Gaelic singer and whistle player Julie Fowlis was on Jools Holland last night on BBC 2. She only got the one song on the show which was a shame but was outstanding. If you log onto the website:
then you can see her singing another track recorded for the web and can also vote for her (if you want) as the best act of the show. She is currently just behind Bloc Party in the vote (and that is reason enough to vote - they were awful!).
Joan Armatrading has been in the lead all along. Julie was behind Bloc Party for a bit. Good to see that she has regained 2nd spot. Armatrading's lead has also slipped a bit. With a big push then who knows.
That was brilliant. Couldn't understand a word of it though.
(wish I could right enough)
I could only get a series of still photographs, not the actual live show. Is that normal? If so, cheapskate BBC. Channel 4 programmes you can watch again. The whole lot of them.
It depends on your connection speed. You should be able to watch the whole song as a proper video clip (although it can break up at points). This song was not on the show anyway. On the programme she sung "Hug air a' Bhonaid Mhoir" - the first track on her myspace.
Both of Julie's albums are brilliant. She has an outstanding voice and is a first class musician (as is her band).
Still couldn't get more than stills. No worries. Beautiful singing, and got me all sentimental about Scotland, and travelling round as I used to do when I lived there. My grannie used to sing Gaelic songs (she couldn't speak English properly when she first arrived in Glasgow, probably about 100 years or so, maybe a bit more, ago.)
Why? Is it important to know what she is singing about? Surely it is better just to appreciate themusic and the sound of her voice. Oh well, if you insist.
The song on the net is:
Mo Ghruagach Dhonn
Hi ho ro, mo ghruagach dhonn,
’S ann ort fhèin a dh’fhàs an loinn:
Dh’fhàg siud acaid na mo chom,
An gaol cho trom ’s a ghabh mi ort.
Fhuair mi do litir Dimàirt,
Dh’innseadh dhòmhsa mar a bha:
Gu robh thu a’ tighinn gun dàil
A-mach air bàta Ghlaschu.
Nuair a leugh mi mar a bha,
Ghabh mi sìos am Brumalà:
Chunnaic mi a’ tighinn am bàt’
’S an t‑àilleagan, an ainnir, innt’.
Nuair a shìn mi mach mo làmh,
Thionndaidh thu le fiamh a’ ghàir’
’S labhair thu facal no dhà
Dh’fhàg iomadh tràth gun chadal mi.
’S ann ort fhèin tha ghruag a’ fàs ‑
Cha dubh ’s cha ruadh is cha bhàn,
Ach mar an t-òr as àille snuadh,
Gu buidhe, dualach, camalagach.
Dhèanainn sgrìobhadh dhut le peannt,
Dhèanainn treabhadh dhut le crann,
Dhèanainn sgiobair dhut air luing,
Air nighean donn nam meall-shùilean.
Meòir is grinn thu air an t-snàth
No cur peannt air pàipear bàn,
Ach ma chaidh thu null thar sàil
Dh’Astràilia, mo bheannachd leat.
Cha bhi mi tuilleadh fo leòn,
Glacaidh mi tè ùr air spòig ‑
Solamh bu ghlice bha beò,
Bha aige mòran leannanan
Translation:
My Brown-haired Lass
Hi ho ro, my brown-haired lass,
whose beauty becomes more beguiling.
The deep love I have for you
has left me sorely wounded.
Your letter arrived on Tuesday
Telling of what was to be.
It told that your ship would arrive
in Glasgow without delay.
When I read this,
I immediately headed for the Broomielaw.
I saw the ship carrying the jewel,
the maiden, approach.
When I held out my hand
you turned with a slight smile and
uttered a couple of words
which left me sleepless many nights
You have the lovliest hair,
neither black, nor red nor fair,
but the colour of the most beautiful gold,
yellow, braided and curled.
I would write for you with a pen.
I would cultivate for you with a plough.
I would captain a ship for you,
brown haired lass of the deceiving eyes.
You are skilled at working wool
and at writing on blank paper.
But if you have gone overseas, to Australia,
goodbye to you.
I will no longer be in despair.
I’ll grab a new one by the hand.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived,
had many sweethearts.
