Hannah Rarity - Neath the Gloaming Star (2018)

The current flourishing of trad, and trad inspired music and song, in Scotland, is perhaps best exemplified by the number of young singers, musicians and song writers not only expanding their audiences but expanding their horizons with new and innovative projects. A recent addition to that worthy list is this year’s BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Hannah Rarity. Following a very successful crowdfunding campaign, the Scots singer has released her début album, Neath the Gloaming Star.

A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Hannah has a natural gift for, and a great love of, traditional Scots song – which is clear from the moment the album opens, with The Moon Shined On My Bed Last Night. Inspired by Jeannie Robertson‘s singing, the song begins so softly that, for a second or two, you wonder if Hannah is using a different melody. Soon, though, the familiar melody is there, and the song opens out to a rich contemporary arrangement from Hannah and three of her distinguished guests on the album – Innes White (guitars), John Lowrie (piano, percussion) and the album’s producer Euan Burton (bass, guitars). Deft and appealing explorations of traditional song continue, and there’s an injection of pace later in the album for the popular ballad, Alison Cross; as Conal McDonagh joins on whistles and Sally Simpson on fiddle. It’s a suitably fiery rendition that showcases Hannah’s ability to give flawless voice to Scots song. Hannah credits both Rod Paterson and Fiona Hunter as major influences, and it’s abundantly clear why two such accomplished singers would want to encourage this fine new talent. With plenty of drama in the vocal and the music, the song is perfectly partnered by Erin Go Bragh – as fiddle and whistles dance around each other, and the drama unfolds.