Paisley Abbey concert is a sell-out for Karen and Gaelic choir

Feb 2 2009 by Andrew Newport, Paisley Daily Express

DESCRIBED as the “finest Gaelic singer alive today” Karen Matheson celebrated Burns in her own inimitable style at Paisley Abbey.

A sell-out crowd enjoyed the haunting vocals of the Capercaillie vocalist, who was joined by the Glasgow Gaelic choir for a spectacular event which celebrated the life of Scotland’s National Bard.

Singing for the first time in the town’s historic Abbey, she was delighted to perform in the famous building in front of a packed house.

The concert marks the town’s celebration of Homecoming 2009.

Council leader Derek Mackay, said: “Paisley Abbey is a fabulous setting for concerts and we may look at making this the first in a series of gigs on the historic site.

“The arts and culture scene in the town has been thriving recently and our aim is to continue to build on that success.”

The concert also featured a specially commissioned string section and musicians James Grant Anna Massie and Ewen Vernal also appeared alongside the Capercaillie vocalist.

Widely recognised as the haunting vocals of the Celtic super-group Karen, was given an OBE in the 2006 New Years Honours list, an astonishing achievement to add to her award of “Best Gaelic singer” from the inaugural Scottish folk awards – just two of many plaudits earned from a career which began with her performing as a child in her local village hall on the West coast of Scotland.