Glendrian

Composer and multi-instrumentalist MacKenzie’s new release, Glendrian, is a fetching tribute to an area of north-west Scotland which has strong family connections for the artist. The album is populated with slow airs, waltzes, marches and jigs and wears its traditional badge resolutely on its sleeve. It opens with a sweetly atmospheric slow air (‘Lexie a’Chook’) that swiftly segues into a harmonica-led march made up of ‘Alastair T Fisher’s Farewell to Ardnamurchan’ and ‘John and Maureen MacKenzie of Port Charlotte’. Glendrian concludes with a feisty march written and titled in tribute to Gaelic singer Alasdair Gillies MBE.

‘Sunset on Sunart’, a slow air between piano, accordion and harmonica, is a highlight and the piano-led set of jigs (‘Kenny’s Ceilidh’) is fun, but MacKenzie is on better footing with the more emotional tracks – ‘Marie MacKenzie’s Welcome to Caberfeidh’, in particular, is a touching, almost filmic, slow air. Reassuringly conventional, but with a few synth nods thrown, Glendrian is warm, affectionate and pleasant. The album’s old-fashioned approach may not appeal to all, but for traditionalists, and those hunting a good soundtrack to a quick country dance session, there is much to savour here.