In loving memory of our co-founder, Darren Beech (4/08/1967 to 25/03/2021)

SHOOGLENIFTY – Stamina Island (own label SHOOGLE20260)

Stamina IslandIt’s been a long time since I heard any Shooglenifty which is very wrong of me but Stamina Island just hit the doormat. The revised line-up is well bedded in now although it still seems wrong not to see the name of Angus R Grant anywhere among the credits and crew. They still have the familiar energy, even after thirty-five years, but there is rather more electronica these days.

Malcolm Crosbie’s growling guitar introduces ‘Up The McFud’, a pair of tunes written by fiddler Eilidh Shaw to get the album under way with a blast of energy. Next comes the single, ‘Dig Deep’ written by vocalist Kaela Rowan. At first I took this to be a protest against the use of fossil fuels as it talks about letting it all flow away underground but it’s actually about finding resources within yourself. ‘Sausage Gate’ is a trio of tunes composed by Ciarán Ryan and Eilidh which begins with more processed guitar before turning into a vehicle for Ciarán’s tenor banjo.

There is great poignancy about ‘Old Pal Aonghas’. Aonghas Grant was the well-respected and inspirational fiddler and story-teller who has died at the age of 94. Aonghas was the father of Angus R and his passing brings their story to an end. Eilidh and Kaela wrote a moody piece with its lyrics almost buried in the music. Kaela also wrote ‘Bairns O’Gaza’ which appeared earlier this year on an EP dedicated to the children of war. Lines in Gaelic and, I think, Arabic are interwoven with the English lyrics and the song has a swirling Middle Eastern feel.

Shooglenifty return home for a traditional ‘Puirt’ – although its performance is far from traditional – paired with a jig by Ciarán and ‘Tronach’, an atmospheric pair of tunes by Ciarán and Eilidh. Eilidh and Kaela combine again for ‘Airborne’ sounding at first like a traditional Scottish piece albeit with added tenor banjo. Finally, the title set consists of an opening tune by Malcolm and two by Ciarán, the first of which is ‘Stamina Island’ itself dedicated to the people of Eigg who bought their island to ensure their future prosperity.

Stamina Island is imaginative, innovative and exciting and possibly one of the best albums you’ll hear this year.

Dai Jeffries

Artists’ website: www.shooglenifty.com

‘Dig Deep’ – official video:

We all give our spare time to run folking.com. Our aim has always been to keep folking a free service for our visitors, artists, PR agencies and tour promoters. If you wish help out and donate something (running costs currently funded by Paul Miles), please click the PayPal link below to send us a small one off payment or a monthly contribution.