My heartfelt thanks to everyone who made possible the CD "Take the Road to Aberfeldy": Frances MacCallum and The Aberfeldy and District Gaelic Choir recorded in the Town Hall, Aberfeldy. The young musicians, whom I first met in my own lectures at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) in Glasgow, your laughter is as special as their music! Abundantly talented and enthusiastic, my warm appreciation goes to: Seylan Baxter, Cheyenne Brown, Heather Downie, Ruairidh MacMillan and Stuart Peters. Traditional music is in safe in their hands and they ’re a joy to work (play) with—You can get to know them better via MySPACE pages and find out where to book them for your gigs!
Originally from the Isle of Skye, Margaret comes from a long line of traditional singers, pipers and storytellers - Gaelic on her mother's side and Lowland Scots on her father's.
As one of the world's foremost authorities on Scottish Folklore, she is featured in several films, TV documentaries and on radio. Margaret has an MA in Folklore and a PhD in Ethnology and currently holds an honorary Research Fellowship at the University of Glasgow School of Scottish and Celtic Studies.
A prizewinning author, she has published several books and numerous articles and, as the great Scottish folklorist Hamish Henderson wrote, "There can be few scholars on either side of the Atlantic, who succeed in combining such a wide range of skills as Margaret Bennett. A folksinger of great sensitivity and versatility, she is undoubtedly one of the major figures of the modern Scottish Revival.... Margaret embodies all that is best of the spirit of Scotland."
Margaret has appeared at most of the folk festivals in Scotland, and many overseas, including Mariposa, the Atlantic Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival of America and has been given residencies at Pinewoods, the Appalachian-Scottish Summer School at East Tennessee State University, Warren Wilson College and the Augusta Heritage Centre. One of the most popular instructors at The Swannanoa Gathering at Ashville in 1998, she was presented with their Master Music Maker Award for lifetime achievement, Celtic Women International 2002. WhereIsMargaret? visit - www.margaretbennett.co.uk
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Hi Margaret, Just a quick message to say what a great weekend i had and I can't wait for the next two workshops now. I hope i'll have my voice back by the next one. Thank you for all the hard work you did arranging the weekends. le gaol, Michelle
A belated Blein Vie Noa to you and G! We had a lovely Cooish08 with Aidan and Joyce - friends of yours, I believe. Wishing you the very best for 2009, Graih, Breesha & all at the Cooish xx
Haidh, Ciamar a tha sibh an-diugh? Is mise Mairin. Tha mi fuireach an am PA. Tha beagan Gaidhlig agam. Tapadh leibh airson an 'add'. I think you are a wonderful musician. My great grandmother was also a "Bennett''..her people had been in the US for over 200 years though. I am member of Clan Kincaid, Clan MacCabe (Macleod) and have many Irish lines also. Hope you are well and thanks again, xoxo, Mairin
Hello Margaret! how are you? long time no speak I hope you are well :) I've been away spending prize money from that initiative award (thank you so much again for your input!) I have an exciting new dictaphone hand recorder thing which will be very useful (when I figure out how it actually works...!) especially for uni.
Hopefully see you before too long! A' the best, Kirsty xxxxxxx
