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Brilliant! What a debut album this is from Tannas, a five piece band who met while playing in Edinburgh's session scene. Tannas are: vocalists Sandra and Doreen Mackay (sisters), fiddler Julia Legge, Jason Dove on keyboards/accordion and Mike Garden on guitars, with guest percussionists Jimmy MacLeod and Stevie Lawrence.
The sound Tannas produce is pure, clear and peaceful. The voices soft and true, the instrumentation calm and uncomplicated. The album is well balanced, with twelve tracks split between nine Gaelic songs and three instrumentals, some being sets. You will hear mouth music, at least one waulking song and a song which was originally a piobaireachd (piper's lament). Most of the tracks are traditional pieces arranged by Tannas but also included are songs by the MacDonald brothers of Runrig, the Melbost Bard Murdo MacFarlane, a lyric by Ewan MacColl and a reel by Phil Cunningham. In our opinion the most beautiful song is "Canan nan Gaidheal" - The Language of the Gaels, which opens the album. The vocal is ethereal and a stunning bass drum like a heartbeat cuts in after the first verse.
We understand this is the first of the three album deal Tannas have signed with Klub Records, the next is due in August 1995 and we really can't wait. We thought of making comparisons with other more established bands but this album by Tannas deserves to stand alone. We hope they continue to make such beautiful music together for a long time to come.
01 - Canan Nan Gaidheal
02 - Sabhal Ia'n Ic Uisdean
03 - Abu Chuibhl
04 - Look Behind You
05 - Tuireadhiain Ruaidh
06 - The Battle Of Waterloo
07 - The Session Set
08 - Eilean Beag Donn A Chuain
09 - A Fhleasgaich Oig Bi Furachail
10 - Bodachan Cha Phos Mi
11 - Cearcall A Chuain
12 - Cha Teid Fionnlagh A Dh'eige
Sandra and Doreen Mackay (sisters): Vocals, fiddler
Julia Legge, Jason Dove: keyboards/accordion
Mike Garden: guitars
Jimmy MacLeod and Stevie Lawrence: Percussion