This September, Shooglenifty return with a new album. West Highland fiddle player Eilidh Shaw (The Poozies) will be playing on the album. Although this is her first album appearance, Eilidh joined their ranks in 2018 and, proving it’s a small world, was taught by Aonghas Grant (father of late band member Angus R Grant).
We’re super excited because we’ve got Eilidh Shaw playing with the band and of course Eilidh is a monster player and she brings her own version of anarchy which is necessary in Shooglenifty.
Kaela Rowan, Shooglenifty
This album will follow just over a year after Written in Water which also featured Rajasthani band Dhun Dhora. In his review of the album here, Neil McFadyen concluded: “With Written in Water, Shooglenifty & Dhun Dhora have realised a beautiful dream and produced an album of exciting, intoxicating, exceptional music.”
Being their 9th studio album they decided to cunningly title it Acid Croft Vol 9. They tell us that they wanted to call it Now That’s What I Call Acid Croft Vol 9, but thought that title might come with certain copyright difficulties.
Acid Croft Vol 9 was recorded in November 2019 at Watercolour Studios in the Scottish Highlands. It’s an incredible spot with unbeatable views of Ben Nevis, and the kind of outdoor peace that’s only interrupted by the sounds of rutting stags and soaring sea eagles. Produced by Andy Bell (Karine Polwart, Martin Simpson, Sam Sweeney) and engineered by Barry ‘Spad’ Reid, the new album is a collection of eight brand new tracks written and collected by the band. Including tunes and songs by band members Eilidh Shaw (fiddle), Ewan MacPherson (mandolin), and Kaela Rowan (vocals) – “The album also includes compositions by our pals Ian Carr and Tia Files (The Poozies).”
Watch their video for album track Black Dog which was filmed by the band and friends and family in May 2020, especially for Virtually Knockengorroch.
Acid Croft Vol 9 is notable also as the first album with the new line up featuring Eilidh Shaw on fiddle and there’s also a surprise for long-term fans: “But don’t worry, Angus is in there too, as we’ve been able to include Silence of the Trams a tune he was working on shortly before he died. He’s never far away from the band when we’re together playing tunes so it’s great to include this composition and others inspired by our late frontman”. Read Folk Radio UK’s tribute to Angus here.
We are very excited by the news and we’re looking forward to sharing more from the album soon.