Gig Reviews

Chieftains, new and old, shine 

27.02.08

REVIEW - EVAN GILLEPSIE - Tribune Correspondent 

SOUTH BEND, Indiana -- The Chieftains' Celtic party came once again to the DeBartolo

..........The true gem of the evening, though, was Scottish singer Alyth McCormack, whose crystalline voice soared whether she was singing traditional music in Scottish Gaelic or Irish ballads in English. When allowed to hold the spotlight with renditions of "puirt a' bhéil," the traditional rhythmic "mouth music," she was nothing short of mesmerizing.....

 

Hi-ArtsWebsite Jennie Macfie 24.01.08

Alyth - Main Auditorium, The Glasgow Concert Hall 20.01.08

“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.”

Steve Edge - The Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver - April 2008

“Most notable were the music supplied by Alyth McCormack and her fine band - comprising Jonny Hardie of Old Blind Dogs, Ewan Vernal of Capercaillie, and Brian McAlpine of Session A9”

The Ptarmigan Duo - Donald Paton, FSA Scot and Wilma Paton FSA Scot - April 2008
[Donald and Wilma Paton form the Ptarmigan Duo and present a program of Scotland's history and culture in song and spoken word in Canada and also in their native Scotland.]

 "Alyth McCormack, a native Gaelic singer from the Isle of Lewis, making her first appearance in Vancouver together with back-up musicians confirmed that musical traditions are enduring. Their inspired and fresh performance of Scotland's ancient music delighted the listening audience".

The Celtic Connection-line, Catholine Butler, Vancouver April 24th 2008.

“Guests were treated to the beautiful and ethereal lyrics of Alyth McCormack and her band. She held the audience captivated when she sang in both Gaelic and English"

 

The Herald
Review by Rob Adams
The Musical Ark, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 2004

“…as the second sailing of this Ark confirmed there's plenty of class here, and Alyth, singing 'I Wonder What’s Keeping my True Love Tonight' with bell-like clarity and unquestionable sincerity underlined that point big time. “

Business AM
Review by Sue Wilson 2004

“Alyth another bewitching voice...delicate in style…boldly unconventional…but with scrupulously sensitive treatments of traditional Gaelic songs.”

The Gazette – Lewis
Review by Maggie Fraser
An Lanntair 2003

"Whether upbeat and jovial or slow and sombre, each number performed on the opening night of the Hebridean Celtic Festival by Alyth was truly breath taking.”

The Scotsman
Review by Jim Gilchrist
The Queens Hall 2003

"Nothing short of riveting was Gaelic singer Alyth, whose voice soared from the outset in a beautifully poised sequence of mainly Gaelic material, couched in eloquently spare accompaniments from Aidan O'Rourke on fiddle, pianist Davey Trouton and Ewan Vernal on double bass.  This was polished and engaging stuff, Alyth's seemingly effortless singing ranging across the minimalist backdrop to generate some irresistible music tensions.

They threw in some atmosphere - coloured spotlights, wraiths of dry ice drifting about - but such effects were made virtually redundant by the quality of music and song."

Scotland on Sunday 2002

“Anyone still needing convincing about the unique richness of Gaeldom’s heritage, or that it remains very much a living tradition, should lend their ears to Alyth for an hour. Exquisitively sensitive in nuance yet unerringly sure.

”The Scotsman – Dynamic Earth 2002“

Recent performances by this young Lewis singer, Showcasing material from the album she is currently recording with the producer Jim Sutherland have forcefully endorsed her fast-growing reputation as one or today’s most exciting talents in the world of Gaelic song. Catch her before she’s the next Karen Matheson”

Arthur Review By Robert Dawson Scott,
Theatre Royal, Glasgow 2006

“Alyth …a heartbreak in every cadence. “