MARGARET CHRISTL
Press Clippings

 
Words about Margaret Christl
 
"Very occasionally I find myself in the presence of something – a film, a musical group – an artist so exceptional I feel a deep sadness that not everyone I know was there with me.  So it was with Margaret Christl.... the sound was like nothing I've ever heard, beyond human, wild and free and magnificent, a sound that carried the audience to an indescribable height.  When it finally ended, everyone in the room let out a gasp. That's how amazing it was."…..Robert Speer, Chico Review, CA USA

"Scotland is lucky to possess a whole raft of first class female singers.  Margaret Christl would not stand in the shadow of any of them."………….Fred McCormick..Dirty Linen Magazine

"A big strong mature voice with the kind of edge possessed by some of the top Scottish women – I’m talking Robertson."……Roy Harris/The Scottish Tradition Magazine

"The audience demanded she come back for more"………Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe and Mail

"Her Celtic and contemporary traditions are rarely performed her in Canada with such vocal competence and I would consider her an excellent ambassador to represent Calgary at EXPO '88" .......Ralph Klein, Mayor of Calgary


 
Words about The Picture In My Mind

Sing Out Magazine, MW

In the liner notes of Margaret Christl’s recording "Picture in My Mind", she quotes author Graham Greene when he notes that "all writing heals".  Listening to the CD you get the feeling that Margaret has done some healing.  The result is an 11 song celebration of the past, present and future.

Margaret sounds as good as she ever has.  Her strong gutsy voice is as comfortable singing in Gaelic or English, on old or new songs.  But most importantly she sounds at peace and complete, and this state of mind transfers well through her music to the listener.  With production and musical support from Loretto Reid and Brian Taheny and some solid guitar playing from Michael Johnston, The Picture in My Mind is a treasured, musical photo album from one of the world’s best folk music performers, with a well balanced set of songs from writers as diverse as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Sheena Wellington, Bobby Watt and Christl herself.

The title cut tells the story of Margaret getting back in touch the memory of her mother.  She was taken from her mom at the age of 3 and spent most of her life without even a picture to remind her of her early childhood.  It was a photo of her mother sent by a fan that prompted a trip to England to meet her brothers and sister for the first time and to deal with the feelings of separation and loss. The song is a moving meditation on this experience and will remind you of the importance of the family connection in all our lives.

The collection ends with a wonderful song of hope and friendship, also written by Margaret, called "The Last Concert".  It serves as a gentle reminder to remember the past, live in the present and look forward to a future surrounded by friends and good music.  Here’s hoping that Margaret Christl will continue writing and releasing records like this for a long time to come.


Dirty Linen Magazine, Peter Hofmann
 

Originally from Scotland, Margaret Christl exudes a sense of weariness and, that same time, hope through her music.  A coal miner’s daughter, her early life was filled with despair. Turning to music as a teenager, Christl, now in her 50s, has released her fourth album, made after a 12 year hiatus from recording.

 Her voice has a lilting working class feel that works well with the material.  The songs are mainly political and traditional.  There is hardship in her voice, and it comes across with aspirations of redemption.  On the whole, Picture in My Mind is a solo singer/guitar album, with a handful of guest musicians adding some sparse accompaniment, tin whistle, flutes, accordion, percussion, bodhran. A notably gracious return to recording.  Hopefully one doesn’t have to wait another dozen years for Christl’s follow up.
 


The Living Tradition, Roy Harris
 

Scots-born Margaret Christl has spent the bulk of her life in North America.  I heard her sing in Toronto over a decade ago, bringing home a memory of a singer of high promise, yet to find her own style.  There's been a Folk Legacy album in the interim but I heard no more until this CD arrived.

Verdict? Well, she certainly has found a style, and a voice too, a big, strong, mature voice with the kind of edge possessed by some of the top Scottish women - I'm talking Robertson, Wellington, Fisher - I'm sure she's been listening to some of them. Good policy. Listen to thebest.

In an eleven song programme, Margaret chooses traditional favourites, such as "Maggie Lauder", "Jonk O'Hazeldean", using that laserbeam voice to good effect but she is even more impressive in a anumber of modern songs, including Sheena Wellington's "Women of Dundee".  The highlight, though, comes in the title song, Margaret Christl's own composition. It's a story of personal sadness, an insight into the singer's life, giving the reason for the placing of her mother's photo on the cover of the album booklet.  Christl's telling and heartfelt singing of this is a standout on an album that has lots to recommend it.  Good to hear you again Margaret!
 


Jackson Citizen Patriot
 

Christl is most remarkable, however, singing a cappella through Michael Johnston's gospel-tinged "How Long, How Long."  And she recalls Joan Baez in "Jock O'Hazeldean," taken from a poem by Sir Walter Scott. And, although there are plenty of terrific musicians here playing traditional Celtic intruments, they mostly lay back and give the real star, Christl's amazing voice, plenty of room to roam.


 


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