Burns songs favourite performances

Subject: Burns songs favourite performances
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 02:01 PM

I'm having some friends round on Burns night and am looking for music to listen to while we eat. I have the Eddie Reader Burn's album but does anyone have suggestions of good recordings to look for?
love Robbie

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 02:11 PM

For unsurpassed singing of Afton Water, on my Decca LP [Hume, arrangement Sharples], it has to be Kenneth McKellar.
This 1959 LP, still amazing quality, has McKellar singing this beautiful Burns song like no other.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 05:18 PM

There are some great recordings by Ian Bruce, Andy M. Stewart and Rod Paterson, among others. Also, I think you can get Gill Bowman's Burns programme on CD. Have a look at the Greentrax website.
However, I wouldn't recommend Jean Redpath's recordings of the songs in their original settings. Much as I like her voice, that style of arrangement is definitely of a bygone age.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Alice
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 05:52 PM

I love Jean Redpath's recordings of the Burns songs.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Lighter
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 05:59 PM

Ewan MacColl on Folkways, "Songs of Robert Burns." It's been re-released by a Scottish company. Very spare and dramatic.

Earthier is MacColl's LP of Burns's "Merry Muses." That one may be tough to find.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 07:28 PM

Almost any recording will be an improvement on Big Edna Reader's. A fine singer and performer of modern songs but, lacks any true conviction or affinity with traditional styled and sourced material. My definitive compilation of Burns' songs would have to include, The Learig - Rod Patterson, John Anderson My Jo - Gordina McCulloch, Rattlin' Roarin' Willie & Now Westlin' Winds And Slaught'ring Guns - Dick Gaughan, Dainty Davvie & Raintin'Rovin Robin - Silvia Barnes, Braw Braw Lads O' Galla Water & Ae Fond Kiss, - Billy Ross, McPherson's Farewell - Auld Davie Stewart, Lady Mary Ann - Lizzie Higgins, Aye Wakin'O & What Can A young Lassie Do Wi'An Auld Man - Haether Heywood. Perhaps I'll make it a double CD.....

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Lighter
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 10:00 PM

Come to think of it, Jean Redpath's singing of "Go Bring to Me a Pint o' Wine" on her '70s LP "Frae my Ain Countrie" was, for me, an extremely moving performance. Simple and beautiful.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 01:13 PM

You might want to look into the Burns Society's projected "The Complete Songs" CD's. There are already a umber of them recorded, on the Linn label. They bring together many of Scotland's finest folk singers. Volume one has the late Tony Cuffe, Christine Kydd, Rod Paterson, Janet Russel, Billy Ross, and Ian F. Benzie. Subsequent volumes bring in many other singers. Some of Cuffe's old mates from Ossian provide accompaniment in Vol. one. I especially like Cuffe's singing of "When Rosy May Comes In Wi' Flowers," "Sweet Afton," "Ay, Waukin, O." Well, everything he sings is great, but those are favorite tracks of mine.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Pauline L
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 03:11 PM

I like both Andy Stewart's and Ewen MacColl's renditions. Stewart brings out the sentimental side of Buns's songs, while MacColl is more spare, varied, and dramatic.

When exactly is Burns Night? I want to celebrate, too.

Chanteyranger, can you give us a cite or link for the Burns Society's CDs?

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 05:28 PM

Tannahill Weavers did a few (Mary Morison, Lady Mary Anne, Deil's Awa Wi' the Exciseman, Tae the Weavers Gin Ye Gang). Dougie Maclean put out a Tribute CD a couple of years ago with his versions of songs by Burns, Tannahill and Niel Gow tunes (plus Hieland Harry and It Was A' For Our Rightfu' King from earlier albums). Andy M. Stewart put out a CD that was all Burns songs. Archie Fisher had a great version of Silver Tassie long ago. Dick Gaughan's "Now Westlin Winds" is a must as well.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 01:55 AM

Cluin, I love the Tannahill Weavers, and I have a lot of their CDs, including the one with Tae the Weavers Gin Ye Gang. Can you tell me which CDs have the other songs? I'm especially interested in The Deil's Awa Wi' the Exciseman. I play it a lot around April 15 as personal therapy. Next stop, Camsco Recordings.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 03:45 AM

Ian Bruce was mentioned earlier, and his album "Alloway Tales" is great. Try his website http://www.ianbruce.org/ and listen to a couple snippets. Highly recommended

