John "Hoddan" Macdonald

d. 2007

John “Hoddan” Macdonald – One of Gaelic’s finest traditional singers was born and raised in the tiny village of Upper Bayble in the district of Point on the Isle of Lewis.

SCOTTISH GRAMOPHONE RECORDS

Records of Scottish artistes’ made in Scotland by Scots and for Scots are not as many as one would like. Too many of our performers make their way south — which shows creditable enterprise on the part of the English producers of gramophone records, but is disappointing for those of us who seek the home-grown product. However “Gaelfonn” of Glasgow continue to make excellent recordings both of Gaelic and Scots and are to be highly commended for their work. Recent recordings which have come to hand are a somewhat varied group. Outstanding is a genial, satirical and down-to-earth piece of modem Gaelic verse which will, without any doubt, have a hearing at ceilidhs for a very long time to come. Oran an A.I. tells of the bewilderment of the farmer who expected a bull to call and, instead, met a man in a white coat. It is sung delightfully by John “Hoddan” Macdonald, and is on record GLB 3601. On record GLB 3501, Mary Morrison sings Ged Bha mi na 'm Pheagach Cailite, a love song of gentle modesty, with Anail Beo as a sad little song on the reverse. In the old, traditional style of singing we hear Mima Matheson on record GLB 3701 singing Sud mar Chuir mi 'n Geamhradh Tharam, a love song of the West and one which Lewismen will particularly welcome, Ho-ri, Ho-ro mo Nionag, on the reverse is a most charming love song which should, of course, be sung by a man. But don’t let us quibble about that — the record is a joy to listen to. Finally, Gaelfonn have produced a Scottish recitation on each side of SMB 913. This is, perhaps, an unfortunate production though it will have an undoubted appeal to Scots in exile, for Hector Nicol has a warm, couthy voice which will bring nostalgic memories to many people with its clear accents in the Doric. It is to be regretted that he has not got better material than the frankly sentimental “The Auld Man” with its somewhat laboured humour and “The Wee Tanner Ba’ “ which is reminiscent of “thae recites” which we used to hear at the Kirk Soirees. A fair record this, but not up to the standard of the Gaelic ones reviewed above — all of which are very much recommended. J. H. M.