Gaelic group, Meantime will be appearing in concert at Farr Community Hall, Strathnairn on Friday 17th September from 8pm. The four-piece band which performs a mixture of traditional and new Gaelic music, including song, has built up an excellent reputation as one of the
emerging talents on the current Gaelic music scene. Tickets are priced £7/£5 and are available in advance from Inverarnie Stores, Farr (01808) 521266, the Riverside Gallery, 11 Bank Street, Inverness (01463) 224781 or at the door on the night.
In a time when traditional music is enjoying a renaissance among a host of new, young and vibrant musicians, it is interesting to consider the position of the Gaelic language in the genre. Gaelic has one of the world’s richest heritage of traditional song and many bands and artistes have harnessed this resource and on it stamped a contemporary sound. Old songs given new interpretations, old interpretations given new airings. But what of new songs in the language?
The Blue Men of the Minch, Meantime’s long awaited second CD has, as did it’s predecessor The Natives are Friendly, invigorated and refreshed the Gaelic music canon. The most engaging aspect of this CD and dare I say most important, is that it features six brand new songs in Gaelic composed by various members of the band. From the atmospheric ‘Latha as Teotha as t-Samhradh (Hottest Day of Summer) the award winning Griomsay Boat Day to the intimate Chunna mi Bhuam thu (I saw you from afar) the band wears its heart on its sleeve, both lyrically and musically. The Back Gaelic Choir add their inspiring sound to an anthemic Le Cheile (Together) while a stirring Thugainn Dhachaigh (Come away home) with its sing along chorus inspires us to head west. Laimisiader praises the beauty of the area of the same name in Carloway, Lewis, while reflecting on a lost community and way of life.
No feeling of loss however for anyone that listens to this eclectic mix of music. Again featuring many original compositions we have the foot tapping island style melodeon on the Mull Reels, the tremendously catchy and original Home Straight, the heartfelt lilt of Long Island Waltz to the Barn Stomping banjo on Rough House. Among the many new and excellent compositions are some well loved classics. Corriechoillies, Teribus and Flett from Flotta make up a Gay Gordons set proving that great tunes stand the test of time and the set of Lewis Waltzes would have any Gaelic gathering singing along in full voice.
Who are, or were, the Blue Men though? According to legend a tribe of mer-men inhabited deep-sea caves around the Shiant Isles, just of the east coast of Lewis and Harris. Ships would be wrecked if the Blue Men jumped aboard and gained the upper hand over the skipper in a battle of rhyme, riddle and wit. Fantastic stuff indeed, just as the boys in Meantime engage us in rhythm, rhyme and harmony. Only the first track carries on the theme of the CDs title. Blue Men of the Minch creates a tension as a Blue Man harangues the skipper, but as the skipper out-wits him the crew are left Dancing on the Decks.
At 17 tracks there is something here for almost everyone. An t-Alltan Dubh, a classic ceilidh favourite is sung with real swing by a close relative of the composer, David Boag, Meantime’s fiddler. This connection sums up this album. Four young Gaelic musicians connecting with their instruments, their culture and their language and in turn connecting the listener to this wonderful CD.
For more information contact David Boag 01463 710 217 david@feisean.org
