** Contest located at the end of my review. **

I cannot recall where I first came in contact with Julie’s music, but I believe it was through a friend in Wales who sent me her second album ‘Cuilidh’ back in 2008. Since then, I’ve been following her career and was quite happy to see her new album, ‘Uam’, listed on eMusic one day in January especially since it wasn’t scheduled for release in the states until March 9th. Needless to say, I snatched it up without delay.

‘Uam’ is Julie’s third album as a solo artist, and is probably her best yet. The title of her junior endeavor translates as ’from me’, and that is exactly what we have here—incredibly rich renditions of traditional Gaelic tunes (and even one written by Julie and Éamon for a family wedding), in which Julie’s beguiling voice never fails to enchant. The listener gets the feeling that these songs are ones that mean a lot of Julie and in that sense are from her, a gift held dear and shared with us.

What makes this album particularly special in my eyes is Julie’s debut with the incomparable Eddi Reader entitled Wind and Rain. This song explores the common theme and story of ‘The Jealous Sister’ known in the Gaelic traditions in Ireland and Scotland, and also in American and European folk traditions. Versions of this tale have previously been recored by Méav and Clannad, as well as many others. Julie’s version combines the Irish American rendition (which you can hear recorded by Altan on their ‘Local Ground’ album) and a new Gaelic version to create a stunning bi-lingual interpretation.

Other duets included are the traditional milking song, Hé gràdh, hó gràdh and the clapping/waulking song, Bodachan cha phòs mi, both with Mary Smith and A Mhic Dhùghaill ‘ic Ruaurudh with renowned Highland piper, Allan MacDonald. Hò bha mi, hé bha mi is performed with both Mary and Allan.

I always have trouble pinning down which of Julie’s songs are my favorites from each release, but with ‘Uam’ I find I’m quite partial to 1) Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach, which is a love song from the Perthshire region of Scotland, and 2) Rugadh mi ‘teis meadhan na mara, a traditional Breton song that has been translated into Gaelic.

This album really proves, as if anyone had a doubt, that Julie Fowlis is formidable and will be here for many, many years to come.

Tracklisting (lyrics can be found here)

1. M’ fhearann saidhbhir (My Land is Rich)
2. Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach (A Sheiling on the Braes of Rannoch)
3. Wind and Rain
4. Thig am Bàta (The Boat Will Come)
5. A Chatrion’ Òg (Young Catriona)
6. Hé gràdh, hó gràdh (Hé dear, hó dear)
7. Có ni mire rium (Who Will Flirt With Me?) / Trip to Galway
8. A’ Ghiad Cheum (The First Step)
9. Brògan ùr agam a-nochd (I have new shoes tonight) / The Cat and The Dog / Mu chuachag ‘s laghach thu (My beloved you are so nice)
10. Rugadh mi ‘teis meadhan na mara (Me zo ganet é kreiz er mor/I was born in the midst of the sea)
11. Bodachan cha phòs mi (I shan’t marry an old man)
12. A Mhic Dhùghaill ‘ic Ruaurudh (Son of Dougal, son of Ruairidh)
13. Hò bha mi, hé bha mi (Hò I was, hé I was)

____________________________________________

GIVEAWAY!
CONTEST IS CLOSED!

Thanks to Cadiz Music and Rock Paper Scissors, we have TWO copies of ‘Uam’ to give away! Simply fill out this form and you’re entered. Contest runs until March 16, 2010. Winner will be chosen and announced on March 17, 2010 (also, be sure to stop by on March 17th even if you do not enter this contest to join in our Altan: 25th Anniversary CD giveaway).

Contest open to the United States and Canada only. Sorry guys, but since I pay for shipping out of my own pocket I need to keep the bill low.

Teresa

Teresa (nom de plume: Torrance Sené) is a self-proclaimed geek, a Janeite, a lover of werewolves and bad-ass angels, an aspiring novelist and an avid book reader who freelances as a web designer. You can follow her on Twitter at @eireannoir.

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