Eilidh Mackenzie is a solo artist but in the band Mackenzie sings alongside her sisters Gillian and Fiona.
Influences
My biggest influence will always be my Dad, especially in the Achiltibuie/Lochinver/Gress ceilidhean with Uncle Kenny, Marlene and Joan. Grew up with Radio nan Gaidheal constantly on in background, so good diet of the Lochies, Dena Graham and Na h-Oganaich to get me started. But also love listening to Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, Rufus Wainwright, Simon and Garfunkel, the late Oliver Schroer, Bruno Coulais, Anna Meldrum, Fiona Mackenzie, Julie Fowlis, Kathleen MacInnes, Rachel Walker, Jenna Cummings, Arthur Cormack, James Graham, Calum Alex MacMillan, Meantime, Mini-meantime, Doch-Moch, Mary Smith, Canntaireachd, Rona Lightfoot, the Glenuig Macdonalds, The Roches, Blair Douglas, Clare and the Reasons, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Eddi Reader, Lisa Hannigan and the wonderful Michael Marra
The songs above are three off the new album, Bel Canto, which follows the story of Ann Patchett's award winning novel of the same name. "Chan eil cuimnh am" features my sisters Gillian and Fiona Gress on backing vocals; Gentle Kisses has the wonderful Anna Meldrum (aka Kitty the Lion) on lead with me on backing and Reidhphort, written for my Uncle Kenny, is sung as a duet with the fabulous James Graham. I hope you all enjoy them.
Bel Canto (published 2001, Harper Collins) is a beautiful novel and weaves its way through the universal themes of love and music, identity, communication and language. I took the story and transferred it to Gaelic Scotland. Once upon a time there was a girl who swallowed a bird...and to hear the rest you'll need to read the novel and listen to the CD......
A Gaelic singer and songwriter brought up on the Isle of Lewis and now living on the Black Isle, near Inverness, Scotland.
Hi Eil. Congratulations on your interview with Julie on radio last night. You were great - and the songs were fantastic! Can't wait for the release of Bel Canto next week. Great to get your Comment - the FIRST on my own page! Which does say something about how often I'm on MySpace! Maybe this is the start of a new phase in my cyberspace existence! Don't even know if this message will appear in your Comments or in your MySpace e-mail box. Loads of love from us both. Shenoch (alias Dad/Rod/Shen)
Mòran taing, tha sinn uile gu math a nisde, ach bha mi le pleurisy aig àm na Nollaig agus a dìreach a faighinn seachad air an t-seachdain'sa. Bha sinn thall ann a Leodhas airson na Bliadhn' ùr, agus bha e cho math a bhi comhla ris an teaghlach air fad.
An dòchas nach bi e ro' fhada mus coinnich sinn a rithist.
4 the add 
