Oh my. Oh my. I don't know if anyone else is up for this one, but the group MacKenzie has made an album that fills an empty place on my shelf. It was one of those hidden spots that I didn't know was there until I found the piece to fit it, and bingo! I now have a CD that makes a pleasurable link to the Gaelic language of my heritage.

What a wonderful sound these three young women have. Fiona, Eilidh and Gillian MacKenzie have been singing for years, since childhood, and now they have combined their talents in a heavenly burst of Gaelic sentiment, pride and beauty.

I'm desperately trying not to gush, and I'm searching for something not to like, but all I can think of is that I didn't like this CD coming to an end. It's one of the first CDs I've found that has a lyric list in Gaelic and English, so you can follow along and know what you're singing about at the same time.

The voices of these three are individually angelic; together they are exquisite and succeed in evoking the mystic mood of the Celt that blends something practical with that of the beautiful.

Some songs are new arrangements of traditionals, others are contemporary originals, yet have a very traditional sound. As traditional artists go, this trio is one of the best I have heard recorded.

The song list includes "Fama Clamosa," "A' chiad danns'" and "Eilean Fraoich nam bean nard." The best one is -- well, I can't pick a best one, they're all that good. You'll have to decide that for yourself when you have a listen.

- Rambles
written by Virginia MacIsaac
published 3 May 2003

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