Calum MacPhail has just fulfilled a life's ambition to release his solo album
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Highland accordionist and vocalist Calum MacPhai has released his debut solo album At Last and talks about getting the chance to make it.
Calum, who lives in Inverness and hails from Fort William, is a member of the award-winning trad folk band Hò-rò.
It was 2017 when he released his debut solo EP.
And the album has appear a week after his latest single, his own song Oh My Darlin', hit number one in the iTunes country chart. It was his second number one in that chart following his earlier Bellamy Brothers' cover, single release Let Your Love Flow.
Now on the album, you can find Let Your Love Flow, which was released in November 2022, providing a fresh spin on the classic 1975 country song. At the time, it also received airplay on other radio stations across the UK.
The album – which is out on CD, to download and to stream – features some top Scottish musicians.
With Calum on accordion and vocals, Sean Cousins – Calum's Hò-rò colleague – is on guitar and piano. Plus there is award-winning, virtuoso uilleann piper Calum Stewart on uilleann pipes, whistle and wooden flute. Also on the record is Mark Scobbie on drums, 2020 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year winner Ali Levack on whistle, and Ivan Steele on saxophone and whistle.
Sharing their talents on the album too are Calum MacQuarrie on bass, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Abigail Pryde and Callum Cronin (Heron Valley) on string section – and you can hear one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians, Ross Ainslie on bagpipes.Cathal Murphy features on electric guitar and backing vocals, with rising star RILEY also on backing vocals.
As well as Calum’s singles, At Last… features new tunes and songs, as well as new versions of well-known numbers, including Calum’s version of Old Crow Medicine Show’s 2004 singalong anthem Wagon Wheel, and jig Kenny Gillies.
Title track At Last ... is an uplifting and heartfelt song about the lessons learned in a relationship.
Calum answers some questions about the album and the making of it for us here:
Q For anyone who hasn't come across Calum MacPhail, the musician – solo you and also your traditional Ho-Ro side, can you describe your career so far. First days in music, big moments so far – and your long-term hopes?
A I have been really lucky to have started my career at a very young age. horo started when I was just 15. Between then and now I have travelled across Europe multiple times and have ticked off a lot of my bucket list gigs. I had never left the country before I started playing with Hò-rò. My first trip was a tour of Italy . It was a surreal feeling and I’ll never forget it.
A big moment for me was bringing in The Bells on BBCAlba's Hogmanay. It was my first ever live experience and it was amazing. With the release of my debut album I just hope for more of the same adventures with my solo project!
Q Now, the album! That is the big news this week, the release of your solo album. It looks as if it has been something of a labour of love – many kinds of songs on it, all beautifully recorded at Gloworm studios in Glasgow?
A Yes, I have silently been working on this all my life. My dad was a huge inspiration to me . He was a folk singer and toured the world and told me so many stories. I knew that one day I would have an album of my own and I would have my own stories to tell. This album has been a lot of fun to work on. It’s all of my favourite songs to sing and my first batch of original songs that I’m really proud of.
Q But can I start asking about the musicians. I know you and Sean Cousins are on it, and Ali Levack – but could you talk me through your other choices. I think I counted 11 names in total. How did you decide who to ask and what sound you wanted to create? Was it like getting the Magnificent Seven together as in the cowboy film – getting the team just right?
A I have looked up to a lot of the guys on this album, so it’s a dream line-up really. Me and Sean have always worked really well together so that was an obvious first choice. Calum Stewart was part of the original Manran lineup and I grew up listening to his amazing technique and incredible musicality.
Cathal Murphy of Cuig in Ireland was an amazing addition to the line-up. His ability to embellish the songs and really take it somewhere special was amazing to watch. It’s no surprise that I called upon another Hò-rò member Calum Macquarrie. After recording with him, I knew I had to have him on this album. Ross Ainslie on the pipes is another musician that I have gone through my career admiring. His unique style and overall cool vibe adds another layer to the record. There was only one thing missing – saxophone! Ivan Steele of the up and coming powerhouse Cala had recently mentioned that he played sax as well as many other instruments. We had to try it, and it worked really well. I’m not sure what movie you would compare it to, but it would definitely be a comedy!
Q There is a very relaxed and chilled mood to the album when you listen to it in a oner? How did you want it to come across to listeners – presumably you will be having all kind of different people listening to it once it's out. What mood did you want to create overall? Or maybe you imagined it dipping into different moods as it progresses?
A I wanted the listeners to hear something different. There’s a lot of the same thing out there and I feel like my choice of musicians and arrangements have made something that is fresh sounding.
Q Was it easy to decide which of your own songs to include?
A I have only written a few songs so far. Songwriting came later for me. It’s still a work in progress but I wanted to include the ones that sounded best with the band and the ones that I thought would connect best.
Q Is The Mermaid your own song or is it a cover, it seemed one I might have heard before. And you have some really eclectic covers on there, very different in style from others (Bellamy Brothers Let Your Love Flow which was a single for you, and, of course, Wagon Wheel). Talk us through how you chose the ones you wanted to put on this very important 'first impression' solo album!?
A The Mermaid is an old Irish traditional song. I’ve heard many people cover it over the years but most recently our pals Trail West. It’s just one of those songs that gets people going. For the other covers, I took the same approach I wanted this album to have energy and for people to be able to sing along at home.
Q What are your other big plans for 2023, if you can share them yet!
A This year 2023 is going to be amazing. A couple of highlights will definitely be supporting the main man Callum Beattie. This will be my biggest solo show so far. Later in the summer I will be playing Belladrum and I can’t wait for the Belladrum crowd to hear the new material. It’s gonna be a party!
At Last… is on CD, to stream and download on all major digital platforms. For more information on the album
