MACGREGOR, BRECHIN & Ó hEADHRA

MACGREGOR, BRECHIN & Ó hEADHRA

Sonas
Brechin All Records CDBAR006

What does Gaelic song currently have in common with Portugese fado? Answer: Both are dominated by famous female singers, and both are looking for a future male star. In the case of Gaelic song, Brian Ó hEadhra is that future star. Some readers will know of Brian as a member of the group Anam. His voice is sweet and warm, and he's an accomplished musician. But what makes him stand out is the sensuality in his voice: not a commonly found ingredient in Scottish Gaelic singers, despite the musical and lyrical sensuality of the Gaelic song tradition.

Brian's rendition of the seal-woman's song Òganaich Mo Chridhe trembles with longing for human love (exquisitely accompanied by Bruce MacGregor's soulful fiddle); equally moving is his delivery of Tàladh Na Beinne Guirme, the love song of the Blue Mountain to its foster children, the Gaelic speaking people who are now dying out. A Chailin Àlainn (set to the tune of the Mingulay Boat Song) is a rousing song of emotional and physica I yearning. It needs a sexy voice, and I can't think of another male Gaelic singer who could perform this ballad as well as Brian does .

It is increasingly unusual to come across original song compositions in Gaelic, but this CD contains five excellent new songs (by Brian Ó hEadhra, Jeff Macdonald, Eilidh Mackenzie and Tomas Mac Eoin). I hope they are taken up by other singers on the circuit (giving the archives of the School Of Scottish Studies a wel!-earned break!).



The seven instrumental tracks feature accordeon, fiddle, Guitar and harmonica. Sandy Brechin (of the groups Burach and Seelyhoo) is an accordion virtuoso and Bruce MacGregor (founder of Blazin' Fiddles) anchors the whole album with his evocative fiddle-playing. The opening jigs and reel are an exhilarating joy and the entire CD is a great example of doing the simple things well. Like good cooking, all you need are just a few high quality ingredients properly served.



www.codamusic.co.uk
www.myspace.com/brucesandybrian



Paul Matheson

Hello all.  We are off on a short Scottish tour this week and then the Northern Roots festival on 3 April.  Hope you can make it to one of the concerts! 

18 Mar 2009 Edinburgh Folk Club
19 Mar 2009 Birnam
20 Mar 2009 Glen Urquhart Public Hall
21 Mar 2009 The Old Brewer, Cromarty
22 Mar 2009 Lochgoilhead Village Hall.  3pm
3 Apr 2009 Northern Roots Festival, Bogbain, Inverness

The Herald (Glasgow)

29 November 2008

MacGregor, Brechin & Ó hEadhra – Sonas

Brechin All Records

£11.99

****

Comprising one-fifth of Blazin’ Fiddles’ invigorating front line, one of the most distinctive accordionists around and the singer-guitarist from the Irish band Anam, this trio had an embarrassment of riches when it formed in 2006 and has channelled them brilliantly on this, their first cd. 

 
The tune sets combine zest, musicality, attractive voicings, clean accompaniments and and exuberance that, with Sandy Brechin’s shivery accordion style, reaches an infectious peak on Gordon Duncan’s Zito the Bubbleman, and the songs in Gaelic perfectly capture Brian Ó hEadhra’s gentle strength, with the anthemic Tàladh na Beinne Guirme a particular highlight.  

 

Rob Adams

The lads have just done an interview on the BBC Radio Scotland programme Foulis and Folk.  Broadcast on 20 Nov 2008. 

Check it out and listen again at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/presenters/julie_fowlis/

Sonas, MacGregor, Brechin & O hEadhra's new album has been chosen as record of the week on BBC Raidio Nan Gàidheal's afternoon music show Caithream Ciùil. 

The presenters have been very positive about the album and have played a different track from it every day. 

Thanks to all at the BBC for their support!

Anam Communications/Brechin All Records news release

Issued: Friday 10 October 2008

“With band credits behind them including Blazin’ Fiddles, Burach and Anam, this trio of leading Scottish and Irish musicians brings a wealth of experience to bear on their debut recording together.  A sparkling array of instrumentals match drive with delicacy, soul with swing and fire with finesse, potently interspersed with the timeless eloquence of Gaelic song.”  This is how Scottish music journalist Sue Wilson described the new album Sonas by MacGregor, Brechin & Ó hEadhra, newly released on the Scottish folk music label Brechin All Records.   

