Last month, we shared the news that, following 2012’s Urstan, Scotland’s Alasdair Roberts has partnered again with Lewis-born Gaelic singer Màiri Morrison. Their new album, Remembered in Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia, will be released on April 25th via Drag City and features ten traditional Canadian songs with Scottish roots that draw heavily on the pioneering work of Nova Scotian folklorist Helen Creighton. The material encompasses both Lowland ballads and Highland Gaelic songs, all of which were carried over the water to Canada in various waves of migration spanning several centuries.
Following their lead single Màiri Nighean Dòmhnaill, they are today sharing a new single/video, “The Bonny House of Airlie“. They are again joined by Nova Scotian bass player and musical arranger Pete Johnston and his Canadian all-star band. The song recounts the tragedy of the sacking and burning of the Earl of Airlie’s castle and the murder of his family at a time of great political and religious turmoil in Scotland. This tale is also the topic of the ballad “Young Airly”, which Alasdair covered in 2023’s Grief in the Kitchen and Mirth in the Hall (reviewed here).
Colin Medley assembled the accompanying music video from photos of the crew’s trip to Nova Scotia — where Remembered in Exile was recorded with bassist/arranger Pete Johnston and an ensemble of Canadian musicians.
This cracking and catchy track builds beautifully, with the slashing rhythm arrangement and roiling acoustic bassline embodying the tragedy. It’s my favourite so far, and it’s looking to be another great collaboration.
Remembered in Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia (April 25th – Drag City).
Drag City: https://www.dragcity.com/artists/alasdair-roberts-and-mairi-morrison