Megan Henderson, a member of the award-winning Scottish folk group Breabach, will release her long-awaited solo-debut Pilgrim Souls on 21 January 2022. The album is a musical response to the dream-like, impressionistic paintings of Highland artist Christine Clark, which seek to reflect the beauty of the human spirit as it turns to nature for renewal.
As well as singing, Megan also plays fiddle and piano on the album from which her first single, The Dawn Chorus, is released today. The composition forms the perfect accompaniment to Christine’s painting of the same title, which depicts a colourful awakening. It opens to an elegant piano and atmospherically bowed fiddle, emanating a beautiful calm stillness. The piece gently builds as a repeated motif is played on the piano over which the fiddle plays, building into a beautiful and joyful traditional-sounding melody that increases in vibrancy.
Megan Henderson said: “I’m really excited about putting this record out because it’s my first solo project. I wanted to capture the energy and emotion that Christine’s artwork makes me feel and I am delighted to be able to share it with everyone.
“My music is influenced by a mix of genres – trad and classical mainly. I drew inspiration for the album from fellow Fort William native and artist Christine Clark, whose paintings depict – in her own words – ‘imagined landscapes and narratives which transport us to unknown lands, conveying moments of solitude, love, hope, beauty and loss’. This is something I really connected with and wanted to reflect in my own art.”
On the strength of this first single, Pilgrim’s Soul promises to be a deeply layered and transcendent release.
Artists joining Megan on the album include Jack Smedley (fiddle), Mairi Campbell (viola), Su-a Lee (cello, saw), Olav Luksengård Mjelva (Hardanger) and Anna Massie (mandolin), Laura-Beth Salter (voice and mandolin) and Alistair Iain Paterson (piano, harmonium).
The album was recorded by Euan Burton in June 2021 over three days at GloWorm Recording Studio in Glasgow. Pilgrim Souls was recorded completely in a live setting, with an added recording from Norway-based Olav Luksengård Mjelva.
Pilgrim Souls will be available to buy on CD and stream and download on all digital platforms on Friday, 21 January. Visit www.meganhendersonmusic.com.
Photo Credit: Elly Lucas