Meet Còig

Mur an cuala sibh an t-ainm “Còig” gu ruige seo, tha mi làn cinnteach gun cluinn. ‘S e seo buidheann ciùil ùr anns a bheil cearthrar òigridh ás an eilean Cheap Breatainn agus aonar o ‘n mhór-thìr Albainn Nuaidh.

Anns a’ bhuidhinn tha Chrissy Crowley, ‘na ban-fhìdhleir á Margaraidh; Darren MacGilleMhaolain á Tìrean Chonnadh Chruaidh air guitàr, mandoilin, feadag ‘is baindio; Raonaidh Nic Dhaibhidh á Badaig air fìdheall ‘s a’ seinn; Cailean Granndach á Sudnaidh air an fhìdhill agus Jason Roach á Seatacamp a’ cluich air a’ chlàrsaich mhóir. Chaidh an cuir ri chéile air thùs mar bhuidhinn àrdachaidh do Cheltic Cholours agus chuir iad romhpa gum fuiricheadh iad còmhla. ‘S math an co-dhùnadh sin!

Chuala mi cuid a’ cantainn gur e “Còignear” a bhiodh ‘na ainm cheart agus is cinnteach gu bheil gu gràmarail ach cluinnidh mi iomadh duine aig a bheil Gàidhlig bho ‘n ghlùin a’ cleachdadh “còig” na àite “còignear” ann an cainnt nàdurra làitheil an t-sluaigh. Cleachdar an dà chuid gu cumanta.

Chuala mi iad an toiseach ‘nuair a chuir Raonaid Nic Dhaibhidh faidhle fuaime thugam gus an éisdinn rithe a’ seinn an òrain “Nach Muladach Muladach Duine Leis Fhéin” ‘is gun toirinn mo bheachd air a cuid Ghàidhlig dhi. Abair guth soilleir fonnmhor ‘is ceòl seòlta cinnteach! Thuirt mi rithe nach atharraichinn dad, gun do chòrd e rium glan.

A ‘s t-earrach ‘sa chaidh chuir iad amach a’ chiad chlàr-chruinne aca, “Five” do mholadh aona-ghuthach. Thog duine “for-bhuidheann” orra! ‘S dòcha gu bheil e ceart…

O chionn ghoirid, chaidh an ainmeachadh aig Duaisean Ciùil Tradaiseanta Cainéidianaich airson nan duaisean, “Clàr-cruinne Tradaiseanta na Bliadhna” agus “Buidheann ciùil Innealaich na Bliadhna”.

Chan eil na daoine seo ach beagan air tòiseachadh air an rathad a tha romhpa, ach cha chuireadh e iomgnadh orm, ma dh’ fhuiricheas ‘ad ri chéile, nam fàsadh iad gu bhith ceart cho ainmeil cliùiteach ris an Teaghlach ‘Ic Fhraing ‘s ri na Barra MacNeils.

Gun téid e ro mhath leò!

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If you haven’t heard the name “Còig” yet, I’m sure you will. This is a new musical group with four young people from Cape Breton and one from the mainland of Nova Scotia.

In the band are Chrissie Crowley, a fiddler from Margaree; Darren MacMullen from Hardword Lands on guitar, mandolin, whistle and banjo; Rachel Davis from Baddeck on the fiddle and singing; Colin Grant from Sydney on the fiddle and Jason Roach of Cheticamp on the piano.They were put together first as a promotional band for Celtic Colours and the decided to stay together. That was a good decision!

I’ve heard some say that “còignear” would be the proper name and certainly according to the rules of grammar it is, but I hear many naive speakers using “còig” instead of “còignear” in normal everyday speech. Both are used regularly.

I first heard this band when Rachel Davis sent me a sound file so that I could listen to her singing the song “Nach Muladach Muladach Duine Leis Fhéin” and give her my opinion on her Gaelic pronunciation. I heard a clear melodic voice and expertly skilled music! I told her not to change a thing; that I was completely pleased with it.

Last spring they put out their first cd, “Five” to unanimous praise. Someone called them a “supergroup”! Perhaps he’s right….

Recently they have been nominated by the Canadian Folk Music Awards for two awards, “Traditional Album of the Year” and Instrumental Group of the Year”.

These folks are just starting on the road that’s before them, but it would be no surprise to me, if they stay together, if they become as popular and renowned as the Rankin Family and the Barra MacNeils.

Good fortune to them!