Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band

Subject: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: Mike in Brunswick
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 09:55 PM

After 41 years. His replacement is Ewen Henderson, who sings and plays lots of instruments - fiddle, pipes, flute, whistle. Should be interesting to see where they go from here.

Mike

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: GUEST,Erich
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 02:52 AM

As far as I see, Alan was the last of the original Battlefield-members (or one of the founders I should say). So, can you still call them Battlefield Band??

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 05:16 AM

Playing lots of instruments doesn't replace Alan. Battlefield's identity was established through its brilliant songwriting as well as its musicianship. Alan and Brian McNeill wrote most of the band's best loved songs so, when Brian left, Alan's songwriting helped maintain the band's identity. A very hard act to follow.

Mind you, when Brian left everyone thought they couldn't survive, especially when they announced they were replacing him with a 17 year old fiddler called John McCusker......

Good luck to Alan and to the band.

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 08:46 PM

I tend to listen to their pre-1990 recordings, when Brian was still with them. Their live act after that did not always come up to my expectations though they were still (and probably will go on being) better than most other bands.

However, I'm looking forward to hearing Alan together with Rob van Sante in Germany later this year.

Best of luck to both outfits, the new-generation Battlefield Band and the old fogeys ...

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: stallion
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 06:58 AM

Yup Rob and Alan are doing a bit, Rob may also be joining us on the odd occasion, that will be fun.

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 06:36 PM

I'll be opening for the BB this weekend, so I'll ask if there are any original members left :0)

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 10:01 PM

To a certain extent I always thought Alan was the Battlers!

A remarkable character - enjoy your retirement Alan.

It can actually be quite fulfilling.

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: stallion
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 05:39 AM

Can't think Allan's retiring per se, just from the constant touring, Allan & Rob have been performing and recording together for some while now. Probably do more of it now without other committments.

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 07:26 PM

I had the good fortune to attend a BB show shortly after my release from hospital following a burst cerebral aneurysm.

Lasted tested the entire evening and the doc signed me off not long after. To be fair, he did have a query re my musical taste.....

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Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: GUEST,Kip Gardner
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 06:20 PM

Just saw the BB play last night in Peninsula, OH. Good show, but they are no longer the band I last heard play in VA nearly 15 years ago. It's clear that they are struggling to bring the dynamism of the song tradition I think the Band used to be known for - most of their performance were tunes. They will have a hard time maintaining the feel they had when Alan was the driving force & probably shouldn't try. I hope they develop a sound that's original & distinctive to the current lineup.

Best wishes to all of them

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: GUEST,Ian Gill
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 06:41 PM

Scotland's answer to the Bothy Band, I always thought. A wonderful live band, up there with the greatest of their generation. Great songs and arrangements of traditional songs, superb tunes, you always felt they knew exactly what they were about - because they did.

Subject: RE: Alan Reid leaves Battlefield Band
From: Bernard
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 06:09 PM

So... they have become their own tribute band...!