PAULA MACASKILL - This Is Me

Good to recieve a new CD from one of the hardest working performers on the Scottish entertainment scene. PAULA MCASKILL, from the Lochaber area, is kept busy most nights of the week, especially in the Fort William, Elgin and Inverness areas.  She plays primarily in tourist venues, so it’s no surprise that a lot of Scottish traditional music features in her shows, although she has always done a fair bit of Country too.

Her new album, on Pan Records (home of Manson Grant), is an unashamedly easy listening mix of Scottish & Country music. Scottish material includes “Skyline Of Skye”, “These Are My Mountains” and “Highland Cathedral”, whilst the Country material does tend to be well known covers like “I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again”, “Blackboard Of My Heart” and “You’re My Best Friend”.

She does a very strong version of The Louvin’s “How’s The World Treating You”, with Keith MacLeod , covers of Isla Grant’s “Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star”, and Steve Earle’s “Galway Girl”, but it’s her version of Jim Reeves’ “Pretty Brown Eyes” that steals the album for me.

The players on the album include Manson Grant, and Robert Cameron from The Dynamos, Keith MacLeod, Gordy Gunn, Phil Anderson, Brandon MacPhee, and Richard Nelson. It’s a good professional backing throughout.

Whilst there’s nothing groundbreaking here, it’s a pleasant easy listening album, that Paula’s audiences will love.

There'a also a DVD with the same tracks.  

www.panrecords.co.uk