Mairi Morrison & Alasdair Roberts - Urstan (CD, Vinyl LP)

As Alasdair Roberts's career progresses he seems to be further entrenched in the rich history of Scotland's folk music and its Gaelic traditions. On this album he's aided by Mairi Morrison on vocals who sings in Gaelic and is from the Isle of Lewis which is miles away from here. Alex Neilson (the busiest man in Glasgow) plays drums here and it would be rude not to mention Stevie Jones on bass and Alastair Caplin on fiddle. Let's hear it for the band everyone. The vast majority of the songs are traditional Gaelic tunes but there's a few Scots ones and some brand new. The album has a very intimate feel and you're gently led down a path surrounded in history until you come out the other end feeling richer. There's a mixture of downbeat and upbeat songs on here where both Mairi and Alasdair share the vocals and they work well together you'll be pleased to know. It's proper soulful is this and I wish I understood Gaelic so I knew what they're singing about. Lovely, lovely record.