With Manx singers and musicians creating a growing awareness of local traditional music across the globe, Island vocalist Ruth Keggin has stepped into the spotlight, bringing with her a passion for both the language and the music, and also the launch of her debut album this month.
Sheear (Westward) is a live studio recording featuring an eclectic mix of both traditional and contemporary Manx Gaelic songs, arranged in a fresh and imaginative format.
BBC Radio 3 folk music presenter Mary Ann Kennedy remarked, “Ruth Keggin is the pure and passionate Gaelic voice of the Manx musical renaissance. Sheear is a thing of beauty which makes the circle of British folk music tradition whole.”
Ruth (who also plays piano and flute) is joined on the album by guitarist David Pearce and double-bassist Vanessa McWilliam, gifted Irish flautist and sean-nos singer Eoghan O Ceannabhain and talented Manx fiddle player Tom Callister.
Ruth’s debut album will be launched at the Centenary Centre in Peel with musical support from local trio Tree Cassyn (Isla Callister, Doona Lambden and Paul Rogers), Irish singer Eoghan O Ceannabhain and multi-instrumentalist David Kilgallon.
Starting at 7.30pm on Saturday 15th February, tickets are currently on sale from Celtic Gold, Shakti Man, Thompson Travel, Peter Norris Music and Culture Vannin (Manx Heritage Foundation) priced at ?7.50, or ?10 on the night.
Ruth’s album launch will be swiftly followed by a short tour of Ireland with her group, including a spot in Whelan’s (a lively and renowned music venue in the heart of Dublin) and a joint gig with Scottish Gaelic supergroup Daimh at Culturlann, a focal point for Belfast’s emerging Gaeltacht Quarter.
Photo courtesy of Phil Kneen
