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JULIE FOWLISSun, Oct 9, 2016, 8pm
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Julie Fowlis, vocals, whistlesÉamon Doorley, The Irish Bouzouki, backing vocals
Duncan Chisholm, fiddles, backing vocalsTony Byrne, guitar, backing vocals
DANNS’ A LUIDEIGIN ODHAR (DANCE, DUN-COLOURED SLATTERN)A humorous and lilting example of Gaelic mouth-music which Fowlis learned from a recording made in 1950 by legendary folklorist and scholar Dr. John Lorne Campbell for the National Trust for Scotland’s Canna Collection, now available online at www.tobarandualchais.co.uk.
An Roghainn (The Choice)An Roghainn is an internal debate by a poet, prompted by news that the woman he loves is going to marry someone else. He concedes that he has not suffered enough to entitle him to her love. If he could choose his direction again, he would risk everything for that prize. A stunning piece of poetry by one of Scotland’s finest wordsmiths, Sorley MacLean, with music by Donald Shaw. From Gach Sgeul (Every Story).
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All songs are traditional and sung in Scottish Gaelic, unless otherwise stated. Repertoire will be selected from the following and announced from the stage. Program is subject to change.
There will be one 15-minute intermission.
Fowlis Photography
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Blackbird (Lon-Dubh)Our own Scottish Gaelic interpretation of the classic Lennon/McCartney song “Blackbird.” This track was the first Scottish Gaelic song by a solo artist to be playlisted by the BBC in London. The studio version was only ever released on a limited-run box set edition of her Fowlis’ album Cuilidh, but is available to purchase as a download directly from her website at www.juliefowlis.com/store.
THE THATCHER/PETER BYRNE’S/THE SOUP DRAGON/ISAAC’S WELCOME TO THE WORLDA lively set of instrumental tunes. The second tune Fowlis learned from the guitar playing of the great Arty McGlynn on his album McGlynn’s Fancy, the third is a Gordon Duncan favourite, and the last tune was composed by the band’s fiddler, Duncan, after the birth of his son, Isaac. This set was recorded on the Live at Perthshire Amber album.
CADAL CIARACH MO LURAN (SLEEP SOFTLY, MY BELOVED)A simple yet beautiful lullaby from the Gaelic tradition. As you might expect, the mother singing to her child is reassuring the child that she will always be there for them.
RIBINNEAN RÌOMHACH (BEAUTIFUL RIBBONS)A selection of Gaelic mouth music, two jigs at the beginning and end, and a strathspey in the middle. The final tune has some unusual rhythms and was learned from the singing of Seordag.
Murray from AchiltibuieThis recording was made for the School of Scottish Studies by Calum MacLean, who is eulogised in “Do Chalum.”
Tha Mo Ghaol air Àird a’ Chuain (My Love is on The High Seas)A traditional Gaelic song which was selected by Disney’s Pixar as the soundtrack to the official trailer of the Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe-winning movie Brave in 2012. Available on Fowlis’ debut album, As My Heart Is.
Smeòrach Chlann Dòmhnaill (The Mavis of Clan Donald)Vivid and descriptive words from one of North Uist’s most acclaimed poets, John MacCodrum, who was the last official bard to the MacDonalds of Sleat. He was born in 1693 in North Uist. Fowlis first learned this song in Primary School from a local tradition-bearer and former teacher, Isa MacKillop. She was invited to perform this song at the official opening ceremony of the Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games in 2014, which was broadcast live to a TV audience of one billion people.
AOIDH, NA DÈAN CADAL IDIR (AOIDH, DON’T SLEEP AT ALL)A traditional lullaby with a warning. All is not as it seems! This features on Fowlis’ second album, Cuilidh.
Òganaich Ùir a Rinn M’ Fhàgail (O noble youth who has left me)Another woman’s work song, one which traditionally would have been sung at the spinning wheel and which Fowlis learned from a friend and tradition-bearer Mary Smith. From Fowlis’ debut album.
Biodh an deoch seo ’n làimh mo rùinThe title translates as “This Drink Would Be in the Hand of My Love” and dates to the 1600s. It has survived in many forms across Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland.
An Eala Bhàn (The White Swan)Composed by Donald MacDonald (Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna). A stunning love song composed by Donald MacDonald (locally known as Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna) during the Battle of the Somme, one of World War I’s most devastating battles where more than one million men were either wounded or killed. The soldier and poet writes these verses for his “White Swan,” the love he left in the Hebrides.
Lyrics and translations available on request.
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ABOUT JULIE FOWLISIt is little wonder that when Disney’s Pixar (Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Up) were searching for the perfect, authentic singing voice to feature in the soundtrack to Brave, their new 3D animated blockbuster set in 10th century Scotland, their research led them to one of the country’s true contemporary treasures—Julie Fowlis.
