FRANCES MORTON

Frances Morton is originally from Glasgow but also has family roots in Ireland, in County Tyrone. She first learned to play the piano, before turning to the tin whistle and then the flute. Having won several All-Ireland prizes in her youth, she became very active on the Glasgow and Edinburgh stages.

Now settled in Donegal, she has released a beautiful debut album, Sliocht, which means ‘the trace’ or ‘the lineage’, and reflects Frances's family and musical heritage in Scotland and Ireland. Here she has brought together a very interesting selection of jigs, reels, strathspeys and marches, all borrowed from her vast repertoire of both Scottish and Irish music.
Produced by guitarist Eamon McElholm (ex Solas), who also plays keyboards, cello and mandolin, Frances' album also features fiddlers Ciarán Tourish (ex Altan) and Julie Langan, bouzouki players Malcolm Stitt and Ryan O'Donnell, and bodhrán players Mark Maguire and Seamus O'Kane. What a line-up!
And the presence of her partner, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, on a magnificent Tyrone song, Malaí Mhómhar, adds to the album's emotional sensitivity.
There are no modern arrangements here to detract from the purity of the tradition. A few examples include Mayo Set, three jigs learned from Derry flautist Marcas Ó Murchú. The majestic melody Gan Ainm or the incredible set of reels Lovely Molly's. Among all these traditional tunes, there is just one composition by Frances, The Engagement. Absolutely superb.
On all the tunes, the musicians‘ accompaniment is discreet and in perfect harmony with Frances’ brilliant flute playing. This is surely one of the finest albums of early 2025.

Autoproduit FM2024CD - www.francesmorton.com