Dougie Burns - Martha

CD

(May 2020)

11 Tracks: Martha * An Apology * Shrine * Arms Of Our Father * Keep Your Mad Hat On * Coffee * Silver Dollar * Take My Hand (Let's Rock And Roll) * Happy Amateur * Cry, Cry, Cry * Hey Ho.

A second solo album from Inverness-based music journalist, author and singer-songwriter Dougie Burns.

Ten songs written by Dougie and one, a Gospel type rouser, "The Arms of Our Father" written at a Highland songwriting retreat along with host Boo Hewerdine and fellow participants Peter Kirkbride and Francesca Murphy.

Personal songs with stories about family and heart on the sleeve insecurities with a little bit of humour and a lot of love.

"Martha" is dedicated to Dougie's mother and has a slightly country / Americana / blues /gospel feel to it .

A stalwart of the Scottish music scene Dougie performs solo and as a duo/trio with several combinations of top Scottish Highlands musicians.

He also organises, hosts and performs at a very successful monthly acoustic music gathering. Attracting and encouraging mostly new singer/songwriters and meeting in the very welcoming Velocity Cafe, Inverness he has been running this for over 6 years now. This purely acoustic music evening attracts local guests and visiting artists from all over the world.

"The album is a warm mix of songs that have a real sense of a family gathering, a celebration you could say. It's a warmth that lasts throughout the album... Dougie recalls his early family related music memories and how these have shaped the songs in the album." Frank Finlayson IGI.GS.

"For the experienced writer, performer and all-round talent that is Dougie Burns, Martha is the perfect sense of occasion to recognise that bond, to respect the relationship between the mind and the heart, for in art we all wish to honour someone, the Muse always making an appearance somewhere along the line, and it is to that honour that Martha stands tall, proud and somewhat thrilled as the music provided by the music journalist/musician comes to light the fires of expectancy and promise." Ian D Hall, Liverpool Sound and Vision.

Dougie Burns (guitar, vocals, handclaps), Davy Cowan (bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin, programming, howl, handclaps), Ali Davies (harmonica), Malcolm MacMaster (pedal steel guitar), Ally Macleod (backing vocals), The Broads - Choir (arrangement Fiona Sellar), Raymond Johnston (cowbell, handclaps, shoops), Sam Cowan (cowbell), Martin Stephenson (slide guitar track 5), Campbell Burns (rhythm, solo on Track 8), Rev. Fingers McGlumpher (piano, hammond B3), Drem Muzer (drums, percussion).