Play Gaelic
Encyclopedia
Play Gaelic is the first album by the Scottish
Celtic rock
band Runrig
. It was released in 1978.
and "Chì Mi'n Geamhradh" has acted as a Cathy Anne MacPhee album title as well as being re-interpreted by Niteworks
, an electronica
band from Skye
in 2011.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
Celtic rock
Celtic rock
Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock and a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context...
band Runrig
Runrig
Runrig are a Scottish Celtic rock group formed in Skye, in 1973 under the name 'The Run Rig Dance Band'. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included songwriters Rory Macdonald and Calum Macdonald. The current line-up also includes longtime members Malcolm Jones, Iain Bayne, and more...
. It was released in 1978.
Album Style
The band's sound on the album is half way between traditional ceilidh music and pastoral folk as opposed to the harder rock edge which woud characterise the next album the Highland Connection. Many of the tracks have been re-recorded by the band and released in various forms on "Best Ofs". Several of the songs are also now part of the Gaelic songbook, "Tillidh Mi" is a fixture at Feisean, "Cum 'ur n'Aire" is a favourite at the Royal National ModRoyal National Mod
The Royal National Mod is the annual national mod, a festival of Scottish Gaelic song, arts and culture.The Mod is run by An Comunn Gàidhealach , and includes competitions and awards.-History:...
and "Chì Mi'n Geamhradh" has acted as a Cathy Anne MacPhee album title as well as being re-interpreted by Niteworks
Niteworks
Niteworks is an Electronic Celtic fusion band from the Isle of Skye. The band are known for writing new songs in Scottish Gaelic and melding the bagpipes and traditional Gaelic song such as puirt a beul with techno and house beats.-History:Niteworks came together in early 2008...
, an electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
band from Skye
Skye
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
in 2011.
Track listing
- "Dùisg Mo Rùin" (Wake up My Love) – 3:50
- "Sguaban Arbhair" (The Sheaves of Corn) – 4:12
- "Tillidh Mi" (I Will Return) – 3:40
- "Griogal Cridhe" (Beloved Gregor) – 4:44
- "Nach Neònach Neisd A Tha E" (Isn't It Strange Now) – 4:06
- "Sunndach" (Joyous) – 3:54
- "Air an Tràigh" (On the Strand) – 2:49
- "Dè Nì Mi / Puirt" (What Will I Do / Tunes) – 2:56
- "An Ròs" (The Rose) – 4:04
- "Ceòl an Dannsa" (Dancing Music) – 2:42
- The Brolum
- Irish Reel
- Reel of Tulloch
- "Chì Mi'n Geamhradh" (I See the Winter) – 5:22
- "Cum 'ur n'Aire" (Keep in Mind) – 6:15
Liner notes
- Exit GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. A blue train to BallochBalloch Central railway stationBalloch Central railway station was the main railway station serving the town of Balloch in Scotland. It was opened on 15 July 1850 by the Caledonian and Dunbartonshire Junction Railway.- Operations :...
and hitch-hike up the West Coast. A song from student days. - An old photograph and memories of a past life-style.
- There are few people who leave the islands, who do not want to return.
- Written by the wife of the ChiefScottish clan chiefThe Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
of the Clan MacGregorClan MacGregorClan Gregor, Clan McGregor, Clan MacGregor or Clan M'Gregor is a Highland Scottish clan. It is the most senior clan of Siol Alpin, translated as referring to King Kenneth I, descending from the ancient Kings of the Picts and Dál Riata...
in 1571 after her husband's death by execution. The song is written as a lamentLamentA lament or lamentation is a song, poem, or piece of music expressing grief, regret, or mourning.-History:Many of the oldest and most lasting poems in human history have been laments. Laments are present in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, and laments continued to be sung in elegiacs accompanied by...
but was also sung as a lullabyLullabyA lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
to her child. - Often it's people that make places and when someone special is not around anymore the place never quite seems to be the same.
- Early morning - summer in PortreePortreePortree is the largest town on Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is the location for the only secondary school on the Island, Portree High school. Public transport services are limited to buses....
. - A look back to life as a boy in North UistNorth UistNorth Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula...
. - What will I do if I lose my horse? A humorous Puirt-a-BuelPuirt à beulPuirt a beul is a traditional form of song native to Scotland, Ireland, and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.-Name:The Scottish Gaelic for such a tune is port à beul: "a tune from a mouth—specifically a cheerful tune—which in the plural becomes puirt à beul...
from North UistNorth UistNorth Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula...
. - Love is like a rose - beautiful, but there are thorns.
- Friday night and the lights are on in the Village Hall. (a) The Brolum (b) Irish Reel (c) Reel of Tulloch.
- The summer has passed, a romance has ended and the island winter holds little comfort.
- Never lose sight of your culture and identity - this song probably sums up the whole point of the album.
Personnel
- Calum Macdonald: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Robert Macdonald: accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
- Rory MacdonaldRory MacDonaldRoderick Macdonald is the bassist of the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, as well as their primary songwriter with his younger brother, Calum Macdonald. Rory tends to write the melody, and Calum the lyrics...
: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarsGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Donnie MunroDonnie MunroDonnie Munro is a Scottish musician, and former lead singer of the band Runrig.A native speaker of Scottish Gaelic, much of his work is in that language.-Early life:...
: lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, twelve-string guitar