DTStudy: The Dark Island

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 06:51 PM

Yes Geoff, though not quite accurate.. the quality of information changes over the years. The short TV series was made in 62, though there was a repeat showing in '63. Later in '69 the radio series came out.   all that has been pretty well covered in screes of previous discussion. My father's version doesn't really straight fit the tune, which has led to some horrible crashes when people try and sing his words to the more familiar one. There are fine lyrics which have been written by a number of people, and each have different qualities, same with the instrumental which is obviously beautiful on its own, and covered ad infinitum.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,Connor
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 09:02 AM

I used to listen to this tune on an old 78rpm my grandmother had back in the early 1960s. It was an accordion instrumental with seagulls in the background, and no lyrics. I wish I could have rescued her old records after her death, but someone just got rid of everything.

I feel it predated the 1963 version by a way simply because 78rpm was dead by them.

That's the version I hear in my head and I can hear the differences in EVERY other version I come across. I just cannot find it anywhere.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 10:13 AM

If there was a 78 version someone will have catalogued it.

The Yale site on 78s says some were still made in the 1970s, though perhaps not Scottish ones. The latest 78 I've seen (and still have) is probably one of Jewish cantorial music by Rabbi Hershel Heisz of Glasgow - design of the cover looks early 1960s to me.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 10:19 AM

GUEST,Connor: Did the tune you listened to have a title you recall??

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,O' Conner.
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 02:40 PM

There was no instrumental with seagulls, pre 1962. It was used as the theme for the TV series and only became 'Dark Island' in 1962. It did NOT exist on record until after the BBC TV series. If you actually read the thread you will learn. Dr. Mackay's Farewell to Creagorry as it was previously named, was never recorded before that point. Lyrics were added after the TV series appeared in 1963. Anybody who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves with a false memory. I have many legal papers that give these details, and it is accepted fact - also you can find the broadcast listed in newspapers and radio times. You can also trace the recordings through many of the old record discography sites. The Scottish tune 'Dark Island' did not exist in fixed form pre-1962 -1963. The dubbing of seagull sound effects fitted the South Uist theme, and you can hear it on the radio version. That kind of dubbing of sound, effects on Scottish music wasn't very common until that point.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,Guest Rossey - oops!
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 02:54 PM

Sorry, I put my name in wrong on that last entry above, as I was so annoyed by the tosh that had just been spouted about it being on an old 78...unless it was a foreign one certainly NOT anything pre 1962-1963. About the first single I know of was Ian Powrie's 1963 recording of the BBC TV instrumental theme on HMV. The Alexander Brothers did a well known instrumental version with seagulls for PYE records in the mid 1960's.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: meself
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 03:27 PM

Friend Rossey - everything to do with this tune/song is clearly close to your heart - but don't you think you were unnecessarily harsh in your response to someone else's reference to a fond childhood memory - however 'false' or otherwise inaccurate? The poster was clearly not criticizing you or the tune/song; he was seeking help in finding a recording that, in your authoritative judgement, does not exist - at least, not in the way the poster remembers it. Your indignation seems excessive.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 03:48 PM

People don't actually bother reading. To be honest, I think you'd be hard pushed to find any Scottish records with dubbed on sound effects until the 1960's. It just wasn't used on Scottish accordion instrumentals. I think Joe Meek (Telstar etc.) kind of stirred producer's imaginations, plus then tracking technology came into common currency in studios. My father recorded a 1965 single of the 'Mingulay Boat Song' with seagulls, and waves lapping in similar vein to the Alexander Brothers recording of the Dark Island from the same period. A picture in sound - it was fashionable and a novelty. But its not something that would have been used on early 78's. it just irritates when people come up with a perceived memory which is physically impossible.. to imply that recordings existed before it was ever issued under the title, as the TV series from which it gained its name was only broadcast in 1962.   A time machine would have been required!

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,Ang
Date: 29 Jan 20 - 02:20 AM

Hi again, FYI I have written a song, lyrics and melody, so far the only person who has heard a bit of it is my piano teacher. In the hope of preventing this kind of discussion, please advise me what I need to do next. (obviously it's going to go viral, ha ha).

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 29 Jan 20 - 09:06 AM

Well, as soon as you write it, and you have it down. Make sure you have dated evidence.. post a copy to yourself.. and keep it sealed. Register it with copyright agencies (if you have enough works to join), or assign some rights to a publisher. Keep any press clippings, recordings, interviews and anything to do with the songs, so you can prove its origins, One problem is when something becomes popular, it takes on a life of its own. We live in a viral media age and worldwide copyright is a control problem. It doesn't take long for a song to become taken by others to be traditional, particularly if there is no-one protecting it. It's all a catch 22, you want something to be popular and enter the public consciousness - but as soon as you do, it means other people may take it, intentionally or not. Anyway, this one belongs in its own thread..of copyright protection.   Dark Island as an instrumental, was a confusing one, due to the title being changed, and having been played for at least a few years before being physically recorded and used as the theme for the 1962 TV programme. Then all the hassles arose over competing parties writing lyrics to it afterwards.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 20 - 05:03 PM

Thanks for the advice Rossey, will send a few copies to myself ASAP and will keep it to myself until I have used it for my play.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: The Dark Island
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 20 - 06:43 PM

It's a nice tune which we've played in our sessions for donkey's years, never knowing it had words, he said innocently...


Sue me!