Rachel Walker – Gaol
Ròs Dearg Records (Red Rose Records) – 11 December 2020
Meaning ‘love’, Gaol is the title of the new album from Lochaber based singer-songwriter Rachel Walker. Hard to believe, but Gaol is Walker’s first record in ten years, but the wait has been well worth it.
The album, with eleven tracks of self-penned songs in Gaelic and English, exploring all facets of love: “love of family, the land and language, to songs of romantic and unrequited love”, and it is a genuine delight.
Heart breaking ballad, ‘Là Luain (The Day That Never Comes)’, opens the album and features Walker accompanied by Mod Gold Medallist James Graham. It’s a haunting, evocative love song, exquisitely sung, with a tender, almost fragile, duet between Walker and Graham. ‘Tir is Sàl (Land and Sea)’, on the other hand, is a traditional waulking song. Its percussion pounding a resilient and robust rhythm. ‘Gun Dòchas (Hopeless)’ is another heart breaking, intimate song. Smoothly capturing the sense of the heart’s fragility, with the crystal flawless vocals of Walker.
A few tracks on the album also mark a new, contemporary, direction for Walker. ‘All for you’ sees Walker sing in English rather than Gaelic. The song, accompanied simply by the Brodick String Quartet, is a beautifully honest tale of the collapse of a relationship, but one tinged with hope too. Effortlessly capturing the complexity of the heart, with Walker’s clear, harmonious vocals at its core. It is a mature, accomplished, and sensitive story.
Similarly, ‘I Always Knew’ dwells on the lament of a lost love, with some pretty musical accompaniment by Walker’s guests. And what guests she has gathered too, from Alice Allen on cello, Rory Grindlay on drums, Jarlath Henderson on Uileann Pipes, and whistle, whilst the aforementioned Brodick String Quartet on strings and Sileas Sinclair on vocals and accordion also feature.
‘Thug Mi Gaol Dhut Thug mi Gràdh Dhut (I Gave You Love)’ closes the album. Opening with the crackle of a fire, the track naturally draws the listener in for a sweetly warm song. Instruments are minimal on this track, simply providing atmosphere to Walker’s voice. It’s a tender and mesmerising conclusion to a captivating album.
With its theme on love, it would be impossible not to be enamoured by this album. Gaol is a cosy, embracing, and thoroughly comforting release. As Walker, herself notes: “People can be quick to write off love songs, but we all connect with them – they are a way of healing. Whether it’s a shared experience or the pain of heartbreak, I hope the songs will mean something to people when they listen to them.” In the current climate of uncertainty, healing is something we can all do with.
Gaol is a gorgeously evocative album. A soothing, timely reminder of the emotional power of the heart and an earnest, delicate, and utterly enchanting release.
As a special treat, the album will be accompanied by a series of music videos released every week on Walker’s social media pages, the first of which is available to view on her Facebook page: @gaelicsingerrachel
Bandcamp: https://rachelwalker.bandcamp.com/album/gaol
https://www.rachelwalker.co.uk
Photo Credit: Paul Jennings