Dual in Scottish Gaelic and Irish means to twine, braid, interlace or coil. It also means one's inheritance. The perfect word to describe this collaborative exploration of traditional Irish and Scottish music by Eamon Doorley, Julie Fowlis, Ross Martin & Muireann NicAmhlaoibh Julie Fowlis, the leading Scottish singer and musician who has achieved international acclaim for her work, presents a new collaborative album with Irish singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and renowned musicians Éamon Doorley and Ross Martin. All four artistes have been touring and the album is the culmination of several years working together. Said Julie: "The four of us have performed material entirely in Irish and Scottish Gaelic including instrumental music. We also do tours together whenever we can find time. We have been busy in the studio for the last few months and are now delighted to announce that we have a new album. It is called 'dual' a word which means to interlace, twine or braid, and can also mean one's inheritance. The word means the same in both Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The album looks at the ancient links and strong similarities between the music and song of Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, plus of course the differences that have developed over the years. The recording of the album was great, but compared to others, it was quite an intense experience as we only recorded it in a matter of weeks in June!" Singer and musician Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh said: "When we met we realised that I'm the Irish version of Julie and she's the Scottish version of me! We first met and performed together in 2004 at the Danish Tonder Festival and went on to form a firm friendship and a strong musical connection. We realised there is just so much we could share, musically and traditionally through the language. Both Irish and Scottish Gaelic are essentially the same so after a short time getting our ears tuned to each other, we talk away no problem. The album is slightly different material than we've ever played before. We used to play a Julie song and then a Muireann song, but now we've been blending the music together and really bringing it to life as a team." Review A cosily intimate affair, the aural equivalent of a quiet night in with a bottle of wine and a roaring fire... And it's adorable. - **** -- Mojo Magazine, January 2009 With exquisite playing from Eamon Doorley (fiddle and bouzouki) and Ross Martin on guitar. a lovely, intricate piece of Celtic tradition. -- Neil Spencer, The Observer, 16/11/08