Ishbel MacAskill

Whether her audience is Gaelic speaking or not, her introductions to these centuries-old songs of love, war, sea and landscape, exile and life itself, make each one a memorable experience. On this album, she is accompaied by a group of some of Scotland's most talented musicians.

"The fourth album (Artist’s own label) from the Lewis-born Gaelic singer powerfully endorses her standing as “Gaeldom’s first lady of soul”. OK, so you miss out on the self-deprecating commentary that marks high-profile live performances, but in its place – thanks to producer Andy Thorburn – you get a close-up focus on her voice, both its fluid expansiveness of timbre and the minute, unerring subtlety of her phrasing.

About half the tracks have instrumental accompaniment: sparse, sensitive arrangements of clarsach, guitar, pipes and accordion, while others, like a set of three waulking songs, feature sweet but sturdy backing vocals from Corrina Hewat, Alyth McCormack and Amanda Millen. Given MacAskill’s sublime interpretative skills, however, it’s the songs she takes entirely solo – the haunting, austere 15th century lament Piobaireachd Dhomhnaill Dhuibh, or the magisterially unhurried, onomatopoeic An Ataireachd Ard – that weave the most potent spell."
Sue Wilson, Scotsman

	ESSENTIALLY ISHBEL	Recordings "Essentially Ishbel" is the fourth album from Ishbel Macaskill. Her particular style of unaccompanied, traditional singing, her numerous radio and television performances, and her countless world-wide live appearances, have established her position as probably the best known Gaelic singer today.
Whether her audience is Gaelic speaking or not, her introductions to these centuries-old songs of love, war, sea and landscape, exile and life itself, make each one a memorable experience. On this album, she is accompaied by a group of some of Scotland's most talented musicians. "The fourth album (Artist’s own label) from the Lewis-born Gaelic singer powerfully endorses her standing as “Gaeldom’s first lady of soul”. OK, so you miss out on the self-deprecating commentary that marks high-profile live performances, but in its place – thanks to producer Andy Thorburn – you get a close-up focus on her voice, both its fluid expansiveness of timbre and the minute, unerring subtlety of her phrasing. About half the tracks have instrumental accompaniment: sparse, sensitive arrangements of clarsach, guitar, pipes and accordion, while others, like a set of three waulking songs, feature sweet but sturdy backing vocals from Corrina Hewat, Alyth McCormack and Amanda Millen. Given MacAskill’s sublime interpretative skills, however, it’s the songs she takes entirely solo – the haunting, austere 15th century lament Piobaireachd Dhomhnaill Dhuibh, or the magisterially unhurried, onomatopoeic An Ataireachd Ard – that weave the most potent spell." Sue Wilson, Scotsman
"SIODA"("SILK")	"There are many records by fine Gaelic singers but Ishbel MacAskill’s "Sioda" (Macmeanmna SKY ECD 06) would have stood out even in a vintage year. She has a strong voice with a distinctive timbre and a compelling style. Her wide musical tastes are reflected in her phrasing which invests her traditional Gaelic songs with the same expressiveness that Sinatra brings to a romantic ballad. There can be no higher praise." J.L. "Ishbel MacAskill: Sioda (Macmeanmna SKYECD 06) Wondrous Gaelic singing from a stunningly expressive voice." Alastair Clark
"There are some voices so sublime that they transcend all differences of language, culture, class or creed, and Ishbel MacAskill has one of them. I have watched this remarkable lady not only entrance a Catalan audience but also have them singing the true version of The Eriskay Lovelilt in Gaelic, with a passable Lewis accent, too! That devastating combination of bubbly sense of fun, warm, low, golden pure tones and supreme interpretive skill could melt a heart of marble. When Ishbel sings, it is the song that matters, and all the tragedy, the hope, the endurance, the love and the courage of the Gael shines through. Whether you have Gaelic or not, Ishbel’s singing will speak to you and you will understand. This lovely album, Ishbel’s third, makes compelling listening and for the misguided few who would still doubt the value and importance of Gaelic to the world’s culture, should be compulsory." Sheena Wellington. Singer/Songwriter If you're drawn to the Gaelic music then you won't need an introduction to Ishbel MacAskill or to the songs she sings. You'll alreday know her as one of the finest of Gaelic singers and deservedly one of the most popluar. All you need to know is that Ishbel comes from the Point area of the Isle of Lewis (though she nows lives in Inverness) and that she is the possessor of a voice that you will not forget.