I saw Julie Fowlis at last years Cambridge Folk festival and she was excellent.( Dervish also appeared and were quite stunning and did not deserve Eurovision). Jlie also features a nice couple of jigs on her latest album which also features Mike McGoldrick. Excellent album.
"For those of us who don't speak the language, Julie's records are like beautiful messages from another world, as enchanting, beguiling and fascinating as songs by Kate Bush or Bjork" - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2.
I heard a cut from one of her CDs on WGBH out of Boston, and was pleased to find that Amazon.com has started carrying more Scottish imports, so I bought the CD. Brilliant stuff, a mighty singer and no slouch as an instrumentalist either. And wonderful settings for the tunes and songs. Strongly recommended to those who love tradtional music!!!
Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Gaelic singer and whistle player Julie Fowlis was on Jools Holland last night on BBC 2. She only got the one song on the show which was a shame but was outstanding. If you log onto the website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/later/
then you can see her singing another track recorded for the web and can also vote for her (if you want) as the best act of the show. She is currently just behind Bloc Party in the vote (and that is reason enough to vote - they were awful!).
Did anyone else see the show?
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Thanks for posting that. She's wonderful.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by kennedy
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Thanks for this. Almost missed Duncan Chisholm behind her - has he had a haircut or something?
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by Swift
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
I saw the show,and I have her new cd too.Highly recommended.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by dafydd
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Beautiful. But it still wouldn't have won Scotland the Eurovision Song Contest..!
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Joan Armatrading is in the lead now...
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Joan Armatrading has been in the lead all along. Julie was behind Bloc Party for a bit. Good to see that she has regained 2nd spot. Armatrading's lead has also slipped a bit. With a big push then who knows.
You can hear more of Julie at:
http://www.myspace.com/juliefowlis
It would be great if more traditional artists got the wider recognition that they deserve.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
That was brilliant. Couldn't understand a word of it though.
(wish I could right enough)
I could only get a series of still photographs, not the actual live show. Is that normal? If so, cheapskate BBC. Channel 4 programmes you can watch again. The whole lot of them.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
It depends on your connection speed. You should be able to watch the whole song as a proper video clip (although it can break up at points). This song was not on the show anyway. On the programme she sung "Hug air a' Bhonaid Mhoir" - the first track on her myspace.
Both of Julie's albums are brilliant. She has an outstanding voice and is a first class musician (as is her band).
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
There is also more of Julie on YouTube.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Still couldn't get more than stills. No worries. Beautiful singing, and got me all sentimental about Scotland, and travelling round as I used to do when I lived there. My grannie used to sing Gaelic songs (she couldn't speak English properly when she first arrived in Glasgow, probably about 100 years or so, maybe a bit more, ago.)
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
They should have given her sub-titles, perhaps.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Why? Is it important to know what she is singing about? Surely it is better just to appreciate themusic and the sound of her voice. Oh well, if you insist.
The song on the net is:
Mo Ghruagach Dhonn
Hi ho ro, mo ghruagach dhonn,
’S ann ort fhèin a dh’fhàs an loinn:
Dh’fhàg siud acaid na mo chom,
An gaol cho trom ’s a ghabh mi ort.
Fhuair mi do litir Dimàirt,
Dh’innseadh dhòmhsa mar a bha:
Gu robh thu a’ tighinn gun dàil
A-mach air bàta Ghlaschu.
Nuair a leugh mi mar a bha,
Ghabh mi sìos am Brumalà:
Chunnaic mi a’ tighinn am bàt’
’S an t‑àilleagan, an ainnir, innt’.
Nuair a shìn mi mach mo làmh,
Thionndaidh thu le fiamh a’ ghàir’
’S labhair thu facal no dhà
Dh’fhàg iomadh tràth gun chadal mi.
’S ann ort fhèin tha ghruag a’ fàs ‑
Cha dubh ’s cha ruadh is cha bhàn,
Ach mar an t-òr as àille snuadh,
Gu buidhe, dualach, camalagach.
Dhèanainn sgrìobhadh dhut le peannt,
Dhèanainn treabhadh dhut le crann,
Dhèanainn sgiobair dhut air luing,
Air nighean donn nam meall-shùilean.
