FRANCES MORTON
Sliocht
Flute and whistle player Frances Morton delivers a fine selection of tunes, many of which have a personal relevance and others share a fair degree of historical interest, which she shares with us.
Opening in fine and uplifting style with a set of jigs, followed by a trio of reels, collectively known as ‘Frank’s Set’ in acknowledgement of her father and described by Frances herself as ‘mighty’, it’s a s energetic introduction to a collection of mainly traditional music as you could wish for. The pace is slowed slightly as we are treated to a strathspey that becomes a reel that shares it’s name with the preceding piece, apparently the former from Scotland and the latter of Irish leaning, presumably of singular origin and nicely demonstrating the two traditions that generally infuse the album as a whole.
A slow air with no name but considerable beauty follows, the origins and the mystery explained in the copious and absorbing sleeve notes, which appear in both English (thankfully) and Gaelic.
The mood is then lifted again by a series of jigs and several sets of reels, including the appropriately named ‘Whistle Set’ given the instrument that takes centre stage over the three tunes, before the single song on the album ‘Malai Mhomhar’, sung by sean-nós singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhride, on this occasion, sensitively accompanied by Frances adding harmonium to her usual instrumentation. Written in the 18th Century and apparently named after one of lyricist’s three wives, the music added later with the origins of the tune lost to the mists of time, the informative read reflects Frances’ parallel career as an academic and we delight in discovering that a previous critic described the air as ‘the sweetest thing my ears have heard…’
Normal service is soon resumed with another set of jigs, under the title of ‘The Engagement’ and features the sole self-penned tune on the album, written to celebrate the betrothal of her brother. We are then treated to the sole march on the CD before a final set of reels sees us on our way with a lightness of step that ,may not have been there before.
While flute and whistle are to the fore throughout the album, other than the previously mentioned voice of Doimnic, there is almost ever present yet tastefully restrained guitar of Eamon McElholm along with fiddle, bouzouki and bodhran contributions from a well selected cast that accentuate the moods of the tunes as the Sliocht, is taken to refer to ‘trace’ or lineage and while this is reflected in the combination of Scottish and Irish heritage apparent throughout the album, with many of the tunes being related back to Frances’ childhood and the influence of family, the title of the album has a variety of meanings when translated into English, and so it seems appropriate given the range of tunes, provenance and age on offer.
A wonderful selection of tunes, beautifully delivered, a song well sung, and an education to boot. File under Mighty!
