'Westruther harpist's new album hailed a masterpiece'

Taken from, The Berwickshire News. 9th January, 2008.

Phamie stars in Edinburgh event

BORDERS instrumentalist and composer Phamie Gow appeared on the main stage of the 'Night Afore' pre-Hogmanay bash held on December 30, in Edinburgh's George Street.
Phamie, who lived in Westruther but is now based in Spain, was the guest of Canadian maestro of the fiddle Ashley MacIsaac, described as 'the world's best fiddler', who introduced Phamie as a world famous musician. Phamie's ancestor Neil Gow, is regarded as the father of Scottish fiddle music.
Phamie has just returned from a successful tour of Canada and three weeks on Broadway, rounding off with concerts in Miami. While in New York she met up with Philip Glass, one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and friend of Paul Simon and David Bowie.
Phamie's latest album 'Moments of Time', a piano solo album of her original hand penned works, was featured on BBC Radio 3 in December and the album is scheduled to be featured on Classic FM.
She has been described by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC The Planet) as a 'young prodigy' who is a singer, pianist, harpist (acoustic and electronic), accordionist, whistle player, composer and producer. Still in her 20s Phamie already has four CDs under her belt, has performed with the likes of Carlos Nùñez, Alasdair Fraser, Davy Spilane (Riverdance), Eric Rigler (uillean pipest), Karen Matheson (Capercaillie), Phil Cunningham, Pete Seeger, and many more.
She is a previous winner of the 'Danny award' in Celtic Connections (1999) the 'prix de composition de la ville de Dinan' - composition award 2002 - France, and the Tap Water Award - 'best music act in the Fringe 2002' August 2002. Winner of the 'Matt McGinn' award 2003, 'Best newcomer'.
Phamie performed in Broadway, New York with many International artists including the living legend Pete Seeger. She was asked to play for the Dalai Lama, in a sell -out concert in Edinburgh`s Usher Hall to an audience of 2,500 people.
This young musician/composer has been commissioned for film, dance and theatre companies, has given many workshops in festivals and conservatoires around Europe. Her piano compositions have been used in university studies and concert halls, and Phamie is a part time tutor for piano at the Royal Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow where she graduated in 2001. One of Phamie's song was sung by the Young Traditional Musician of the year 2004, James Graham, and was featured on his debut album, Suibhal. Phamie also conducts masterclasses and workshops on how to compose.
Critics have described her second album 'Lammermuir' (Greentrax Recordings) as 'a masterpiece of Scottish music' (Willi Rodrian - Radio Lora. Germany), 'full of sparky originality and sends a tingle up your spine'. While they say of her third self produced album, 'Dancing Hands' that it demonstrates Phamie's full breadth and depth of musicianship.

Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2008