Previously
unreleased recordings of George Mackay Brown reading extracts of his work have
been included on a unique CD commemorating the 10th anniversary of
the Orcadian writer’s death.
“For
The Islands I Sing.” has been produced by ‘Orkney Aye’, a Young Enterprise
company, consisting of 12 students from
In
addition to the recently discovered recordings of the author himself, the CD
also features readings of his work by other renowned Orcadian voices. Such as
Graham Garson, Barbara Grieve, Angus Findlater, Dave Gray, Harvey Johnston, Lucy
Flett, Greer Norquoy, Izzy Grieve, Martin Hay, Duncan Tulloch, Lyn Nicholson and
Jocky Wood.
“We
have been extremely fortunate with this project, as everyone involved has been
very helpful and supportive. A
special thanks, in particular, to Archie Bevan and Brian Murray, for all their
hard work and enthusiasm.” said Charlotte Leask, managing director of
‘Orkney Aye’.
The
students raised money through a range of fundraising activities, with
advertising support coming from Douglas Smith (The Stromness Hotel). They also
arranged recordings of the readings with Phillip Anderson providing assistance
with the final production of the CD.
The
cover of the CD features an original sketch by local artist Wendy Hourston, from
the Hundland Gallery, Birsay, while the inlay contains photos of George Mackay
Brown taken by Gunnie Moberg and Alistair Peebles. The design of the inlay was
undertaken by Colin Keldie.
The
project has already received critical acclaim with the release of the CD being
eagerly awaited. Over 500 orders for the CD have already been placed.
“For
the Islands I Sing” will be formally launched in the Stromness Hotel on the 18th
of April, and members of the media are invited to attend. Members of Orkney Aye,
along with Archie Bevan and Brian Murray, who provided the copyrights for the
use of the poems and short stories of GMB, will launch the CD together. Live
readings from some of the recordings on the CD are also planned.
“All of us involved with ‘Orkney Aye’ would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and support, without which this project would have been almost impossible. If it were not for all the people who helped us, we would have been unable to produce something which, we hope, will stand as a testament to the late George Mackay Brown.”
ENDS
Jessica
Side or Kirstie Davidson
Marketing Directors
Orkney Aye
Stromness
Tel: 01856 850606
Email: orkneyaye@hotmail.co.uk
Or visit www.orkneyaye.co.uk