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26 Oct 13 - 09:06 PM (#3570362) Subject: Fifesing: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Joe Offer In September, I took a two-week tour of Scotland led by Jim and Susie Malcolm. Jim and Susie ensured that we sang all the time were were on the bus, were nourished properly with daily haggis and a Dram a Day of single malt Scotch, and that we had a concert from a different performer every evening. When I got home, I couldn't get enough Scottish music, so I consulted my music guru, Dick Greenhaus, for suggestions. Dick recommended the Fifesing series from Autumn Harvest Records. You can find samples of these recordings on Soundcloud, https://soundcloud.com/fifesing. There are eight Fifesing CDs available now:
Follow the links I've posted, and you'll find great album notes, and lyrics to almost all the songs. Good stuff. |
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26 Oct 13 - 09:13 PM (#3570365) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Joe Offer Fifesing, The Fife Traditional Singing Festival, is held annually on the weekend following the second Wednesday in May. Dates for 2014 are: Friday - Sunday 16, 17, 18 May 2014 Can anybody tell us more about this festival, and the recordings? -Joe- |
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27 Oct 13 - 04:16 AM (#3570404) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Anne Neilson The person you want to speak to, Joe, is Pete Shepheard: although English by birth, he studied at St Andrew's university in Fife and has lived in Scotland all these many years since. He was interested early on in traveller singers and tradition bearers and founded the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) almost 50 years ago, along with the Blairgowrie Festival, and has been promoting the music ever since. He also runs a record label -- Springthyme. Together with Tom Spiers and Arthur Watson (formerly of the great Aberdeen group The Gaugers) they began singing several years ago as Shepheard, Spiers and Watson and the Fifesing weekends sprang from this collaboration. The recordings were all made by Tom and the current squad of organisers include two other fine Fife-based singers, namely Chris Miles and Jimmy Hutchison. The weekend itself is based in Collessie country park, which has camping facilities and a restaurant on site, but as the venue is relatively small -- just the right size for such a lovely singing event -- it's always advisable to book in advance. Hope that helps. |
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27 Oct 13 - 06:58 AM (#3570438) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Gutcher I noticed recently that the Collessie country park is on the market. The present owner, like those of us who return year after year, enjoyed the singing weekend. One would hope that any new owner would continue to host the event as the location and facilities are excellent for an event of this nature. Joe. |
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28 Oct 13 - 12:40 AM (#3570653) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Joe Offer Thank you, Anne. You answered a lot of questions for me. The Springthyme/Autumn Harvest Records Website is one of the best I've seen. It gives first-class information about every song on every recording. -Joe- |
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29 Oct 13 - 04:35 AM (#3570978) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Tattie Bogle Worth also mentioning that the guest list at each Fifesing includes not only singers from all parts of Scotland, but from England, N. Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and the USA, all with a specialised knowledge of the songs and traditions of their area. Another annual traditional singing event in Scotland is the Cullerlie Traditional Singing weekend in Aberdeenshire, in July, based at the Cullerlie farm park. The programme there also includes the chance to take part in rural crafts, as well as plenty of singing. It is arranged from the Elphinstone Institute at the University of Aberdeen. |
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05 Dec 14 - 04:46 AM (#3682691) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Joe Offer There are eight Fifesing CDs. The most recent one was recorded in 2011. Are there plans to release recordings from the more recent festivals? -Joe- |
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07 Dec 14 - 02:07 PM (#3683336) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Tattie Bogle You could try emailing Pete Shepheard: his e-address is on the Springthyme Records website. They always record live at the Fifesing events. |
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25 Apr 15 - 02:23 AM (#3703967) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Joe Offer The Fife Traditional Singing Festival is Friday - Sunday 15, 16, 17 May 2015. I see that Anna & Elizabeth will be there (Anna Roberts Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle). I'm sure they'll do America proud. http://www.springthyme.co.uk/fifesing/ Still no new recordings since the 2011 FifeSing. I'm eagerly waiting for more. -Joe- |