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 05:26 AM

Pauline, "The Deil's Awa'..." is on their The Old Woman's Dance album. "Lady Mary Anne" was on their eponymous album from 1982, the same one "Tae the Weavers Gin Ye Gang" was on. "Mary Morrison" was on their Dancing Feet album. Also, they recorded "Auld Lang Syne" on Tannahill Weavers IV and "Ca' the Yowes" on their first album Are Ye Sleeping Maggie. Most of my TW albums are either on the Plant Life label or Green Linnet.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 07:27 AM

Pauline L, this is the site for "The Complete Songs of Robert Burns" set of 13 CDs. Number 12 is a double CD.   http://www.linn.co.uk
Highly recommended.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 07:36 AM

Thanks to everyone for the speedy responses; a lot of great performersand songs mentionned in passing. Burns night is Jan 25th. A google search for Robert Burns will quickly get you the Burns Country site which has loads of good stuff.
love Robbie

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: JulieF
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 08:47 AM

Re The Complete works of Burns. I was slowly collecting these until I went to Edinburgh at the end of May. FOPP ( Rose street and Cockburn Street) had most of the volumes at £7. So I went home broke and weighed down. For anyone in the area its worth a look to see if this is still the case.   They are wonderful albumns with more than the occasional gem.

J

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Matt_R
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 12:49 PM

I love The Cast's performance of "Auld Lang Syne," complete with Burns' original tune.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Willa
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 01:50 PM

Try this ink http://www.linnrecords.com/cd

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,nickr90
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 01:57 PM

Maybe not on subject if it is vocals you want

Alasdair Fraser,
Muriel Johnstone
& Natalie Haas,
Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle,
Vol. 2
(Culburnie, 2004)
Once upon a time there was a book called The Songs of Robbie Burns by James C. Dick. It was published over a century ago and it contained melodies the Scots poet had set his songs to, along with notes on the context of the music. In later times some of the songs became disconnected from the original melodies.

Now, in 2004, this trio of great musicians have set out to re-unite song and sound -- well, at least to give us the authentic melodies.

Over 21 tracks we are treated to a cornucopia of airs and dance tunes from Scotland of the late 1700s. These are the tunes that were being played and danced and courted to when America was gaining its independence, France was proclaiming fraternity and equality, and Ireland was having a bloody insurrection (which inspired a slew of songs still sung today).

Instrumental music is always more difficult to review, as I cannot give examples of lyrics. What I can tell you is that the playing and the freshness of the airs on offer here blew me away. We are so used to our modern music being so easy on the ear that we too often forget the melodious tunes that our ancestors played and listened to all those years ago.

Hearing tunes like "Muirland Willie" and "O'er the Muir Among the Heather," we can forget the harsh lives that people who loved this music lived over two centuries ago. With comprehensive notes and excellent playing, this is an album that will be treasured by academics, Burns fans and music lovers for decades to come.

There are also some beautiful illustrations in the insert.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Nick
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 02:33 PM

Ae Fond Kiss - Karen Matheson and Paul Brady from taransatlantic sessions 2

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 10:08 PM

Thank you, Cluin, Guest, and Guest nickr90. Hello, Camsco recordings.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 11:36 PM

The link given above to the complete Burns songs on Linn records didn't work when I tried it, so I'm redoing it, like this: http://www.linnrecords.com/cd_information/cd_information.asp?RecordingID=232

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: LadyJean
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 12:15 AM

Gordianna McCullough's "Highland Laddie", the ribald version, is very good.

When Jean Redpath came to Pittsburgh some years ago for an outdoor concert, we had a spectacular thunderstorm. I was one of the diehards who took shelter until it was over. Then Ms. Redpath came onstage and said, "You're a' daft!" and sang five of my favorite songs, including three Burns songs. That was my favorite rendition.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Boab
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 12:53 AM

For performance, authenticity and scope, the Redpath-Hovey albums have my vote too. Hope you still talk tae me Eddi!!

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 07:33 AM

Gilly Hewitt from Edinburgh is a great interpreter of Burns.
You can find her on folkscotland.com

all the best

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: gigix
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 06:29 AM

"Ae Fond Kiss" sung by Cyril O'Donoghue in his album "Nothing But a Child" is moving and surprisingly modern at one time.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:58 AM

As is usual on this site, a wonderful and informative thread. Personnally, I would not share Ard Mhaca's admiration for Kenneth McKeeler as a exponent of Burns or indeed anything tradional. A good tenor voice to be sure - but too mathematical and not enough variation. Hardly does jusrice to Burns as other tenors like John McCormack or Christopher Lynch.