Julie Fowlis is no stranger to awards and distinctions, winning Gaelic Singer Of The Year and Album Of The Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2007 and nominated for three years in a row as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year (the first ever Scottish Gaelic singer to win this prestigious award when given the title in 2008). Her single “Blackbird” was also playlisted on BBC Radio 2, the first Scottish Gaelic artist to be playlisted in such a manner. She was also the first Scottish Gaelic solo artist to appear on the legendary show Later… with Jools Holland in 2007. In addition to her two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Music and a Master of Arts in Material Culture and the Environment, she was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music in 2013. She is perhaps most proud of her award as Scotland's Gaelic Ambassador, “Tosgaire na Gàidhlig,” bestowed by the Scottish Parliament in 2008, the first person to ever receive this honor. Still finding time for collaborations with other musicians, Fowlis has worked with a diverse array of artists. She worked with Bill Whelan (Riverdance, Timedance) to produce a new piece of music that premiered on St. Patrick's Day in Belfast in 2009. As part of the internationally acclaimed Transatlantic Sessions series, she has also performed with James Taylor, Martha Wainwright, Stuart Duncan, Paul
Brady, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Aoife O’Donovan, Teddy Thompson, and Maura O’Connell.
In addition to having one of the busiest music touring schedules in Scotland, Fowlis regularly delves into the world of broadcasting, presenting regularly for Scotland’s Gaelic channel BBC ALBA, SKY ARTS HD, TG4 (Ireland), and various BBC radio stations throughout the UK.
Fowlis has also worked on acclaimed and ambitious crossover projects, collaborating with members of Blur, Teenage Fanclub, classical violin sensation Nicola Benedetti, and John McCusker of the Mark Knopfler band. In 2012, she represented her country during the Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois, when she sang live at the official closing ceremony in front of a global TV audience of around 500 million. This was only eclipsed by her incredible live performance at the official opening ceremony at the Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games in 2014, where her voice was heard across the globe to an estimated audience of around one billion.
For Fowlis is a passionate torchbearer for the culture of her native Western Isles. And, coupled with her extraordinary talent, it is this quiet determination to celebrate the music of the Outer Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland on its own terms that ensures that Scots Gaelic music is reaching a wider audience than ever before.
www.juliefowlis.comwww.facebook.com/juliefowliswww.twitter.com/juliefowlis
Julie Fowlis albums are available in stores and online at www.juliefowlis.com/store.
Gach Sgeul / Every Story (CD/LP) 2014Live at Perthshire Amber (CD) 2011
Uam / From Me (CD) 2009Dual (CD) 2008 with members of Danú
Cuilidh Special Edition Box Set (CD & Short Film) (2008)Cuilidh (CD) 2007
Mar A Tha Mo Chridhe / As My Heart Is (CD) 2005
Please visit the merchandise table during intermission and after the performance to sign up for her mailing list. Fowlis and the band will sign autographs after the performance.
Julie Fowlis is represented by 721 Hyde Park, Doylestown, PA 18902.
UPCOMING SHOWS
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SIDEMEN: LONG ROAD TO GLORY Sun, Oct 16 Film, music, discussion
AMP & COMEDY ZONE PRESENT JULIE SCOGGINS AND DAVID WINGFIELD Wed, Oct 19
CORKY LAING PLAYS MOUNTAIN/KOFI BAKER PLAYS CREAM Sat, Oct 22 RUMER WILLIS OVER THE LOVE TOUR Wed, Oct 26 A postmodern cabaret
STRATHMORE CABARET Sat, Oct 29 Blues bash fundraiser
JIMMY WEBB Thu, Nov 3 “Wichita Lineman” & “Galveston” songwriter
PAUL BARRERE & FRED TACKETT Fri, Nov 4 Little Feat’s guitarists
THE BRUBECK BROTHERS QUARTET Thu, Nov 10 Dave’s sons carry on the family tradition
THE VI-KINGS Fri, Nov 11 ’60s music comes alive
SIERRA HULL Sat, Nov 12 Mandolin wunderkind
ALBERT CUMMINGS Sun, Nov 13 Explosive, soulful blues
AMP & Comedy Zone present MIKE ARMSTRONG AND RYAN VAN GENDEREN Thu, Nov 17
THE POP UPS Sun, Nov 20 Kids pajama jam ANDERSON, BROWN & REDD Fri, Nov 25 Two sets of siblings join forces for jazz
FRESH AIR WED, NOV 30 Strathmore’s Artist in Residence class of 2017 makes AMP debut
AMP & Comedy Zone present SHAUN JONES AND BRENT BLAKENEY Thu, Dec 1
CHOPTEETHFri, Dec 2
Jazz, funk, Afrobeat
BERNARD/EBB SHOWCASE
Feat. Justin Jones, Maddy Clark, and Jason Byrd Sat, Dec 3
THE CAPITAL HEARINGS Sun, Dec 4 An a cappella holiday
JAZZY ASH & THE LEAPING LIZARDSSat, Jan 7 Kids pajama jam
CHRIS MANN Thu, Jan 12
Phantom of the Opera Star
CHAISE LOUNGEFRI, JAN 27 James “Blood” UlmerSat, Jan 28
Blues guitar innovator Chris SmitherSat, Feb 11 Blues icon ALTANFri, Feb 24 Traditional Irish band
ANACOSTIA DELTASat, Feb 25 Film sneak preview
BUMPER JACKSONSFri, March 3 Roots jazz, country swing
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All StarsSun, March 5 Desert blues CARLOS NÚÑEZ Tues, March 14 Celtic sounds from Spain
ONE WOMAN SEX & THE CITY FRI, MARCH 24
MAYA BEISER Thu, march 30
Avant-garde cello diva
OWEN DANOFF SAT, APRIL 15
Rumer Willis Oct 26
Altan Feb 24
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Carlos Nunez March 14