Original Gaelic songwriting and masterful American storytelling are at the heart of the matter as one of Scotland’s finest residential recording studios Watercolour Music open their doors once more in 2017 for the first two events in this year’s House Concert series.
Watercolour Music co-director Mary Ann Kennedy will be marking the forthcoming release of her debut solo album, ‘An Dàn’ with an intimate concert on Sunday 26th February, alongside regular musical partner-in-crime, guitarist Finlay Wells (Coast, Big Fat Electric). The two will play some of the eleven brand-new, original Gaelic songs featured on the album, released on the Watercolour Music label in the spring, as well as some of her established repertoire and material from the next album in the pipeline, a lovesong to her hometown of Glasgow.
‘An Dàn’ means ‘The Song’, but also ‘Destined’. Mary Ann said, “Whether I was destined to make this album, I’m not so sure, but after so many years of working in groups and collaborations, it’s really exciting to step forward in a solo role with my own songs”. ‘An Dàn’ is the first-ever album wholly of new Gaelic songwriting.
And looking ahead, Illinois singer-songwriter Ben Bedford returns to the Highlands in April with his sketches of America, its individuals, their victories and their struggles. Poignant, but never sentimental, Bedford’s portrait-like songs capture the vitality of his characters, drawing on musical influences as varied as Townes Van Zandt, piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz, Thelonious Monk and Kate Bush.
As Roy Kasten of St. Louis’s Riverfront Times puts it: “Ben Bedford isn’t gunning for poet laureate of Illinois but if ever there was an equivalent honour for a singer-songwriter he’d have to be in the running.”
As ever, entry is by donation at the door, and you are advised to book your places early by emailing mak@watercolourmusic.co.uk or phone 01855-841320
Watercolour Music lies three miles north of the Corran Ferry and new visitors can find directions online at www.watercolourmusic.co.uk.
Mary Ann Kennedy & Finlay Wells – Sunday 26th February, 3 pm
Ben Bedford – Sunday 2nd April, 3 pm