Help: Scottish folk songs

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 06:36 PM

Ewan, just before he died Muriel told me they were thinking of reissuing Hamish's autobiography (on which you did a great job, going by Hamish's style of talking!) in a different format, with more photos. Did that plan die with him? Would have been nice to have some songs included as well! Only today I was watching a video of him singing the Smokers Song at Tonder. Great performer!

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: The Celtic Bard
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 10:49 PM

Again thanks you guys.

Rebecca

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Pam
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:22 AM

I definately recommend the Linn Record 'The Complete Songs of Robert Burns'. Burns collected many of the old Scots songs and added words where words were missing. This collection is sung in folk style, none of your operatic stuff here, by some of Scotland's finest singers. You can get the CDs from www.towerrecords.com.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 05:37 AM

The tribute concert in Denmark for Alex Campbell was issued on CD, and has some remarkable stuff on it - some great and some not-so-great. Both Alex and one of my best friends Hamish Imlach were fantastic live performers, but people respond very variously to their recordings. Neither had the precision and pearshaped vowels that seem preferred these days, although Hamish himself was pear shaped. Hamish's autobiography, which I co-wrote with him, went out of print quickly and has not found a republisher. I'm currently considering offering it on the Net.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 11:54 PM

Sorry for the typo, Anglo. Check the calendar (Dec. 16) at fsgw.org for details on Mark Gilston's concert.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 08:33 PM

Yes, it would be great to see some Alex Campbell stuff on CD.

There's a couple of CDs available of the late Hamish Imlach including 'The Definitive Transatlantic Collection' on Castle/Essential ESM CD 522.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Lanfranc
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 06:15 PM

How can Alex Campbell have been missed out so far?

Alex made over 100 albums in his 30-year career, none of which have been released on CD as far as I know. Even a "Best of ..." compilation would be better than nothing. I would especially recommend his "Traditional Ballads of Scotland" album which Sweet Folk and Country records brought out in 1978. Seek out the vinyl, and join Allan Taylor and myself (at least) in the preservation of his memory.

Allan Taylor was involved in a tribute concert to Alex a few years ago in Denmark - see Allan's website on http://www.allantaylor.com.

Hell Yeah!

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: The Celtic Bard
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 03:17 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Thank you Thyme for the wonderful welcome. It makes me feel at home here at Mudcat.

Seany, I'd love to go to the Celtic Connections festival but Scotland is half a world away from Southern California! Some day, some day.

Thanks for the advice on Alex Beaton, Patty. I'll definately check that out.

Also, although the intent of this thread was to request Scottish folk bands, it seems like I have started an Irish-Scottish rivalry here. Not that I mind since I can play both sides because I'm half Scottish and half Irish. I guess I'll allow it to continue : ) because it makes me laugh.

Keep the suggestions coming!

God bless, Rebecca

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,PattyClink
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 02:39 PM

Alex Beaton is a Scottish balladeer with a rich, really good voice, and good collecting taste. I think he lives in California now so you might be able to catch a performance if you're based there.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: mousethief
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 02:12 PM

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Jean Redpath. Is she a nonentity in the field? Or just not atop everyone's fave list?

Anyway she has done a 7-volume (4 volumes on CD) collection of the songs of Robert Burns, the poet laureate of scottish folk song. My wife (a Scot herself, from clan Shaw) is wearing the acrylic off hers.

Alex

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: selby
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 01:57 PM

soodlum a music publishers did a book some years ago called 100 great scottish songs it was billed as the most popular combined scottish song book and cassette. The book has the songs in and the cassette has the first verses of the song. Highly recommended. Keith

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,john
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 01:49 PM

try this web site see if it helps http://www.ceolas.org/tunes/#index

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 01:28 PM

I've heard most of the singers and groups mentioned, may I respectfully suggest that anybody who has any interest in Scottish songs MUST hear Archie Fisher.Try his name in any search engine to get some of his stuff by mail order.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Seany
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 12:05 PM

If you are anywhere near Scotland then try out the Celtic Connections festival which takes place every January in Glasgow.

I don't think anyone mentioned Talitha Mackenzie or the Ian Campbell Folk Band (Dave Swarbick does the violin).

