Today’s Video of the Day is a performance of ‘Black is the Colour’ by APOLLO 5 and arranged by VOCES 8’s Blake Morgan. The recording is the first single released ahead of APOLLO 5’s upcoming album Anam: Music to Move the Soul which will be out 24 January 2025 on VOCE8 Records. The album celebrates 15 years of the ensemble, and the Celtic music that founding member Clare Stewart grew up with.

The album’s release dates will coincide with traditional Scottish celebrations: prior to the album’s release in line with Robert Burns’ Night in 2025. For example, this new arrangement of the traditional ballad ‘Black is the Colour’ by Blake Morgan is released on 29 November 2024 ahead of St Andrew’s Day. On 27 December 2024 ahead of Hogmanay (Scots: last day of the Old Year) a new setting of Robert Burns’ poignant poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’ with a melody by Mairi Campbell and David Francis (arranged by Christopher Moore) and based on the original tune of c. 1700 will be released. 

Clare Stewart said: ‘If you asked me how I came to know the song, Black is the Colour, I don’t think I could pinpoint a particular moment when I became aware of it. Like many folk songs I find they are just there somewhere in your subconscious. Growing up in the west of Scotland there was a rich cultural world to draw from and folk ballads, fiddle tunes and pipe laments sat alongside classical, pop and rock in my musical upbringing. There’s something about this melody which perfectly reflects the words and meaning behind them.’

She adds: ‘I asked Blake Morgan to arrange the song, and he was thrilled, as he had loved the song as I had (his family has Scottish origins). Blake allows the melody to speak on its own at the opening, accompanied only by simple chords. The complexity of the arrangement unfolds with each verse, and it builds towards a dramatic climax of jazz harmonies. A truly unique take on a beautiful, haunting song.’