New Album out now

SUNWISE TURN

FIONA ROSS  VOCALS        SHANE O’MARA   ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Track Listing

1. The Lowlands of Holland
2. The Slave’s Lament
3. Caller O’u
4. Kelvin’s Purling Stream
5. Auld Lang Syne
6. Cam Ye O’er Frae France
7. Capernaum
8. Mill o Tifty’s Annie
9. The Wife of Usher’s Well
10. This Is No’ My Plaid 
11. Wae’s Me For Prince Charlie
12. John Anderson My Jo, John

REVIEW IN THE LIVING TRADITION

This release teams seasoned Scottish singer Fiona (based in Australia) with Australian guitarist Shane O’Mara, and it’s a superb example of just what can be achieved with minimal resources (one voice, one guitar). It’s obvious from the outset that this is an inspired teaming, such is the feeling of intuitive mutual supportiveness between singer and musician, where each is cognisant of, and fully responsive to, each other’s proven skills. And the chosen repertoire – traditional and what might be termed nigh-traditional Scottish song – fits both participants like a glove. Though a good proportion of these songs will be familiar – and Fiona’s clearly been singing them and honing her interpretations over many years – you’ll be hard pressed to find more persuasive accounts. And the disc also contains a couple of real discoveries: Capernaum, Lewis Spence’s harsh commentary on Scotland’s bloody past, receives a stark setting by Ed Miller, while John Gray’s composition Caller O’u evocatively echoes the cries of the 19th century creel lasses selling their wares.

Fiona’s a forthright yet unaffected singer: both assured and robust in timbre and control, with abundant tonal depth as well as real strength of character. She possesses a natural ability to conjure and command any emotion the songs demand, from forlorn resignation (The Slave’s Lament) to cheeky satire (Cam Ye O’er Frae France) and almost knowing defiance (This Is No’ My Plaid), from the poignant expression of friendship (a perfectly realised Auld Lang Syne) to dramatic storytelling (a magnificently involving unaccompanied rendition of the muckle ballad Mill O’ Tifty’s Annie). 

Shane’s guitar work is both perfectly measured and impeccably judged; boosting the melody line and supporting and mirroring its mood instead of distracting from its beauty.

A firm recommendation for lovers of Scots song repertoire. 

CLYDE’S WATER – THE TRADITION BEARERS “SCOTS SONGS AND BALLADS” SERIES

THE TRADITION BEARERS (Scotland) is proud to present Clyde’s Water by FIONA ROSS  with Tony McManus – the latest release in the record label’s Scots Songs and Ballads Series. Clyde’s Water is a stunning album that showcases the richness & diversity of the Scots song canon and confirms Fiona Ross’s standing as one of Scotland’s finest contemporary exponents of the traditional style. The album pairs Fiona’s honest, commanding vocals and compelling song interpretation with the masterful guitar accompaniment of Tony McManus. It also features renowned fiddler & multi-instrumentalist John McCusker.   

ALSO AVAILABLE  FROM
THE BASEMENT DISCS

24 Block Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
T: (03) 9654 1110
E: info@basementdiscs.com.au
W: www.basementdiscs.com.au

AVAILABLE IN THE UK FROM
THE LIVING TRADITION – LISTENING POST (Online Store)

Also available in-store and online from
THE BASEMENT DISCS
24 Block Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
T: (03) 9654 1110
E: info@basementdiscs.com.au
W: www.basementdiscs.com.au

Available in the UK from
THE LIVING TRADITION ONLINE STORE

Fiona Ross            vocals
Tony McManus    acoustic & electric guitar, bouzouki
John McCusker    fiddle, whistles, harmonium

THE THISTLE MAY BLOOM

Fiona Ross                 vocals
Ken Maher                acoustic guitar
Angus Downing     fiddle
Michelle Burton    harp

Special Guest Musician
Jeff Lang                    guitar, tenor banjo

Also available in-store and online from
THE BASEMENT DISCS
24 Block Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
T: (03) 9654 1110
E: info@basementdiscs.com.au
W: www.basementdiscs.com.au

THE THISTLE MAY BLOOM: REVIEW IN TRAD & NOW

Fiona Ross, who originally hails from Glasgow but resides in Australia, previously sang in the Scottish folk band Handsel. Her prodigious work ethic and talented embrace of traditional Scottish songs has seen her perform at a host of high-profile Australian events such as: Port Fairy Folk Festival, Maldon Folk Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, (with Dougie Maclean and with the Battlefield Band) and the Scottish Fling Festival at the Immigration Museum. This seven track album contains six traditional songs plus the evocative Down to the Sea, which was written by Donny O’Rourke and Dave Whyte. Ross’s crystal clear vocals and warm delivery ensures that ubiquitous folk club classics such as Loch Lomond sound fresh and vital. The tasteful musicianship of Ken Maher (acoustic guitar), Angus Downing (fiddle), Michelle Burton (harp) and “special guest”Jeff Lang (acoustic guitar and tenor banjo), proves to be a mellifluous treat. The Thistle May Bloom, which is likely to tug at the heart strings of anyone with Scottish blood surging through their veins, will impress the discerning lover of authentic Celtic music.

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