Nae Sweets for Shy Bairns

Heather Downie's debut alum, Nae Sweets for Shy Bairns, is a fine introduction to her talents. A mix of self-penned and traditional tunes, it is a confident, fresh release that perfectly illustrates the superb musicianship of this talented Scottish harpist.

Opener ‘For the Love of Levers’ has an almost jazzy mid-section with some rather funky percussion by co-writer Tia Files, of The Poozies. In contrast, this is followed by ‘Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of his Second Wife’, a beautifully tender interpretation of this evocative lament. Downie's delicate singing voice comes into its own on the sweet ‘The Best of Us’ and Corrina Hewat's ‘Stronger Than You Know’ but it is the harp that is the real star here. ‘William and Wizards’ is a feisty piece of harp and percussion while Lau's ‘A Tune for Emily Bell’ is a sprightly illustration of what the harp can do. ‘The Field of Gold’, on the other hand, takes the piobaireachd tradition and emulates pipe ornamentation on the harp. With a rich mix of tunes, superbly produced by Corrina Hewat, Nae Sweets for Shy Bairns is a rare treat.