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Metchosin
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 03:42 AM

Another recpmmendation for Old Blind Dogs. Especially anything from the albums Tall Tails, Legacy and Close to the Bone.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Anglo
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 03:19 AM

That's probably Mark _Gilston_. Last I heard he was in Florida or somewhere. Is he moving to DC or is it just a visit?

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 12:15 AM

Mark Gilson's coming to the Washington, DC area soon. He plays a Balkan bagpipe made from a goatskin. I'm sure there's a bodhran joke on the Irish somewhere in that.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Luke
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 12:09 AM

Check out the "Tradition Bearers" label

The Living Tradition Magazine

[e-mail]

I met some of the folks at commonground music camp in Maryland last summer.

Brilliant really!

Luke

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Thyme2dream
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 11:49 PM

Welcome, Rebecca!! Have fun researching

Thyme

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: The Celtic Bard
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 10:12 PM

Wow you guys! Thanks!

Sorry I haven't replied in a while. My computer went a little haywire and I couldn't get on the Internet.

Oh and as you've probably gathered from the different title, I am now a member of Mudcat. In fact I just joined up yesterday. Horray for Mudcat!

Well, the list that I've gotten from everyone is pretty long and will keep me busy for quite a while. Thanks again.

For anyone who wants to know, I live in Southern California.

In the spirit of the Irish vs. the Scots I thought I'd include this little thought: The Irish gave the Scots the bagpipe and they still haven't gotten the joke yet.

I guess I should include one for the Scots since I'm mainly Scottish but I don't know any more.

Well, anyway. Thanks for all your advise and please keep it coming.

God bless, Rebecca

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Max Tone
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 03:46 PM

I'd seek out a stockist of Greentrax labelled CDs. Ceolbeg, Burach, Jim Malcolmn, and many others, both instrumental and vocal, with some modern tunes/songs, too.
Linn records Robert Burns collecetion, also, up to about volume 7 or 8, by now, with a huge selection of Scotland's top folkies guesting on various tracks.
Rob

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: DougR
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 01:20 PM

I can highly recommend a CD to you: "The Hills of Lorne," with Anne Lorne Gillies. It has some beautiful Scottish ballads on it, and she has a beautiful voice. I ordered mine through Amazon.com.

DougR

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Anglo
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 01:19 PM

Michael in Swansea just recommended Isla St. Clair. She has two recordings put out by the BBC, Tatties & Herrin', 1)The Land, and 2)The Sea.

I've only heard the first one, which is a concert/lecture on the history of bothy songs, songs of the "ploughboy laddie" and so forth. I found it very well done, extremely informative, nicely sung (a cappella) and, much as I like Capercaillie and the more pop Scottish folk music, a better introduction to what it's really all about.

In the US I think they're available from Andy's Front Hall, and as always Camsco can probably get them for you.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: BigDaddy
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 01:08 PM

Mary in Kentucky, be sure yoiu have Bonnie Rideout's "Celtic Circles" on your list. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 12:25 PM

Well, hell, where'd the URL in my message go?

Sorry, it was: www.tayberry.com.

Sometimes I oughtn't to push the "on" button...

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 12:20 PM

What timing! I'm currently making a CD wish list for the kids to give me for Christmas, and I've been searching for Scottish music, preferably instrumentals. This list should keep me busy for awhile! Thanks everyone.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 12:12 PM

Rebecca,

I can't recommend Old Blind Dogs enough, especially their "Live" album: Although I read in various places that they themselves are upset about its release (timing and arrangement, someone said somewhere), it has an 'edge' that is delightful. Excellent, tasteful arrangements, with lots of the good old "murder and mayhem" traditional songs. Every cut is a work of art in itself, and kudos ought to go to the sound man, who achieves a delicious balance.

Enough slobbering: carries all their CDs.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Calach
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 08:49 AM

All right, to list the above again would be crass, but here's a few that everyone seems to have missed .....
The Battlefield Band, Ossian, James Malcolm, The MacCalmans, Rock Salt and Nails, Wolfstone, Runrig etc...
Oh, and for the pict above... Definition of the Scots.. The Irish who had the sense to get out while they could!
Best of luck with your search....Calach.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 08:03 AM

Rebecca,

Try Isla St Clair, she's my favourite.

