FolkWorld Webzine (Edition 54 – July 2014)

Machair Records, 2014

Internet follies - according to Wikipedia Julie Fowlis had been born in 1929. They don't explain why she still is such a vivid performer as fresh as a daisy. True is that Julie is from North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, but rather born in 1979.

Anyway. Julie Fowlis is back. "Gach Sgeul" (Every Story) is the anticipated fourth studio album from the Scottish singer. In the four years since her last album "Uam" she completed a masters degree in Gaelic culture, had two children, featured on Pixar's "Brave" soundtrack, and - we might assume - was looking for stories to share with the world. That's her motto: »I am fortunate to come from a place where telling tales, sharing stories and singing songs are not only a national pastime, but rather signposts showing us where, and who, we have come from. They help shape our identity and give us a sense of belonging. They make us laugh, move us to tears, and give us moral guidance.« Whether mythical tales ("An Ròn", i.e. The Seal) or love songs ("Siud Thu 'Ille Ruaidh Ghallain", There You Go, Handsome Red-Haired Youth), clan songs ("Smeòrach Chlann Dòmhnaill", The Mavis of Clan Donald), lullabies ("Cadal Ciarach Mo Luran", Sleep Well, My Beloved) or mouth music ("Danns' a Luideagan Odhar", Dance Dun-Coloured Slattern), Julie Fowlis is upholding and spreading the rich tradition of Gaelic Scotland, and that of North Uist in particular. Julie's husband Éamon Doorley (Danú's bouzouki player) is mainly responsible for the opulent arrangements, utilising musicians such as the fiddlers from the group Rant, Duncan Chisholm (violin as well), Donald Shaw (harmonium, piano accordion), Mike McGoldrick (pipes, flutes) and Martin O'Neill (bodhrán).