Michael Marra - Silence (2003)

Michael Marra (vocals, piano, guitar, harmonium, moothie). Kenny Fraser (fiddle, whistle). Petrea Cooney (clarsach, vocals). The Dawn Chorus. Gordon Maclean (double bass), Stretch MacFadyen (drums).

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An Tobar, The Tobermory Arts Centre on the Isle of Mull has commissioned 6 songs from legendary Dundee songwriter Michael Marra, well known for his influential album Gael's Blue and for his recent work with Liz Lochead, Patti Smith and Eddi Reader. This commission, entitled Silence, is the last in the Interface series of visual arts and music commissions by An Tobar.

Michael Marra spent two weeks in Tobermory in March 2003 working on the music and gathering material for lyrics for this project with An Tobar. This involved listening to local stories and gossip, looking at the problems of relationships trying to survive the pull of the ferry to the mainland and the contrast with the outside world as well as the almost unconcious racism in small communities - Michael has a way of opening up areas common to all of us through incisive vignettes peopled by real characters - names changed to avoid litigation!

Michael Marra, widely acclaimed as one of Scotland's most talented and original songwriters and performers, was born 1952 in Lochee Dundee, the son of a printer and a schoolteacher. Educated at Saint Mary's Primary School, Lochee and Lawside Academy. Expelled at the age of 14, a variety of jobs followed including; message boy in the printing trade, apprentice sparky, apprentice baker and builder's labourer. In 1971 he formed his first band, Hen's Teeth, whose line up included Dougie McLean. By the mid seventies he was a professional musician with Dundee legends Skeets Boliver, together with his brother Christopher.

Since then he has continued to follow his own career path. Theatre music work at Dundee Rep led to collaborations with theatre companies like Communicado in Edinburgh. Proud possessor of an Equity card, Michael now pops up regularly in Scottish TV and film. Who can forget his appearance singing Old Shep in Hamish Macbeth? He has also written and recorded soundtrack music, notably being a musical director for the acclaimed BBC production of John Byrne's Your Cheatin' Heart.

In parallel with the theatre work Michael has continued to perform and record as a solo artist. He has toured the length and breadth of Britain from the smallest village hall to the largest concert stage. Recent months have found Michael filming alongside the brilliant Robert Carlyle under the direction of Eastenders star Caroline Paterson, writing soundtrack music for a Channel 4 Cutting Edge documentary, playing the Edinburgh Festival and visiting Sweden with Liz Lochhead performing their show, In Flagrant Delicht. Michael also spends time painting, drawing and going to the football, but he never enjoys it.

Acknowledgements, Fiona MacLean, Trish Haworth, Donna Hutchison, Roy O'Neil, Pibroch Mackenzie, Miss Cooney, Mister Phraser, Martyn Bennett, The staff of Gannet's, Posh Nosh, Nicole Taylor, Martin Low, Sandy Brechin, Speechless, Lesley Duncan, Jessie, Tony Cox, Rev Donald MacNicol of Dalmally, Lillias Campbell of Achlian, Blind Alfred Reed, Ben Potter, Vojtech Vesely, Kirsty MacLeod, The Breakfast Boy At The Secret Kitchen.

Special thanks to Gordon, Sheena and Peggy Peace.

Tour dates June 2003
An Tobar, Tobermory - 6th
Highland Festival, Inverness - 7th
East Grange Loft, Forres - 8th
Ballachullish Hall - 9th
Wick Pipe Band Hall - 12th
Pentland Hotel, Thurso - 13th

With Kenny Fraser - fiddle, guitar, whistle, vocals and Gordon Maclean - double bass, guitar, vocals.

With assistance from SAC Lottery, Argyll and the Isles Enterprise, Highland Festival and Lyth Arts Centre.