manx celtic music and dance

Two new CDs bursting with Manx music!

03 Jun 2013


The Manx Heritage Foundation has just released two exciting new CDs – one full of Manx song and the other with tracks from five up and coming young bands.

Sollys – which means ‘light’ – gathers together 30 songs in Manx Gaelic. Mainly unaccompanied, they show the range of material  currently being sung – old words to new tunes, new words to new tunes as well as traditional material from the manuscript collections. Featuring fourteen well-known singers – Bob Carswell, Aalin Clague, Bill Corlett, Cairistìona Dougherty, David Fisher, Jonee Fisher, Hillary Gale, Phil Gawne, Sarah Hewson, Greg Joughin, Ruth Keggin, Clare Kilgallon, Annie Kissack, Julie Matthews and Caarjyn Cooidjagh – the CD features solos, duets, trios and even one choral piece. As the sleevenotes are extensive, they are available to download from the LEARN section.

By way of contrast, Blass gives you a taste of two tracks from five previously unrecorded artists from the contemporary Manx trad scene. Favourites of the bands scene, guitar and mandolin duo Strengyn have finally laid down some of their fast and furious tracks,
and they are joined by award-winning Nish As Rish, whistle and guitar duo Beccy Hurst and Beki Collings, Amber Fiddle Award finalist Laura and Dave Rowles and The Reeling Stones. Ten dazzling tracks represent exciting new ideas which showcase the variety of the
developing tradition. If you want somewhere to start with Manx music, this is it – a great mix of toe-tapping tunes and shimmering singing.

Sollys and Blass will be in the shops after TT at the RRP of £10. Buy them together at MHF events (find us on the Tynwald Fair Field and at Yn Chruinnaght Festival) for a very special discount price of £15.

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