Dàimh’s seventh album and first studio recording in five years, The Rough Bounds is released exactly 20 years on from our first ever concert. Translated from the Gaelic Na Garbh Chrìochan, The Rough Bounds is the area of West Lochaber where Dàimh was formed. Still based in the area, the band’s roots remain firmly tied to the region by the enduring connections of the 3 remaining founding members.
Historically regarded as an unruly and inaccessible Jacobite stronghold from which Bonnie Prince Charlie both launched his campaign and subsequently fled from in defeat 6 months later; the landscape of the Rough Bounds is reflected in the breath-taking beauty of Ellen MacDonald’s vocals, the wild grandeur of Dàimh’s pipe and fiddle led instrumentals and the band’s ongoing mission to defend and promote the Gaelic culture. Bringing a mixture of seldom-heard songs passed down from family to better-known puirt à beul and ballads, Ellen MacDonald confidently takes command of the vocals and proves she is now a firmly established star in the gaelaxy. The songs cover all of the expected Dàimh themes; drinking, fighting, heartbreak and heading off to sea, never to be seen again.
For this, the band’s seventh album to date, their number swells to six with the addition of Alasdair White who joins Gabe McVarish on fiddle. “Fiddle is spelt with two ‘D’s because Dàimh deserves a double dose of fiddle action” declares Gabe. “Alasdair is just d’man for the job!” Former Dàimh singer Calum Alex MacMillan also makes a cameo appearance alongside Kathleen MacInnes and Ewen Henderson on backing
vocals.
Tracks:
1. ’S Trusaidh mi na Coilleagan
2. 12th of June
3. Tha Fadachd orm Fhìn
4. Donald MacLeod Reels
5. Òran Bhàgh a’ Chàise
6. Mary’s Fancy
7. A Nìghneag a Ghràidh
8. Bodach Innse Chrò
9. Happy Fish
10. Turas Dhòmhsa Chun na Galldachd
11. Chì mi’n Toman
DÀIMH:
Angus MacKenzie | Highland Pipes | Border Pipes | Whistles
Ellen MacDonald | Gaelic Song
Gabe McVarish | Fiddles
Murdo Cameron | Accordion | Mandola
Ross Martin | Guitars
Alasdair White | Fiddles
GUESTS:
Martin O’Neill [Bodhran 1,2,9]
Duncan Lyall [Double Bass 3,8,10]
Signy Jakobsdottir [Percussion 3,10]
Kathleen MacInnes [Backing Vocals 3,10]
Calum Alex MacMillan [Backing Vocals 10]
Ewen Henderson [Backing Vocals 3,10]
Recorded | Watercolour Music & Stiùidio Ostaig
Additional Recording | GloWorm Recording | Red Deer Studios | Eigg Studio
Engineered | Barry Reid
Mixed | Barry Reid at Reego Studio
Mastered | Iain Hutchison at GloWorm Recording
Design | Somhairle MacDonald
