20.0 Music Influences & Scottish Celtic Music Resources

     I have previously mentioned that one of the art traditions that influences my designs comes from Celtic art (see blog entry 7.0: Celtic Revival Influences).  And though it is true that I have been inspired by examples of the Celtic art I’ve seen through literary research, I have been more significantly influenced by the Celtic music (specifically folk and trad music from Scotland) that I listen to while painting.  This is an emotive influence that goes deep to the core and corresponds nicely with the gentle curves and concentrated lines of my hybrid designs.  I recall once reading Bill Holm’s comments about the parallels between Northwest Coast Native carving and dance movements (see Bill Holm, Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form, ©1965, pages 92-93), and it strikes me that , although not on the same level, something similar is affecting me as I paint.
     I was first introduced to Scottish Celtic music back in the summer of 1993 when we made our first visit to Scotland.  I recall sitting in the lounge of the Loch Maree Hotel and listening to the local music teacher performing for a small crowd.  I immediately fell in love with the vibrancy of the music and how it brought out deep emotions, both happy and sad.  When we returned home, I began to purchase Celtic music, but it seemed that most available here in the States was Irish Celtic, and I wanted the music from Scotland.  Later, on another trip to Scotland and while visiting Portree on Skye, we were able to hear Arthur Cormack, Kathy-Ann MacPhee, and Blair Douglas perform at the Aros Community Cultural Center which further developed my love for songs sung in Scots Gaelic.  To top it off, we were fortunate to be able to hear my favorite Gaelic singer Karen Matheson, along with Capercaillie, at concerts in Portland, OR and in Vancouver, BC.  In fact, one the first paintings I did back in the summer of 1995 was a drum design of a capercaillie, adapted from the Book of Kells, in tribute to the band.

CAPERCAILLIE DRUM (Summer 1995)

     Although Scottish Celtic music has indirectly influenced my designs, occasionally I have been moved to do a painting specifically in relation to a particular song.  Other paintings have song or dance references.  In conclusion, music, and in particular Scottish Celtic music, has strongly affected my painting style.  It has been influential in my art, whether directly or indirectly, and continues to act as a source of inspiration for me.

LIST OF MY PAINTINGS RELATED TO MUSIC REFERENCES

• Welcome Home (Spring 2011) Alyth McCormack, “Neptune”, People Like Me (2009)
• Patiently Waiting (Summer 2011) Karine Polwart, “We’re All Leaving”, The Darwin Song Project (2009)
• č’u•? is Seal (Winter 2013) Julie Fowlis, “An Ron/Ann An Caolas Od”,  Gach Sgeul: Every Story (2014)
• Birds of Fire (Fall 2014) Mahavishnu Orchestra (John McLaughlin), “Birds of Fire”, Birds of Fire (1973)
• Follow the Heron (Fall 2014) Karine Polwart, “Follow the Heron”, Scribbled in Chalk (2006)
• An Eala Bhan: The White Swan (Winter 2016) Julie Fowlis, Dual (2008) Karen Matheson/Capercaillie, Secret People (1993)
• Snipe Dance (Spring 2016) Makah Days Song
• Clam Beach Revisited (Summer 2016) Pink Floyd, “Obscured by Clouds”, Obscured by Clouds (1972)

​FOLLOW THE HERON (Fall 2014)

BIRDS OF FIRE (Fall 2014)

SCOTTISH MUSIC DISCOGRAPHY IN MY COLLECTION
CAPERCAILLIE

• Crosswinds (1987)
• The Blood is Strong (1988 & 1995)
• Sidewaulk (1989)
• Delirium (1991)
• Get Out (1992)
• Secret People (1993)
• Capercaillie (1994)
• To the Moon (1995)
• Glenfinnan (Songs of the '45) (1995)
• Ailein Duinn: Dark Alan EP (1995)
• Beautiful Wasteland (1997)
• Dusk Till Dawn: The Best of Capercaillie (1998)
• Nàdurra (2000)
• Live in Concert (2002)
• Choice Language (2003)
• Grace and Pride: The Anthology 2004-1984 (2004)
• Roses and Tears (2008)
• At the Heart of It All (2013)

 
JULIE FOWLIS

• Mar a Tha Mo Chridhe: As My Heart Is (2005)
• Cuilidh (2007)
• Dual (with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh) (2008)
• Uam: From Me (2009)
• Gach Sgeul: Every Story (2014)
• Alterum (2017)

 
MICHAEL MCGOLDRICK

• Fused (2000)
• At First Light (with John McSherry) (2001)
• Wired (2005)
• Aurora (2010)

KAREN MATHESON

• The Dreaming Sea (1996)
• Time to Fall (2002)
• Downriver (2005)
• Urram (2015)

 
OLD BLIND DOGS

• New Tricks (1992)
• Close to the Bone (1993)
• Tall Tails (1994)
• Legacy (1995)
• Five (1997)
• The World's Room (1999)
• Fit? (2001)
• The Gab o Mey (2003)
• Four on the Floor (2007)

 
KARINE POLWART

• Faultlines (2003)
• Scribbled in Chalk (2006)
• Fairest Floo'er (2007)
• This Earthly Spell (2008)
• Traces (2012)

 
EMILY SMITH

• A Different Life (2005)
• Too Long Away (2008)
• Adoon Winding Nith (with Jamie McClennan) (2009)
• Traiveller's Joy (2011)
• Echoes (2014)

 
OTHERS

• Ian F. Benzie
  • I’se the B’y (2001)
• Arthur Cormack
  • Ruith na Gaoith: Chasing the Wind (1989)
• Dochas
  • Dochas (2002)
  • An Darna Umhail: The Second Glance (2005)
• Kevin Henderson, Jenna Reid, & Kevin Mackenzie
  • Da Homin (2006)
• Kathleen MacInnes: 
  • Og-Mhadainn Shamhraidh: Summer Dawn (2000)
• Maeve Mackinnon
  • Don’t Sing Lovesongs (2007)

• Dougie MacLean
  • The Essential Dougie MacLean (2007)
• Catherine-Ann MacPhee
  • Chi M’in Geamhradh: I see Winter (1991)
• Mac-talla
  • Mairidh gaol is ceol (1994)
• Alyth McCormack:
  • The Edge (2000)
  • People Like Me (2000)
• Jenna Reid
  • With Silver & All (2004)
• Runrig:
  • Amazing Things (1993)
  • Long Distance: The Best of Runrig (2000)
• Salsa Celtica
  • El Camino (2006)
• Shooglenifty: 
  • Whiskey Kiss (2000)
• Sileas
  • Beating Harps (1988)
• The Tannahill Weavers
  • Cullen Bay (1990)
• Various Artists:
  • The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk (2015)
  • Songs of Separation (2016)
  • The Original Transatlantic Sessions, Vol. 1 (2009)
  • Dhachaigh Home: The Murdo Macfarlane Songbook (2008)

     One last music video, thanks again to YouTube.  As we watch a lot of Korean TV these days, here is a fun KPop video from IU that comes from her 2015 Album Chat-Shire.  Be sure to give a listen to her 2017 album Palette as well.