Shelagh McDonaldCountry of origin:Scotland Type of music generally:Beautiful & fierce contemporary folk and traditional folk with a slightly jazz-y flavour Status:Currently performing live. Most recent release, Parnassus Revisited (2014), available at shows See also:Shelagh McDonald's site Comparisons:Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson, Jacqui McShee (Pentangle), Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon Covers/own material:Mostly own, occasional covers and traditional songs General comments:Shelagh McDonald is kind of a cross between early Joni Mitchell (songs) and Sandy Denny (vocals and songwriting)/Carly Simon (vocals)—a pretty amazing combination! She has fascinating '70s folk songwriting chops and a lovely, lovely, strong, evocative voice. She only did two albums and started a third in the early 1970s before abruptly dropping from the scene. No one knew what had happened to her until she re-surfaced in 2005 for one interview. There are rumours she may record again, but nothing concrete. (Neile) Recommended first album:The Let No Man Steal Your Thyme compilation includes both albums as well as various outtakes, live recordings and other rarities and so is probably your best deal, but if you're looking for an individual album, Stargazer is the most amazing. Recordings:
AlbumRelease info:1970—B&C Records; reissued 2000—Mooncrest—CrestCD 059 Availability:U.K. Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Shelagh McDonald—vocals, guitar, piano Guest artists:Keith Christmas—guitar Comments:With this, her first album, Shelagh McDonald shows an unusual assurance both vocally and in her songwriting—she can stand beside her peers, Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson, Jacqui McShee (Pentangle). While her sound now sounds perhaps derivative of theirs (and Joni Mitchell), she was part of the same scene, doing the rounds of the English folk clubs starting in 1968. I think that overall Stargazer is the stronger album, this is still lovely. (Neile) StargazerRelease info:1971—B&C Records; reissued —Mooncrest—CrestCD 040 Availability:U.K. Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Shelagh McDonald—vocals, guitar, piano Guest artists:Harvey Burns—drums Comments:Wow—she has such a gorgeous voice that immediately on hearing this I fell in love with her music. I love the tracks for the original album (the bonus CD tracks, some recording for a prospective third album don't do that much for me as they go a little more generic-sounding folkrock). Though her songwriting seems perhaps a less personal than Joni Mitchell's, her talents are clear here. While the sound is obviously from the early 1970s the album doesn't seem dated—and not only because there's a revival of this kind of music right now. Shelagh McDonald has a rare vocal and folk songwriting talent, and this is a gorgeous album. (Neile) |
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