Mac Ìle: The Music of Fraser Shaw – Islay CD Launch Party

Fraser Shaw was a wonderful piper, whistle player and composer from Glasgow who resided on the Isle of Islay. After his passing in May 2015, a group of friends and family started a Trust in his honour. The foremost aim of the Fraser Shaw Trust is to raise money for the relief of multiple sclerosis, particularly in Argyll, Scotland, through a series of projects and events celebrating Fraser and his music.

A few years before Fraser's passing, he had it in mind to release a book of his own compositions, the proceeds of which would go towards the MS Care Centre in Lochilphead, Scotland. Unfortunately, due to his illness, this never came to fruition. Over the last year and a half, the Trust have been working hard to bring this idea to life and release Fraser's much anticipated tunebook, along with an album comprised of Fraser's music. In November 2015 a group of musicians gathered on Islay, to play a special memorial concert at Fraser's festival, The Islay Sessions, thus laying the groundwork for the album. In January 2016 at Celtic Connections this same group of musicians, “The Islay Sessioners” as they called themselves, performed this music as part of Islay Night, a concert that both celebrated the music and culture of Islay, and the tunes of Fraser Shaw.

In September 2016, recording began for the CD in Castlesound and Carrier Waves Studios. Many of the arrangements heard at Islay Night have been recorded, along with a few additional tracks. Playing on the album are; Adam Sutherland, Eilidh Shaw, Gráinne Brady, Lori Watson, Innes Watson, Angus MacKenzie, Calum MacCrimmon, Kevin O'Neill, John Somerville, Laura-Beth Salter, Jenn Butterworth, Ross Martin, Tina Jordan Rees, Duncan Lyall, with very special guests; Kathleen Graham, Mhairi Hall and Ross Couper.

Produced by Duncan Lyall, the album showcases a flavoursome variey of Fraser's tunes, alongside compositions by Lori Watson, Adam Sutherland, Laura-Beth Salter and Calum MacCrimmon. Also included is a beautiful rendition of the traditional Scots song "Frienship", and Calum MacDonald's "Clachan Uaine", played by former fellow Cluanas members, Kathleen and Mhairi. A particularly special feature of the album, is Fraser himself playing whistle for his slow air "Air Chall".

The Fraser Shaw Trust are delighted to announce the release of Mac Ìle – The Music of Fraser Shaw, on Tuesday June 27th 2017, with a big launch of the new CD on the Isle of Islay to mark the occasion. The launch concert will take place in Bruichladdich Hall with The Islay Sessioners performing music from the album. Copies of the album and book will be available on the night, or pre-order them exclusively from www.frasershawtrust.com

The tunebook will be released this autumn, further updates to be found on www.frasershawtrust.com. Proceeds of the tunebook will go directly towards the MS Care Centre in Lochilphead. Proceeds of the album and further donations will be used for the advancement of education, arts and culture and for the relief of those living with multiple sclerosis in Scotland, particularly on the Isle of Islay.