I Like ...

 

When you talk to Alyth McCormack she very quickly gives a sense of someone who knows the things which have shaped her personally and as a performer.‘Growing up in Lewis I listened to anything from traditional Gaelic singers to pop and classical music with a bit of Jazz thrown in too thanks to my Dad. I think that eclecticism has stuck with me. ‘When I went on to college I discovered another world. Satie, Debussy, Sibelius and the like.
‘My ears were further opened further by artists like Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams. I loved their minimal approach and found it influential in my own arrangements on my first solo album ‘An Iomall - The Edge’. The idea behind their work, and one I adopted for An Iomall, was that of spacious arrangements, in my case to let a song breathe, to let my voice and the words do the telling and riff patterns to support.

I love Eddie Reader for her beautiful voice and her ability to use it - especially her ‘Mirmara’ album. Its also been a pleasure having the chance to work with her.

That childhood eclecticism is still working its magic. Alyth is a fan of artists such as Kurt Weill, Keith Jarret and Norma Waterson. She loves Blazin’ Fiddles with their amazing energy as much as she does big choral pieces
like Vaughan Williams’ ‘Sancta Civitas’, She is equally enthuiastic about Aaron Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring’, U2, Coldplay, Kate Bush and can’t wait to see Snow Patrol live. Her father’s love of jazz has also stuck and she glowingly talks about singers like Liane Carrol and Sara Vaughan.

Like many artists of her generation she is not constained by fashion and her vocal talent undoubtedly carries some of the flavour of the Opera singers she admires. Alyth talks animatedly about Montserrat Caballe’s recording of ‘Chi il bel sogno’ from La Rondine;‘She can make the sound of that top note feel like a snowdrop falling from a leaf.’ There’s more than a little of this in Alyth’s own delicate delivery.

When asked what initially sparked her love of performance Alyth tells us:
‘I loved music and performing, taking ballet lessons, singing in the local choirs and the end of Year School shows. I think initially I had a strong voice and that got me singled out for solo singing and it just took off from there.’
Early experiences of theatre also played their part; ‘When I was seven I went to see Doyle Carte’s ‘Yeomen of the Guard’ with my folks in London. At the end of the scene when the Jester realises he won’t marry the Princess he sang the song ‘Lady Lady’ with such sadness I was out of my seat shouting ‘NNNNOOOO’ at the top of my voice. My mother didn’t have a chance to grab me. I’m afraid I haven’t lost that ability to become involved!’

At the age of 8 she saw Bill McCue play the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the playhouse in Edinburgh and when the cast began the opening number 'Tradition' she instantly fell in love with musical theatre. She had the great pleasure of meeting Topol himself backstage in London in 1994 when he reprised his role. She was already a fan of musical films one of her only two nicknames being 'Clamity Jane'.

Teenage visits to the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford were important moments as was her introduction at a young age to Pinter. When we add all these influences to Alyth’s strong Hebridean roots its easy to see how her future would be formed in this cultural melting pot. Creativity surrounded the young Alyth, with both parents having a passion for writing. ‘My Dad is working on a book right now’, says Alyth.

She is an unashamed supporter of Scottish writing. She reels off the names her favourite authors and poets
with the same animation she has for her msuical idols. Hamish Macdonald, Kevin Macneil, Edwin Morgan,
Aonghas Macneacil and Anne Frater are among her favourites.
‘These are just a few, but they are all storytellers and I love stories. I like to be moved: to be made to think.
Growing up in a small, remote community at the mercy of the elements and the sea you become so acutely
aware of how what’s around you affects you. This consciousness seems to be lost by many people especially if
they live in the city. I don’t want to lose it.’

So how does Alyth unwind? Unsurprising, the same passions that inspire her work fill her leisure hours:
‘Like most folk I love escaping - take me to the theatre, cinema, or suggest a good book and I’m happy. I love
entering other worlds. I get very involved. Ask anyone who’s been to the cinema with me. I know it’s only a film
but I can’t help it.

‘I also don’t want to lose myself so I started running two years ago and have been at it ever since – it is
addictive – and great for the head too. If I don’t see you at a gig or in the theatre I might whoosh by you on the
street – well, make that a gentle jog.‘And finally, good red wine, champagne, horses, cosy nights in when it’s raining outside, warm sunny days and my man.’

Interview by Andy Paterson.