Reviews

HCF – Wednesday

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An Lanntair – Megantic Outlaw

Gaelic music has moved in many directions over the last decades, and on Wednesday night at An Lanntair we probably saw the nearest that it has to a rock opera.

Megantic Outlaw is a musical narrative based on the true story of one of Calum Martin's own antecedents. Donald Morrison, born in Megantic, Quebec in 1858, came from Lewis stock, growing up through hardship, adventure and the injustice of the system. Despite a youth of hard work and fair dealing, he ended up an outlaw and ended his days on the very day when justice was served and he was to be released from prison.

Calum Martin took this undeniably romantic tale from Canada's history and formed it into an album. First released in 1983, it was re-released in 2007 and now brought home to Lewis in a live performance, with the narrative supplied in Gaelic and (luckily for us) a crib-sheet in two languages to help us follow the plot.

You couldn't have brought together a better team of musicians to render this fantastic tale. Musical styles ranged through rock, country and jazz, and the musicians came from Nashville, Edinburgh and Lewis, forming a perfect match. Calum supplied the gusto and the lyrics while his daughter Isobel-Ann sweetly harmonised. Highspot for me was Fraser Fifield's sax solos, and one track 'Slowstream' which is entirely instrumental.

This show was sold out, and its interesting that a few of those with the hot ticket gave the show no more than a couple of tracks before departing for the bar. What a shame that they weren't prepared to stay.

If they had, they would also have been treated to a second half of tremendous variety from the eclectic 'natural' styles of the performers – more wonderful sax and whistles from Fraser Fifield in Slow Speed, a stunning jazz guitar piece from Graem Stephen and Scott Neubert, and some delicious Gaelic song from Isobel Ann Martin. Topped off with a surprise solo on the pipes by Iain Morrison, magically appearing from the wings.

I must just put in a word for Lewis's own Andy Yearley, too. This hard-working keyboard and accordion player is so often in the background (literally) of fantastic music. Am I the only one to wish I could see him in the spotlight, and relish his spot-on playing?

An Lanntair. Calum Alex and Seonaidh Beag MacMillan

For all that HebCeltFest is about high energy, big crowds and the world at our doorstep, Wednesday afternoon's opening concert reminds us that the festival is both of, and for, the people of Lewis.

The father and son duo of Calum Alex and Seonaidh Beag (Little John, for those without the Gaelic) are dear to the hearts of Lewis. They represent two generations of the kind of voice, presence and commitment to their own culture that has kept Gaelic alive. Both have made it big on the mainstream stage – Seonaidh with The Lochies, and now Calum Alex with, among others, the Celtic boy-band Daimh. But both have their feet on solid home ground, in Lewis.

In the audience at An Lanntair on Wednesday afternoon were plenty of visitors, but a predominance of local people coming to hear their boys. There were pensioners, family groups, a 6-week old baby and contemporaries of both the MacMillans. Anna Murray gave a warm welcome to the first show of the festival, and then two modest men in sober shirts and smart trousers strolled on to stand, a little awkwardly, as if a bit embarrassed that everyone was looking at them.

Seonaidh has a plaintive delivery, capturing the essence of some of the most heart-rending of Gaelic song with precise enunciation and gentle musical phrasing. Calum Alex's voice is richer and fuller, with more of the stage delivery that is now expected. When they sing together, the genetic link is most evident, their voices in the same tone and register, lifting each other.

They sang songs of love and loss – a lament for a drowned son, a song of homesickness brought home by the comrade of the songwriter, killed in the war, and finally, a song of longing for the heather isle that is their home. Surprised by an encore, these two diffident men admitted they hadn't prepared anything.

The bit of extra glamour they may have lacked was supplied by Lynsey MacRitchie, coming onstage for just a few numbers, but delicately counterpointing the male voices with a sweet touch of fiddle and clarsach. There was very little chat between songs, and what there was so quietly spoken it was hard to catch. Calum Alex ended by saying "Thanks to HebCelt for inviting myself and Dad here. We don't often get the chance to sing together, and although we're nervous as nervous can be, we really do enjoy it."

From the quiet murmurs, tapping feet and sighs of contentment throughout their hour on stage, this rare chance to see them together was as much of a treat for the audience as for the performers.

Wednesday - Fred Morrison Trio - Breasclete Community Centre

"Right, let's treat Dougie to the delights of The Pentland Road!", said C. my lift for the evening, and off we headed to the west coast village of Breasclete, stopping only to pick up J. and her sausage supper. A rich aroma of salt and vinegar filled the car.

The Pentland Road is bit of a secret among Lewis locals and provides a more direct route over the peat from Stornoway to the dispersed crofting community of Breasclete and neighbouring villages. The Pentland Road wasn't meant to be a road at all. Lewis' former owner the philanthropic Lord Leverhulme began its construction intending it to be the route of a railway line to carry fish from the west coast to Stornoway. Lewis folk weren't all that keen on his lordship's plans, so it was abandoned and he headed south to Harris. The resulting route is a gently undulating single track road, making the ride a lot of fun for everyone as C. picked up speed with the confidence of someone who has traversed this route many times. Fun for everyone but J. that is, her chips doing a merry jig with each rise and fall in the road.

The reason for this sojourn away from the main stage in Stornoway was to attend one of Hebcelt's rural concerts. It's the festival's aim to extend its reach to include outlying communities, so Breasclete Community Centre became the venue playing host to one of the piping world's leading lights, Fred Morrison.

Fred was born and brought up near Glasgow but has family links to South Uist through his father, and is now resident on the island of Benbecula. He is highly regarded by his fellow pipers both at home and in the continental piping regions and frequently by piping competition judges as well. In contrast to his successes in competition piping, where accurate technique is all, Morrison has been called the "Jimi Hendrix of the pipes" for his love of improvisation in live performances. It's an accolade that would have been lost on many members of his audience tonight however, as a pleasing number of youngster and even toddlers formed part of the near capacity audience. Accompanied by Ed Boyd (Flook, Michael McGoldrick Band) on guitar and Martin O' Neill (Dochas, Box Club) on bodhran, Morrison switched between small pipes, uillean pipes and the low whistle to take us through a rising and falling rollercoaster of reels and airs that made me think I was back on the Pentland Road on occasions.

Morrison's style is said to be a challenge to accompany, however, Ed Boyd and Martin O'Neill were assured but unobtrusive, with Martin O'Neill getting an opportunity to display his musicianship with an understated but very skilled bodhran solo.

It was a warm night and the trio looked as hot as their music, however, such was their dedication to accurate tuning that they declined to have the fire doors opened to allow a cooling breeze to pass across the stage.

Morrison's virtuosity and technical ability dazzled, as he seemed to become mesmerised and lost in the rhythms of the music, at times his thick mop of hair obscuring his face. Two young lads in the front row looked equally mesmerised, and were gripped and attentive throughout the whole concert. Future champion pipers in the making perhaps. It was certainly a Fred Morrison experience these youngsters hopefully won't forget.

Grateful thanks to reviewers Annie Delin, Mhari Pottinger and Douglas Coulter