Mac-Talla (band)
Mac-Talla (Scottish Gaelic for "echo") was a Scottish Gaelic "supergroup" formed in 1992 at the suggestion of record label owner Robin Morton.[1] Morton credited the individual band members as some of those responsible for bringing Gaelic music to wider public attention.[1]
Mac-Talla | |
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Origin | Scotland |
Genres | Gaelic music |
Years active | 1992 | -?
Past members |
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The group comprised three singers: Eilidh Mackenzie, a recipient of the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal,[2] Christine Primrose,[3] and Arthur Cormack; plus harpist and cellist Alison Kinnaird (also Morton's spouse[1]), described by the Saltire Society in 2015 as one of Scotland's "most influential musicians"[4] and keyboardist Blair Douglas,[5] formerly of Runrig.
The band was described by the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, and by The Rough Guide to World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, as a "Gaelic supergroup".[6][7] Q Magazine also called them a "supergroup".[3]
Their only album, Mairidh Gaol is Ceòl (there is a Gaelic proverb, Thig crìoch air an t-saoghal / Ach mairidh gaol is ceòl, "The world will come to an end / But love and music will endure"),[8] was released in 1994 by Morton's Temple Records.[3][7] In reviewing the album, Scotland on Sunday said "This has to be THE Gaelic showcase outfit for the 1990s".[3] Rough Guide: Scottish Highlands and Islands described the album as featuring "glorious harmony and solo singing, accordion and harp".[9]
References
- Adams, Rob (28 January 1993). "Cream of the Gaels". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- "Scotland Sings Song Leader: Eilidh Mackenzie". Hands Up For Trad. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- "Mac-Talla -- Mairidh Gaol is Ceòl". Temple Records. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- "Alison Kinnaird". www.saltiresociety.org.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- "Alison Kinnaird MBE". Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- "Christine Primrose". Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- Dorian, Frederick; Duane, Orla; McConnachie, James (1999). World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Rough Guides. pp. 269-270. ISBN 978-1858286358.
- McIntosh, Alastair (2018). Poacher's Pilgrimage: An Island Journey. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-5326-3445-1.
- Humphreys, Rob; Reid, Donald; Guides (Firm), Rough (2002). Scottish Highlands & Islands. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-85828-880-2.