Sample tracks:
   Strip the Willow    Highland Schottische    6/8 Marches    Gay Gordons

Click on the track names above to hear samples from this CD. The track should start to play after a few seconds. The sound quality has been reduced due to bandwith limitations.

Crossing the Causeway
The latest album from Eriskay Lilt Records was released in November 2003. In a departure from their previous recordings, this CD focuses on the musical talents of Don MacDonald, one half of the popular husband and wife duo, Eriskay Lilt. Here, Don can be heard playing accordion with his distinctive west coast style to the fore. Expert backing from Colin Garvin (keyboard &  second accordion) and Fraser MacInnes (drums) adds to the lift, augmented occasionally by Craig Campbell (guitar) and the piping skills of Don himself. The end result is a superb 50 minutes of lively jigs, reels and marches and sympathetic renditions of airs & waltzes.

Making a guest appearance on track 6 is accordionist Lisa MacDonald, Don’s 12-year old niece! Her technique is ably demonstrated with a fine rendition of the continental piece “Music Box Polka” accompanied by the rest of the band. It comes as no surprise to learn that Lisa has already had tremendous success on the competition circuit.

Don’s hebridean roots have undoubtedly influenced his choice of material for this CD. An excellent selection of tunes, both old and new, gives plenty of interest for the listener. Of particular note are new compositions by Fergie MacDonald and Eriskay-born Calum MacKelvie helping to ensure that the traditions of Scottish music carry on. With plenty of tracks being suitable for the most popular ceilidh dances, this CD has plenty to offer both dancers and listeners alike. If this doesn’t get your feet tapping, nothing will!

Running time: 50 mins approx.

1. Strip the Willow   Listen to this track
Eriskay Lilt Jig (Fergie MacDonald)
Banjo Breakdown
The Jig Runrig (Fergie MacDonald)
Mrs John Annan, Ardrishaig (A G Gillies)

2. Highland Schottische   Listen to this track
Allan Johnstone of Eriskay (Ailean A’ Gobha) (Calum MacKelvie)
Pipe Major Jim Christie of Wick (A Harper)
Allan Johnstone of Eriskay (Ailean A’ Gobha) (Calum MacKelvie)

3. Slow Airs
Bays of Harris
A’ Mhoire Mhin-Gheal (Fair Mary) (Ishabel T MacDonald

4. 6/8 Marches   Listen to this track
Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis (D MacLeod)
Miss Ishabel T MacDonald (P/M John MacDonald, South Uist)

5. Reels & Jig
Hamilton’s Nutsack
Arthur Gillies (P/M I Morrison)
Clumsy Lover (Reel) (Neil Dickie)
Clumsy Lover (Jig) (Neil Dickie)

6. Polka (featuring Lisa MacDonald)
Music Box Polka (© 1971 Charnwood Music Publishing Co.)

7. Gay Gordons   Listen to this track
Aros Park (Pibroch MacKenzie)
Dovecote Park (J Braidwood)
Neil Flaherty’s Drake

8. Islay Connection
Fair Jean (Slow Air)
Leaving Port Askaig (6/8 March) (P/M W Ross)
John Ingram of Ardbeg, Islay (Reel) (Don MacDonald)

9. Gaelic Waltz
Leaving Stornoway (Murdo Smith)
Lovely Siabost (Angus MacLeod)
Carlabhagh
Failte Air An Duthich (Donny ‘Large’ MacDonald, Lewis)

10. Boston Two-Step
The Weaver and his Wife (Andrew Rankine)
Corner House Jig (Andrew Rankine)
The Piobaireachd of Donald Dhu

11. Canadian Barn Dance
Highland Wedding (A MacKay)
Nan MacDonald (N A MacDonald)

12. Scottish Waltz
The Queens Marys
Leezie Lindsay
Ye Banks and Braes

13. Eva Three-Step
The Bonawe Highlanders (D Bowman)
Dalintober (P/M Donald MacLeod)

14. Reels
Cutting Bracken
Bratach Bana
Alistair an Duin
The Brolum (Dr Charles Bannatyne)

15. 4/4 March
Mal Na Mara (M MacFarlane)

16. Waltz
Katie Mary’s Waltz (Don MacDonald)

17. Orcadian Strip the Willow
The Eriskay Causeway (Calum MacKelvie)
Hot Punch
Wee Todd
Connaught Man’s Rambles
Cock of the North

The Musicians
Don MacDonald - Accordion, Electronic Pipes
Lisa MacDonald - Accordion (track 6)
Colin Garvin - Keyboards, Second Accordion
Fraser MacInnes - Drums
Craig Campbell - Guitar

Tracks 3 & 15 arranged by Don MacDonald.
All other tracks arranged by Colin Garvin.

Engineered by Finlay Wells, Nutshell Music, Oban.
Produced by Don MacDonald, 2003.
Catalogue Number: ELR04CD
 

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Whilst the webmaster & Eriskay Lilt endeavour to ensure that the information on this site is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and the webmaster & Eriskay Lilt do not accept any liability for error or omission.

Eriskay Lilt are Don & Kathleen MacDonald, 15 Ascot Avenue, Westerlands Park, Glasgow. G12 0AX
Tel: 0141-576 8732   Email: donmacdonald706@gmail.com
 

Purchasing CDs direct from the band
If your local stockist doesn’t have any of Eriskay Lilt’s CDs, you can still purchase them direct from Eriskay Lilt. Please visit the Purchase CDs page for pricing information and to print out an order form.

Record Distribution
Eriskay Lilt Records can supply record distributors, independent & national music outlets and other retail outlets (of all sizes) with large or small (25+) quantities of any of their CDs at preferential rates. Please contact Don MacDonald for further details.

Eriskay Lilt Records
Eriskay Lilt Records was established by Don & Kathleen MacDonald in 2002 as an independent label  to promote the music of Eriskay Lilt. To date, the label has released four CDs and acquired the rights to two other recordings.

Nutshell Music, Oban
Eriskay Lilt have established an excellent working relationship with Nutshell Music, having recorded and mixed all but two of their CDs there. The studio is owned and run by Finlay Wells and his wife Helen. Sound engineer Finlay, a graduate of the “Recording Workshop”, Ohio, USA is no stranger to the other side of the microphone! His guitar-toting skills have been heard on  several recordings as well as at live venues throughout Scotland. What little spare time he has left is devoted to teaching guitar.

CDs by Eriskay Lilt
Home To Me
Childhood Memories
Crossing The Causeway
From Eriskay To Donegal
Dreaming In The West
Just A Little Bit