Handsel

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Cat No: CDTRAX402

Release Date: 28 June 2019

Label: Greentrax

Packaging Type: Digipak

No of Units: 2

Barcode: 5018081040223

Genres: Folk Celtic

Description
Having originally met in the Edinburgh session scene in autumn 1998, with their first full show in 1999, Malinky began as four people with the shared idea of performing a Scots song based repertoire in an era dominated by mainly instrumental groups. Although the Malinky line-up has changed over time – the band's first two albums notably featured Karine Polwart - the line-up of Steve Byrne, Mark Dunlop, Fiona Hunter and Mike Vass has been together now for over a decade.

Malinky's belief in Scots song as a vital means of local expression has never changed and continues to motivate them twenty years on. Over the past two decades, the band has performed traditional songs the length and breadth of Europe, and from coast to coast in North America, releasing five albums and winning awards – collectively and individually - along the way.

To mark the 20th anniversary, the band wanted to celebrate the generation of singers who have inspired them. Barbara Dymock, Hector Riddell, and Len Graham represent the Lowland Scots, North-East bothy ballad, and Ulster song traditions which have shaped Malinky's tastes, styles, and repertoires over the years. In addition, the band were keen to mentor some younger singers who are part of the next generation which will carry on the tradition; Ellie Beaton (17), Cameron Nixon (20) and Dàibhidh Stiùbhard (23) have been identified by the band as emerging singers of note.

A handsel is a good-luck gift, given to mark a special occasion. What could be more special for any band than to celebrate twenty years spent doing what they love? Malinky see the new album as their good-luck gift to all the people who continue to support their music, and to the singing tradition that continues to inspire them to sing up and sing out.

This is a double CD for the price of one and is a unique collection of songs and music which marks Malinky's 20th Anniversary and their welcome return to the recording studio CD 1 consists of new studio recordings with the current Malinky line-up featuring a number of guest singers (see above), plus Euam Burton on bass. CD 2 is a collection of carefully selected tracks from the Band's previous albums plus 'live' tracks and one 'demo' track. Karine Polwart features in some tracks from early Malinky albums.

Greentrax is proud of the long association with award-winning Malinky, which indicates an exceptional relationship and a loyalty that is not always evident in the music business. Malinky is one of the all-time great bands to join Greentrax in the past 33 years and arguably one of the best traditional Scottish bands to emerge from the Scottish music scene in that time. The Band is strong instrumentally and vocally, boasting three great singers in Fiona Hunter, Steve Byrne and Mark Dunlop, while the most recent replacement, Mike Vass, has added a new dimension with his brilliant fiddle style.

CD 1 was recorded in Glo Worm Studios, Glasgow, and mastered by Garry Boyle, Pencaitland.
Tracklisting