Mike

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Mac Tattie
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 08:02 AM

Check out www.folkmusic.net for loads of info and downloads.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Thyme2dream
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 04:05 AM

eeek...I knew it, can't ever get it ALL right in one post...I forgot to switch addresses, so the alba music blue clicky just leads to mudcat's main page...let me try again....(sigh

The REAL AlbaMusic clicky,I hope

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: Thyme2dream
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 03:59 AM

Good suggestions so far on this thread...I have learned a lot about Scottish folk from listening to Dick Gaughin and The Corries, who mostly do traditional songs. Dougie MacLean is wonderful as well...he does mostly his own original stuff, but he seems to already be deeply ingrained in the Scots culture (his 'Caledonia' is sort of an unofficial national anthem for Scotland.

Two bands I've not seen mentioned yet: The Tannahill Weavers (named I assume after Scotlands other famous poet, Robert Tannahill)and The Old Blind Dogs a relatively new bunch who are really fun!

To give you a taste of the LOCAL folk scene in Scotland itself, you can try this link:

AlbaMusic

or you can check in with Dougie MacLean's Taybank Radio

I don't know where you are located, but you mentioned having trouble finding Scottish folk songs on CD. Most Border's Bookstores here in the US carry the GreenLinnet label, which has CD's from many of the artists on this thread.

Finally, I expect that some of our Scottish 'Catters themselves will be along shortly to put their tuppence in...I had fun attending the last two Scottish Mudcat gatherings by mobile phone across the Atlantic, and those guys and gals seem to really know their stuff...they should do, they attend live folk sessions weekly!!

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: pict
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 02:33 AM

Ossian,Dougie MacLean,Arthur Johnstone,Catherine Anne MacPhie,Norman Kennedy,Gaberlunzie these are just a few names to check out but Dick Gaughan's Handful of Earth is my recommendation to get started with.C'mon Jock the Scots are just the Irish that could swim;)

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: john c
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 02:25 AM

I suppose the best starting point for things Scottish has to be the music of the much maligned Corries. Up to the time of Roy Williamsons untimely death, they made umpteen records and recorded practically every Scottish popular song worth singing. When they were good they were unbeatable, when they were´nt - at least you learned the value of C,F and G in traditional music! And they were responsible for Flower of Scotland......well, somebody had to be!
The absolute guru of Scottish music is Dick Gaughan. His records Kist of Gold and Handfull of Earth are among the best folk records ever. The same goes for Archie Fisher´s Will Ye Gang Love. Back on the popular front, The MacCallmans have been pretty prolific over the years and are a good source of trad. Scots stuff.
Of course there´s a lot more - electric, acoustic, unaccompanied, instrumental......much better than Irish music (not that Im biased *ggggg*).
Lang may yer lum reek,
Jock.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 02:09 AM

Check Dick Greenhaus's CAMSCO for recordings, and 'The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection', 7 volumes, with the 8th (index volume) due next month from Mercat Press.

Subject: RE: Help: Scottish folk songs
From: alison
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 01:51 AM

Rebecca.. check out anything by Capercaillie.....

they do a lot of upbeat stuff.. but Karen Mathison has a beautiful voice and sings a lot of Scottish love songs and ballads... many in Scots gaelic...

if you like Irish.. I reckon you'll like Scottish.. there isn't an awful lot of difference (I expect others will disagree), apart from instrumentation..... more accordions and bagpipes for Scottish.. and the variety of tune types.....

if you want a fantastic Scottish song writer with any amount of love songs and ballads.. check out Andy M. Stewart....

slainte

alison

Subject: Scottish folk songs
From: GUEST,Rebecca
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 01:43 AM

Although I've been into Irish folk music for a while, I recently started pursuing an interest in Scottish folk music. Unfortunately almost all of the CDs in the music store feature only instrumental bagpipe music. I like that kind of music but what I'm really looking for are the ballads, love songs, rebel songs, etc., e.g. songs with actual words. Are there any groups out there that actually sing Scottish folksongs? Also, what is the difference in sound between Irish, Scottish, and English folk music? I mostly listen to Irish but I've heard a few Scottish and English folksongs. However, I don't know the difference in style or use of instruments. Please help. -Rebecca