Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)

Subject: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 May 15 - 01:22 PM

Flora MacNeil has died.

BBC obituary:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32763529

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: maeve
Date: 16 May 15 - 01:27 PM

What a blow- and how grateful I am to have met and heard this great, modest singer.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: GUEST,Anne Neilson
Date: 16 May 15 - 01:53 PM

A truly lovely lady, and a phenomenal singer.

My own inspirational teacher, Norman Buchan, had Flora's version of the Gaelic song known as 'The Silver Whistle' as one of his favourite songs. Neither of us had command of the Gaelic language, but anybody could recognise the emotional power behind it. (I'm sure it's on the Kist o Riches site, but apologies that I can't do the blue clicky link.)

All condolences to her family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 May 15 - 02:10 PM

A truly memorable singer and a exemplar of what the great Gaelic culture could offer. We were lucky enough to have heard her at a couple of TMSA festivals and a concert that Hamish Henderson arranged in George Square.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Lighter
Date: 16 May 15 - 05:52 PM

I'll never forget the time I heard her sing "Kishmul's Galley" - not Kennedy-Frasier's adaptation - on the Caedmon "Sailormen and Serving Maids" LP. It was in 1969.

Magical.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 17 May 15 - 02:37 AM

A great loss indeed. Her CD "Craobh nan Ubhal" (Temple Records COMD 1002) is wonderful and I especially enjoy the title track, a beautifully sung love song, and, as mentioned above,the magnificent Jacobite song "An Fhideag Airgid" (The Silver Whistle). I only met Flora once, at a Festival, but really enjoyed talking to her about her early life on Barra and of the people who taught her their songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 15 - 05:52 AM

I wonder whether anybody knows about any memorial events or anything of that sort for Flora MacNeil?

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 19 May 15 - 03:13 PM

I was very sorry to hear of Flora MacNeil's passing. My condolences to all who know and love her. I have added her name to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: maeve
Date: 19 May 15 - 03:19 PM

Thank you, Peter.
Maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 21 May 15 - 10:39 AM

Obituary in today's The Guardian by Brian Wilson

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 May 15 - 11:17 AM

Scotsman obituary

Subject: Obit: Flora MacNeil 6 Oct 1928; died 15 May 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 12:57 AM

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/20/flora-macneil

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: maeve
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 04:42 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 10:33 AM

I searched on that and it didn't come up. Thanks, maeve.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: maeve
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 12:55 PM

Glad to help, SRS. Flora was an important person in my life.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: GUEST,Jorviking
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 10:32 PM

Just wanted to say that I saw her at the Loughborough Folk Festival in 1977 (or was it 1976?) and it is one of the musical memories for which I am most grateful. I don't think that there is really anyone amongst my friends here in Canada that i can say that to and know that they will understand its significance. I don't speak Gaelic, but her voice made me understand every word. Thanks Flora.

Subject: RE: Obit: Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928-2015)
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 08 Jun 15 - 01:39 AM

Tha Cape Breton bronach cuideachd!