ABOUT MURIEL
Muriel Urquhart was born in Lewis but now lives on the Isle of Skye. She sings Gaelic songs in the traditional style handed down through the generations through oral tradition. Muriel began singing as a child and although she has recorded songs for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, this is her first album.
“My sister died five years ago and I realised that life is passing us all by and if I didn’t take this opportunity soon I may regret it”.This project came about after having passed a couple of recordings on to the renowned Gaelic singer Christine Primrose, who encouraged Muriel to record more songs professionally. She was also encouraged by Calum Alex Macmillan and Arthur Cormack as well as Decker Forrest, Head of Music at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig where Muriel works as a lecturer in Gaelic. Muriel maintains that without these people she would never have had the courage to embark on this project.
The title track of the album is “Thig mi gad Iarraidh”; written by the famous Melbost Bard, Murdo MacFarlane who had a massive influence on Gaelic song in the last century. Other tracks include the spiritual song “Làmh a’ Bhuachaille”, many traditional songs like “Ma ’s ann gam Mhealladh” and “Cha chadail, cha chadail” which she learnt from listening to her favourite singer Angus Kenneth MacIver from Uig in Lewis and “Truis na h-òisginn” the Gaelic translation of Rabbie Burns’ poem “Ca’ the yowes”.
Muriel says, “I am forever grateful to Christine Primrose for believing in me, encouraging me and for agreeing to sing along with me on a couple of the tracks."