Tir Mo Ghraidh, the Land I Love: Gaelic Song, Story and Music from Nova Scotia

Jane Peppler, Sing Out! Magazine, Feb., 1996
"In this day of homogenized folk-like music,the real thing is a blessing whenever it is found.B&R

Heritage is doing it right;....the label's releases are beautifully recorded,mixed and produced."

Product Description:
This recording presents a selection of traditional Gaelic song,story and music

performed in much the same way that Gaels have been entertaining themselves in homes and

community halls in Nova Scotia for a hundred years or more.

Gaelic people have been coming to Nova Scotia from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland since

the second half of the eighteenth century. Some came willingly,some came for political

reasons,but for the most part they were forced by greedy landlords or by famine and dire

economic circumstances to leave their homes and land.

They came with little but their language and the culture that emanated from it. We have brought

together here some examples from that language and culture-songs that were brought over from

Scotland and still remain in the culture today;a song that illustrates local bardic skills;a story

also,because story-telling was and has remained an essential part of Gaelic entertainment.And the

instrumental music,Gaelic in origin,is interwoven here with song and story as it has always been in

the living culture.

An Comhlan(the group) consists of a number of performers who were brought together for this

special recording.Included in this group are well-known fiddlers Winnie Chafe and Buddy

MacMaster,both accompanied by their daughters Patricia Chafe MacKinnon and Mary Elizabeth

MacMaster; piper Barry Shears; Gaelic singers Kenny Morrison and Neil MacPhee and story-

teller Rosemary McCormack.

There are two newer Gaelic voices on the recording too-Margo Carruthers of Halifax(who last

year released a solo CD entitled Talant Nam Bard) and Lewis MacKinnon,originally from

Antigonish but now living in Halifax. Both are adult learners of the Gaelic language and have been

singing Gaelic songs for several years.Ryan MacNeil of Sydney Mines(a younger brother of the

Barra MacNeils and the leader of the exciting Celtic group Slainte Mhath) provides piano

accompaniment for some of their songs.

Al Bennett of North Sydney produced the album which was recorded at Island Recordings and

Production in Frenchvale.

Tir Mo Ghraidh, the Land I Love: Gaelic Song, Story and Music from Nova Scotia

Tracks:

Calum Crubach Medley
Duthaich nan Craobh
Mo Thruaigh Leir Thu 'Ille Bhuidhe
Mo Dhachaidh Medley
An Gille Donn
Stoiridh a' Phiobaire
An T-Oighr'Og
Medley of Jigs
'S Gann Gun Dirich Mi Chaoidh
Oran Do Cheap Breatuinn
Bu Deonach Leam Tilleadh Medley

Album Description

This recording presents a selection of traditional Gaelic song,story and music