Temple Records
Here's a great track from Alasdair White's debut solo album An Clàr Geal (The White Album), released on Temple Records back in 2006.
An Clàr Geal is currently part of our Festive Folk Offer, where you can buy any album and choose another for free! You can browse all albums in the offer at www.templerecords.co.uk/festivefolk
Edinburgh is coming alive, as usual, in the build up to the Festival, but if it all gets too much then why not take a break and come out to the countryside for a day to visit us at Temple Records?
Temple Village, where we're based,was the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Scotland in the 14th century. As well as enjoying Alison Kinnaird's exhibition in a spectacular building (see the video in other news item or find more information at www.alisonkinnaird.com), visitors can also discover the ancient ruined church opposite the studio in this historic setting. Other local attractions include The Scottish Mining Museum
Getting here:Temple Village is a picturesque drive of less of around half an hour heading South from Edinburgh (Satnav: EH23 4SH). The recently opened Borders Railway also runs conveniently from Waverley Station in Edinburgh to Gorebridge, 2 miles from Temple. We can arrange some transport from Gorebridge station to the exhibition for individuals and small parties (up to 4) if required, but please call in advance to organise this (01875 830 328). It is also a pleasant walk if the weather is good.
The late, great Gaelic singer Flora MacNeil sings 'Mo run geal og' (My fair young love) on this recording taken from her 1976 album Craobh Nan Ubhal.
You can find Craobh Nan Ubhal and other Gaelic music and song albums on Temple Records here.
Scotland & Ireland are separated by only twelve miles of water at their nearest point, so it’s not surprising that their cultures have begged, borrowed (and maybe even stolen) much from each other over the centuries.
This recording was originally made in 1978 for an album by Packie and fiddler Seamus Horan which was produced by Robin Morton for Topic Records. After the album later became unavailable some of the tracks from it, including this one, were released on the Temple Records compilation album Irish Traditional Music.
Here's a look and listen back to a superb duet from way back in 1977, featuring the great fiddler Aly Bain together with renowned Scottish harper Alison Kinnaird. This recording of the William Marshall tune 'Chapel Keithack' appeared on Alison's debut album 'The Harp Key', which became the first release on the Temple Records label.
This song also appears in the award winning show 'Glasgow Girls', a life-affirming Scottish drama based on the true story of teenagers whose lives change forever when their school friend and her asylum-seeking family are forcibly taken from their home to be deported. You can find out more about Glasgow Girls, including the most recent show dates, here.
Time for a look & listen back to 'The Strathspey King, an album of recordings by James Scott Skinner (1843–1927). Skinner is a legendary character and a key figure in Scottish traditional music. He took the art of Scottish fiddle music to a new height through his playing and his compositions. This album gives the listener a chance to hear the man himself perform tunes which are so well known and played throughout the tradition.
You can listen to clips from the album and read more about it below, and you can purchase the CD or a download (with album sleevenotes) here.
"The Strathspey King is all that a reissue should be, important music with improved sound, informative illustrated notes and a generous twenty two tracks all beautifully presented. This is a superb and important release. Please buy it - who knows what gems could be reissued next if enough interest is shown in this one. Brilliant"
The Living Tradition
We think it's time for a look back and listen to this great compilation album, 30 years after it was first released in 1988. A Celebration of Scottish Music celebrates the musical heritage of Scotland, played by some of the best musicians and singers in the field. These artists didn't (and don't) view their tradition as something of the past, but as a vibrant, contemporary music, as relevant today as it ever was.
This release was named after a concert of the same title, which was held in Edinburgh in 1986 to celebrate the hosting of the Commonwealth games, and features many of the artists who appeared in that show including Battlefield Band, Alison Kinnaird (harp), Cilla Fisher (Lowland singer), Christine Primrose (Gaelic singer), Hamish Moore (Lowland pipes), Jim Johnstone and his Band (Scottish dance band) and Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band.
Find out more about the album at www.templerecords.co.uk/celebration
"The selection of music covers a wide range, and is unlikely to leave anyone disappointed. Splendid stuff, and highly recommended"
FOLK ROOTS
Congratulations from everyone at Temple Records to the great Gaelic singer Christine Primrose, who has been awarded a MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for 'Services to Gaelic Music to Culture and to Education in Scotland and Internationally'. We couldn't be more pleased that she has been given this recognition of her work and talent that she so thoroughly deserves.
Christine blazed a trail for Scottish Gaelic song at a time when it was not widely known or appreciated and is rightly regarded as one of the great singers of her generation. Her seminal first album Àite mo Ghaoil (1982) broke down barriers of all kinds, introducing the living tradition of Gaelic song to a worldwide audience who could appreciate the beauty of the song, and the talent of the singer, regardless of language. She continued to contribute to and consolidate the developing understanding and appreciation for Gaelic song and culture with her superb performances, acclaimed albums and invaluable teaching at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye and further afield.
The award of an MBE caps a remarkable recent period in Christine Primrose's life and career. In 2017 she was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame and was also the subject of an hour long BBC profile on her life and work. In addition, her most recent release 'Gràdh is Gonadh – Guth ag aithris' - a solo recording of poignancy and depth - has proved a milestone in the career of this increasingly important artist and singer.
Temple Records are very honoured to have supported such a uniquely talented and deserving individual over the decades - well done Christine!
Download a hi-res image of Christine for promo use
Photo Credit Steven McKenzie - Cànan Graphics Studio