The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #173636 Message #4212196
Posted By: Johnny J
23-Nov-24 - 07:21 AM
Thread Name: Irish but Not Scottish Sessions. Why?
Subject: RE: Irish but Not Scottish Sessions. Why?
Also, many of the artists appearing on these shows are much maligned and there was actually a lot of good music. It was more the production and tartan image which was to blame.
We had many good folk singers of their time e.g. Joe Gordon Folk Four, The Corries, Robin Hall and Jimmy Macgregor to name but a few.
Andy Stewart was actually a very good bothy ballad singer and impressionist although his image on the show was that of a "tartan" musical hall act.
Jimmy Shand was a prolific composer of Scots tunes and had a vast repertoire. He started off on melodeon but was great button box player albeit in "strict tempo".
Ian Powrie who appeared regularly was an excellent fiddler and composer. I could go on.
Alongside the WHC, we also had the Scottish Folk Revival with lots of great talent emerging. Arhie Fisher, Barbara Dickson, and a young Aly Bain to name but a few.
Unfortunately, the media did do our music a great disservice. Even although there was good music to be found on WHC and other programs such as Thingummyjig, many people were indeed "scunnered" by the presentation and production.