Posted by weebeasty, 3/29/01 at 6:49:42 AM.
"No Clan exercised such a powerful influence in early Highland history as the Macdonalds. Somerled emerged early in the 12th Century as a leader to expel the Vikings from Southwest Scotland. His marriage to a Norse princess made him a formidable adversary to the Scottish king. Somerled's grandson, Donald, became the founder of "Clan Donald", giving his descendants and followers the name Macdonald or "son of Donald". Clan Donald played an important part in political and religious affairs, so that by the 14th Century, the "Lords of the Isles" ruled an extensive part of the western sea-board. Inevitable conflict with the Crown led to removal of the title in 1493 when it was given to the heir to the Crown, currently Prince Charles.
The destruction of the Lordship removed the only effective authority in western Scotland. During the ensuing inter-clan struggles, other clans emerged to positions of power until the whole system collapsed in 1746 following Prince Charlie's defeat at Culloden. The chiefs became landlords and the clansmen their crofting tenants. Sheep and wool became more profitable than people for many of the Lairds, and in the 19th Century the wretchedness of famine resulted in the emigration of thousands of clansmen overseas."
I guess by now you are wondering why a music review would start with a history lesson? When you listen to the trilogy of CDs by New Zealander Steve McDonald, a history lesson in song is just what you'll get. Competently mixing original works with traditional music, Steve McDonald's first CD "Sons of Somerled". An added bonus with this CD is if you play it on your computer using Quicktime, you will get an interview with Steve plus a video. On this first CD McDonald plays all the instruments used. He also produced Engineered and mixed the CD. Wendy McMillan, Kiersten Williams, Nicole Leonard, and Steve McDonald provided background vocals. His rendition of "Scotland the Brave" is stirring and one of my favorite traditional tunes " Wild Mountain Thyme" makes you want to go back to Scotland, even if you've never been there.
His second CD "Stone of Destiny" delves further into not only Highland history but also Scotland's history. Once again all songs with the exception of "Auld Lang Syne and Sky Boat Song" were written by McDonald. However he delegated some tasks to others while he handled engineering and production, lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards & percussion. Sixteen year old Hollie Smith, provided the vocal on "Fallen Flowers", a heart wrenching tune about the battle of Halidon Hill. Racheal Johnstone plays the cello, Paul Smith electric guitar, Danny McDonald guitar, Simone Roygen violin and the Takapuna Harrier Public Choir sings in "Auld Lang Syne." Cut 9 will make any freedom loving Scot get goose bumps. Inspired by the movie "Braveheart" it is the story of William Wallace. When the chorus sings out FREEDOM it will make the hair stand up on your arms. The title of the song is "Freedom". This CD touches on the legend of the Loch, Nessy, the establishment of the Christian church by Columba and the sacrifice his brother Oran made. The warrior Queen Boadicea, the legend of the Pics and the origin and subsequent theft of the Stone of Scone.
The third CD is titled "Highland Farewell". As you have probably ascertained this is about the clearances and the resettling of the displaced crofters in strange and far off lands, such as Nova Scotia, Australia and New Zealand. Once again McDonald does the lions share of performing, lead vocal, fife, drum, keyboards, drums, backing vocals. He is joined by Eric Thomas on the bodhran, Rick White acoustic electric bass, Racheal Johnstone cello, Jessica Hindin violin, Michael Hunter violin, Hollie Smith backing vocals, Mike Farrell 8 string guitar and electric guitar, and the Takapuna Public Choir.
If there is really such a thing as tribal or ancestral memories this CD will bring them to the surface. Starting with "Child of the Gael" followed by "The Highland Farewell" you start to feel the inextricable pull back to the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. "End of the Highland Way" starts off "My searching begun in a land bleached by sun far from the Highland snow, 'Twas there that I read of the plight that the fled, And the reasons they had to go far, far away". " My Heart Belongs to Scotland" will make you realize that even though you may be a native born citizen of this great country of ours, there is still a part of you hidden deeply inside of your psyche that is still ready to fight for green Alba.
If you have any interest in Scottish history, Steve McDonald's three CDs are a very pleasant way of learning a little bit of it with little effort. Make sure that you take time to read the liner notes, they give a very concise if somewhat short history to each song.
Well Lads and Lassies, that's it for this edition. Next issue we'll look at the music of Kate Price. Until then...
Weebeasty
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