Meòir is grinn thu air an t-snàth
No cur peannt air pàipear bàn,
Ach ma chaidh thu null thar sàil
Dh’Astràilia, mo bheannachd leat.
Cha bhi mi tuilleadh fo leòn,
Glacaidh mi tè ùr air spòig ‑
Solamh bu ghlice bha beò,
Bha aige mòran leannanan
Translation:
My Brown-haired Lass
Hi ho ro, my brown-haired lass,
whose beauty becomes more beguiling.
The deep love I have for you
has left me sorely wounded.
Your letter arrived on Tuesday
Telling of what was to be.
It told that your ship would arrive
in Glasgow without delay.
When I read this,
I immediately headed for the Broomielaw.
I saw the ship carrying the jewel,
the maiden, approach.
When I held out my hand
you turned with a slight smile and
uttered a couple of words
which left me sleepless many nights
You have the lovliest hair,
neither black, nor red nor fair,
but the colour of the most beautiful gold,
yellow, braided and curled.
I would write for you with a pen.
I would cultivate for you with a plough.
I would captain a ship for you,
brown haired lass of the deceiving eyes.
You are skilled at working wool
and at writing on blank paper.
But if you have gone overseas, to Australia,
goodbye to you.
I will no longer be in despair.
I’ll grab a new one by the hand.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived,
had many sweethearts.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
She sung this on the show:
Hùg air a’ Bhonaid Mhòir
Hùg air a’ bhonaid mhòir,
Cuiribh oirre ’s leigibh leatha;
Tuilleadh air a’ bhonaid eile,
Chan eil leth gu leòr oirre.
Bhonaid a bh’ aig Dòmhnall Bàn
Ann an Bothalam na tàmh,
Bha i uiread ris an spàrr,
B’ àird’ i na lòban.
Celebrate the great bonnet!
Celebrate the great bonnet!
Add to it, leave it alone.
More on the other bonnet.
There’s not half enough on it .
Donald Ban’s bonnet
is to be found in Bothalam.
It was as high as the roof joist,
higher than the corn-stack frame.
Da Thàbh air an Fharaidh,
Da thàbh air an fharaidh,
Tha rud shìos anns a’ charaidh;
Da thàbh air an fharaidh,
Tha rud aig an fhaoileig.
Ged tha mi gun rud agam,
Tha rud shios anns a’ charaidh;
Ged tha mi gun rud agam,
Tha rud aig an fhaoileig.
Two Spoon Nets in the Loft
Two spoon nets in the loft,
There’s something in the fish-trap;
Two spoon-nets in the loft,
The seagull has a catch.
Although I’m empty-handed,
There’s something in the fish trap;
Although I’m empty handed,
The seagull has a catch.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Thanks Alasdair. Does she have any albums out?
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
2 of them. You can get them in any good music store (even in London I am sure) and also from:
http://www.footstompin.com
As linked above you can hear more at:
www.myspace.com/juliefowlis
and
http://www.juliefowlis.com/
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
Thanks for sharing the lyrics, No Cause.
# Posted on May 26th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
I saw Julie Fowlis at last years Cambridge Folk festival and she was excellent.( Dervish also appeared and were quite stunning and did not deserve Eurovision). Jlie also features a nice couple of jigs on her latest album which also features Mike McGoldrick. Excellent album.
# Posted on May 27th 2007 by rochson
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
"For those of us who don't speak the language, Julie's records are like beautiful messages from another world, as enchanting, beguiling and fascinating as songs by Kate Bush or Bjork" - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2.
- Very well put, IMO.
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
oh, i heard about that.. quite amusing
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by Catherine..
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iRs7w3t908
For those of you who use the "new comments" tab here is the performance from the show - someone has kindly put it on YouTube.
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Julie Fowlis on Jools Holland
I heard a cut from one of her CDs on WGBH out of Boston, and was pleased to find that Amazon.com has started carrying more Scottish imports, so I bought the CD. Brilliant stuff, a mighty singer and no slouch as an instrumentalist either. And wonderful settings for the tunes and songs. Strongly recommended to those who love tradtional music!!!
# Posted on May 29th 2007 by AlBrown