New Scottish music: Mairearad Green
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In 2014 she spent several months researching poetry about Scotland’s islands, which in turn inspired her debut album Summer Isles (released on 26 February). On the collection of songs the multi-instrumentalist plays pipes, accordion and piano, as well as performing most of the vocals. The LP also features contributions from a variety of accomplished musicians including King Creosote, who sings on the track Star Of Hope. We were particularly taken with Blessing On Tanera, carried by Green’s beautiful singing and piano and evoking the island that inspired it. Green plays Celtic Connections on Friday, 24 and 28 January, and Edinburgh’s Coda Music shop on 27 February, officially launching her album. Listen at https://soundcloud.com/abadgeoffriendship/mairearad-green-blessing-in-tanera
• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run the Born to be Wide music industry events, www.borntobewide.co.uk