But Ard Mhaca - the whole thing is subjective anyway !! Chacun a son gout!!

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 12:13 PM

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I remember seeing the Karen Matheson/ Paul Brady on TV. There was a lot of brilliant stuff in those Transatlantic sessions. In the Burns bicentenial there was a documentary with Dick Gaughan at a Burns Night celebration in Ayrshire. One of the most surprising and enjoyable contributions was from Maya Angelou who cited Burns as her earliest inspiraations. It never ceases to amaze me how far reaching the words of this man have been.
love Robbie

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 01:29 PM

CAMSCO Music carries the Linn set. Probably at the lowest price around.

If you wish to hear Burns sung as folk (rather than art ssong) it's got to be the best collection out there.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: ard mhacha
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 01:35 PM

Well Guest I respect your opinion, having a large collection of John McCormack I haven`t come across a recording of the great man singing Afton Water.
As a collector of Tenor recordings for many years I would like to hear your opinion of McKellars rendering of Afton Water, do make sure it is the Hume, arrangement Sharples recording, anyone I have passed on this version to have been high in their praise of McKellar.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Boab
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 11:34 PM

Anybody else who, like me, has been entranced by Sean Cannon's rendition of "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon"?

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:46 AM

He's been mentioned before on this thread , but there's n'ocht tae beat Rod Paterson.
The finest interpreter of Burns songs that I'v ever heard.
And that *includes* big Edna..............Ake

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,Com Seangan
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 07:40 PM

Ard Mhaca
Don't take me too seriuosly. It is just that I don't share your admiration of Kenneth McKellar as an interptreter of the spirit of Burns - but I do respect your informed opinions onother matters!

Re: Afton Waters. Maybe I was thinking of Flow Gently Sweet Afton.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,Com Seangan
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 08:21 PM

Akenaton
I respect you appreciation of Rod Paterson. But the man is not a traditional singer. His breathing is atricious. Sorry. I have nothing against theman. But I do love Burns.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 08:45 PM

Rod may not be a "traditional singer" in the sense of a Jimmy Mcbeath or a Belle Stewart,but he is a very fine interpretor of traditional songs,and his sensitive treatment of Burns work appeals to me.

I share your love of a great poet ,philosopher and satirist..Ake

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 09:34 PM

Akenaton I agree with you with regards to Rod Paterson, a quite beautiful singer of Burns' songs.
Seangan, "his breathing is atr(i)ocious"(?), I would think that that would be down to recording techniques, no?

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 01:23 AM

Rod paterson is another of the fine singers in the Linn CD series. It's all taste, but Paterson's interpretations appeal to me as they do to akenaton.

My all time favorite performance of a Burns song was in a live concert after one of Alasdair Fraser's Valley Of The Moon Scottish Fiddle school campouts. After each camp, the participants, all 150 or more, give a public concert in an auditorium in Santa Cruz, California. A few years back, Ed Miller was teaching Scottish songs at the camp. At the concert, he sang A Man's A Man for A' That, with a stunningly beautiful arrangement that Alasdair put together with the fiddle "orchestra." of students and instructors, backing Ed Miller. It was one of the most moving arrangements of a most moving song I've ever heard; something never to be forgotten. it has spoiled me to the extent that no other rendition of that song I've heard before or since measures up for me. Ed Miller is, IMO, a vastly underrated singer.

Pauline L, sorry I didn't see your question to me before, but glad to see you got an answer just the same.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Boab
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 03:35 AM

Re. Ken McKellar---almost unbeatable at those songs which are suited to a trained operatic singer---"My Love is Like a Red Red Rose", for instance. But the same fella learned a lot when he shared a t.v. series with Jean Redpath and Alastair McDonald.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: ard mhacha
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 08:00 AM

No problem Seangan, the correct title is Afton Water, and Boab I go back a long way and I remember listening to Kenneth McKellar on the Scottish Home Service in the early 50s, he had a half hour programme on Tuesday night 7-30, and I don`t recall Jean Redpath or Alastair McDonald ever appearing on the programme.
McKellars wireless shows were very popular in the north of Ireland.
Further to the above on looking through John McCormacks discography I found he never recorded Afton Water.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Boab
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 03:38 AM

