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Read the Scotland on Sunday review of Keil Road by Norman Chalmers: "This is a beautiful collection dominated by Black's controlled but expressive playing." Read More ->

This new exciting ground-breaking album on the Macmeanmna label is quite a departure from Donald Black’s previous recording ventures. It does not contain any “up tempo” faster sets such as jigs,reels etc.

Rather it is an album of slow reflective melodies (apart from an “old timey” Canadian waltz and Donald’s singing of a favourite gaelic song) mostly drawn from the West of Scotland gaelic tradition, played on harmonica.

The dramatic title track “Keil Road” was composed by Donald himself and gets its name from a road in the lovely village of Benderloch, Argyll – a place very close to his heart.

In this venture Donald has also taken the daring and bold step of recording a Pibroch on the harmonica – never ever done before!!

The album commences with a powerful and poignant version of that great gaelic classic Do’n Chuthaig (The Cuckoo) and ends with a masterly composition from Malcolm Jones – Fuaran (Cool Water Spring) - helping to give it a somewhat eclectic dimension.

TRACK LISTING - (SKYECD15)
01 Don Chuthaig (3:22)
02 Helen Scott of Humbie (4:21)
03 Keil Road (4:43)
04 Pìbroch on the Mouthorgan (4:47)
05 To Two Highland Ladies (4:20)
06 Waltz Quadrille (3:30)
07 Iain Ghlinn Cuaich (3:07)
08 Gruagach Òg an Fhuilt Bhàin (2:58)
09 Gleann Bhaile Chaoil (4:17)
10 The Dark Island (2:53)
11 Fuaran (3:29)

On Keil Road (mostly played in “first position”on 10 hole diatonic harmonica with “doctored” reeds) Donald is joined by the following impressive array of guest artistes, each of whom contributes so hugely to a wonderful diversity of texture and sound.

Aly Bain MBE (fiddle)
Duncan Chisholm (fiddle)
Alex Dalglish (accoustic & electric guitars)
Fraser Fifield (soprano sax)
Allan Henderson (keyboard,piano & fiddle)
Neil Johnstone (cello)
Catriona Laird (voice)
Duncan Lyall ( double bass)
Iain MacDonald (flute)
Maggie MacInnes (clarsach)
Donnie MacKenzie (accoustic guitar)
Donald Shaw (accordion)

The album was very skillfully produced by Allan Henderson. Most recording was done at Park Lane Studios, Glasgow, with some additional work at Benbecula College Studio and Young Musicians Hebrides, Stornoway. Mixing and Mastering was by Iain Hutchison, Glow-worm Studios, Glasgow.