The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #78945   Message #1432808
Posted By: Dita
11-Mar-05 - 11:56 PM
Thread Name: Records you're Still Looking For
Subject: RE: Records you're Still Looking For
Alba, there are a number of groups called Contraband, some even spelt with a K. Given your name my guess is it's this one your after.

The one that issued the self titled album was a Scottish folk rock band featuring Mae MacKenna, George and Billy Jackson, John Martin, and one or two others.

They issued their only album around 1970 on the Transadlantic label. There was also a single, "Lady for Today" (written by Rosie Hardman).
The material was a mixture of Trad and singer songwiter "covers."

After the band broke up Mae continued to record solo, George, Billy and John formed Ossian. George founded Iona records, Billy (now William), wrote and recorded Harp music, and John formed Easy Club and also played with the Tannahill Weavers.

I imagine that Castle Communications own the Masters as they seem to have the Transadlantic labels back catalogue.

The LP comes up on ebay uk reasonably regularly, sometimes for a lot, sometimes for a little, just your luck. I don't think that a CD has been reissued, but might be wrong.

I'm writing this from memory, but if you need more details let me know and I'll reply with the album in front of me when I get home.

The main other Contraband is a rock/blues outfit who've beem around since the 70's. Type Contraband CD into Google and you'll get lots of hits on them.

John