Ard mhacha---you are going back a long way! Much too far. The series I mention was a fairly brief one, and while I cannot put precise dates on it, I know it was sometime in the early 1980s. I was resident in Irvine at the time, and didn't arrive there till '78.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 05:23 AM

Sorry Boab, McKellar had a BBC TV Programme during the 1960s, more recent?.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 08 - 02:09 PM

http://www.maurizioangeletti.org/

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: quokka
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 05:12 AM

There was a beautiful version of 'Ae Fond Kiss' sung by Gemma Hayes in a film called "A Love Divided" (Vision Films, 1999).

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 03:58 AM

MacColl made 2 LPs of Burns songs; 'Songs of Robert Burns' on Folkways (more recently released on Ossian) and 'The Merry Muses of Caledonia', a (very) limited issue on the Dionysus label (does anybody know of any other releases on this label? - I suspect it was a one-off).
IMO the 'Caladonia' album showed both Burns and MacColl at their best.
Bob Blair makes an excellent job of Burns (composed and collected) songs
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 12:37 PM

re

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: JHW
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 03:18 PM

Burns Night Tonight 25th Jan, a month after Christmas. Alas not out. I've usually sung somewhere, pubs village halls, once a Labour Club. Several recent years at Silsden, Yorkshire. Entry charge in aid of locals who go to Africa building schools. Church Hall do inc. meal etc. Haggis game to fit legs, tam o'shanter hat etc to your haggis per throw of the dice. Quiz, piper, address to Haggis handed out a verse per table to read out. JHW sings a few Burns songs. Jolly evening.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: pattyClink
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 07:15 PM

The list does not seem complete without Michael Marra doing 'Green Grow the Rashes'.

And I was delighted to learn of this fellow Rod Paterson, well worth the hearing.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 07:30 PM

One of the finest versions of “My Love is like a Red Red Rose” is the late Davy Steele’s. But I also love it sung to the older tune by Niel Gow (Major Graham of Inchbrakie) as you can hear on Sheena Wellington’s website.
I have the Rod Paterson album on tape cassette: yes, it’s that old, and can’t fault it.
Gill Bowman, yes, also a great interpreter of Burns songs, as is my friend, Gilly Hewitt, and also Sylvia Barnes.
And Dougie Maclean did some very nice versions of Burns songs on his album “Tribute”.
But, some of the best renditions I have ever heard have not been from famous people or professional musicians or folk who have made recordings, but just my own friends in informal sessions.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: JHW
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 06:54 AM

Rod Paterson singing any Burns song.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,James Phillips
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 10:09 AM

Jean Redpath's version of "Lady Mary Ann" is absolutely beautiful. Sergey Horvey's piano part weaves around and compliments the melody perfectly. I love much of their other Burns recordings too - my favorite are:

Lady Mary Ann
My Torcher's the Jewel
Amang the Trees
Country Lassie
Johnie Blunt
Sae Flaxen Were Her Ringlets
The Winter it is Past
Song, Composed in August (Now Westlin Winds)
The Belles of Mauchline
Tam Glen
The Mauchline Lady

They have been criticized for being a little "over orchestrated," and I agree, some of the orchestration is a bit much and almost whimsical at times. But on the other hand, many of them are really beautiful. Some of them piano parts have a bit of a fun "Peanuts" feel to them, which I like.

Barbara Dymock recorded a really nice version of Let Me in This Ae Nicht on her 2011 album "Hilbert's Hotel." Well worth a listen.

But I also like Ossian's version of Let Me in This Ae Nicht, Billy Ross's voice is perfect for it. Same with their version of Ae Fond Kiss, one of the best.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,James Phillips
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 10:11 AM

Oh and also forgot to mention Alistair McDonald - his versions of Green Grow the Rashes and Ca' The Yowes are really nice.

Subject: RE: Burns songs favourite performances
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 11:54 AM

McKellar 's rendition of many of Burns' songs is magnificent. I have to agree with Ardmhacha. My particular favourites are AFTON WATER, AE FOND KISS and MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED ROSE.

I rem reading once, somewhere, that Kenneth had been a protege of Robert Wilson. I had some old 78s of Wilson which included one of the last named song. I wonder if that record is on the internet, somewhere ?