Brian Ó hEadhra & Fionnag NicChoinnich - Càirdeas (2021)

With a rich mix of traditional and contemporary tracks and a collection of some of the finest folk musicians working in the Scottish traditional music scene today, Brian Ó hEadhra & Fionnag NicChoinnich’s (Fiona MacKenzie) new album is a fine celebration of the linked cultures that cross the Atlantic.

Guitarist Ó hEadhra‘s background belongs to Newfoundland in Canada, and subsequently Dublin in Ireland, whilst vocalist NicChoinnich’s hails from Scotland’s Isle of Lewis. Their new album, their third, is a celebration of Ó hEadhra & NicChoinnich’s relationship as well as that of the shared cultures of Scotland, Ireland, and Canada. The title, Càirdeas, reinforces this, with its translation meaning friendship, or kinship, in Scottish and Irish Gaelic.

The recording was inspired by the lockdown of Covid-19 and recorded during the winter of 2020/21. The album takes the theme of friendship as its key narrative, an important one considering the forced isolation of the recent lockdown. All tracks are accompanied by the duo’s musician friends, most of whom have had to work remotely over the last year. As the couple note: “We wanted to reach out to family and friends during these challenging times through recording songs which we grew up with or that mean something special to us. There is a mix of traditional and contemporary songs which are sung in English, Irish and Scottish Gaelic; many of which are well loved by fans of folk music.”

It’s quite a guest list too, with Innes White on guitar and mandolin, Ewen White on accordion, Anna-Wendy Stevenson and Rosie Munro on fiddle, and Anna Murray on pipes, amongst many others. It’s a family affair also, with the couple’s children Órla Ní Eadhra and Ró Ó hEadhra, providing lead, and backing, vocals on several tracks.

The twelve tracks on offer provide a heartening and snug listen, apt and very welcome for these difficult times. Càirdeas opens with the ‘Pat Murphy’s Meadow’, a Newfoundland song with a strong Irish flavour. It’s a beguilingly soft, inviting introduction, opening with Ó hEadhra’s guitar and led by the duo’s vocals. It’s a song about the past, the power of nostalgia, of a world now existing only in memory: ‘…the sunny, long ago’. A pertinent song for our mid-Covid world. It’s a touching, harmonious song though, there is no darkness here, just warmth and reassurance.

This sense of familiarity is explored further with ‘Copper Kettle’. Featuring vocals by Órla and Ró and dedicated to the early influence of NicChoinnich’s uncle and aunt, it’s a very personal track. This sense of legacy and tradition, of songs handed down, is palpable throughout – a comforting and gladdening presence.

‘Eadar Breith Agus Bàs’, written and composed by Ó hEadhra during the winter lockdown, provides a potent comment on kinship and hope. ‘Enjoy every day / Morning to night / Take relief and peace / Knowing that you are alive’ sings the duo in a pleasing little song.

There is also a set of handsome waulking songs on offer. ‘Ho Rò Gun Togainn Air Hùgan Fhathast’, from the pen of Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir, comes with some nimble guitar from Ó hEadhra and charmingly accompanied by NicChoinnich. It works well, as does the feistier ‘Càit’ Na Dh’fhàg Thu ‘n Fhichead Gini?’

In addition, there is a superb cover of Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling’s ‘An T-uisge‘ or ‘The Water’. Translated into Gaelic, it’s a beautifully effective and emotive rendition.

Traditional tracks dominate Càirdeas, and it is certainly here where one of the duo’s strengths lie. ‘The Pink, The Lily, and the Blooming Rose’ is one of the few songs delivered in English on the album. Taken from the singing of Ó hEadhra’s parents, it illustrates the duo’s talent at revitalising traditional songs and tunes, with a considered reverence for the past.

More traditional fare is on offer with the Irish drinking song ‘Níl Sé Ina Lá’, accompanied by the harmonium of Alistair Iain Pearson and the closing lament ‘Soraidh Leis A’Bhreacan Ùr’, a Gaelic Jacobite song. Órla Ní Eadhra takes up lead vocals here. It’s perhaps a rather melancholic track to finish the album, but a fine version nonetheless.

Càirdeas is a rather gorgeous release, wooing listeners with the harmonious sound of tradition, heartfelt vocals, and evocative arrangements. The enticing combination of Ó hEadhra’s sensitive playing and NicChoinnich’s delightfully sweet vocals, rightly identified as one of the finest Gaelic singers on the scene today, is hard to resist. A genuinely soothing and captivating listen.