Ishbel MacAskill came from the Point area of the Island of Lewis. She was brought up with the rich heritage of century’s old Gaelic music and song which still survives in Point and indeed all over the island of Lewis. Her music and culture were immensely important in her life and for several years she was very much involved in teaching traditional Gaelic singing to children at the numerous Feisean (festivals of music and song) throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
She fervently believed this approach to be a positive contribution to the revival of the language. She was deeply motivated by the rich beauty of her heritage of Gaelic music and poetry. She was especially moved by the intensely emotive quality of the poetry and through her unique delivery manages to convey to her audiences a feeling of involvement in the colorful history and culture of the Gael. Her particular style of unaccompanied traditional singing her numerous radio and television performances and countless world-wide live appearances established her position as one the best known Gaelic singers of generation. Regular appearances in her leading acting role in the Gaelic television drama Machair has also made her familiar to Scottish television viewers.
Her singing took her to venues throughout the U.K. Ireland Europe The Far East and North America. Her recordings were always in demand at home and abroad and significantly sell to people who have never before heard the Gaelic language. Whether her audience was Gaelic speaking or not her English introductions to these centuries’ old songs of love, war, sea and landscape exile and life itself made each one a memorable experience.
She died in 2011.
Discography:
Essentially Ishbel (2000)
Sioda
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
