Siobhan Miller's album songs close to her heart
by Margaret Chrystall
SIOBHAN Miller – twice winner of Scots singer of the year in the Scots Trads Awards – offers clues to her musical upbringing in new album Strata.
Among the 11 songs Siobhan grew up listening to are ones that have been passed on to her by Scottish music legends such as Sheila Stewart and Dick Gaughan.
"I’ve been singing these songs since my childhood, and I’ve grown up listening to other folk singers singing them," said Siobhan.
"So it is a really personal album in that I guess these are some of my favourite songs, but I’d never found the right place to record them before.
"Last year Donald Shaw who runs Celtic Connections asked me to put together the opening concert which was a celebration for the Traditional Music and Song Association’s 50th anniversary. They have played a big part in promoting traditional music and they put on concerts and festivals, such as the Auchtermuchty Folk Festival which is one I have been going to since – I was told – I was a bump!
"I entered the children’s singing competition there when I was 13.
"It got me thinking about all these wonderful singers who had gone before and have kept the tradition alive and have passed on all these songs.
"So I guess the idea was already there.
"But doing that concert last year, made me think ‘Now’s the time I really want to do it’."
Siobhan and her hand-picked musicians went into Gloworm studio in Glasgow as soon as the concert was over last year, but busy with other work, Siobhan’s album was finally released just two weeks ago.
She said: "I’ve been really excited to let people hear the music!"
The album’s also been a chance for Siobhan to recognise the singers who have passed on songs to her.
She said: "False, False was the first song I ever learned, sang for the competition in Auchtermuchty and won with it!
It came from Sheila Stewart one of the travellers from Blairgowrie who passed on songs to me. She passed away a few years ago, but the last time I saw her she said to me ‘Now do you promise you will keep singing my family songs?’
"These songs I imagine will stay with me forever."
Siobhan plays Eden Court tonight (Thursday, March 9). Below is Siobhan at Gloworm singing Green Grow The Rashes.
