Track Listing

1. M' fhearann Saidhbhir (My Land Is Rich)
2. Bothan Àirigh Am Bràigh Raithneach (A Sheiling On The Braes Of Rannoch)
3. Wind And Rain (duet with Eddi Reader)
4. Thig Am Bàta (The Boat Will Come)
5. A Chatrion' Òg (Young Catherine)
6. Hé Gràdh, Hò Gràdh (Hé Dear, Hò Dear) (duet with Mary Smith)
7. Cò Ni Mire Rium? (Who Will Flirt With Me?)Trip To Galway
8. A' Chiad Cheum (The First Step)
9. Brògan Ur Agam a-nochd (I Have New Shoes Tonight)
10. Rugadh Mi 'Teis Meadhan Na Mara (I Was Born In The Midst Of The Sea) (Breton song)
11. Bodachan Cha Phòs Mi (duet with Mary Smith)
12. A Mhic Dhùghaill 'ic Ruairidh (Son Of Dougal, Son Of Ruairidh)
13. Hò Bha Mi, Hé Bha Mi (Hò I Was, Hè I Was)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #430 in Music
• Released on: 2009-10-26
• Number of discs: 1

Folk Radio UK
An extraordinarily moving album. Her best and most beautiful work to date.

The Guardian, 23/10/09
An impressive and varied set - ****

Mojo, November 2009
This seductively inviting selection - exuding romance, beauty and sorrow - subtly expands her horizons... elegant, evocative, unerringly classy - ****

Customer Reviews

A Review "from me"
This is a great album of "traditional" music. If you are a fan of that genre my advice is simply that you buy it. If you would like a little more of my own opinion first, read on.

I bought the album after seeing Julie and band play on the album launch tour. I had had very limited previous exposure to her music. On stage, her humility and gentle wit shone forth, ever accompanied by consummate professionalism. Somehow she lets the music speak for itself. There is none of the ego and crass commercialism which weighs so heavily on many young musicians today (albeit usually of a rather different genre). This comes through in the album too. On the sleeve, Julie lays bare her manifesto: songs are like presents, you may receive them and enjoy them, but also must you pass them on to others. Some presents are a joy to receive, others less so. This collection of songs falls squarely into the former category. Fowlis' singing is technically excellent, but - crucially - she is possessed of the ability to convey something of her own character through her voice. This elevates the songs to the level of a dynamic, spirited, and thoroughly interesting conversation in which one is privileged to be a listener.

Of the individual songs, I consider track three to be the weakest. It sounds rather too much like a folk pop song. However, this does not matter greatly: I have never yet found an album where I was completely taken by every track. That the rest of the tracks appeal to me is more than enough. I am hard put to name a favourite, but at the moment track four has has been listened to the most. The album is worth the money for this alone. If I have heard its like before, it was not in the Scottish tradition. The beat is amazing; the time signature borders on the psychedelic. This is a clear demonstration of Fowlis' vocal ability, upon which I have already eulogised. Here is the evidence. What could easily sound rigid for fear of losing hold of the unconventional beat sounds so natural. This track, and others, are also testament to the highly skilled musicians who ably support Fowlis' obvious talent. I could go on, but in the interests of retaining a modicum of brevity, I won't. In any case, my enthusiasm for each track would become repetitive. A wonderful achievement. I can't wait to buy the other albums.

wonderful music, gets better with each listen
this is the first cd of julie's that i've bought, having seen her on the recent series of Transatlantic Sessions, as well as catching her radio show on BBC Scotland (I don't live in Scotland, but listened via the net). i'm really a novice at scottish gaelic music, and don't speak gaelic, but i love it, and have made a point of listening to Radio Nan Gaidhael (again via the net) to try and get a sense of the music. Julie Fowlis's music has a timeless quality that transcends time, space and language - it's thoughtful and heartfelt - it's very real - and it's all about the music, rather than being about the singer. Julie duets with the older and well-respected Mary Smith on several of the songs, which is great to hear, and seems to indicate the sense of 'passing on songs' from one generation to the next. i really look forward to hearing her future offerings, and will aim to buy 'Dual' next. I should add that my friends and family (including my 60 year old mother and my 12 year old son), none of whom would ordinarily claim to like either folk or gaelic music, all prick up their ears when they hear this cd... so on that basis I think it comes heartily recommended!

Wonderful collection
Though I've only listened to this a few times now, this collection of Scots Gaelic songs and tunes is at least as good as the last album, cuilidh, which I love. Julie's singing is simply superb, but I also especially enjoy the whistle and bodhran playing. Though I'm no expert I see it as traditional with a modern flair., and there is a good mix of tracks in different styles/tempos. I like the Gaelic singing, though I understand little- the music is so good it doesn't matter. She is doing a fantastic job of raising the profile of scots Gaelic just by her one voice! Buy it- if you like traditional/folk music and don't mind not understanding the words you'll love it!