Sleeve Notes

1.  Now Draw Up Close / Leaving Lismore (Trad)
I first heard this sung by Wendy Stewart, who wrote the last verse.I fell in love with the song and thought it went very well with the tune Leaving Lismore, so my arrangement couples the two.

2.  Fisherman's Lassie (Trad)
I have included this, because that's what I am. It's a song I often sing on the traditional scene.

3.  The Ballad of Susie Clelland (Trad)
This is a song I love to sing- it's one of the big ballads originating from Dundee and the tragic tale never fails to move me.

4.  Coilsfield House (Nathaniel Gow)
This beautiful tune really suits the harp, using its full range.

5.  My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose (Robert Burns)
One of my favourite Burns songs, which I have sung at many a Burns supper. My version is also included in the Aberdeen TMSA CD, but I have remixed it and added layers of vocal harmony and fiddle.

6.  Nae Real Reel / Burrerywells Jig (Irene Watt)
I wrote these two tunes to perform at Aberdeen Folk Club. The Real Reel was composed in a very short time on the morning of the performance. My friend, fiddler Sandy Leggat, was with me at the time and commented that such last-minute inspiration was 'nae real' so that became the title! Butterywells Jig was inspired by the lovely countryside by the River Dee, where I am fortunate to live.

7.  My Son David (Trad)
This is a very ancient ballad. A tale of sibling rivalry and murder, it is a typical tragedy where the mother is left grieving for the loss of both her sons.

8.  Norland Wind (Violet Jacob)
This is a contemporary reworking of a great song by the northeast poet Violet Jacob. I feel that the slightly jazzy feel works well with the tune written by Jim Reid.

9.  Fields of Gold (Sting)
I have given this contemporary classic a Doric twist by adapting some of the lyrics into a more traditional Scots tongue. This was the first song I sang in a competition and won the TMSA Freestyle Competition and the Elphinstone Quaich.

10. Lady Ramsay (Phil Cunningham)
One of my all-time favourite tunes, this beautiful melody makes the harp sing.

11. Cruel Mither (Trad)
Another fantastic big ballad or 'muckle sang'. It has often been accused of being a slit-your-wrists kind of a song, but I love it and I can't help having some sympathy for the plight of a young woman trapped in an impossible situation which drives her to lose all reason.

12. Fisherman's Dream (John Martyn)
This is dedicated to my late father, a fisherman all his life, but who became disillusioned by the decline of the fishing industry. This track features Ray Moore.

13. Tide of Change (Sue Briggs)
This song was written by my friend Sue Briggs and was inspired by Stonehaven Harbour. Formerly a busy fishing port, it has now become the domain of small pleasure craft.

Acknowledgements

This album is dedicated to my late father, who not only encouraged me to sing and play music but was a great inspiration to me in many things and was my best friend.

My thanks, too, to my lovely friends for their valuable contributions.

To Ray Moor, not only for producing this album but for also playing guitar, whistle and flute.

To Sandy Leggat and Maggie Cassie for their fantastic fiddle playing.

To Andy Hall who had me clambering over rocks with my harp but which resulted in some wonderful photos, www.andyhallphotography.com

Finally to Alastair and Elaine Bruce for their continued much-needed support and for the sleeve design and copy.

Irene Watt. 2007.
email: irenewatt.harpist@tiscali.co.uk
www.myspace.com/irenewatt

Digital mastering by Red Barn Studio, Longforgan, Dundee.