As part of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards we have an Album of the Year category (sponsored by Birnam CD). Musicians added their albums from the last 12 months (September 2015 to August 2016) and then in September 2016 we asked our Album panel (20 musicians / industry people) to listen to all the releases and bring it down to 20. You can view all the albums from the period here. Below is our 2016 Scots Trad Album of the Year Shortlist of 10 albums. Click on the links and read about the albums. We have also created a Scots Trad Album of the Year podcast featuring all 20 longlisted albums for you to listen to here.
To vote for your Album of the Year click here.
| Artist Name | Hannah Rarity |
|---|---|
| Album title | Neath the Gloaming Star |
| Album cover |  |
| Album link | soundcloud.com |
| Alternative album link for panel. Will not be public. | bandcamp.com |
| Any more information you would like to tell us? | Hannah Rarity - BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018 - released her much anticipated debut album Neath the Gloaming Star on 2nd September 2018. Following her acclaimed 2016 EP, Beginnings, (“Beautifully engaging vocals, thoughtful interpretations of traditional songs and some highly promising song-writing…Hers is definitely a name to watch.” fRoots Magazine), “Neath the Gloaming Star” features eleven songs, carefully selected by Rarity, which showcase her powerful vocals and fresh interpretations of songs from the folk genre she whole-heartedly embraces. Her vocal performance is supported by a stellar line-up of Scottish musicians, including Innes White (Karen Matheson, John McCusker), John Lowrie (Blue Rose Code, Adam Holmes & The Embers) and Euan Burton (Kris Drever, Siobhan Miller). Rarity’s musical career to date has earned her a nomination for Scots Singer of the Year 2017 and 2018 at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, seen her feature as ‘One to Watch in 2018’ in The Scotsman and front Irish-American band Cherish the Ladies. This first full-length work is a culmination of her musical journey and experience thus far, establishing Rarity as a voice in her own right, whilst paying homage to both source - Jeannie Robertson - and revival singers, including Rod Paterson, Fiona Hunter and Anne Neilson, from whom songs have been passed. Produced by acclaimed musician and producer Euan Burton, the album has a bright and modern sound whilst remaining true to the folk tradition it is inspired by. “Neath the Gloaming Star” features a carefully balanced mix of beloved traditional songs, self-penned tracks and soulful covers of some of Scotland’s best-loved songwriters of the folk-revival - two late greats are celebrated in re-workings of Andy M. Stewart’s Where Are You (Tonight I Wonder?), and Rose O’ Summerlee by Davy Steele, which features folk legend Phil Cunningham. Meanwhile more contemporary songs – Wander Through This Land and Wasting Time - further develop the emotive themes of loss, love, hardship and longing that run throughout the album. Reviews: “Hannah Rarity is an exciting addition to a galaxy of Scottish stars.” The National “The absolute star of this excellent album is Hannah Rarity’s voice, delicate and pure, full of nuance...a debut album that packs a quietly powerful punch...” ★★★★★ Northern Sky Magazine “...showcases her crystal-clear delivery...her voice soars...” ★★★★ The Scotsman “Neath the Gloaming Star is a must-have album...” Folk Radio UK RnR Magazine ★★★★ |
| Label Name | Self-released |
| Release Date | 02/09/2018 |
| Website | hannahrarity.com |
