Billy McIsaac - Songs For Lochaber

(February 2009) 12 tracks: Lochaber * Eilean Bharraidh * Rothesay Jig * Here's Tae Us * The Laird O' Drumgoyne * As Far As The Eye Can See * The March Of The Cameron Men * By The Lochy / Welcome To Balloch * Song For Shona * One For The Road * This Day Had Just Begun * Song For Shona (Strathclyde Police Pipe Band).

Debut solo album from songwriter and musician Billy McIsaac, a former member of Slik with Midge Ure.

Billy also produced the Here's Tae Us compilation, Scotland's biggest-selling charity CD.

Profits from this CD also go towards Lochaber Hydrotherapy, a charity aiming to build a Hydrotherapy Pool in Fort William for the benefit of people in the Lochaber area.

Billy McIsaac (vocals, piano, accordion) with Mick MacNeil (accordion, keyboards), Max MacNeil (drums), Steve Lawrence (guitar, bouzouki, whistle, bodhran), Gary Innes (accordion), Skerryvore, Ingrid Henderson (clarsach), Jennifer Port (clarsach), Wendy Weatherby (cello), Donald Black (harmonica), Alison Smith (fiddle), Patsy Reid (fiddle), Fiona Cuthill (fiddle), Jim McGinlay (bass), Ken McLuskey (vocals), Scott Harvey (banjo), Jay Bharaj (percussion), George McIlwham (whistle), Annie Gracie (whistle), Jim Hunter (vocals) and Strathclyde Police Pipe Band.

"Packed with soaring melodies, heartfelt lyrics and an abundance of toe-tapping tunes..." (Lochaber News)

"A fantastic mix of instrumental and song in traditional and modern style, including the hauntingly beautiful Lochaber. The CD is a great listen and tremendous companion in the car..." (Lochaber Life)

"If you like Scottish music, this CD is one not to be missed..." (Nevis Radio)

"A marvellous mix of haunting melodies, heartfelt lyrics and soaring instrumentals." (The Scots Magazine)

"Features twelve great tracks which are all very different in nature, but collectively, they represent all that is exciting and vibrant about Scottish traditional music in 2009" (Box & Fiddle)

"Epic in scope, Songs For Lochaber sees McIsaac enlisting a sterling cast of musicians. The results are consistently beguiling, most notably on the beautifully melodic Song For Shona." (Rock'n'Reel)