Mary Smith - Sgiath Airgid

(May 2004) 10 tracks: Cul Do Chinn, Thoir Mo Shoraidh Le Durachd (Take My Sincere Farewell) * Amhran Do Dh Aonghas Mac Ailein, Bata Dhomhnaill A Chrogain, A Fhleasgaich Ghuanaich (O Fickle Lad) * He Na Filibhig, Marbhrann Do Mhacleoid (Elegy For Macleod) * Saighdear Chaluim Bhain (Calum Ban’s Soldier) * Duil Ri Rubha An T-Siumpain Fhaicinn (Within Sight of Rubha An) * Dh’eirich Mi Moch Mhadainn Earraich (I Arose Early One Spring Morning) * Bha Mi Raoir As N Taigh-Osta (Last Night I Was in the Ale House) * Ill A Bho Dhubh, An T-Lorram Niseach (The Ness Rowing Song) * Thainig Am Post (The Postman Arrived) * Da mBeinn I Mo Bhadoir (If I Were A Boatman)

Mary Smith was born and brought up in Ness in the north of the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. As an itinerant teacher of art in the islands of Uist and Eriskay, she met some of the greatest exponents of traditional singing in these southern Hebridean islands.

As a result, her own extensive repertoire is unusual in that it encompasses almost as many songs from these islands as it does from her native Lewis. She has always been interested in songs and their history and she takes great pleasure in listening to them and performing them.

She is particularly interested in the social function of song, past and present, within the Gaelic community of Scotland and Ireland. She has travelled, performed and recorded in Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, Ireland and mainland Scotland, and was awarded an MBE in 1999 for outstanding service to traditional song.

"Among Mairi Nic a’ Ghobhainn’s many talents is the ability to make you listen to even the most familiar song as if you were hearing it for the first time. She sings with a profound understanding of the Scottish Gaelic song tradition and with a deep respect for both the creator of the song and the tradition bearer who kept it alive and passed it on." (Jo MacDonald)