scotland

Susan Boyle: A Scot who didn’t back away.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / Leave a comment

 

I really don’t follow shows like American Idol and Britain’s Got talent.
So it is no surprise that I only got second hand information the day
Susan Boyle made a standing ovation in front of 60 million audiences around the world.
I watcher her performance in youtube and showed it to my folks. They were moved.
 She offered something refreshing. She’s got the style or should I say
the ‘it’.I think  the majority of her appeal comes from the fact that she represents
us-the underdogs of society.
  After all we have been treated to the typical glamour stuff that shows such as this one 
presents.Sure there are other singers who can sing like her. Maybe some can even sing 
better.But what made her special was the fact that her’s was an unwelcomed possibility. I 
mean who doesn’t want a singing contestant who looks like Taylor Swift?But that’s the point. 
For the first time people were made to put their ideals to rest and just listen to the 
song…the melody, what it’s all about and the music.They were made to suspend their 
prejudices and made to focus on the music-the real intention of sincing contests such as 
this one.
  I am glad when things like this happen.For people like us who listen to the music first 
before the artist, it’s a breath of fresh air.  When Simon said”Susan, you’re an old tiger 
aren’t you”?I think the truth couldn’t be far.Just goes to prove what a Celtic Tiger can do.

 

Original news can be found here:

http://new.music.yahoo.com/various-artists/news/unlikely-uk-sensation

-boyle-sings-rousing-memory–61987270

I really don’t follow shows like American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent.So it is no surprise that I only got second hand information the day Susan Boyle(Born April 1,1961 in Blackburn,West Lothian Scotland)   drew a standing ovation in front of 60 million audience around the world.

I watched her performance on youtube.com  and showed it to my folks. They were moved. She offered something refreshing. She’s got the style or should I say the ‘it’.I think  the majority of her appeal comes from the fact that she represents us-the underdogs of society.

  After all we have been treated to the typical glamour stuff that shows such as this one presents.Sure there are other singers who can sing like her. Maybe some can even sing better.But what made her special was the fact that her’s was an surprise probably even to her. Coming from a small town and often bullied as a child in school,Susan was inflicted with learning difficulties.

It’s amazing that for the first time people were made to put their ideals to rest and just listen to the song…the melody, what it’s all about and the music.They were made to suspend their prejudices and made to focus on the music-the real intention of singing contests such as this one.

  I am glad when things like this happen.For people like us who listen to the music first before the artist, it’s a breath of fresh air.  When Simon Cowell said”Susan, you’re an old tiger aren’t you”?I think the truth couldn’t be farther.

Ailein Duinn(Dark Allan) by Capercaillie

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments
Category: Music
Genre: Other
Artist: Capercaillie

Capercaillie is a Scottish Celtic band composed of
Karen Matheson -Vocals
David Chimp Robertson — Percussion
Donald Shaw — Keyboards, accordion
Charlie McKerron — Fiddle
Michael McGoldrick — Flute, whistle, Uilleann pipes
Manus Lunny — Bouzouki, guitar
Ewen Vernal — Bass
Che Beresford — Drums
David Chimp Robertson — Percussion

The group attracted international attention in the 80’s due to its brand of music,that is adding energetic arrangements to traditional airs.The popularity was further fueled after being featured in the movie Rob Roy.

Karen Matheson‘s voice is the force behind the band.She has been labelled by music critics as having the throat ‘kissed by God’.If you have seen the movie Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson, then you would have seen her performance as she sings this tune is one of the most haunting part of the film.

There are a number of existing versions of the song by the band. The movie version is embelished with strings as well as traditional instruments. The single version has been remixed to reflect a trip hop feel.It’s a sad and haunting music showcasing the emotion behind it.

Like an ocean wave,Karen’s voice rises from barely a whispher into a cry,making us think of an angel who has lost her wings.Swirls of traditional instruments like the uillean pipes , the the Irish cousin of the bag pipe(it has been known to have a ‘sweeter’ and gentler timber),enhances this century old Celtic piece .

Ailein duinn is taken from their 1995 album “To The Moon”

Ailein duinn (“Dark-haired Alan”) has a history that goes all the way to 1788.It’s actually a lament written by Annag Chaimbeul (“Annie Campbell”)about her fiancée Ailean Moireasdan (“Alan Morrison) who died tragically.This is an excerpt from wikipedia:

In 1788, Ailean, a sailor, set off with his ship to Scalpay, Harris, where he and Annag would be married. In a tragic twist, the ship sailed into a storm and all on board were lost. Annag was devastated and lost her will to live, dying several months later. Her body was later discovered on the beach, not far from where Ailean’s body was found. Before she died, Annag composed this lament for her lost love.

Ailein Duinn(Dark Allan)

Language:Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic)

Traditional; arranged by Capercaillie

Ailein Duinn, o ho hi, shiubhlainn leat,
(Ailean Donn, o ho hi, I’d go with thee)

Hi ri ri, ri u o, hi o hug hoireann o, Hi ri ri, etc.

Ailein Duinn, o ho hi, shuibhlainn leat.
(Brown-haired Allan, o ho hi, I’d go with thee)

‘S bochd an nochd na bheil air m’aire,
(Tonight sad thoughts my mind are filling,)

Miad na sine, fuachd na gaillinn
(The strength of the storm, the cold of th’ tempest)

Miad na sine, fuachd na gaillinn
(The strength of th’ storm, the cold of th’ tempest)

Dh’fhuadaicheadh na fir o’n charraig,
(That drove the men from the shore’s shelter,)

Dh’fhuadaicheadh na fir o’n charraig,
(That drove the men from the shore’s shelter,)

Chuireadh iad a’ bhoid dha’n aindeoin
(Sent them on a voyage unwilling)

Far an trom an laigh a’ ghailleann,
(Where the gale blows so heavy;)

Cha b’e siod leam ar diol caladh,
(‘Twas not, I think, your choice of harbour,)

Ach Caolas Diadhair anns na Hearadh,
(Rather Diadhair Sound in Harris,)

Far am bi na feidh air bhearradh,
(Where the deer are on the hilltops,)

Dobhran donn is laogh breac ballach.
(Otter brown and fawn all spotted.)