Roya MacLean - An t-Alltan Dubh - Blackwater

(November 2009) 19 tracks: Reels * Gaelic Waltzes * 2/4 Marches * Polka Des As * Mo Run Air Na Maraichean * Jigs * Medley * Pipe Tunes * 6/8 Marches * The Gael * Cailin Mo Run-sa * The Orange Blossom Special * Sands Of Kuwait * Jigs * 2/4 Marches * Gaelic Waltzes * Fiddle Track * Reels * An t-Alltan Dubh (Blackwater).

Young Ross-shire accordionist Roya MacLean, with friends including Mod gold medallist Steven MacIver (Gaelic song), Nicky McMichan (drums), Coralea McKay (fiddle), Lewis Kane (piano) and Struan Thorpe (pipes).

Roya, from Muir of Ord, started playing classical and Scottish Dance music on the accordion and piano at the age of seven. Having won many competitions including classical, traditional and the trios at the Scottish Accordion Championships in Perth, she was invited to France by former World Champions Roman Jbanov and Domi Emorine for tuition.

Two weeks after her sixteenth birthday, she released her debut album Out Of The Shadows, and since then has developed her own unique style of energy, sensitivity and flare which is clearly demonstrated in this CD.

Her initial interest in music came from her grandfather, button box player Fraser MacLean, whose band she used to play accordion and piano in from the age of twelve. Roya has worked on P&O cruise ships Aurora and Arcadia, in a band which has taken her travelling around the Baltics and the Mediterranean.

"I have no doubt that Roya has a very exciting musical future ahead of her." (Lindsay Weir)

"A force to be reckoned with... Roya demonstrates that she clearly understands the heart of the nation’s traditional music, with performances that include lively dance tempos, sensitively played slower pieces and also some accordion classics..." (Rob Howard)

"She is still very young but I can see her being a big star of the future..." (Box & Fiddle Magazine)

"It is fantastic to hear an accordionist with so many different styles of tunes performed to perfection and with such character... A recording full of musicianship, style, technical flair and great tunes..." (Donald Shaw)

"Another winner from Roya - one of Scotland's bright young stars..." (John Carmichael)