Description

This first album by Drostan MacRaith, is to say the least, a bit unusual. It’s possibly the

first album in Scottish Gaelic written and recorded in South West England and yet in times

long past Celtic would have been the language of the area, in fact there would have been

a Bardic tradition across the area. For MacRaith is what would be called in Scotland a

bàrd-baile or local poet and he plays on an ancient instrument a Lyre, beautiful yet long

out of fashion. The design of the one heard here is at least 1200 years old, yet MacRaith

brings both ancient words and music to life in his own style.

The album, produced and engineered by Paul “Doc” Stewart was recorded in Taunton,

Somerset for Musicosis Records. It has already been described as “Lovely, Lyrical and

Enchanting” by the first to hear it. The production highlights Drostan’s ability as a

songwriter and performer and bings out the almost magical sound of the Lyre.

The CD also features photographs by Vivien Stewart, without whom the project might

never have happened. Browsing a local Taunton FaceBook page, she spotted a post

about Drostan busking locally and knowing that Paul was looking for a local project,

passed it on to him. After checking Drostan out online, they met and signed a recording

and publishing deal and where in the studio within three weeks to start the project.

So Raise the Banner for Gaelic, raise it for the Lyre, raise it for our ancient heritage but

mostly raise it for the enjoyment of good music, TOG A’ BHRATACH!