (U.K.) (with a "Thumbs Up" rating!)

From Uig to Duluth

LauraMacKenzie


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1

Stocainnean Daoimean (Diamond-Patterned Sox) 2:12

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2

Eileen Leòdhais (The Isle of Lewis) 3:27

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3

Bheir mi ò/Fear a' bhàta (Eriskay Love Lilt/The Boatman) 3:25

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4

A Mhàiri bhàn òg (Mary, young and fair) 3:13

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5

Ho rò mo nighean donn bhòideach/Gogan a' chinn mhòir/Chuir i glùin air a' bhodach (O, my pretty brown-haired girl/Gogan of the big head/She put her knee on the old man) 3:27

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6

Caidil gu là (Sleep til daybreak) 2:20

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7

Màiri mhin mheall-shùileach/ Bu deònach team tilled (Mary of the bewitching eyes/I would willingly return) 3:16

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8

Bruthaichean Glinn'-Braon/An t-Eilean Muileach/Chan eil mo leannan ann an seo/The Braes of Loch Broom/The Isle of Mull/My sweetheart is not here) 3:00

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9

Thug mi gaol do'n hear bhàn (I gave my love to the fair one) 3:57

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10

Gabhaidh sinn a' rathad mòr/Davey Maguire's Highland (We will take the high road) 3:21

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11

Màiri laghach (Winsome Mary) 3:32

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12

Dheighinn dha 'n a' ghealaich leat (I would go to the moon with you) 1:43

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“A monumental piece of preservation of Scots Gaelic….A Herculean task well done I must say. Laura performs the Gaelic tunes as if she’d spent her whole life in the Hebrides.” -- Jack Baker, Irish American News
"A recording of subtle excellence and substantial emotional depth, filled with both joy and longing, delivered through skillful arrangements by some of the best.” -- Gary Rue, producer/composer/director of New Music Arts and Musicals 4 Young Audiences
"Her guests are Andrea Stern on Celtic harp and Dáithí Sproule, one of Celtic music's most inventive and tasteful guitarists. With this palette, MacKenzie builds arrangements with a fresh, light quality, alternating between the spirited Scottish dance music of such pieces as "Chuir i glùin air a' bhodach" and the more stately feel of parlor music on tunes like "Màiri mhin mheall-shùileach." All of this perfectly suits Matheson's delicate traditional airs. MacKenzie is also the main singer on the recording, and she does an impressive job with the challenging task of singing quick, sometimes wordy Gaelic songs and making them accessible and enjoyable. MacKenzie relies on Matheson's field recordings for most of the repertoire, so with a few notable exceptions (such as "Fear a bhatha" and "Gabhaidh sinn an rathad mor"), the tunes and songs will be fresh even to people very familiar with Scottish Gaelic music. It's a very appealing package for both general listeners and connoisseurs." -- Steve Winick, Huffington Post