Album Notes

JULIA LANE is a self-taught harper whose unique style has won the New England Regional Scottish Harp Championship at the Loon Mt Highland Games ('90, '91) and the Stonehill Irish Festival International Celtic Harp Competition ('92). She is an exceptional vocalist whose voice has been described as "vibrant, haunting"

FRED GOSBEE, in addition to singing in his rich baritone, plays guitars, viola, fiddle and woodwinds. Several of the instruments used by the duo are of his own design and construction.

Castlebay is known for sensitive arrangements of traditional Celtic music and their evocative original compositions. Notably, their "Sang o' the Solway", commissioned by the Galloway Scotland Arts Association, incorporates original music in the Scottish style, traditional songs and poetry. The work was performed at Celtic Connections in Glasgow with local Scottish musicians in 2001. In addition to their concerts and recordings, Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee have a commitment to cultural education. They maintain an on-going exchange with Scottish musicians and folklorists and present educational programs integrating music, culture and history at schools, museums and Elderhostels.

Notes on the Music
Artful expressions of Love abound in the Scottish tradition. Though in no way does he have a monopoly on romanc, the champion on the subject was the poet Robert Burns (1759-1796). In addition to his own creations, he often adapted or "improved" pre-existing traditional lyrics for inclusion in his song collections. Burns wrote in his native Scots language, a cousin of English.