Although her career has taken her around the world, and back again, the Isle of Man has never left singer Kate Dowman’s heart.

This month, the classical and opera singer releases her debut solo album, ’Whispering Tides’, a collection of Manx songs, all sung in the Manx tongue, which will bring Manx music to whole new, international audience.

Having performed opera at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, such as The Sydney opera House and the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, as well as high-profile appearances at Twickenham and Selfridges, Kate has returned to her roots, performing songs she learned as a child.

’Recording this album has been a dream come true,’ said Kate.

’These songs are so personal to me and singing in Manx Gaelic again was like baring my heart and soul. I have returned to my true voice.’

’Whispering Tides’ features 14 of some of the most well-known songs, taken from the annals of Manx folklore, and including ’Little Red Bird’, ’Son of the Sea’ and Ellan Vannin’, the lullaby ’The Parting Hour’, and through to some of the lesser-known tunes, such as ’The Fairy Washing song’, and ’The Secret Island’.

All 14 tracks have been gloriously arranged into an ethereal and highly-atmospheric collection by Kate and the Grammy-nominated producer Chris Craker, creating a sound that has more in common with the lush, dream-like sounds of Clannad and Enya than trad folk music.

’Most folk records sound very traditional, played on the fiddle,’ said Kate. ’But I really wanted a different sound altogether on my album.

’Chris Craker is a very well-known producer, and he was great to work with. He has worked with the likes of Hans Zimmer in the past, and won awards for his film score for ’Interstellar’.

’I did speak to lots of different producers, but no one got what I was wanting to do. But Chris really "got it", and understood where I was coming from with this album.

’He is a magnificent producer who has helped me create arrangements of these songs that are mystical and Celtic but also modern and huge, like a great film score, whilst absolutely keeping the integrity of the songs.

’Also, it is because this music means so much to me, and the songs are so precious, that I didn’t want to have just anybody working on the album.

’I want to take these songs and Manx culture to audiences that have never heard of it before. I would love people to hear it and ask"What is that?", and want to find out more.’

All the songs featured are sung in Manx Gaelic, with the song titles written on the album cover in both Manx and the English sing titles, along with short explanations of the backgrounds to each song.

Kate herself doesn’t speak Manx, and was grateful for the help of Culture Vannin with sourcing to help with the pronunciations.

’It is not so different from being an opera singer, where I often sing in French, or German, Italian or even Czech. But Culture Vannin have been amazing. I have spent hours on the phone with them, and they have helped me with the songs and the pronunciations.’

Kate originally grew up in Crosby and Douglas, attending Marown school and the Buchan, before gaining a musical scholarship to a private school in England and eventually studying music, first at Leeds University and, later, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in Australia.

It was at Marown where she had her first taste of singing Manx songs, singing at the Guild under the guidance of her old teacher, Pat Burgess.

’The only time I had learnt any Manx was at Marown school. Mrs Burgess used to teach us little bits of Manx, and had us sing some of the songs.

’I was actually sent a recording of me singing in Manx by Mrs Burgess, not so long ago. I must have been about 8 at the time. She had a tape of me singing Ushag Veg Ruy, or ’Little Red Bird’.

’I also read through the collections by Mona Douglas and the Gill Brothers. Charles Guard has also been amazing.

’I really went back and forth on the song titles. I wasn’t sure if I should include the Manx title, or call them by their English translations, as it is more than likely that no one would be able to read or understand the names.

’So I decided to have both, the English title and the Manx together on each song.’

The cover art for the album features photography from Manx photographer Simon Park, taken at Ballaglass Glen and Peel Castle, and artwork by the Peel-based graphic designer Bruno Cavellec.

’I hope I have made the Isle of Man proud,’ she said. ’It’s a beautiful magical island and its music must be cherished.’

’Whispering Tides’ is available from all digital platforms including iTunes, Apple Music and Amazon. A CD version will be released before the end of the month.

by MIke Wade

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