The indefatigable Last Night From Glasgow show no signs of letting up in the light of COVID 19. With a bulging release schedule and a roster already bursting at the seams with talent, things are just ramping up.
The latest release from the label comes in the form of a roll call from many of the great and good of the Scottish music scene past and present.
Starless is the brainchild of the eminently talented Paul McGeechan. Writer, composer, engineer, producer and famed around these parts for being part of seminal Glasgow bands Friends Again and Love and Money.
Unfettered Charm & Beauty
Starless are releasing their second album, Earthbound, following on from the unfettered charm and beauty of their debut a couple of years ago.
The roll call? Where do I start? Former Friends Again and Bathers frontman Chris Thomson provides his distinguished vocal talent on Spellbound, which lives up to its name in the effect it has on the listener. And also on the emotive slow burn of Calvary towards the end of the record. Also returning from the first Starless album is Marie Claire White (providing Chase the Devil) fresh from releasing her debut SEIL LIEN album. The silky vocals of The Big Dish frontman and composer, Steven Lindsay makes an appearance. And on Sea Shanty No.2, another unforgettable voice originating from another classic 80s band, Hipsway, in Graeme Skinner. That is just scratching the surface
The Sea
The sea is a recurring theme. No more so than at the start and the end of the album. Opening with the majestic sweeping instrumental of Long Bhriseadh (Shipwreck) and closing with the traditional affecting Gaelic lament Ailein Duinn 1957 (Dark-Haired Alan) from Julie Fowlis. Both songs containing soothing delicate samples of waves lapping on the shore, the extended outro at the end of the album leaving you with a transcendent sense of calm.
The traditional Scottish theme also runs throughout, Ailein Duinn is tackled earlier in the album with a vocal from Karliene. Just as affecting as Julie Fowlis but with a completely different feel to the song.
Two singles preceded the release of the album. You may have heard Emma Pollock providing the vocal on Paper, a song with a Portishead type vibe,. Or indeed the aforementioned Steven Lindsay taking vocal duties on Breakdown. This is first of two vocal contributions to the album (also appearing on the dramatic Somewhere in the Night on side two).
Shimmering Gossamer Melody
Spellbound segues seamlessly into Glittering Light, a shimmering gossamer melody with tender vocal provided by Jenny Burns. That delicate sound sweeping majestically into side two on Setting Mist.
This album perfectly blends the elements of traditional Scottish folk with soaring symphonic masterpieces (provided by The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra). Mix that with the variety of contemporary vocalists and you have one of the most movingly heart-rending masterpieces of 2020 to date.