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“Alyth loves singing, and lets you know that with out telling you. You can hear it in her voice. She may be from lewis, sings (but not all exclusively) in Gaelic, and often performs with harp and fiddle - but she’s not a folkie. Her musical education and influences are too wide to sit in that, or any other, ghetto, minimalists like Reich, the sweeping eclecticism of Adams, sophisticated rock, modal jazz and role models like June Tabor or Marta Sebestyen have taken her down a path where she can sing unaccompanied in a Hebridean hall one day and with a metropolitan fusion samba band the next. She is at home on stage and brings to her music - whether with the close harmony vocalists in Shine or full jazz/rock rhythm section in Sunhoney - a still centre"
(Norman Chalmers - the List - August 2003)
News - Updated July 08
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NEW RELEASE FEATURING LAU& Alyth
“Dhachaigh!” The Murdo Macfarlane Songbook
To be launched by An Lanntair and the Hebridean Celtic Festival the new CD “Dhachaigh!” which celebrates the poetry and songs of the late Lewis Bard, Murdo Macfarlane.
This joint project features singers and musicians from across Scotland, including Karen Matheson, Alasdair White and sees Alyth team up with Radio 2 Folk Award winners and good pals LAU. It also includes the specially commissioned pieces of music used in last year’s sell out Heb Celt Festival opening concert.
An informal launch will take place in An Lanntair on Monday 14th July from 7.30pm.
Release Date 14th July 2008
They will be generally available from 15th July from An Lanntair or The Hebridean Celtic Festival Office, and distributed nationally by Highlander Distribution.
A TALE OF EMMIGRATION
It started in 2004 - it was a roller coaster ride - for info check out the biog page - and it will open again at the Opera House in Belfast 29th Sept 2008 "On Eagle's Wing". Alyth will be performing the lead female role in this Scots/Irish production. The show is based on the history of the Scots-Irish over 500 years it is an epic tale of emigration, separation, love and loyalty. Its themes are timeless and universal and could apply to all disposed and displaced peoples throughout the world - and is possibly the first musical ever to included Gaelic song - a first Alyth is proud of. It shows Alyth's talents as a singer and actress - a role many of her music fans may not have scene her in before. For tickets +44 28 90241919. www.oneagleswing.com
SOLO ALBUM
The new solo album – People Like Me – recorded in both Scotland and Ireland and which was on sale in America during Alyth's Spring tour with The Chieftains is awaiting release in th UK& Ireland. It's all ready to roll and comments so far have been more than favourable. (see the guestbook page) Its theme is songs of love and conscience, songs to make you smile and songs to make you think. There are some great new songs recorded for the first time, written by writers such as Boo Hewerdine, Brendan Graham and Justin Currie and great old ones. Players include firstly the wonderful Jonny Hardie on guitar and fiddle and Brian Mcalpine on piano, keys and box - who’ve worked really hard and helped all the way.
Other players are: Aidan O’Rourke on Fiddle, Ewen Vernal on Double Bass, Fraser Fifield on Saxophone and Whistles, Gerald Peregrine on Cello and Noel Eccles on Percussion. It is still more acoustic than the last album but with a fuller sound and Alyth is very happy with it. She looks forward to hearing your thoughts.
UK TOUR
In January Alyth supported the legendary Moving Hearts www.movinghearts.ie
They played Liverpool Philharmonic, The Royal Festival Hall and Scotland’s own Eden Court amongst others. Alyth was very happy Moving Hearts played in the Highlands of Scotland and was only disappointed that they left in the rain at 6 am. Such is touring; such are the Highlands!!
She is currently taking bookings for a UK tour to support the release of her album - bookings can be forwarded to her agent @ Firefly Productions
All tour dates are available here: Tour Dates 2008
THE CHIEFTAINS
Earler this year Alyth and her band toured the States in the Spring on a 19 date coast to coast tour with The Chieftinas. They played halls such as Boston Symphony Hall, The Walt Disney Hall Los Angeles, Kimmel Centre Philidelphia and Carnegie Hall. It was a fantastic tour and positive response was received to the new material both from audiences and reviewers Southbend Indiana Review They will also be playing Lorient with The Chieftains as part of an International Orchestra fronted by the Irish group and are delighted to get the opportunity to take the American Spring Tour Show back to Scotland to play there as part of the Blas Festival.