The trio consist of Bruce MacGregor from Inverness on fiddle, Sandy Brechin from Kirkliston on piano accordion and Brian Ó hEadhra, originally from Dublin, now resident in Inverness, on guitar, harmonica and vocals.  

Sonas, meaning happiness/bliss in Gaelic, consists of thirteen tracks of traditional and original tunes and songs, a number of which were written by the artistes themselves.  These three seasoned artistes have drawn on a wealth of tunes and songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions, as well as each being acclaimed composers in their own right.

The trio have been performing in Scotland and abroad over the past year and have wowed audiences with their choice of material and lively stage performances.  “After every concert audiences were constantly seeking to buy a cd with the three of us all playing together” says Brian Ó hEadhra.  “Sonas answers this demand and we tried to capture the live sound and mix of music and song as best we could.”  

Sonas was produced by the trio and was mixed and mastered by the renowned Scottish music producer Calum Malcolm.  “We are very happy with the final outcome of the album”, states Bruce MacGregor.  “Some of the stand-out tracks for me include The Chorus Jig set and the beautiful song Tàladh Na Beinne Guirme”.  

Sandy Brechin concludes “we are now looking forward to doing more concerts and festivals at home and abroad over the next year.  This album will help with the bookings and we hope that the people who purchase the album will enjoy what audiences have experienced to date at the live concerts.”  

Sonas is released on 12 October and will be available in all good record shops and from Brechin All Records website: www.brechin-all-records.com.

Three of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians go on tour throughout the Highlands & Lowlands of Scotland at the start of October. The trio, called MacGregor, Brechin & Ó hEadhra consist of Bruce MacGregor from Inverness on fiddle, Sandy Brechin from Kirkliston on piano accordion and Brian Ó hEadhra, originally from Dublin, now resident in Inverness, on guitar and vocals (Scottish Gaelic & English language). Individually they perform with a number of other highly acclaimed acts; Bruce in Blazin' Fiddles, Sandy in Burach and Brian in Anam.

These three seasoned artistes have drawn on a wealth of tunes and songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions, as well as each being acclaimed composers in their own right. However the music is only half the craic during their shows with the tunes mixed freely with tall tales and stories from their experiences touring over the last decade.

The trio first toured as a unit last March and received a great response from audience across the land. This Autumn tour has them venturing further afield; from the Scottish Borders to the Isle of Mull. All of the members have been busy over the summer months, with Sandy having toured extensively with the acclaimed play The Accidental Death of an Accordionist, Bruce touring with Blazin' Fiddles, presenting the Highland Cafe on BBC Radio Scotland and running the Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Farm in Inverness, and Brian organising the Blas festival and Nòs Ùr Celtic & Scots song competition.

Bruce MacGregor says: “We've all been very busy over the summer months but sometimes the pressure of time creates a great dynamic for creating great music and hopefully that's what we've got with our first CD, Sonas which will be out mid October." Sandy Brechin adds: “It's good to keep busy and I really enjoy touring with these lads; we always have a good time, on and off the stage!”


MacGregor, Brechin & Ó hEadhra tour dates are as follows:

30 Sept 2008
Leith Folk Club - Edinburgh

1 Oct 2008
Denholm - The Denholm Meet

2 Oct 2008
Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre - Peebles

3 Oct 2008
Aros - Portree, Isle of Skye

4 Oct 2008
Private Ceilidh

7 Oct 2008
An Tobar - Tobermory, Isle of Mull

8 Oct 2008
Sabhal Mor Ostaig - Sleat, Isle of Skye

12 Oct 2008
Album Launch - Bogbain, Inverness

13 Oct 2008
Blazin in Beauly - Beauly

14 Nov 2008
Cooish Manx Inter-Gaelic Festival - Isle of Man

Hi Folks,

Just to let you know that we are now on tour in Scotland.  Check out our dates; we hope you can make one of the gigs.

Our new album Sonas is out on 12 October.  You can hear a few tracks on our Myspace page.  

Slainte!