Great Scot! music for March 19, 2014 – Julie Fowlis -‘Wind and Rain’ / ‘Thig am Bàta’

I thought I would go with Julie Fowlis again this morning since I saw a tweet from Brian Ferguson that she would be at the Bannockburn Live festival at the end of June. I wish I could be there for that festival. Sounds like a number of fabulous musicians will be there.

Full details of #BannockburnLive festival unveiled, incJulie Fowlis, DougieMacLean, Roddy Hart & KarinePolwart: http://t.co/VtICQvn4cu

— Brian Ferguson (@brianjaffa) March 19, 2014

I especially like this song since it has the lyrics in both Gàidhlig and English. As much as I love all Gàidhlig songs, it’s nice to know sometimes what the song is saying.  Also, this particular video has great pictures from Doune Castle and makes a great Outlander tie-in.

Julie Fowlis – ‘Wind and Rain’ / ‘Thig am Bàta’

Time running out to listen to BBC Radio interviews about Outlander with Àdhamh and Sam

BBC Radio only allows listeners 7 days to listen to its archived radio programs, so we are down to the last day you can listen via the website.  Don’t miss out!

BBC Radio Scotland – Good Morning Scotland in English

There are a few nice comments from Sam and we can actually hear Àdhamh speak about the importance of the Gàidhlig in English as well!

Listen to the entire piece here. The Outlander piece begins at about 1:49 in.

BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal – Aithris Na Maidne

I listened to it online and amused myself by picking out Gàidhlig words I knew here and there.  I was very pleased that I mostly understood the weather forecast.  However, the real reward is that Sam is interviewed for a few minutes during the piece on Outlander and they switch to English after exchanging “Good afternoon”, “How are you”, and “very well” courtesies. Àdhamh has his bit of the interview as well, but unfortunately (for us that is) it is in Gàidhlig and I can’t understand it all.

You can listen to the show using this link. The Outlander piece starts approximately 23:48 into the broadcast.

Great Scot! music for March 17, 2014 – Maria McCool – Ar Éirinn Ní Neosfainn Cé Hí

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it only fitting to feature an Irish Gaelic song today.  I find this piece of music to be almost as hauntingly beautiful as Ireland itself.  Ireland is one of the few places I’ve been that absolutely lived up to its billing in terms of both beauty of the landscape and the friendliness of its people.

I can’t resist also adding some of my photos from my trip to Ireland.

Maria McCool – Ar Éirinn Ní Neosfainn Cé Hí

Great Scot! music for March, 14, 2014 – Runrig – Alba

I had a request for Runrig as our musical selection for the day and am happy to oblige. I was first introduced to Runrig by a dear friend in Cape Breton who is a huge Runrig and Bruce Guthro fan and I really enjoy their music.  Although an older song, I thought this particular track was truly appropriate for the Great Scot blog for several reasons.  First, it’s all about Scotland (Alba). Second, the lyrics in the video are presented in both the sung Gàidhlig as well as the English translation.  I find this very helpful both for knowing what the lyrics of the song mean and also to help fix the sounds of the Gàidhlig words in my mind.  I’m a very visual learner and adding music makes it  easier for me to remember things. I used to memorize formulas in school by setting them to music in my mind.  Hmm, maybe I should try singing my Gàidhlig lessons?

I hope everyone enjoys today’s music!

Runrig – Alba

Outlander BBC Radio Scotland Interview – English version

Turns out there was a piece about Outlander on BBC Radio Scotland – Good Morning Scotland in English yesterday. There are a few nice comments from Sam and we can actually hear Àdhamh speak about the importance of the Gàidhlig in English as well!

Listen to the entire piece here.  The Outlander piece begins at about 1:49 in.  Thanks to Je Suis Prest for the heads up!