TOUR BLOG/MYSPACE
A tour blog of the American tour & photos were posted on Alyth's myspace page. To view Please log on to www.myspace.com/alythspace
SPONSORSHIP
For the Chieftains tour Alyth received support from CNES, SAC, HIE, Hi-Arts and was also sponsored by Harris Tweed Textiles,www.harris-tweed.co.uk,
Edinburgh based Thistle and Broom, www.thistleandbroom.com and designers Mccoll and Clan, http://www.mccollandclan.com Relationships she is keen to up hold. She is currently working as a spokesperson for Thistle& Broom.
For details please read the article below.
Genuine Harris Tweed to Debut at Carnegie Hall
February 2008
Dublin and Edinburgh - New York’s Carnegie Hall is a long way from the Isles of Harris and Lewis but come March native daughter Alyth McCormack and the hand woven Harris Tweed of Donald John Mackay will be appearing front and centre on the world famous stage. Joining the likes of Chris Capaldi and Darius Danesh, Alyth, as she is generally known, has just become the newest spokesperson for Edinburgh-based sustainable luxury goods purveyor Thistle & Broom. Thistle & Broom will be providing Alyth with her wardrobe for her upcoming concert dates and for touring with the Irish folk group The Chieftains which is how both the Tweed and the Gaelic chanteuse and actress will be found at Carnegie Hall.
For obvious reasons Alyth is a little partial to the thistle pink Dichotomy Gown she first wore at the American Scottish-Foundation’s Burns Night Supper held at a private club in New York City and at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
“The gown is a dramatic departure from the common perception of Harris Tweed. People are astonished when you tell them what the gown is made of. Understandably ‘sexy’ is not a word generally associated with Harris Tweed but this may be what is required to save this precious cultural icon and the livelihood of my neighbours”, said Alyth from Dublin as she readied for her tour with The Chieftains. “To be able to explain that I am actually wearing the fabric tied to the waulking song I am about to sing, to have the magic of the Hebrides come together so completely for an audience is an extraordinary gift.”
“Our island culture is intimately bound to every metre of Harris Tweed, and as everyone knows there’s been a lot of uncertainty around its continuation of late. Alyth and Thistle & Broom have, in their own unique ways, been driven in preserving our heritage and I think they make a dynamic team which will certainly heighten awareness and appreciation,” said Donald John Mackay who developed the stunning thistle pink Tweed used for the Dichotomy Gown Alyth will be wearing. “I can’t help but see a bit of irony in this debut. In the concert hall named for the son of a Scottish weaver who became the driving force for philanthropy related to education and culture will come a rethinking of, and hopefully increased demand for our Scottish icon – genuine hand woven Harris Tweed.”
Alyth’s wardrobe spans Scotland geographically with bespoke fashions made of Scottish textiles made in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Isle of Mull, Whalsay in the Shetland Islands and the Isle of Skye. Alyth summed it up by saying, “I am so fortunate to be able to wear Scotland on my sleeve. Thistle & Broom is doing something truly remarkable in creating a luxury brand that is focused upon sustainability and Fair Trade and doing so exclusively from within Scotland’s borders.”
About Alyth:
Hi-Arts Jennie Macfie 24.0.08
“She is here(Celtic Connections) to launch her new CD which focuses on themes of love and conscience and on the strength of the songs we hear tonight will be coming to an iPod near you very shortly. Blessed with a voice of great beauty and purity, any composer must rejoice to hear Alyth sing his work.
Names like Boo Hewerdine, Jim Malcolm, Brendan Graham and Del Amitri's Justin Currie are checked in the introductions and Hewerdine 's "A Smuggler's Prayer" about the plight of drug mules is particularly moving….. The CD's title track ‘People Like Me’ is a heartfelt plea for tolerance in today's Scotland, penned by Currie. Compellingly catchy even on first hearing, it provides a stirring end to the set and should, if there is any justice, be sung by festival crowds for a very long time to come.”
About Thistle & Broom :www.thistleandbroom.com
Edinburgh-based Thistle & Broom is the world’s first geopolitically specific and Fair Trade modeled luxury goods purveyor. Established in 2004, the online retailer offers an extraordinary collection of bespoke clothing, Edinburgh hallmarked precious jewellery and home furnishings sourced exclusively from within Scotland’s borders. “