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25 Apr 15 - 10:39 AM (#3704072) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST Me too, Joe - they've been a real treasure trove. Sadly I can't make it to this year's event, but hope to catch Anna & Elizabeth somewhere else during their UK stint, their cd is magic (see review on Fatea website) !! |
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25 Apr 15 - 11:04 AM (#3704084) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Anne Neilson Just to re-iterate, the Fife Traditional Singing Festival is now located in the historic town of Falkland. |
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17 May 15 - 02:45 PM (#3709495) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Tattie Bogle So that's it for another year. I only went to parts of it, but enjoyed those bits I did see, and yes, Elizabeth and Anna were very entertaining. Loved their "Crankies"! (NOT to be confused with the Scottish Krankies.) I also enjoyed the talk given by Arthur Watson and Pete Shepheard, illustrated with songs and pictures: Songs and Ballads with Scottish Landscapes. I asked Pete about the recordings, Joe, but they have not recorded the event for the last few years: it was a mammoth task, no doubt, all the editing and production side of it. So no more CDs beyond your last purchases. |
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18 May 15 - 07:06 AM (#3709642) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Fred McCormick This weekend was my first time at Fife and it certainly won't be the last. Not only were the guests superb, but so was practically everyone else who contributed. In fact over the whole weekend, I can't remember hearing one duff singer or one duff song. |
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18 May 15 - 08:59 PM (#3709849) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Tattie Bogle Wish I'd known you were there, Fred! Often seen your posts, but didn't see your badge! Didn't get to sing myself other than joining in the choruses, but wasn't there for the sessions. |
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19 May 15 - 05:53 AM (#3709930) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Fred McCormick Tattie Bogle. Yes, I remember you saying you were going and meant to keep an eye out for you and then forgot. If it's any help, for part of the weekend, I was wearing a bright red T shirt with the message "Sack Esther McVey" emblazoned across the front. Watching the Wicked Witch of Wirral West, as she's known around these parts, go down in a plume of smoke, was one of only two things which prevented me from committing suicide on election night. The other of course was the magnificent landslide which the SNP acheived on the road to complete independence. It's coming yet for all that. |
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19 May 15 - 06:16 AM (#3709936) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Joe Offer Oh, Tattie, it's sad to hear there won't be more recordings. The ones I have are certainly wonderful. I would think that Falkland would be a perfect site for the festival. What a pretty town! -Joe- |
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20 May 15 - 03:02 PM (#3710357) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: Tattie Bogle Yes, very historic town, with numerous lovely buildings, not least of which being Falkland Palace. Looking forward to going back at the end of June for the Falkland Music Festival which will be into its 3rd year, I think.: organised by the same good people who used to do Auchtermuchty in August. (Auchtermuchty no more as far as the folk music part is concerned.) Fred, I think I've got you! Can't be many others there who werre wearing THAT T-shirt! And Joe, hope to see you soon when you visit Scotland. |
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21 May 15 - 06:41 AM (#3710546) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Fred McCormick Tattie. That's me. Seen it. Done it. Worn the T shirt. And I'm glad to say that I played a small part in the downfall of the dreaded Esther. I didn't know that Falkland hosts a traditional music festival, as well as Fifesing. Can't make it this year, it's the same dates as the English Country Music Weekend. But who knows what next year may bring. |
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21 May 15 - 07:02 AM (#3710556) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Fred McCormick Hi Tattie. Just a quick afterhought to the above. Do say hello to Margaret Bennett for me. |
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21 May 15 - 09:50 AM (#3710609) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar I and Linda had what was undoubtedly our best Fife Singing weekend, the fourth we have been at. Fred I will see Margaret on Saturday 30th at her Perth sing around, and will pass on your message. Ewan |
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22 May 15 - 06:12 AM (#3710866) Subject: RE: Fifesing CDs: Fife Traditional Singing Fest From: GUEST,Fred McCormick Ewan. Thanks. |