One of Dundee's best loved singers, Sheena Wellington, has donated a limited edition boxset charting the career of, Michael Marra, another of the city's favourite musicians, to Lochee Community Library.
The edition is one of only 250 boxes produced, a collaboration between Eddie Summerton, DOJ City Audio Print Publishing and Assai Records.
The limited edition box includes a 200-page hardback, full colour book focusing on Michael's archive of artworks and handwritten songs. The book gathers the voices of 14 writers connected by a shared song, story, love and life - Val McDermid, Jim Crumley, Anna Newell, Brian Cox, Frank Gilfeather, Lesley Riddoch, Andrew Wasylyk, Lorraine Wilson, Loudon Wainwright III, Martin McCardie, Phill Jupitus, Roddy Woomble, Saint Andrew, Gerry Hassan and Liz Lochhead.
It also features a publication illuminating Peggy Marra's 'never seen before' collection of over 35 years of newspaper cuttings reviewing Michael's fascinating stage life, a booklet featuring a Michael Marra and Saint Andrew song collection, with handwritten notes and translations by Michael and Saint Andrew. A full colour poster of the legendary Frida collage, and a signed full colour poster of Calum Colvin's artwork for the Candy Philosophy album cover from the set have now been framed and displayed on the Library walls.
Duncan Falconer, Library and Information Officer at Lochee Community Library said,
"We were delighted to receive this beautiful document and archive of one of Lochee's favourite sons, which is available for all to delve into. The two spectacular prints are already adorning the walls with fresh colour."
Sheena Wellington said,
"Leisure & Culture Dundee's one copy of this amazing limited edition was in the Central Library. It just seemed wrong to me, though, that Lochee Library, so important to Michael throughout his life, did not also have a copy. As another one of Lochee's bairns, I am delighted to make sure they now have one of their own."
Peggy Marra, wife of Michael, said
"Michael's family are delighted to have this multi media boxed set which features their archive of Michael's work. It is particularly poignant to now have a box available in Lochee, where Michael grew up. We are grateful to everyone who made this happen. Special thanks to Sheena Wellington."
Michael Marra was one of Scotland's foremost cultural figures. Known as the "Bard of Dundee," his work over more than four decades often transcended the folk music scene, leading him to work with artists including Van Morrison, Deacon Blue and Barbara Dickson.
In 2007, the University of Dundee awarded him an Honorary Degree for his contribution to Dundee's cultural scene. He died in October 2012.
The donation follows the launch of the boxset last year at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum, where stars from the music and literary world shared an evening of celebration and song with Michael's family and friends.
Pictured L-R are Peggy Marra, Sheena Wellington and Duncan Falconer