How about what I like?
Satie, Debussy, Sibelius, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, John Adams, Moving Hearts, Snow Patrol, U2, LAU, Blazin Fiddles, Salt Fish Forty.
Glasgow-born Eddie Reader, English singer June Tabor, Spanish singer ‘Uxia’ and since I caught her first with the ‘The Eurythmics’ Annie Lennox.
The list is fairly long if you want to know more try www.alyth.net
“Alyth loves singing, and lets you know that without telling you. You can hear it in her voice. She may be from lewis, sings (but not all exclusively) in Gaelic, and often performs with harp and fiddle - but she’s not a folkie. Her musical education and influences are too wide to sit in that, or any other, ghetto, minimalists like Reich, the sweeping eclecticism of Adams, sophisticated rock, modal jazz and role models like June Tabor or Marta Sebestyen have taken her down a path where she can sing unaccompanied in a Hebridean hall one day and with a metropolitan fusion samba band the next. She is at home on stage and brings to her music - whether with The close harmony vocalists in Shine or full jazz/rock rhythm section in Sunhoney - a still centre"
(Norman Chalmers - the List - August 2003)
“A voice described as having ‘spun glass fragility belying a sinewy strength’, accompaniments ‘transcendentally timeless and effortlessly contemporary’ combined with the uncomplicated conviction with which she communicates with her audiences have ensured that Alyth is one of the most exciting singers on the Celtic scene. Her vocal talent and her understanding approach give her an ability to cross over diverse singing styles making her comfortable performing with a variety of artists. “
Alyth was born and raised on the Island of Lewis of the north west coast of Scotland and after growing up within this culture and having being given the opportunity to perform since she was a nipper, she decided to hit the road, left home moved to the big city and began her singing education in earnest. Had a wonderful teacher who gave her a great grounding and then the adventuring began. She toured in various bands and projects, Shine, Sunhoney throughout Germany, Spain, Italy, Estonia, North America, the Uk, Brazil, Ireland, Switzerland, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Norway & Sweden recorded with various artists, appearing on 16 albums to date, and in 2000 released her first solo CD An Iomall(The Edge) on Vertical records.
‘Recent reviews of gigs showcasing new material from her new solo album - People like me - say
"ALYTH, Lewis’ "ruby-throated sparrow", stands tall and elegantly beautiful in an eye-watering Barbie pink corset-stringed top, minikilt and boots....
She is here to launch her new CD which focuses on themes of love and conscience and on the strength of the songs we hear tonight will be coming to an iPod near you very shortly. Blessed with a voice of great beauty and purity, any composer must rejoice to hear Alyth sing his work.
Names like Boo Hewerdine, Jim Malcolm, Brendan Graham and Del Amitri’s Justin Currie are checked in the introductions and Hewerdine ’s "A Smuggler’s Prayer" about the plight of drug mules is particularly moving. Alyth’s cohort from Sunhoney, Aidan O’Rourke, joins the ensemble for two sparkling Gaelic songs celebrating drink and tobacco, which she calls the Vices Set.
"I wish I hadn’t tied the strings of my top so tight", she confesses afterwards. "Me, too", mutters one of the band, a sentiment silently echoed by the male half of the audience. The CD’s title track ‘People Like Me’ is a heartfelt plea for tolerance in today’s Scotland, penned by Currie. Compellingly catchy even on first hearing, it provides a stirring end to the set and should, if there is any justice, be sung by festival crowds for a very long time to come." JENNIE MACFIE HI-arts.co.uk
Traditional Gaelic songs with modern arrangements; some are spare some feature tasteful arrangements that recall post era Bjork. No matter what the format her voice is spine tingling‘. (New York - Time Out)
Alyth has also been acting professionally since 1998. Previous theatre work includes Scottish Ballet, Dance Productions, TOSG, theatrecollective@highland, Dogstar Theatre, Wee Stories - Arthur and Machair for STV. In 2004 I played the lead role in the Scots/Irish musical ‘On Eagle’s Wing’ and this year finished my first film role in Simon Beal’s short film - "Rebel Song" currently doing the circuit of Film Festivals across the globe.’ Latest projects on the go are ’The Island Tapes’ - check out www.theislandtapes.com or www.myspace.com/islandtapes and the Savourna Stevenson Duo www.savournastevenson.com
I never saw nothin' till you sent that message and I went askin and was told "Yes it came ages ago." So, now I have it and it made me smile and I will listen to it en route to the big boys town. No plans to head over at the mo.. but things can change. Mind you..I can't stop talking either! The words "frying pan" and "fire" come to mind.!! Ha Ha!!! Lots of love, Phil. xx
I dreamed, and dreamed; Of wings I dreamed; of wings. I dreamed of wings; Soft-feathered things, __ wings. I dreamed of wings, up-lifting things, To pull me up to where my soul Could wander free; Above the winds, on wings; Wings to set me free, __ To lift me into unremembering, To waft me from the days of things Into the world of wings. I dreamed of what I must possess __ And cannot have. I dreamed of wings. - P. Roy Brammell
Hallo!! I just wanted to drop a message by and Say that James Corballis (sound technician for the concert) has just added a few videos, including an amazing Alyth solo! Here's the link: clickclick
Hello Alyth, It is a pleasure to have you among my friends. I hope that you will subscribe to my blogs and find them thought provoking. I also hope that we shall continue to communicate as time permits. Have a great week with great success in all you pursue.
The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way, Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say.
Hallo Alyth! Tha'n Tombaca Daor!! xD Hope to see the play in Belfast soon, and fingers crossed for a Sanctuary reunion! Keep me updated on the new album too! So many requests!
Lovely to get talking to you after... 12 years??? xD
PS. We are proud to sponsor ROCK AGAINST CHILD PORNOGRAPHY so please help us to help those who cant help themselves by showing your support - www. myspace. com/rockagainstchildporno
It is the letting go of all the shoulds, the musts, the have-tos, the have-nots, the cannots, the doubts and the guilt. It is allowing your thoughts to come forth - without judgement. It is allowing yourself to feel - without judgement. It is allowing yourself to do what you want - without judgement. It is allowing yourself to be who you are - without judgement. When you allow yourself to be, You find Peace, Freedom, Love and Joy Within you.
Dear Alyth, thanks for coming aboard and supporting Sanctuary! We are looking forward to having you at the launch concert so much - and to hearing your wonderful voice then. Pax, Joseph/Sanctuary