A local musician has released a CD of new and re-arranged folk music, after being forced to make the best out of an unfortunate situation.

Guitarist Mark Lawrence has released his debut solo CD, entitled ’Skeealyn y Gitar’, translated from Manx Gaelic as 'Guitar Stories'.

The CD features five tracks of traditional folk music sets and includes some of his own compositions alongside his own arrangements of some of his favourite folk music pieces.

Mark said he began to work on the tunes a couple of years ago when he suffered a leg injury and he used the time spent recuperating to work on his technique and on his own material.

’A couple of years ago I broke my leg and had to spend a lot of time off work with nothing to do.’ said Mark, who was already a proficient guitarist and musician.

’I played a lot during that time and began to write several of my own tunes.’

Mark was able to call on the talents of his sisters, violinist Katie and whistle-player Kirsty, for the first set of tunes, along with brother-in-law Russell Cowin, who played percussion for the opening set of tunes.

Mark plays two of his own tunes, ’Gaut’s Cross’ and ’Gregor’s Tune’, along with ’Lhiem y Vraddan’, written by Manx composer Peddyr Cubberly.

Second track ’Hide Tide’ is joined with Mark’s version of ’Dooraght’, written by Katie.

’Dooraght’ has become quite a well known tune recently as a lot of the dance groups use it in their sets.’ Said Mark.

’I play it quite differently than she does though. I have messed around with it quite a bit, just trying to figure out as many different ways of playing it on as many different guitars as I can.

’"The Harp and Shamrock", the third track, is a tune that I really like, taken from an album by a band called Lhunasa, and I have put that with a tune written by a harpist called Cormac de Barra.

’I love harp music and the album this is taken from, called Barco, is one of my favourites.

’I played with this one a lot when I was lying with my leg up in the air!’

Mark recorded the CD in his home studio, with London-based sound professional Bobby Williams, formerly of Kirk Michael, mixing and mastering the finished CD.

The sleeve photography, featuring all three guitars Mark played on the recording, was taken by Mark’s father Al Lawrence, making this recording truly a family affair.

The CD is available from Mark's Bandcamp page, priced £5.50.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers