The Music Gatherer

2012-02-10T13:24:00.002Z

I created this blog to draw attention to some of Scotland's forgotten musicians and folk groups, featruing records from my collection which were long out of print and which weren't likely to see the light of day again. I did not intend to deny people their rights, and I certainly never intended to profit in any way from other people's work. However, relatives of dead artists have contacted me and, as a result, these treasures will go back into their attics and cupboards and remain unlistened, their creators unheard of. Sorry.

Ian Powrie: At Home (1988)

2012-01-02T19:45:00.000Z

Ian Powrie: At Home (1988)

01 Ian Powrie's Comps to Sir Thomas Wardle/Jimmy Shand's Welcome to Corrieburn
02 A Lass from Glasgow Town/Lunan Bay/Mary Shaw
03 Sir Kenneth Alexander/The Clan McColl
04 Mrs Hamilton of Pencaitland
05 Scotty Wilson/Donald MacLellan of Rothesay
06 Jimmy and Mickie
07 The Wild Flowers of Barra
08 Highland Cathedral
09 Gaelic Reel/In the Gloamin'/Tigh Na Gorm
10 Mackworth/Kemmel Hill
11 Catherine & John Fraser's Diamond Wedding
12 The Old Scottish Waltz
13 Kenny Thomson's Comps to Ian Powrie/A Tribute to Stan Hamilton/Peerie Willie
14 Ellenbrook/The Black Boy/Georgina Catherine MacDonald/C M Hall
15 Annie's Song/Country Roads/Thank God I'm a Country Boy
16 The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain

Powrie emigrated to Australia twice, once in the 1960s and once, I think, in the late 1980s. This was recorded while he was back on home soil in Strathearn, Perthshire, in his farmhouse with his old musical partners Jimmy Blue and Mickie Ainsworth on accordions, and Dave Barclay on bass.

Unavailable

Jimmy Shand & Ian Powrie: When Auld Friends Meet (1974)

2012-01-02T19:26:00.004Z

Jimmy Shand & Ian Powrie: When Auld Friends Meet (1974)

01 Jimmy Shand's Comps to Ian Powrie/10th HLI Crossing the Rhine
02 Big Dougal/Margaret's Fancy/Carnie's Canter
03 79th's Farewell to Gibralter
04 The Bonnie Isle of Gletness/Sunset Over Foula/Rona's Voe
05 The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering/Lord Elgin of Broomhall
06 O Gin I Were a Baron's Heir
07 St Andrew's Parade/Harveston Castle/Breadalbane Reel/Bobby Watson
08 Bill Black's Mirk/John Stephen of Chance Inn/Ian Powrie's Comps to Willie Hunter
09 MacLean of Pennycross/Sprig of Ivy
10 Soft Lowland Tongue/Annie Laurie/My Nannie's Awa'/I Lo'ed Nae a Lassie But Ane
11 Aunice Gillies's Farewell to Loch Gilphead/John Bain Mackenzie
12 My Ain Folk

Two giants of the Scottish dance scene collaborate on an album of great tunes, great music. There are solos by both, but most tracks are band efforts.

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Fiddle Magic (1992)

2011-12-25T13:13:00.000Z

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Fiddle Magic (1992)

One of Ron Gonnella's final recordings comes from 1992 and consists of a selection of traditional Scottish tunes plus a few of Ron's own compositions.

01 My Love She's But a Lassie Yet/Davie, Davie Nick Nack/The Rose Tree
02 My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose
03 I Lo'e Nae a Laddie But Ane/My Wife's a Winsome, Wee Thing/The Prince of Wales' Jig
04 Thistle of Scotland/The Gallant Weaver/Bluebells of Scotland
05 Lochnagar
06 Duke of Perth/Lass of Gowrie/The Bridal
07 Rev Archie Minto's Faewell/Janet Leckie's/Elizabeth Donaldson's
08 Aikey Brae/Bessie Bell and Mary Gray/Bonnie Brier Bush
09 Barbara Bruce of Upper Cairnie/Kinloch of Kinloch/Aldridge's Hornpipe
10 Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre/The Scottish Horse/Janet Duncan's 92nd Birthday
11 Kilmarnock/Wiltshire
12 The Minestrone March/The Spaghetti Strathspey/The Ravioli Reel
13 Jock o' Hazeldean/Comin' Through the Rye/The Bonnie Wells o' Wearie
14 Highland Laddie
15 Dunkeld Hermitage Bridge/Doon the Burn Davie/Crieff Golf Club Centenery Reel
16 The Queen's Vist to Morrison's Academy
17 Bert Gonella's Jig/Bob and Anne's Strathspey/Lizzie Duncan's Fancy
18 Scots Wha Hae/Auld Lang Syne

Unavailable

Saut-Herrin': A Barrel o' Saut-Herrin (c.1989)

2011-12-19T18:41:00.000Z

Saut-Herrin': A Barrel o' Saut-Herrin (c.1989)

01 Royal Scot Polka/Laddie Wi the Plaidie/Petronella
02 O Gin I Were a Baron's Heir
03 Margaret's Waltz/Tombigbee Waltz
04 The Broch Salmon Bothys
05 Coulters Candy
06 Si Beag Si Mhor
07 Chairlie Oh Chairlie
08 Mrs Mcleod's Reel/Kate Dalrymple/Duke of Perth/Kemnay House
09 Yellow On the Broom
10 Come to the Bower/Banks o' the Roses/Wha Saw the 42nd
11 Fareweel tae Tarwathie
12 Earl of Mansfield's March/Loch Maree Island/Aitken Drum
13 Dark Island
14 Rattlin' Roarin' Willie

A five-piece folk group from the Moray Coast (Burghead and Lossiemouth to be precise) who performed mainly for charity. Sandra Borthwick (guitar, vocals), George Pratt (banjo, mouth organ), Jim Eckford (mouth organ), Iain White (Northumbrian pipes, whistle, mandolin) and Dan Ralph (fiddle, vocals) recorded one album that I know about, the self-published "A Barrel o' Saut Herrin'" on cassette (n.d.)

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: The International Friendship of the Fiddle (1988)

2011-12-19T18:09:00.000Z

Ron Gonnella: The International Friendship of the Fiddle (1988)

01 BBC Echoes: Kelvin Grove/Glasgow Highlanders/Murdoch McPherson's March
02 Cape Breton Ceilidh: The Master of Barga/Campbell's Road/The High Bridge Jig
03 Hector MacAndrew Favourites: Mrs Jamieson's Favourite/Sir David Davidson of Cantray/Gillan's Reel
04 Congratulations All Round: Neil & Rhona Gonnella's Silver Wedding/Donna's Wedding March
05 Sounds of Strathearn: Strathearn/The Strathearn Herald Reel
06 A Touch of Gaelic: Fil/O/Ro/Brochan Lom/Lord MacDonald's Reel
07 Bonnie Dundee: Bonnie Dundee/Elliot's Fancy/Dundee City Police Pipe Band
08 The Boston Tea Party: Niel Gow's Farewell to Whisky/The Beaux of Oak Hill/Mrs MacLeod
09 Jimmy Shand Special: Ron Gonnella's Comps to Jimmy Shand
10 The Strathspey King: Flower of the Quern/Professor Blackie/Marie's Hielan' Lad
11 Scottish Dance Music Corner: The Provost of St Vigeans/The Corner House
12 The Canadian Connection: John Beckwith's Ye Banks and Braes/The Lime Hill Strathspey
13 Fiddlers Two: The Shakkins o' the Pocky
14 My Friend Adam Rennie: Sir Torquil Munro/Elizabeth Donald, Moss-side/Bill Sutherland
15 New York, New York: June & Harry Goldenberg's Air/Staten Island
16 The Music of William Marshall: Kinrara/Duke of Gordon's Birthday/The Morayshire's Farmer's Club

Fiddler Ron Gonnella played fiddle to great acclaim all around the world.

Doonload

Blackeyed Biddy: High Spirits (1990)

2011-12-19T16:16:00.001Z

Blackeyed Biddy: High Spirits (1990)

01 Jim McAllister's Jig/Mairead Nicoll of Drumossie/Temple House
02 Ballad of Sawney Bean
03 Come By the Hills
04 Morar's Silent Beauty/Dunkeld Oaks/Jacqui's Day/Bass Through the Window/Reconciliation/Musical Priest/St Anne's
05 CM Barbour/Fiddlin' Around
06 The Cobbler
07 Christine McRitchie
08 Santiano
09 A Man's a Man For A' That/Winding Up the Piper

For their second recording Blackeyed Biddy regulars Lionel McClelland and Kris Koren were joined by Gregor Lowry on accordion, making this the most instrumental of their output. The band are working well together, resulting in a very fine album from 1990. This is a rip from a cassette tape.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Blackeyed Biddy:
Blackeyed Biddy: Guid Niebours (c1984)

2011-10-16T00:15:00.000+01:00

Ian Powrie: His Fiddle and his Friends (1975)

2011-10-15T21:53:00.001+01:00

Ian Powrie: His Fiddle and his Friends (1975)

This is a tribute to Scottish fiddler Ian Powrie, who died last week. Powrie was born in 1923 at Strathardle, near Blairgowrie in Perthshire. His father, Will Powrie, was an accomplished melodeon player, and recorded several excellent sides for Beltona during the early 1930s, and some with his very young son Ian in 1933. At age twelve Ian was playing in his father's dance band, but on piano accordion! In 1949 he formed his first band, this time playing fiddle while his brother Bill played accordion.

01 Flowers of Edinburgh/Spinning Wheel
02 A Piper's Prayer
03 Miss Laura Andrews/Ian Powrie's Compliments to Angus Fitchet
04 The Music of Spey
05 Soir de Paris
06 Arran Hills
07 Millbrae/Mickie Ainsworth/The Dawn Hornpipe/Jean's Reel
08 Loch Maree/Ian Powrie's Compliments to Sir Thomas Wardle/Murdo's Wedding
09 Leila/Massacre of Glencoe
10 Mrs Ian Powrie of West Kirkton/Angus Fitchet's Compliments to Ian Powrie/Lady Charlotte Campbell
11 Beverley Wood
12 McNeil of Ugadale/Mr and Mrs Alec Ross
13 The Earl of Dalhousie
14 Waltzing Matilda

Front and back covers included

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: Burns Night (1977)

2011-06-12T13:36:00.001+01:00

Ron Gonnella: Burns Night (1977)

The eighteenth century Scottish poet Robert Burns loved fiddle music and composed many songs to Scots fiddle tunes. Ron Gonnella has compiled a collection of the original tunes which Burns used and presents them in his usual exquisite way.

01 Bonnie Wee Thing/Comin' Through the Rye/It Was Upon a Lammas Night
02 O, Wert Thou In the Cauld Blast/Here's to thy Health/My Love She's But a Lassie Yet
03 Awa' Wi' Your Witchcraft o' Beauty's Alarms/Last May a Braw Wooer/Over the Seas and Far Away
04 I Am My Mammy's Ae Bairn/Killiecrankie/O How Can I Be Blythe and Glad
05 Ay Waukin O
06 Does the Haughty Gaul Invasion Threaten/I Gaed a Waefu Gate Yestreen/On Cessnock Bank
07 Phillis the Fair/Duncan Davidson/Duncan Gray Cam' Here to Woo
08 My Love Is Like a Red, Red, Rose/Ca' the Ewes to the Knowes/Sir John Cope Trode
09 John Anderson My Jo/Green Grow the Rashes O/Willie Brewed a Peck o' Maut
10 My Wife's a Winsome Wee Thing/O Kenmure's On and Awa Willie
11 O' A' the Airts the Wind Can Blow/Saw Ye Bonnie Lesley/First When Maggie Was My Care
12 Flow Gently Sweet Afton
13 There Was a Lass and She Was Fair/Lovely Polly Stewart/The Joyful Widower
14 A Man's a Man For A' That/The Farewell/Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot

Unavailable

Thulbion: Twilight Bound (1994)

2011-06-11T21:03:00.000+01:00

Thulbion: Twilight Bound (1994)

This album was released under the Thulbion group name, but it's really Judi Nicolson's show, her excellent fiddling dominating the sound from start to finish. Originally from Banchory, Judi Nicolson (nee Judith Davidson) was recognised as one of Scotland's finest fiddlers from an early age; indeed she won the 1979 Junior Golden Fiddle award at the age of twelve, and the senior award three years later. She is joined on this recording by her husband Ian Nicolson (accordion), Tom Anderson's pianist Violet Tulloch, and Andrew Tulloch (guitar), who was a member of the highly successful Shetland group Hom Bru.

01 King's Reel/The Perfect Host/Boys of Portaferry/Trad Reel
02 Twilight
03 St Gilbert's Hornpipe/The Fiddler's Wife/Chromatic Hornpipe
04 Annie
05 John D Burgess/Major Nickerson's Fancy/Dick Gossip's Reel
06 James F Dickie/J F Dickie's Delight
07 Sheilis
08 Branden's Centenniel Waltz/Waltz for Mary Ann/Raemona
09 Gravel Walk/Andy Renwick's Ferret/Old Mountain Road
10 Time for Thought
11 Theodore Napier/The Laid o' Mackintosh/The Earl of Lauderdale
12 Little Daisy/North King Street/Lady On the Island
13 Killavil Reel/Far From Home/Paddy On the Turnpike
14 Loretta
15 Frank & Maureen Robb/Grew's Hill/Duncan Black's Hornpipe/The Doon Hingin' Tie
16 Eele's Dream

Unavailable

Judith Davidson: Going Places (1983)

2011-06-11T20:15:00.001+01:00

Judith Davidson: Going Places (1983)

Judith Davidson from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, first appeared on a record when she won the Junior Golden Fiddle Award in 1979, and she went on to become a major talent in Scottish fiddling, winning the senior Golden Fiddle Award in 1982 at the age of 15. Her recorded output has not been overwhelming; I believe that this album and 1994's Twilight Bound are all that's available (plus a single track on 1979's Golden Fiddle Awards). She lived on Shetland for a number of years, where the legendary Willie Hunter described her as the best youngster he had ever heard. There she met accordionist Ian Nicolson, got married and the couple now live and teach music in Texas.

This is first-rate stuff and very difficult to get hold of.

01 Calum Donaldson/Debbie's/Violet's Fancy/Ian Robertson's
02 Paddy O"Rafferty/Glasgow Police Pipers/Kenny Gillies, Portnalong
03 J O Forbes of Corse/The Hawk
04 Swedish Wedding March/Swedish Reel
05 Caledonia's Wail for Niel Gow
06 King Geo V's Army/Traditional Reel
07 Mt Michie/South of the Grampians/John McNeil's Reel
08 Pigeon On the Gate/The Train Journey North
09 Lament for Abercairney/Auld Willie Hunter
10 Bobbie Cuthbertson/The Braes of Melinish
11 Judith Davidson/Loch Rynoch/Kate's Coming O' Age/Eugene Stratton
12 The Brig o' Feugh/The Marquis of Huntly/Mrs Forbes Leith
13 The Blackberry Bush/The Ghlass-Ault/Drumlithie
14 Dean Brig o' Edinburgh/Madam Neruda

Unavailable

Drifterfolk: All Kinds of Folk (1976)

2011-05-29T17:23:00.000+01:00

Drifterfolk: All Kinds of Folk (1976)

The second and, I believe, final album from this group, this is less "folky" than the first, featuring some strange choices among the folksongs.

01 Coat of Many Colours
02 Rambling Boy
03 Evermore the Biplane
04 Ballad of Glencoe
05 Gallowa Hills
06 The Land I Love So Well
07 Cotton Fields
08 Jinkin' Geordie
09 Bringing In the Sheaves
10 Highland Queen
11 Goodbye Again
12 Fiddlers Green

Unavailable

Drifterfolk: Reflections (1974)

2011-05-29T17:18:00.000+01:00

Drifterfolk: Reflections (1974)

Drifterfolk formed in 1969 and recorded two albums in 1974 and 1976. They were John Williamson (vocals, 12-string guitar), David Robertson (mandolin, bouzouki, vocals) and Sandy Gillon (vocals, guitar).

01 The Piper o' Dundee
02 Tiree Love Song
03 Spanish Lady
04 Sheriffmuir
05 Mursheen Durkin
06 Streets of London
07 Reflections
08 Cam Ye O'er Frae France
09 Mingulay Boat Song
10 The Fiery Cross
11 Johnnie Cope
12 The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie

Unavailable

Various Artists: Songs of Scotland (1981)

2011-05-29T17:09:00.001+01:00

Various Artists: Songs of Scotland (1981)

An odd one this. Published in 1981 by the 1314 Club of Dundee, a branch of the Scottish Nationalist Party, in aid of medical research, it featured three musical acts. Craven were Arthur Dryden (vocals, guitar) and Ian Dryden (vocals, 12-string guitar); Killiecrankie were George Boag (vocals, 12-string guitar) and Tom Berry (bass, guitar, keyboards, strings, vocals); the second side of this EP featured Elizabeth (Elizabeth Berry, vocals) with two bizarre tracks. I haven't come across any of these artists in other circumstances.

Unavailable

Drinker's Drouth: Bound to Go (1984)

2011-05-28T18:02:00.000+01:00

Drinker's Drouth: Bound to Go (1984)

01 The Exile Song
02 Johnny Sangster
03 The Bonnie Light Horseman
04 When Charlie Tae the Highlands Came
05 Lord Marlborough
06 The Soutars o' Selkirk:The Died Cat
07 The Sodger's Return
08 Private William Coffey
09 I'se the Bye
10 The Ploughman
11 Bound to Go

The second album from Drinker's Drouth from 1984. Jack Aitken (vocals, bouzouki, guitar), Dave Black (vocals, mandolin, fiddle), Tony Dougan (vocals, guitar), Brian Dougan (lead vocals) and Davy Steele (lead vocals, guitar, banjo), with Martin Hadden (bass guitar, harmonium, synthesiser) and Graham Bingham (side drum).

Unavailable

The Bog Cotton Reel Band: End of the Road (1991)

2011-04-25T15:29:00.000+01:00

The Bog Cotton Reel Band: End of the Road (1991)

This is an example of community music-making. On the Island of Coll in the Scottish Hebrides (population 160), six musicians record material they'd performed at ceilidhs and concerts since 1990. They were Julia Thompson (vocals), Mike Taylor (fiddle, guitar), Rodger Mann (keyboards), Ron Davies (drums, vocals), Patrick Rutherford (guitars) and Heather Price (saxophone).

01 New Ashludie Rant/Auld Ireland/Stool of Repentance/Mucking of Geordie's Byre
02 Dumbarton's Drums
03 Goodnight and Joy Be With You/Bottom of the Punch Bowl/Lass o' Patie's Mill
04 The Water Is Wide
05 Margaret's Waltz/Emily's Waltz
06 I Bhi Ada/Hugaibh Oirbh/'S Ann An Ile
07 Sarah
08 Dashing White Sergeant/Seige of Ennis/Spanish Ladies
09 Senair's Song
10 The Navvie/The Liverpool/Sherwood Rangers
11 Indiana
12 The Illegal Immigrant's Waltz/Tennessee Waltz
13 Cock of the North/Hundred Pipers/Jeannie's Blue E'en/Lannagan's Ball

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: A Tribute to Niel Gow (1978)

2011-04-23T20:43:00.001+01:00

Ron Gonnella: A Tribute to Niel Gow (1978)

Quite simply a treat for anyone interested in Scottish fiddle music. Ron Gonnella plays the music of the Gow family and associates, recorded in the ballroom of Blair Castle, where Niel Gow would have played more than two centuries ago. Sit back and drink in excellence.

01 Atholl Volunteers/Francis Sitwell/Landlady of Inver Inn
02 Lament for his Brother/Mrs Chisholm of Chisholm/Inver Lasses
03 Prince Charlie's Quickstep/Lady Charlotte Bruce's Fav
04 Cam Ye By Atholl?
05 Dunkeld Volunteers/Niel Gow's Second Wife/Lady MacKenzie of Coul
06 Lady Ann Hope's Fav/Mrs macDonald of Clan Ranald/Mrs MacDouall Grant
07 Miss Margaret Brown's Fav/Miss Rae of Eskgrove
08 Niel Gow's Comps Returned to Mr Marshall/Niel Gow's Strathspey/Hon James Ramsay's Reel
09 Earl of Dalhousie's Happy Return to Scotland/Niel Gow's Recovery/Duchess of Buccleauch's Favourite
10 Flora MacDonald's Lament/Sir Geo Clerk of Pennycuik/Ayr Races
11 Lady Mary Hay's Scotch Measure/Lady Mary Ramsay/Largo's Fairy Dance
12 Caller Herring
13 Lady Dorotheas Stewart-Murray's Wedding/Lady Charlotte Murray's Favourite
14 Miss Lucy Johnston's Compliments to Niel Gow/The Duchess of Atholl's Slipper/Miss Clementina Loughlan

Front and back covers included

Unavailable

Ron Gonella Plays the Fiddles of Gow, Marshall and Skinner (1982)

2011-04-19T22:18:00.001+01:00

Ron Gonella Plays the Fiddles of Gow, Marshall and Skinner (1982)

An intriguing concept, this: Ron Gonella plays the compositions of Niel Gow and his family on Gow's own fiddle, the compositions of William Marshall on his own fiddle, and James Scott Skinner compositions on one of the fiddles belonging to the 'Strathspey King'. The music is first class - Gonnella in his prime - and I believe this is a rather special album. The first tracks on both sides have some surface damage; I have cleaned them up considerably (digitally), but there is still some noise.

01 Introduction by Duke of Atholl
02 Niel Gow's Fiddle/Duke of Atholl's Reel/Mrs MacDouall Grant
03 Niel Gow's Lamentation for Abercairney
04 Sir Walter Scott/Pennycuik House
05 MacPherson's Lament
06 The Countess of Dalhousie/Admiral Nelson's Hornpipe
07 Cam Ye By Atholl/Here Awa There Awa Wandering Willie/Bessie Bell and Mary Gray/Flora MacDonald's Lament
08 Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of his Second Wife
09 The White Cockade/Mount Stewart House/Miss Mary Douglas
10 The Duchess Tree/The Kirrie Kebbuck/E M Ross's Welcome to Kiltarlity Cottage
11 Miss laura Andrew/The Laird of Drumblair/Bonnie Banchory
12 Ashton Gonnella of Shreveport, Louisiana/Loius Gonnella of Muirhead
13 Ron Gonnella's Homage to the Gows, Marshall and Skinner
14 Miss Gordon of Park/Miss Hannah's Jig
15 Lament for Sir Harry Niven Lumsden
16 Capt Cameron's Volunteer's March/The Marchioness of Huntly's Jig/Craigellachie Lasses
17 Mrs Major Stewart of the Island of Java/The Deil Among the Mantua Makers

Front and back covers included

Unavailable

Talisker: Saving Up for a Transit (1995)

2011-04-17T19:57:00.000+01:00

Talisker: Saving Up for a Transit (1995)

The first - and I think the only - album from Scottish folk group Talisker, about whom I know almost nothing. They were Kirsty Leavey (vocals, bodhran, keyboards), Jennifer Milne (fiddle), John Davidson (vocals, guitar, flute, whistles) and Nick Hanley (bouzouki, guitar, vocals). Davidson was in The Skelpit Lug ceilidh band (based in Linlithgow) before Talisker, and in the late 90s he and Hanley formed a blues duo, and then the Sourmash Blues Band. More recently, John formed the Perthshire-based Tarnybackle (http://www.tarneybackle.co.uk/), who have released at least three albums and are still going strong today.

01 Both Sides the Tweed
02 Brenda Stubbert's Reel
03 MacPherson's Rant
04 I Once Loved a Lad
05 Roseville Fair
06 The Blacksmith/The Merry Blacksmith
07 Baron's Heir
08 My Youngest Son
09 Bonnie Lad Ye Gang By Me
10 Niel Gow's Farewell to Whisky
11 Green Grow the Rashes

Covers included

Unavailable

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.4 (2011)

2011-04-16T12:13:00.001+01:00

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.4 (2011)

Another compilation of odd tracks from LPs and radio programmes featuring some less well known Scottish fiddlers.

01 Alexander Bain: 74th's Farewell to Edinburgh/Lady Madeline Sinclair/£10 Fiddle
02 Angus Fitchet: The Dying Year:The Autocrat
03 Donald McAllister: MacPherson's Farewell
04 Douglas Lawrence: Lament for Harry Lumsden
05 Fiona Leggat: Prince Charlie's Last View/Niel Gow's Wife/The Old Reel
06 Gillian Yellop: Edgefauld House/Craigellachie Bridge/Donald Stewart the Piper
07 Ian Powrie: Kenny Thomson's Comps to Ian Powrie/A Tribute to Stan Hamilton/Peerie Willie
08 Pibroch MacKenzie: Highland Barn Dance
09 Bill Macpherson: Miss Stewart of Grandtully's Strathspey & reel
10 Robin Williamson: Stirling Castle
11 Angus Fitchet: Melody for Jim McFarlane
12 Jack Lindsay: Bonnyrigg Chase/Bobby Colgan/Morag's Reel
13 Betty Henderson: Lament for Archie Beaton
14 Betty Henderson: The Master Stroke

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Fiddle Master (1980)

2011-04-14T21:38:00.001+01:00

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Fiddle Master (1980)

The late Ron Gonnella taught at Morrison's Academy in Crieff, Perthshire, for many years. When he wasn't there he was travelling the world playing Scottish fiddle, recording albums, and performing on radio, stage and dance halls. His great love was the music of the Golden Age of Scots fiddle, typified by the compositions of Niel and Nathaniel Gow, Robert Mackintosh, William Marshall and Joseph Lowe. Although there are pops and crackles and the odd jump on this vinyl recording, the music shines through.

01 Annie Laurie/Miss Barstow's Reel/Miss Robertson
02 Bert Gonnella's Jig/Lizzie Duncan's Fancy
03 Dandie Dinmont/Sir David Davidson of Cantray
04 Miss Campbell of Saddell/Miss Sophia Campbell's Reel
05 Willie Smith/The Morrisonian Strathspey/James Millar, Bullionfield
06 Durisdeer
07 Herbie MacLeod's Hornpipe/Ron Gonella Comps to Senator Robt Byrd of W Virginia
08 Miss Mary Lee's Delight/Miss Marianne Oliphant/Hon Mrs Maule's Reel
09 Johnny Faa/Miss Agnes Loudon/Rachael Rae
10 Prince of Wales/Sauteuse/Jamie Gow, Crathie Bellman
11 Bonny Aboyne/Mr Eager's Strathspey/Miss Sandra Webster
12 Jamie Lyall/Willie Blair/Rut Bell's Reel
13 Miss J Rose's Reel/Mrs Oswald of Auchincruive/The Good Doctor
14 Willie's Fair, and Willie's Rare/Flowers of the Forest
15 Miss Gray of Carse/The Fife and Forfar Hunt's Fav/The Forfar Hunt

Front and back covers included

Unavailable

Lomond Folk: Blended Scotch (1976)

2011-04-13T17:08:00.002+01:00

Lomond Folk: Blended Scotch (1976)

The Glasgow duo of Robin Campbell and Donald Brown on what I believe is their second album from 1976. They are joined by Alex Hutton (mandolin, banjo, fiddle), Archie Duncan (accordion), John Henery (string bass) and Jimmy Grossart (drums, percussion).

01 The Haunted Single End
02 Massacre of Glencoe
03 Isle of Dreams
04 Sergeant, Where's Mine?
05 The Sarry Heid
06 Scots Wha Hae
07 The Whisky Chorus
08 That's Glasgow
09 Friends
10 Bonnie Dundee
11 Drinkin' Willie's Rum
12 When Children Were Young

Front and back covers included.

Unavailable

Lomond Folk: Flower of Scotland (1974)

2011-04-12T23:00:00.001+01:00

Lomond Folk: Flower of Scotland (1974)

Lomond Folk were Robin Campbell (born c1944) and Donald Brown (born c1948), a Glasgow-based duo who sang fairly standard folk fare and some self-penned songs. They met in 1962, but it wasn't till 1967 that their mutual interest in folk music led to the formation of Lomond Folk. As well as touring Scotland, they were the hosts of the Black Bull folk club in Milngavie for five years. This was their debut album.

01 Cam Ye By Atholl
02 Carles of Dysart
03 The Water Is Wide
04 The Canongate
05 Come Sail With Me
06 Rattlin Roarin Willie
07 Farmyard Medley
08 Flower of Scotland
09 Piper o' Dundee
10 Land of Dreams
11 Bonnie Glenshee
12 Shades of Amber
13 The Deil's Awa Wi the Exciseman
14 Sad Goodbye

Front and back covers included

Unavailable

The Viking Country Dance Band: Orkney Goes Dancing (1965)

2011-04-12T20:31:00.000+01:00

The Viking Country Dance Band: Orkney Goes Dancing (1965)

An EP published by Phoenix Recordings and recorded in the Phoenix Cinema in Kirkwall, Orkney. The band's line-up was Allan Anderson (accordion), Jim Anderson (accordion, piano), Robin Bain (bass), Hugh Inkster (Stroh violin), Brian Findlay (guitar) and Linay Linklater (drums). According to the sleeve notes, the band were known all over the mainland of Orkney. Fiddler Hugh Inkster was recorded a few times and pops up on some interesting albums later on, from the Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society (recorded in 1976) to School of Scottish Studies recordings and a Smithsonian Folkways album of 1979.

01 Roxburgh Castle/Wind That Shakes the Barley/Inver Lasses
02 The Balintore Fisherman/The Royal Scots Polka
03 Bonnie Dundee/Jackson's Jig/Kenmuir's On an Awa
04 Meeting of the Waters/Gledaruel Highlanders

Unavailable

The Crofters (Aberdeen) (1969)

2011-04-12T19:49:00.004+01:00

The Crofters: The Crofters (1969)

As far as I know, this was the only recording from this Aberdeen-based group, released on the Beltona Sword label. The Crofters were husband and wife Bill Christie and Eileen Christie, and Frank Robb, and formed in about 1969 for a talent contest in Aberdeen. The instrumentation is vocals, guitars, fiddle and harmonica. There is no connection to the Edinburgh group of the same name (see this post).

01 Bottle of Wine
02 The Roving Ploughboy
03 Drunken Sailor
04 The Last Thing On My Mind
05 Crawlin'
06 Whiskey In the Jar
07 Killiecrankie
08 Roddy McCorley
09 Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go
10 This Land Is Your Land
11 I Never Will Marry
12 Tear Down the Buildings
13 Johnny Cope
14 We Shall Not Be Moved

Front and back covers included.

Unavailable

The Crofters (Edinburgh, mid-1960s)

2011-04-03T15:28:00.002+01:00

The Crofters, pictured above singing at the YMCA in central Edinburgh, 1966. Pictured left to right are, Steve Brown (banjo, vocals), Pat Ledgerwood (lead vocals), Aly Fraser (vocals), Sandy Scott (mandolin) and George Anderson (guitar). Based in Edinburgh, they performed for about three or four years, made a demo recording, and appeared on the radio, but no official recording was ever released. Pat Ledgerwood went to live in Canada, and still sings. Steve Brown is still in Edinburgh, retired, and is learning penny whistle. No connection to the Aberdeen-based Crofters (see this post).

Cruachan: Traditional Music and Song (1987)

2011-02-14T15:23:00.001Z

Cruachan: Traditional Music and Song (1987)

01 Sweeneys/Crucaharan Cross
02 Star of the County Down
03 The Shearin's No For You
04 Bonny Jean Cameron
05 St James's Infirmary
06 I Was a Young Man
07 Gone Fishin'
08 Mary Mack
09 Charlie O Charlie
10 Dingle Regatta/Skyemans Jig
11 Bonnie Bessie Logan
12 Leezie Lindsay
13 Jack Hagerty
14 Freedom Come All Ye

Extant 1986-92. A three-piece from the west of Scotland, This Cruachan (there was another group of the same name in the early 1970s) consisted of Jim Shearer (vocals, whistles, harmonica, bodhran), Mike McCormack (vocals, guitar, mandola, mandolin), and Steve Lawrence (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, dulcimer, low whistle). Lawrence had replaced Ross Kennedy, who left to join The Tannahill Weavers. As far as I know, Cruachan released at least three recordings, the first being this one. Stevie Lawrence went on to become involved in many musical outfits including Hot Toddy and The Iron Horse. Later members of the band were John Malcolm (vocals, guitar), Nigel Munro (mandolin, mandola, vocals) and David Munro.

Unavailable

Various Artists: The Hoot'nanny Show Vol 1 (1964)

2011-01-16T21:30:00.002Z

Various Artists: The Hoot'nanny Show Vol 1 (1964)

Side One:
01 The Corrie Folk Trio & Paddie Bell: Jug o' Punch
02 Ray & Archie Fisher: Leave Her Johnny
03 Ray & Archie Fisher: Poor Bill
04 Eleanor Leith: What Have they Done to the Rain
05 Eleanor Leith: Still I Love Him
06 The Corrie Folk Trio & Paddie Bell:: Hanging Johnny
Side Two:
01 The Corrie Folk Trio & Paddie Bell: Finnegan's Wake
02 Paddie Bell: She Moved Thro' the Fair
03 Dolina McLennan: Peurt a Beul
04 Dolina McLennan: Dee An Auld Maid in a Garret
05 Ray & Archie Fisher: Backgreen Ballad
06 Eleanor Leith: I Aince Loved a Lad
07 The Company: We Shall Overcome

An absolute gem of a live recording from the Edinburgh of November 1963. Beautiful, beautiful performances from The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell, Ray and Archie Fisher, Eleanor Leith and Dolina McLennan. Since this is a continuous live performance, I have not separated the tracks, so there are only two: Side One and Side Two.

Unavailable

Companion album to
Various Artists: The Hoot'nanny Show Vol 2 (1964)

The Corrie Folk Trio & Paddie Bell: More Folk Songs for the Burds (1963)

2011-01-14T20:26:00.000Z

The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell: More Folk Songs for the Burds (Waverley ELP132, 1963)

01 The Twa Corbies
02 Fine Flowers
03 Queen Mary
04 The Bonny Earl o' Moray
05 Blow Ye Winds of Morning

Unavailable

The Corrie Folk Trio & Paddie Bell: Yon Folk Songs Is for the Burds (1963)

2011-01-14T20:24:00.000Z

The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell: Yon Folk Songs Is for the Burds (Waverley ELP131, 1963)

01 Bungle Rye
02 The Queen's Maries
03 Tiree Love Song
04 The Itinerant Cobbler

Unavailable

The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell (1963)

2011-01-14T20:19:00.003Z

The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell (Waverley ELP129, 1963)

01 Lock the Door Lariston
02 O'er the Water
03 Jug o' Punch
04 Singing Bird

The Corrie Folk Trio's first recordings consisted of three EPs published on the Edinburgh-based Waverley Records label in 1963. The artists were Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne (both from Edinburgh art school), Bill Smith (an architect) and Irish-born singer Paddie Bell, by this time resident in Edinburgh. The EPs sold very well, and were re-released soon afterwards. At this time The Corrie Folk trio and Paddie Bell were in the ascendancy, and before long sell-out tours, television appearances and LPs were the norm. These three EPs are almost fifty years old, but the strength of the performance is evident, and are significant for heralding the arrival of The Corries.

Unavailable

Drinkers Drouth: When the Kye Comes Hame (1982)

2011-01-08T18:45:00.000Z

Drinkers Drouth: When the Kye Comes Hame (1982)

01 Let Me In This Ae Nicht/Merrily Kissed the Quaker
02 Dream Angus
03 Birnie Bouzle
04 Heave Ya Ho
05 When the Kye Comes Hame
06 The Prickly Bush
07 Cam Ye O'er Frae France/The Store Cheque
08 Wha'll Dreg a Buckie/O
09 Tiree Love Song
10 Gospel Ship

Drinkers Drouth formed in 1974 in Edinburgh with Jack Aitken (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, autoharp), Dave Black (vocals, mandolin, fiddle, bouzouki), Tony Dougan (vocals, guitar) and Brian Dougan (vocals, mouth organ). In 1981 they appeared on the same bill as Davy Steele (vocals, guitar, banjo, whistle), and immediately invited him to join the group. Two albums followed, this one and Bound to Go (1984) before they disbanded in 1976. Davy Steele became known as a member of Ceolbeg and The Battlefield Band; sadly he died in 2001. Brian Dougan also died in 2009.

Unavailable

The Laggan: Scottish Folk Songs (1975)

2011-01-07T19:09:00.001Z

The Laggan: Scottish Folk Songs (1975)

01 John MacLean
02 Mickey's Warning
03 Bay of Biscay O
04 Nancy
05 Lovin' Hannah
06 Banks o' Ayr
07 Band o' Shearers
08 The Dark Island/Chief O'Neil's Favourite
09 The Lark In the Morning
10 Twa Recruitin Sergeants
11 Rosie Anderson
12 The Wee Room

The Laggan were formed in the late 1960s/early 1970s in Glasgow. An early member was guitarist Brian Miller who later became involved with The Occasionals. One of the stalwarts of The Laggan was Arthur Johnstone (vocals) who also started the Star Folk Club in Glasgow in 1978. Alongside Johnstone were John MacDermott (banjo, harmonica), Tony Patton (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals) and Billy Patton (fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, vocals). I think they only recorded two albums, this one and I Am the Common Man (1978). MacDermott died in 2009, while Johnstone still performs as part of the Stars Band with Brian Miller and Chalie Soane. Billy Patton worked in a group called Patti O'Doors who released one LP that I know about.

Unavailable

The Gregorach (1978)

2011-01-06T16:23:00.000Z

The Gregorach (1978)

01 Killiecrankie
02 Hielandman
03 Willie's Gane to Melville Castle
04 Where Is the Glasgow
05 Pittenweem
06 The Twa Corbies
07 Barnyards o' Delgaty
08 The Wallace
09 Hush, Hush
10 Coulter's Candy
11 Orange and Green
12 The Butcher's Boy
13 Bonnie Dundee
14 Parting Glass

I know almost nothing about this duo. I'm guessing that they came from the Stirling district (the cover image is of Wallace's Monumnet just outside Stirling), and they were Ian McMillan and Gordon McDonald. Both played guitar and sang, and one of them played mouth organ. The material is indicative of what was being played by similar duos around Scottish pubs from the late 1960s onwards.

Unavailable

Deseprate Danz Band: Send Three and Fourpence… (1989)

2011-01-04T20:52:00.001Z

Desperate Danz Band: Send Three and Fourpence… (1989)

01 Gay Gordons/Loch Ruan/Joe Hutton's March
02 The Tenpenny Bit/Calliope House/The Skyeman's Jig/Banks of the Allan/The Connachtman's Rambles
03 The Poppyleaf/Johnny Will You Marry Me/Brose and Butter
04 Pipe Major Jim Christie of Wick
05 72nd's Farewell to Aberdeen/Jim Anderson's Delight
06 The Reconciliation/The Barrowburn Reel/The Fairy Dance
07 The West Coaster/The Rights of Man/The Hut On Staffin Island
08 Trip to Sligo/Morrison's Jig/Peter's Peerie Boat/Saddle the Pony
09 Cameron's Farewell to Red Gap/The Inverness Gathering

Desperate Danz Band were from Abderdeen and consisted of Dave Francis (guitar, mandolin, bodhran), John Carnie (lead guitar, rhythm guitar), Lynn O'Shay (flute, keyboards), Louise Mackenzie (fiddle), Ron Grant (bass, acoustic bass) and Stuart Ritchie (drums). They were a working dance band, active at a point in Scotland when ceilidh dancing was on the rise. Dave Francis, who had come from The Reel Aliens, now plays with his wife, fiddler Mairi Campbell, as The Cast. John Carnie, who with Janice Clark and Spider Mackenzie had been known as Off the Tracks, has recently released a solo album of Scottish music played on guitar.

Unavailable

Norfolk and Joy (1979)

2011-01-02T21:10:00.001Z

Norfolk and Joy (1979)

01 Mason's Apron
02 Peggy Gordon
03 Dainty Davie
04 Braes of Mar
05 Glencoe Massacre (McLean)
06 Rattlin' Roarin' Willie
07 Hen's March
08 Leezie Linzay
09 Lowlands Away
10 Bonnie Dundee
11 John Anderson My Jo
12 Come By the Hills (W G Smith)

Norfolk were Les Russell (lead vocals, guitar), Dick Walinck (bass guitar, double bass) and Billy Cranston (fiddle, whistle, mandolin, bouzouki). Joy Greig (mistakenly Greigs on the sleeve) was a friend of the group and occasionally got up to sing with them on stage. She was asked to sing a few tracks on the LP. Before Norfolk, Joy sang with Linda Wyman under the the name The Joylins, performing around Scotland between 1972 and 1976. She also sang with a group called Buzzard.

Norfolk were active in Edinburgh during the 1970s, and were often seen in Edinburgh's Amber Mile - Royal Terrace, where a number of small hotels held folk nights each weekend.

Billy Cranston had been in Edinburgh duo Broadside (with George Fenning) and in the group Homebrew (with George Fenning and Johnny Cunningham, later of Silly Wizard fame). Later he moved to Holland, where he lived with his Dutch wife and their daughter, where they were friendly with Davey Steele. Billy died in a car accident in Holland in 1984. In his memory his widow ran a folk festival in Holland.

Dick Walinck became active in the jazz scene, playing with The East End Jazz Band for ten years. He had a reacquaintance with folk with stints in Callanish and Drombeg, and could often be seen playing trad jazz in The West End Jazz Band, who played in Linlithgow.

Unavailable

Scotch Measure (1985)

2010-12-27T15:59:00.001Z

Scotch Measure (1985)

01 Ythanside
02 For A' That
03 The Brewer Laddie
04 Wild Rovin'
05 The Bonnie Lad That Handles the Plough
06 The Swallow
07 The Laird o' the Dainty Dounby
08 The Calton Weaver
09 The Handweaver and The Factory Maid
10 The Twa Magicians

Scotch Measure were Jim Barnes (guitar, cittern, vocals), Sylvia Barnes (vocals, dulcimer, guitar) and Andy Lavery (keyboards, vocals), and the group were based around Sylvia's voice. She and her husband Jim had been in Glasgow group Tinkler Maidgie, then Kentigern, before a tour of duty with The Battlefield Band.

Unavailable

Scotia's Hardy Sons (1994)

2010-12-27T13:25:00.000Z

Scotia's Hardy Sons (1994)

01 Heiland Shinty
02 John McNeill/Merry Blacksmith/Mason's Apron
03 The Battle's O'er
04 Stronsay Teabag/Greenbank Hornpipe
05 Willie's Gone to Melville Castle
06 Solway Air
07 Caledonia
08 Peat Fire Flame/Fit o' the Walk/Leith Central/Rickshaw Bridge
09 Scotia's Hardy Sons
10 Skye Boat Song
11 Pumpkin's Fancy/Jenny Dang the Weaver/Easy Club Reel
12 Auld Lang Syne

Scotia's Hardy Sons were Tich Frier (vocals, guitar), Andy Ramage (vocals, guitar, bass), David Vernon (accordion, electric guitar, vocals) and Peter Wood (bagpipes, keyboards, percussion, vocals). Frier and Ramage first came to prominence in the 1970s as part of harmony singing trio Bitter Withy, and later as New Alliance with Isla St Clair. Tich has followed a solo career since, while Andy has appeared in many combinations and groups, including Harness and Cairdeas. As far as I know, this was their only recording.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Andy Ramage:
Harness: One for the Road (1987)

Seannachie: Take Note! (1988)

2010-12-26T20:56:00.001Z

Seannachie: Take Note! (1988)

01 Twa Corbies/Cairnscarrow/Salisbury Crags
02 MacLean of Pennycross/Lady Madalina Sinclair/Gillan's Reel/The Brolum
03 Fine Flowers in the Valley
04 Airthrey Castle/Da Sixereen/Mickie Ainsworth/Gordon's Favourite/Millbrae
05 Jeannie Cameron
06 Gin Ye Kiss My Wife, I'll Tell the Minister
07 Johnny Cope
08 Mhairi Bhan Og/The Bride's Reel/Andy Renwick's Ferret/Trip to Windsor

By Seannachie's second album Take Note, the only original member was John Borland (bouzouki). Newer members Simon Thoumire (concertina, keyboards, whistles), Donald Gorman (fiddle), Elspeth Cowie (vocals, bodhran) and Derek Harkins (guitar) combined with Borland to release this record, which has a different feel to the first (Within the Fire): gone are the Irish instrumentals, to be replaced with a staunchly Scottish repertoire, and the interplay between Thoumire's concertina and Gorman's fiddle produces a unique sound.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Seannachie:
Seannachie: Within the Fire (1986)

Seannachie: Within the Fire (1986)

2010-12-26T16:36:00.001Z

Seannachie: Within the Fire (1986)

01 Mormond Braes
02 The Old Copperplate/The Harsh February
03 Crazy Man Michael
04 Julia Delaney/Cooley's Reel
05 Flowers o' the Forest
06 The Sound of Jura
07 Annachie Gordon
08 Turpin Hero/The Old Reel/Aida's Place/The Otter's Den
09 Though I Live Not Where I Love
10 The Midnight Reel/Raddigan's/McMahon's
11 Boys of Bedlam/Dougie's Rant

Seannachie had a long performing career and were one of those bands whose line-up was practically in constant change. Formed in the early 1980s by John Borland (bouzouki, cittern), Alex Yellowlees (fiddle), Martin McGarrity (flute, whistle, bodhran, vocals) and Gordon Irvine (guitar, mandolin, harmonium, whistle). They recorded their first album, Within the Fire in 1986, by which time the band consisted of Borland, Yellowlees, Jonathan Simmons (flute, whistles, bodhran), Penny Johnston (vocals) and Derek Harkins (guitar, tambourine). Two more albums followed, along with more personnel changes and European tours.

Doonload

Other posts featuring Seannachie:
Seannachie: Take Note! (1988)

Blackeyed Biddy: Guid Niebours (c1984)

2010-12-25T16:19:00.002Z

Blackeyed Biddy: Guid Niebours (c1984)

01 Blackeyed Biddy/Fasten the Leg in Her/The Kinnegad Slashers
02 The Rowan Tree/Yellow's On the Broom (McNaughtan)
03 Misty Covered Mountains/Skyman's Jig/Sally Gardens
04 Earl o' March's Daughter (McClelland)
05 Workin' Chap
06 Lord Inchiquin
07 Johnny Jump Up
08 Dunphies/The Rights of Man/Pretty Maggie Morrissey
09 Dixie Darlin' (A P Carter)

This was Blackeyed Biddy's first album and featured Lionel McClelland (whistle, guitar, double bass, vocals), Billy Henderson (vocals, guitar, mandola) and Kris Koren (mandolin, mandola, vocals, banjo, guitar, bodhran), with "Nick" playing fiddle on one track. There is no date anywhere on the sleeve or record, but I estimate it at mid-1980s.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Blackeyed Biddy:
Blackeyed Biddy: High Spirits (1990)

Various Artists: The Streets of Glasgow (1973)

2010-12-18T19:08:00.002Z

Various Artists: The Streets of Glasgow (1973)

01 The Clutha: Dance Tune Medley
02 Terry Dick: Football Song Medley
03 Flora MacNeill: MacDonald's First Visit to Glasgow
04 Geordie McIntyre: The Sports o' Glasgow Green
05 Freddy Anderson: Let Glasgow Flourish
06 John Eaglesham: The Collier's Eight Hour Day
07 Gordeanna McCulloch: The Weekend Song
08 Geordie McIntyre: O'Reilly and the Big MacNeill
09 Gordeanna McCulloch & The Clutha: Bottling Songs
10 Gordeanna McCulloch: The Bleacher Lassie o' Kelvinhaugh
11 Geordie McIntyre: Three Nights and a Sunday Double Time
12 Barmulloch Primary School: Children's Street and Playground Songs
13 Mick Broderick: The Ballad of the Q4
14 Geordie McIntyre: The Works Outing
15 The Clutha: March Tune Medley

A marvellous collection of songs and tunes relating to Glasgow, sung and played by The Clutha, Geordie McIntyre, John Eaglesham, Mick Broderick, Gordeanna McCulloch and Flora MacNeill.

Unavailable

Ian Walker and Setanta: Crossing the Borderlines (1992)

2010-12-17T19:47:00.002Z

Setanta and Ian Walker: Crossing the Borderlines (1992)

01 Three Kerry Polkas
02 Whatever You Think
03 Sliabh Gallion Braes
04 Ring Around the Moon
05 Ponte Isabella/The Man of the House/The Bucks of Oranmore
06 The Healing Touch
07 Remember Solferino
08 The Soldier's Return
09 The Merry Blacksmith/Miss Susan Cooper/Willafjord
10 Saint Paul's Song
11 An Comhra Donn/The Galtee Rangers/The Foxhunters
12 The Anchor Line

Setanta had a few line-ups; this one featured core members Jack Bethel (hammer dulcimer, concertina, xylophone), Colin McAllister (vocals, bodhran, percussion) and David Munro (Uillean pipes, fiddle, vocals), with Mike Berry (fiddle), and Hunter McConnell (guitar, vocals). Munro, Bethel and McAllister played sessions in Glasgow and Lanarkshire in the early 1970s and were part of scratch-band Not the Full Shillin'. Setanta were also born out of sessions in the mid-1970s, They recorded two albums, Setanta (1988) and this one in 1992. Reflecting the Glasgow session scene, most of the tunes that Setanta played were in fact Irish.

Unavailable

Jimmy MacFarlane: The Happy Whistler (2010)

2010-12-16T16:18:00.001Z

Jimmy MacFarlane was the fiddler in the Jim MacLeod Band, who were extraordinarily prolific in their recorded output. Their act, which they performed live in venues such as Dunblane Hydro and also on radio and television programmes, consisted of a mix of Scottish Country Dancing and lounge-bar crooning from Mr MacLeod himself.

As well as fiddle, Jimmy played vibes and penny whistle, and it is his whistling featured on many of the Jim MacLeod records. Unfortunately no available records exist of one of Scotland's forgotten whistlers.

Donald Davidson: Banchory Moothie (2010)

2010-12-16T11:56:00.001Z

Donald Davidson: Banchory Moothie (2010)

Donald Davidson (19l0-1987) was born in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, but soon moved to the Deeside town of Banchory. After hearing Scottish music such as the Wyper Brothers on his father's gramophone, he took up the mouth organ at an early age, joining his siblings in a musical background. In his late teens Donald was playing for the radio in Aberdeen, and came to the attention of a representative of Beltona Records. In 1929 and again in 1931 he travelled to London to record a number of tracks which were released on Beltona, and which spreads his reputation further. This lead to advertising deals; Hohner used Davidson's name to promote their instruments. A final recording session took place in 1939 (which included some duets with Willie Kemp), and while Donald kept playing and being interested in music, it was never a full-time occupation. Davidson died in Aberdeen in 1987.

London, October 1929:
1. Moneymusk/Deil Amang the Tailors
2. Invercauld March/Marchioness of Huntly
3. Rose Amang the Heather/Kafoozulum
4. Stirling Castle; Soldier’s Joy
5. 79th’s Farewell to Gibraltar
6. The Highland Wedding
7. The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman/The Drummer
8. The Marquis of Huntley’s Highland Fling/Mason’s Apron
9. Atholl Highlanders

London, August 1931:
10.Cock o’ the North/Bonnie Dundee/Come Under My Plaidie
11.The Orange and the Blue/The Lad wi’ the Plaidie
12.The Lass o’Gowrie/My Love is But a Lassie Yet/Duncan Gray
13.Lancers: The Deil’s Awa Wi th’Exiseman/The Cumberland Reel/John Grumlie

London, November 1939:
14.Frisky Lambs/Dobbin’s New Shoes
15.Alpine Waltz
16.The Blackthorn Stick
17. Sir Roger de Coverley/Haste to the Wedding

Doonload

Harness: Two for the Road (1987)

2010-12-15T19:51:00.003Z

Harness: Two for the Road (1987)

01 Dashing White Sergeant/Rose Tree/The Piper o' Dundee
02 The Fields of Athenrye
03 Donald McLean's Farewell to Oban/Sprig of Ivy
04 The Loch Maree Islands
05 Leaving Barra/Soraid Leis An Aite/Farewell to Fiunary/Mo Rebhinn Choibhnehl
06 Lochaber Gathering/Tam Bain's Lum
07 The Green Fields of France
08 John Carmichael's Farewell/Ian Powrie's Farewell to Scotland
09 Carrickfergus
10 The Skyline of Skye

Harness were Andy Ramage, a singer of Scottish songs who was a member of the well-regarded harmony group Bitter Withy, and button accordionist Neil Mathieson, helped out by Alastair Currie on piano accordion and Richard Hughes on drums. As far as I know, this was their only recording.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Andy Ramage:
Scotia's Hardy Sons (1994)

Bracken: Introducing Bracken (1979)

2010-12-15T19:47:00.002Z

Bracken: Introducing Bracken (1979)

01 The Bonnie Lass of Fyffie
02 Irish Washer Woman/Connaughtman's Ramble/Charlie the Prayermaster
03 Peigi Gordon
04 La Russe/Pat Donald
05 MacPherson's Lament
06 The Bonnie Woods of Stirkoke/The Crusader's March/The Yellow Corn
07 Twa Recruiting Sergeants
08 Come By the Hills
09 Streets of London
10 Four Strong Winds
11 Gaelic Medley
12 Bonnie Dundee
13 Turn Out the Light
14 Lovat Scouts March/Bratach Bana
15 Shores of Americay

There is very little information on the sleeve of this recording, and I don't know much about this duo. Bracken were Ian Macintosh and Morris Macleod. At least one played guitar, and one played banjo and mandolin; both sang. Macleod may have gone on to play with Thurso-based band Whisky (www.whisky-band.co.uk).

Unavailable

The Wally Dugs: The Road to Dundee (1987)

2010-12-02T19:58:00.000Z

The Wally Dugs: The Road to Dundee (1987)

01 The Road to Dundee
02 Freedom Come All Ye
03 Don't Say, Oh No!
04 Doon In the Wee Room
05 Mandy
06 Bonnie Glenshee
07 Jock o' Hazeldean
08 Skyscraper Weans
09 The Dream of Tommy Bouche
10 Wally Dug Tunes
11 The Man With the Golden Hair
12 Drumchapel Mist

The Wally Dugs were Pat Finnegan (guitar, banjo, vocals), George Getty (guitar, mandolin, whistle, bagpipe, vocals) and Neil McLeod (guitar, vocals) and were from Dundee. Apart from that, I know nothing about the group. They were extant in 1976/77 and I imagine they were a popular pub band in the area.

Unavailable

Kontraband: North Star (1983)

2010-12-02T16:03:00.000Z

Kontraband: North Star (1983)

01 Swallow's Nest/Dirty Linen/Drowsy Maggie
02 Hills of Caithness
03 Mickey Ainsworth/The North Star
04 Dundee Homeward Bound
05 Magdalene Green
06 Pittenweem Jo
07 Tae the Beggin'
08 I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow
09 The Brown/Eyed Maiden/Father O'Flynn/The Black Pirate
10 Farewell to Ireland/Muirsheen Durkin/Billy Cheatham
11 Rowin Foula Doon

Rod Sinclair (banjo, guitar, vocals), from St Andrews, was the lead vocalist of this Scottish-Danish folk group, based in Denmark. The other members were Danes Borge Solkaer (bass, guitar, recorder, mandolin, vocals), Jole Norgaard (cittern, mandolin, guitar, bodhran, vocal) and Filt Kristensen (fiddle, mandolin, cittern, tambourine, Moog, vocals). As far as I know, this was their only album, released in 1983.

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: The Gow Collections (1973)

2010-12-01T20:39:00.002Z

Ron Gonnella: The Gow Collections (1973)

01 General Robertson of Lawers/Miss Stewart of Grandtully/Dunkeld Steeple
02 The Mill, Mill O/A Favourite Quickstep
03 Auld Robin Gray
04 Niel Gow's Lament for his Second Wife/Lady Charlotte Campbell/kincaldrum's Reel
05 Wishaw's Delight/Drummond Castle/The Earl of Morton's Jig
06 Niel Gow's Farewell to Whisky
07 Col Hamilton of Pencatland/Col H F Campbell/Miss Grace Hay's Delight
08 Lady Cunningham of Livingstone/Perthshire Volunteers/Mr Sharp's Favourite
09 Roslin Castle/Garthlands/Lord Mauchline's Reel
10 Bothwell Castle
11 Mrs Hamilton of Pencaitland/The Duchess of Hamilton/Mrs Stirling of Keir
12 The Bonniest Lass in a' the Warld/Mrs Adye/Miss Gibson
13 Miss Sally Hunter of Thurston/Dumfries House/Miss Johnston of Hilton's Fancy
14 The Caledonian Hunt's Delight/The Caledonian Hunt/Mrs Hay of Yester's Reel

After his 1966 debut solo record, it took another seven years for this second Ron Gonnella solo album, but it was well worth the wait. Here we have Gonnella playing the music he loved while at the top of his game. The music is mostly from the eighteenth century, all published in various collections from the Gow family: patriarch Niel Gow, famous fiddler in his day; his sons Nathanial - who took on his father's mantle - William and Andrew.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Ron Gonnella:
Ron Gonnella: Scottish Violin Music (1966)
Ron Gonnella: Fiddler's Fancy (1975)
Ron Gonnella: Fiddle Gems (1976)
Various Artists: Fiddle Miscellany 3 (2010)

Robin Hall: The Ballad of Johnny Ramensky (1959)

2010-11-30T20:47:00.000Z

Robin Hall: The Ballad of Johnny Ramensky (1959)

01 The Ballad of Johnny Ramensky (Norman Buchan)
02 The Day We Went to Rothesay O (trade)

Robin Hall featured in the folk revival of the late 1950s in London. Originally from Edinburgh, he was one of a number of Scottish exiles in the capital. He combined with another Scot, Jimmie Macgregor and together they became the most successful folksingers in the country for many years.

Johnny Ramensky was a safecracker who spent more time behind bars than in freedom. His persona was as someone who could escape from any jail - he certainly did escape a few times, but the fact that he spent a total of forty-odd years in prison does not indicate a Houdini-type character!

Unavailable

Fiddlers Three Plus Two Vol 2 (c1988)

2010-11-30T18:39:00.001Z

Fiddlers Three Plus Two Vol 2 (c1988)

01 Flowers of Edinburgh/Bonnie Banchory/Roll Her On the Hill/Old Bog Hole
02 Light and Airy/Merry Girls of Dublin/The Fairies Dwelling/Jack Walsh
03 Inveran/Inspector Donald Campbell
04 Lasses Trust In Providence/Da Bressay Light/Road to Holigarth/Sleep Soond Ida Moarnin/Lay Dee At Dee
05 Sarona/The Buck o' the Cabrach/The Gladstone Reel
06 Airdie Lasses/Miss Sally Hunter/Lady Nellie Wemyss/Miss Grace Hay
07 Lord MacDonald's Reel/Over the Isles to America/The Sheepwife
08 Eight Men of Moidart/Banks of Clyde/Stourers Hornpipe/Polwart On the Green
09 Mr Michie/Kirrie Kebbuck/The Auld Wheel
10 Firth House Hornpipe/Shamrock Hornpipe/Lighfoot Hornpipe
11 He Mhairi Ho Mhairi/An T-Altan Dubh/Am Bata Rannach/Balaich An Iasgaich
12 Lord Rosslyn's Fancy/Drummond Castle/Jeanie's Blue Eeen/The Scottish Horse
13 Kelly's Reel/Jackie Colemans' Reel/Shehan's Reel/One of the Boys
14 Archie McKinley/Isabelle MacLean/The Lady in the Bottle

A second collection of tunes from Bob Christie, Gavin McIntyre and Hector McLeod, I estimate this one came out in about 1988.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Fiddler Three Plus Two:
Fiddlers Three Plus Two (c1986)

Fiddlers Three Plus Two (c1986)

2010-11-30T15:16:00.003Z

Fiddlers Three Plus Two (c1986)

01 Isle of Skye/McLaughlin's Scotch Measure/Scottish Legacy/Dean Brig

02 Hamilton House/Charlie Hunter/Pibroch of Bonnie Strathearn/Green Shades of Gask

03 Loch of the Rising Mist/Scarce o' Tatties/The Brown Haired Maid

04 Echoes of Oban/Cutty Sark

05 Sarah

06 Mrs MacLeod of Raasay/The Fairy Dance/The Mason's Apron/Soldier's Joy/Inver Lasses/Tail Toddle/Sandy Duff/The Kilt Is My Delight/The Drummer

07 Thistle Hornpipe/Vendome Hornpipe/The Landlubber

08 The Auld Alliance/Reginald MacDonald/Donald Blue/Dancing Feet

09 Gardebylatten

10 Camirsaveen/The Idle Road/Thady You Gander/Welcome to Cork

11 Major Graham of Inchbrakie/Ladlady of Inver Inn/Lady Charlotte Murray/Farewell to Whisky

12 Off to California/The Kildare Fancy/Morning Fair

13 Fitful Head/Galley Watch/Jack Lock the Prison Door/Da Forefit o' da Ship

14 Frank Thomson/Campbelltown Kiltie's Ball/The Wind That Shakes the Barley

The three fiddlers are Bob Christie, Gavin McIntyre and Hector McLeod, about whom I know nothing. The "Plus Two" are Lex Keith on accordion and Bill Hendry on piano. Keith seems to have been the musical director on this album, and he still performs with his band in Scottish Country Dance circles. This is a lively collection of tunes with a strong fiddle leading sound.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Fiddlers Three Plus Two:

Fiddlers Three Plus Two Vol 2 (c1988)

Other posts featuring Bob Christie:

Various Artists: Fiddle Miscellany 2 (2010)

Jimmy MacBeath: Come A' Ye Tramps and Hawkers (1960)

2010-11-27T16:02:00.002Z

Jimmy MacBeath: Come A' Ye Tramps and Hawkers (1960)

01 Come A' Ye Tramps and Hawkers

02 Nickie Tams

03 The Moss o' Burreldales

04 The Gallant Forty-Twa

Jimmy MacBeath was one of the legendary itinerant singers discovered by Alan Lomax, Hamish Henderson, Kenneth Goldstein and other collectors in the 1950s. His vast repertoire of songs delighted them, and subsequent audiences at folk clubs and festivals. Although this record has quite a few crackles and pops (it is fifty years old after all), the majesty of Jimmy's singing shines through.

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: Fiddler's Fancy (1975)

2010-11-27T15:51:00.005Z

Ron Gonnella: Fiddler's Fancy (1975)

01 The Bonnie Lass o' Bon Accord

02 Donald MacPherson's Lament/Mrs Will/Sandy Grant o' Battangorm

03 Miss Gordon of Park/Miss Hannah's Jig

04 Chapel Keithack/Mrs James McInnes, Edinburgh/Lochrynach

05 The Cradle Song

06 Dumbarton Castle/Hoo Dinna Ye Play Mair?

07 Corgarff Castle/Death and Dr Hornbrook

08 The Music o' Spey/Mr Michie/Mr John Smith, Alford

09 Lady Niven Lumsden of Achindoir/The Earl of Fife/Lowe's Hornpipe

10 Mr Morison og Bognie/Miss Stewart's Jog - of Bombay/Maj L Stewart's Reel - of Java

11 Rosacre/Forbes Morrison/Davie Work

12 Sir Harry Niven Lumsden of Achindoir

13 Sandy's Goat/MacLeod and Mackay

14 The Weeping Birches of Kilmorack/Glen Cottage/Gibson's Whiskey

Another great collection of tunes from Ron Gonnella, whose fiddling here is at its finest.

Silly Wizard: Take the High Road (1980)

2010-11-27T11:17:00.004Z

Silly Wizard: Take the High Road (1980)

01 Take the High Road
02 Donald McGillavry/O'Neill's Cavalry March

A real oddity this. Silly Wizard, one of Scotland's folk supergroups of the 1970s and 80s, recorded a version of the theme tune to a Scottish soap opera called "Take the High Road". A must for collectors, but not essential listening. The B-side of this single is a track taken from their 1979 album So Many Partings.

Unavailable

Ron Gonnella: Fiddle Gems (1976)

2010-11-27T09:57:00.004Z

Ron Gonnella: Fiddle Gems (1976)

01 Well May My True Love Arrive/Glenmorriston/Northern Racecourse

02 Rbel War Song/Belladrum House/The Favourite Dram

03 Well May Charlie Wear the Crown/Northern Meeting/Sprightly Minikin

04 Sitting In the Stern of a Boat

05 The Beauty of the North/Stranger in Place of the Worthies/Inauspicious Wedding Day

06 Good Wife, Admit the Wanderer/The Maid That Made the Bed to Me

07 The Fall of Foyers/The North Side of the Grampians/In Dispraise of Whisky

08 Archibald MacDonald of Keppoch/The Expert Dancer/The Merry Making

09 Huntly's Wedding Medley/General Gathering 1745/The Shepherdess/My Ain, Kind Deary

10 Hymn to the Saviour

11 My Wife Is Forever Storming At Me/The Hawthorn Tree of Cawdor/Come Lads, Now Be Ready

12 Caledonia's Wail for Niel Gow/Angus Fraser's Strathspey/Three Sheep's Shanks

This was one of the first Ron Gonnella albums I heard in the 1970s, and I realised I was listening to a very fine fiddler indeed. Originally from Dundee, Gonnella lived and taught for many years in the small Perthshire town of Crieff. Until he married - late in his life - he would sit in his small flat and listen to his precious record collection and practise the fiddle tunes for his next recording. Top Scottish fiddlers such as Duncan Wood and Gregor Borland have told me of their admiration for his skills and techniques, and I think of him as a fiddler's fiddler.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Ron Gonella:

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Violin Music (1966)

Ron Gonnella: The Gow Collections (1973)

Ron Gonnella: Fiddler's Fancy (1975)

Various Artists: Fiddle Miscellany No.3 (2010)

Various Artists: Sandy Bell's Ceilidh (1979)

2010-11-22T11:45:00.003Z

Various Artists: Sandy Bell's Ceilidh (1979)

01 Bell's Big Ceilidh Band: An Comhra Donn/The Galway Hornpipe/The Strand
02 The McCalmans: John Barleycorn
03 Aly Bain: Fort Charlotte/Calum Donaldson
04 Chorda: The Lea Rig
05 Dick Gaughan: The Cruel Brother
06 Bell's Chorus: Lowlands Away
07 Liz & Maggie Cruikshank: Sandy Bell's Man
08 The McCalmans: Kirsteen
09 Aly Bain: Crossing the Minch
10 Chorda: Johnny Sangster
11 Dick Gaughan: Sleepytoon
12 Bell's Chorus: Doon In the Wee Room
13 Bell's Big Ceilidh Band: The Lilting Fisherman/Lough Gowna/Sweet Biddy Daly

Sandy Bell's is the name given to a pub in Edinburgh which has been a centre of folk music since the late 1940s. Until recently its official name was The Forest Hills Bar, but it was known by all in the know simply as Sandy Bell's (Sandy Bell never actually existed, but that's beside the point). Many singers and musicians spent time in the bar, which was also a favourite stop-off for touring folk musicians in Edinburgh for a concert. This album dates from 1979 and has a cross-section of some Bell's regulars: Dick Gaughan, Aly Bain, The McCalmans to name a few. Also on the album is the band Chorda - who later metamorphosed into Jock Tamson's Bairns.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Chorda:
Various Artists: Folk Philosophy (1971) (As Chorda Cleich)

Ivan Drever and Dick Clarke: October Bridge (1988)

2010-11-21T17:36:00.002Z

Ivan Drever and Dick Clarke: October Bridge (1988)

01 Col HIDB Grant's Farewell to the Final Instalment/The Austrian Ladies
02 The Foaming Sea/Nancy
03 Dick Head's Delight/The Three Midwives
04 Mrs Macdonald's Lament
05 The Minister's Dog/The Bells of St Luis
06 Seona Dunsmuir
07 Song for Yesterday
08 The Stronsay Waltz/The Marino Waltz
09 Day of the Drover/The Eavesdropper
10 Lorne Leader
11 The Old Mountian Road/The Haggis/The Blashie Night

After Knowe o' Deil's final album in 1987, Ivan Drever's partner Ian Cooper changed direction and "went on to do other things". Ivan Drever (vocals, cittern, guitar, whistle, mandola) soon teamed up with Dick Clarke (guitar, vocal, harmonica, keyboards, bodhran) from Skye, who had recently returned to Scotland after working down south as an actor and session musician. He joined the Easter Ross folk group Black Donald, and established a violin-selling business which trades to this day.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Ivan Drever:
Knowe o' Deil: The Viking's Bride (1987)

Jean Redpath & Alastair Hardie: The Scottish Fiddle, The Music & Songs (1985)

2010-11-21T07:58:00.001Z

Jean Redpath & Alastair Hardie: The Scottish Fiddle, The Music & Songs (1985)

01 The Cradle Song
02 Niel Gow's Lamentation for Abercairney
03 The Lowlands of Holland
04 Through the Wood, Laddie
05 Nathaniel Gow's Lament for the Death of His Brother/Willie Duncan/Mrs Dundas of Arniston
06 The Birks of Aberfeldy
07 I'm A' Doun for Lack o' Johnnie
08 Caledonia's Wail for Niel Gow/Niel Gow's Style/The Heiress
09 A Wee Bird Cam' To Oor Ha' Door
10 Highland Harry
11 The Flower o' the Quern
12 Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of his Second Wife

A collaboration between one of Scotland's international ambassadors of folksong and a well-respected musician from a line of fiddle players dating back to the eighteenth century. Jean Redpath and Alastair Hardie bring us an album of fiddle music and songs related to fiddle music, with American cellist Abby Newton adding an authentic bass sound - it was common in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries for fiddlers to be accompanied by a cello; the LP cover shows a painting of Niel Gow playing with his brother Donald on cello.

Unavailable

Ray & Archie Fisher: Far Over the Forth (1961)

2010-11-20T20:59:00.002Z

Ray & Archie Fisher: Far Over the Forth (1961)

01 The Night Visiting Song
02 Far Over the Forth
03 The Twa Corbies
04 Kilbogie

An early release by brother and sister act Ray and Archie Fisher from Glasgow. Both went on to become hugely influential as solo singers.

Unavailable

The Lowland Folk Four: Eh'll Tell the Boaby (1967)

2010-11-20T20:30:00.001Z

The Lowland Folk Four: Eh'll Tell the Boaby (Waverley, 1967)

01 The Pear Tree
02 The Balaena
03 The Battle of Harlaw
04 Kilgannon Mountain
05 The Jute Mill Song
06 Cauld Kail In Aberdeen
07 Children's Street Songs
08 The Standard of the Braes o' Mar
09 When I Was New But Sweet Sixteen
10 The Spinner's Wedding
11 Mingulay Boat Song
12 The Seasons
13 The Tailor's Breeches

This group were stalwarts of the Dundee folk scene of the 1960s and 70s. Led by Stuart Brown, supplemented by his wife Anne and his brother Ramsay, with occasional fourth members through the years (the fiddler/mandolinist Allan Barty was one of the regular "fourth members"). The group recorded three LPs that I know about: this one from 1967, Time to be Singing Again from 1984, and This Is Lowland Folk from 1988. I think there may have been a CD, but I can't remember off-hand. They also featured on a compilation record from 1986, Coorse and Fine, a collection of Dundee songs released to coincide with Nigel Gatherer's book Songs and Ballads of Dundee.

Unavailable

Other posts featuring The Lowland Folk:
Various Artists: All Folk Together (c.1969)
Lowland Folk: Newport Braes (1985)

Lowland Folk: Newport Braes (1985)

2010-11-20T15:58:00.005Z

Lowland Folk: Newport Braes (1985)

Lowland Folk - also known as The Lowland Folk Four - formed in the 1960s in their native Dundee. The Fifie was a steam boat which took people from Dundee to Fife and back before the construction of the Tay Road Bridge; the song was written by renowned Dundee singer Sheena Wellington. Folk singer Watt Nicol also wrote a song in praise of the much-loved ferry. Also featured on the record is occasional Lowland Folk member Allan Barty.

01 Queuin' At the Fifie Pier (Newport Braes)
02 Eh'll Tell the Boaby etc (Street Song Medley)

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Lowland Folk:
Various Artists: All Folk Together (c.1969)

Other posts featuring Allan Barty:
Allan Barty: Barty's Bow (1980)

The Reivers: Govan Is a Busy Place (1960)

2010-11-20T14:10:00.005Z

The Reivers: Govan Is a Busy Place (1960)

01 Govan Is a Busy Place
02 Down In the Mines

A single from The Reivers, Enoch Kent, Rena Swankie and Josh MacRae. See previous post for info about the group. The song Govan Is a Busy Place was written by Glasgow actor Roddy McMillan.

Unavailable

Other recordings featuring Enoch Kent:
The Reivers: The Work of the Reivers (1959)
New Voices from Scotland (1965)
The Exiles: The Hale and the Hanged (1967)

The Reivers: The Work of the Reivers (1959)

2010-11-20T11:53:00.008Z

The Reivers: The Work of the Reivers (1959)

01 The Wark o' the Weavers
02 Balloo Baleery
03 Johnny Lad
04 The Wreck of the John B
05 The Wee Magic Stane (McAvoy)

The Reivers were formed in 1958 when three young singers, members of Norman Buchan's famous folksong club, got together to perform on Scottish Television's Jig Time programme. Enoch Kent later joined The Exiles and subsequently moved to Canada where he still sings Scots song. I don't know much about Rena Swankie, though I see someone mentioned on Mudcat that it was she who played guitar on Josh MacRae's hit Messing About on the River (1962). MacRae himself followed the producer and songwriter Tony Hatch (who wrote "River") to Pye Records and had a number of hits, somewhat contrary his earlier activities with the "Glasgow Eskimos" - a group of singers who were active in protesting the US nuclear presence in Scotland. MacRae killed himself in 1977. This EP dates from 1959.

Unavailable

Other recordings featuring Enoch Kent:
The Reivers: Govan Is a Busy Place (1960)
Various Artists: New Voices from Scotland (1965)
The Exiles: The Hale and the Hanged (1967)

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.3

2010-11-14T22:18:00.004Z

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.3 (Compiled 2010)

Another compilations of odd tracks from radio programmes, live concert recordings, LPs and CDs. This selection features some of Scotland's younger fiddlers in amongst some old hands.

01 Carmen Higgins: Mrs Scott Skinner

02 Bob Hopkirk: Lady Elspeth Campbell/The Brig o' Perth/Duntroon

03 Derek & Sarah Hoy: Missinyersel/The Olympian/Andy Coogan's Jig

04 Anna-Wendy Stevenson: Jean Mauchline/Tune for Nuala

05 Aly Bain: Herr Roloff's Farewell

06 Alasdair Fraser: Mrs. Major L. Stewart of the Island of Java/The Iron Man/Smith's a Gallant/The Forth Brig/Gillan's Reel/The Auld Wheel

07 Fochabers Fiddlers: Leaving Stoer

08 Bob Forbes: McKenzie Hay/Flowers o' Edinburgh

09 Dave Carrie: Air/Monymusk/Stumpie/Corn Rigs

10 Ron Gonnella: Weavers of Newly/Flowers of Edinburgh

11 Angus Fitchet: Lament for Will Starr/The Young King

12 The Exiles: Fiddle Tunes

13 Derek Hoy: Col Stuart of Garth/Lads of Mull

Unavailable

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.2

2010-11-14T22:13:00.003Z

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.2 (compiled 2010)

Mark Winchester (Keith)

1. Miss Elspeth Campbell/Dr Shaw/Dundee Burns Club

2. The Coalburn/Dr Robertson/The Mason’s Apron

3. Linda’s Watz/Thingummyjig Polka

Addie Harper Jr (Wick)

4. Abercairney Highlanders

Gregor Borland (Inverness)

5. Lochaber Gathering

Bill Brian (Elgin)

6. 74th’s Farewell to Edinburgh /The Iron Man /The Bungalow

7. Herr Roloff’s Farewell

8. Braes o’ Castle Grant /Laird o’ Thrums /Timour the Tartar

Bob Christie

9. Stirling Castle /Hey Ho My Bonnie Lass

10. Robertson Crescent/Harvest Home/Trumpet Hornpipe

Yla Steven (Edinburgh)

11. Dumbarton Castle

South of the Grampians

Marquis of Huntly

12. Roxburgh Castle/Staten Island/Kate Dalrymple/Soldier’s Joy/High Road to Linton

13. Sir Walter Douglas/Barren Rocks of Aden

Farquhar MacRae (Roshven)

14. Sandy Cameron/The Mason’s Apron

15. Traditional Highland Airs

Sandy & Andy Brown (Fife)

16. Earl of Dalhousie/Da Tushkar

17. Jolly Boys

Judith Davidson

18. John MacFadyen of Melfort

Here is the second compilation of odd tracks from various LPs in my collection. Once again, the majority are from fiddle competitions in the late 1970s, notably the Golden Fiddle Awards. Most of the fiddlers have not been featured in this blog before, Yla Steven and Bill Brian being the exceptions. However, the fiddling is still of a high standard, and it's worth giving it a listen.

Unavailable

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.1

2010-11-14T22:05:00.003Z

Fiddle Miscellany Vol.1 (compiled 2010)

I have a number of vinyl LPs on which there may be one or two tracks of solo fiddling, the rest being a fiddle orchestra or concert party or other stuff not worth posting. I have compiled these tracks into collections of solo fiddle playing recordings, and they may be of interest to you, as they give an opportunity of hearing recordings to which they would not normally have access.

The two fiddlers on Volume 1 - Angus Cameron and Douglas Montgomery - have between them won most of the fiddling contests in Scotland, including the Golden Fiddle Award of the 1970s and 80s; and both featured highly in the prestigious 1977 ‘National Fiddle Championships’ (when Montgomery was still at school).

Tracks:

Angus Cameron:

01 Balmoral Castle/Glenlivet/David Adams

02 Comps to Alex Webster/Mrs Garden of Troup/Carnie's Canter

03 Duke of Fife's Welcome/Forth Bridge/Forth Bridge

04 Dumbarton Castle/Marquis of Huntly's Farewell/Left/Handed Fiddler

05 H Mackworth/Eugene Stratton

06 Marquis of Huntly's Farewell/John McNeill

07 Scott Skinner's Comps/South of the Grampians/John McNeill's

08 The Last Minute/The Claymore/The Claymore

09 Duke of Fife's Welcome to Deeside/Stirling Castle/The Bride's Reel

Donald Montgomery:

10 Braes of Castle Grant/Craigellachie Brig/Sir David Davidson of Cantray

11 Caledonia's Wail for Niel Gow

12 Leaving Glenurquhart/Bob Steel/Pretty Peggy

13 McLean of Pennycross/Highlands of Banffshire/Carnie's Canter

14 Lament for Abercairney

15 Mrs HL macDonald of Dunach/Earl Gray/Marquis of Tullibardine

16 Prince Charlie's Last View of Scotland

17 The Valley of Silence

Unavailable

Alex Campbell: Way Out West (Society, 1963)

2010-11-14T21:59:00.005Z

Alex Campbell: Way Out West (Society, 1963)

01 The Wabash Cannonball

02 Careless Love

03 Bowling Green

04 On Top of Old Smokey

05 The Old Chisholm Trail

06 The Streets of Laredo

07 Jesse James

08 Down In the Valley

09 Orange Blossom Special

10 The Banks of the Ohio

11 The Frozen Logger

12 Barbara Allen

13 St James Infirmary

14 Railroad Bill

15 John Hardy

From the first scratchy tracks, you can tell that while this record is almost fifty years old, it is powerful. Not Scottish music by any means, but one of Scotland's most widely travelled and best known folk singers, Alex Campbell. Joining him on this session are some top musicians: Royd Rivers playing terrific harmonica, Gerry Loughran on guitar, Ian McCann on mandola, mandolin and autoharp, and Dave Laibman on guitar and banjo. Laibman was from Ohio originally, but studied at Oxford at the time this LP was recorded. Best known for his academic work in the field of Marxisim, he was also regarded as a pioneer in ragtime guitar, eventually recording albums in the US for Folkways, Rounder, etc, and publishing an instruction book. This album is enhanced by Laibman's outstanding guitar; check out Orange Blossom Special and Railroad Bill for examples.

Front and back covers included.

Unavailable

Iain McLachlan and Fergie MacDonald: Kings of the Button Keyed Box (1987)

2010-11-13T20:50:00.007Z

Iain McLachlan and Fergie MacDonald: Kings of the Button Keyed Box (1987)

The late button accordionist Iain McLachlan of Benbecula is most famous for composing Dr Mackay's Farewell to Creagorry, which later become better known as The Dark Island. Not one for travelling a great deal, McLachlan lived all his life on the island. He had a great friendship with Fergie MacDonald, who regarded him as 'the greatest three-row button-box player in the Highlands and Islands'. In 1987 they finally got together and recorded this two-hander album, each taking seven tracks and duetting on the final one. Joining Iain and Fergie are John Carmichael on second accordion, David Flockhart on piano, the late Billy Thom on drums and Alasdair Macleod on bass.

01 Iain McLachlan: Major Manson/John MacDonald

02 Fergie MacDonald: Dungannon/Lilting Fisherman/Ballycastle

03 Iain McLachlan: The Dark Island

04 Fergie MacDonald: Mouth Music On the Box

05 Iain McLachlan: Saddle the Pony/Donald Iain Rankine/Jig of Slurs

06 Fergie MacDonald: Iain Rhuadh's Lament

07 Iain McLachlan: Hills of Perth/Barren Rocks of Aden

08 Fergie MacDonald: Lady In the Bottle/Wee Murdie's/Sweet Biddy Daly

09 Iain McLachlan: Lady Elspeth Campbell/Sprig of Ivy

10 Fergie MacDonald: Maggie Moss/Reunion Reel

11 Iain McLachlan: Uist Song/Rhu vaternish/Mo Cailin Don

12 Fergie MacDonald: Tom and Mima's Golden Wedding/Millbank Cottage

13 Iain McLachlan: Maggie's Reel

14 Fergie MacDonald: Addie Harper's/Maureen's/Ness Bothan

15 Iain and Fergie: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban/Argyllshire Gathering

Unavailable

The Exiles: The Hale and the Hanged (1967)

2010-11-13T14:05:00.009Z

The Exiles: The Hale and the Hanged (1967)

After the group's debut LP, 1966's Freedom Come All Ye, the follow-up was released in 1967. Although this is a poor recording - recorded from a scratched record with some beginnings of tracks cropped - it is important because it's such a rare album. This is the only recording on The Music Gatherer so far which was not recorded from my collection (I downloaded this from an anarchist blog -fiddler Bobby Campbell was a communist) and I've posted it here because I've never seen it anywhere else. If I ever do find a copy, I'll make a better recording.

Formed in 1964, The Exiles were Bobby Campbell (fiddle, mandola, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Enoch Kent (whistle, vocals), and Gordon McCulloch (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals). So named because the three, from Glasgow, were living and working in London. Campbell died in 1997, while Kent still sings in his adopted Canada.

01 The Jolly Beggar

02 The Fair Flower of Northumberland

03 The Corner House/The Sally Gardens

04 The Laird o Windy Wa

05 Dainty Davie

06 Le Reel du Pendu

07 Queen Eleanors Confession

08 The Plooman Laddie

09 The Shoals o Herring

10 The Coolin/I Walked up to Her

11 The Battle of Harlow

12 I Will Lay Ye Doon Love

13 Planxty Davies

Unavailable

Other recordings featuring Enoch Kent:
The Reivers: The Work of the Reivers (1959)
New Voices from Scotland (1965)

Various Artists: The Hoot'nanny Show (1964)

2010-11-13T09:46:00.006Z

Various Artists: The Hoot'nanny Show Vol 2 (1964)

There were a number of highly successful folk concerts in Edinburgh in the early 1960s, with many visiting singers and musicians travelling from England and Ireland including Barney McKenna, Luke Kelly (both of The Dubliners), Nadia Cattouse, Roy Guest, The Ian Campbell Folk Group and so on. This album, Hoot'nanny Vol.2, is one of a number of similar releases from this time, and is a gem for those interested in the folk music revival era. The compere of the show was journalist W Gordon Smith.

01 Roy Guest: Kellyburn Braes

02 Ray and Archie Fisher: Johnny I Hardly Knew You

03 Eleanor Leith: John Riley

04 Barney McKenna: The Mason's Apron

05 Roy Guest: Strangest Dream

06 Ray & Archie Fisher: The Blackleg Miner

07 Eleanor Leith: The Water Is Wide

08 The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell: The Roving Ploughboy

09 Ray and Archie Fisher: Johnny McEldoo

10 Roy Guest: Everybody Loves Saturday Night

Unavailable

Companion album to
Various Artists: The Hoot'nanny Show Vol 1 (1964)

The Legendary Angus Fitchet (1983)

2010-11-08T11:07:00.004Z

The Legendary Angus Fitchet (1983)

01 Elizabeth Adair*/Donald Ian Rankine/My Dungannan Sweetheart/Shakin' of the Piggery

02 Millbank Cottage/Captain Carswell

03 My Heart Is Sair/Auld Scotch Sangs/Nameless Lassie/Annie Laurie

04 The Dancing Dustman

05 Melody for Jim McFarlane*/The Joan Blue March*

06 The Mary Smith Polka*

07 JB Milne*/Donald Stewart the Piper/Norman Whitelaw*/The Miller

08 Jack Cooper March*/John Stephen of Chance Inn*/Rhoda McFadyen*

09 Lerwick Waltz*

10 Hornpipes: Robertson's/Cooper's/College/Miss Gayton's

11 Golden Harvest*/Comps to Ian Powrie*/Lass o' Corrie's Mill/Mrs Agnes Watt

12 Scott Skinner's Cradle Song/Thrums Cairn

13 Miss Delicia Chisholm/Gay Gordons

14 Stool of Repentance/Jackson's Jig/Maids on the Green/Frost is All Over

In 1921 Angus Fitchet from Dundee was taken by his fiddler father to see James Scott Skinner perform at the Caird Hall. It changed his life and from that day he practised playing along with Skinner's 78rpm recordings. By 1931 he was recording for Beltona Records and thus began a long and successful recording and performing career. As well as his own bands, Fitchet played with many of the great musicians and bands of his day: Jimmy Shand, Will Starr, Robert Wilson, Jimmy Blue, Andy Stewart, Bobby Crowe, etc.

This album does not have much solo fiddling, disappointingly; it's very much a band recording, but it has Fitchet's spirit in it and includes many of his compositions (marked *).

Front and back covers included

Unavailable

Black Donald: Dancing Hazards (1985)

2010-11-08T09:41:00.003Z

Black Donald: Dancing Hazards (1985)

01 Jim Christie of Wick/John Keith Lang/Barrowburn Reel

02 A Highland Laddie

03 Willie's Brogues/Old Toasty

04 Glenlogie

05 The Wee Tot/Ness Bothan

06 Ballachulish Glen

07 Eppie Morrie/Cooley's Reel

08 The Resting Chair/John Murray of Lochee

09 The Braemar Poacher

10 Charlie Hunter/The Highlander/The Stool of Repentance

11 Lady Mary Ann

12 Dancing Hazards/Black Donald/Donacht Head/Bert MacCroskie

Black Donald were David "Dagger Gordon (cittern, mandolin, banjo, whistles), Iain MacBeath (fiddle) and Ian MacDonald (vocals, guitar). The played around the north of Scotland for a few years but this was their only recording. Dagger Gordon released the first Scottish mandolin recording - Highland Mandolin in 1988 - and was involved with the group Highland Connection and the Donald Dubh ceilidh band (Donald Dubh - Scots gaelic, translates as Black Donald). Jim Sutherland of Mirk and The Easy Club also played on the album.

Unavailable

Fergie MacDonald: Come Dancing (c1966)

2010-11-08T08:39:00.004Z

Fergie MacDonald: Come Dancing (c1966)

01 Bonawe Highlanders/MacLeod of Mull

02 Rose of Arranmore/Tramps and Hawkers/Forty Shades of Green

03 Old man of OA/Croonan Nan Tonn/Little Todd/Fairy Love Song/Paddy O'Rafferty

04 Marie's Wedding/Mormond Braes/Lass o' Fyvie/Barnyards o' Delgaty/Bratach Bana

05 Forlorn Bard/Leaving Lewis/Mingulay

06 Mason's Apron/Blackberry Bush/Stack of Wheat

07 Thistle of Scotland/Road to the Isles/The Black Mill

08 Arthur Bignall of Lochrosque/Hugh Alexander

09 Roddy McCorley/McPherson's Rant/Lord Lovat's Lament

10 Bonnie Flora/Farewell to Skye/My Love, the Maiden Fair

11 Duke of Atholl/Wee Murdie/Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre/Jean Ireland

12 Morag Made the Wedding/The Whisky Man/Wee Man from Skye/Calum Beag

13 Duke of Perth/This Is Nae My Ain Lassie/Caddum Wood/Rakes of Mallow

Button accordionist Fergie MacDonald is held with considerable affection in Scotland, celebrated for basic hard-core ceilidh music. His band was formed in 1960, and this early recording (his second album after Dance To Your Partner") probably dates from around 1966, when Fergie was resident at the Highlanders' Institute in Glasgow. Over twenty albums followed this, and Fergie is as much listened to today as he ever was.

Unavailable

William Hannah 78s

2010-10-20T16:16:00.005+01:00

William Hannah (1891-1961) was from Blackburn, some 20 miles west of Edinburgh. A postman by trade, he was also an influential melodeon player and band leader, releasing over a hundred commercial recordings in solo, duet, trio and band formats. His five-piece band were popular, and included melodeon, fiddle, drums, piano and trumpet, echoing Jim Cameron's Band of later years. This compilation is from recordings in my own collection.

01 Eightsome Reel: Unknown Reels

02 Highland Waltz: Leezie Lindsay/Ho Ro My Nut Brown Maiden/Skye Boat Song

03 Circassian Circle: Circassian Circle/74th's Farewell/Pibroch of Donal Dhu

04 Dashing White Sergeant: Original/Kenmure's On An' Awa'/Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre

05 Scottish or Foursome Reel: Duncan Davidson/Soldier's Joy/Lord Lyndoch/The Fairy Dance

06 The Duke of Perth: Original/Staten Island/Old Grey Cat/Good Night an' Joy Be Wi Ye A'

07 Flowers of Edinburgh/Lochleven Castle/Teetotaller

08 Scottish Reform: Original/Stool of Repentance/March of Donald of the Isles to the Battle of Harlaw/Unknown Jig

09 The Dundee Reel: Bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee/Hundred Pipers/Rock and Wee Pickle Tow/Unknown Jig

10 The Boston Two-Step

11 St Bernard's Waltz: Little Annie Rooney/Peggy O'Neill/Molly O'Morgan/Maggie Murphy's Home

12 Canadian Three-Step (William Hannah)

13 Celine Waltz (William Hannah)

14 Lady Mary Douglas/Biddy the Bowl Wife/Roaring Jelly/Unknown Jig

15 Glasgow Highlanders/Unknown Schottisches

16 Inverness Gathering/Athole Highlanders

Doonload

The Cameron Men: Classic Scots Fiddle Recordings from the Thirties (1977)

2010-07-16T10:44:00.003+01:00

The Cameron Men: Classic Scots Fiddle Recordings from the Thirties (1977)

This is glorious music from the era of the 78rpm record. The Cameron Men from Kirriemuir in Angus were brothers William (Bill), James (Jim), George (all fiddles) and Stewart (piano) and were popular musicians throughout the area. They learned fiddle from a celebrated musician from Newtyle (10 miles from Kirrie) called John "Dancie" Reid, so called because of his ability to play fiddle and dance and the same time. It was William who achieved greatest success early on, winning several fiddle contests in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was the first brother to be recorded, travelling to London in 1931 to Edison Bell Ltd studios. Within a couple of years, the four brothers were recorded together under the name The Cameron Men for Scots label Beltona Records, and in various line-ups, solo, as an ensemble, and as part of Dancie Reid's bands, they compiled a decent recorded output.

James Cameron also recorded solo, but it was as leader of the Jim Cameron Band, who recorded some sixty sides for Beltona in the 1940s and 50s, that he is most well known.

William's son Angus Cameron became a well-known fiddler in his own right in the 1970s and 80s.

01 Cameron Men: Abercairney Highlanders/Ballochmyle/Speed the Plough

02 Cameron Men: Polka

03 James Cameron: John MacFadyen of Melfort/Brig of Perth/Earl of Crawford's Reel

04 William Cameron: Farewell to Gartly/Stirling Castle/Soldier's Joy

05 Cameron Men: Miss Drummond of Perth/Maggie Cameron/The Favourite

06 James Cameron: The Rock and Wee Pickle Tow/Blackthorn Stick/Teviot Brig/Humours of Donnybrook

07 William Cameron: Our Highland Queen/Forth Brig/Forth Brig

08 Cameron Men: Loch Katrine/Miss Lyall/Loch Leven

09 James Cameron: 6-8 March/Smith's a Gallant Fireman/Pretty Peggy

10 James Cameron: Cumberland Reel/father o' Flynn/Auld Brig o' Ayr/Wind That Shakes the Barley

11 Cameron Men: Earl Dalhousie/Lady Mary Ramsay/Soldier's Joy

12 William Cameron: Banks o' Allan/Craigellachie Brig/Lasses o' Stewarton

13 Cameron Men: Dashing White Sergeant/My Love She's But a Lassie Yet/ The Rose Tree

14 James Cameron: Rakes of Kildare/Swallow Tail/Queen's Welcome to Deeside/The Drummer

15 Cameron Men: Circassian Circle/Brechin Brig/Victoria Hornpipe

16 Cameron Men: Bonnie Ann/Bob Johnston/Bob Johnston

Unavailable

James F Dickie: James F Dickie's Delights (1976)

2010-07-16T10:39:00.003+01:00

James F Dickie: James F Dickie's Delights (1976)

The only recordings we have of Jim Dickie (1886-1983) are from tapes he recorded for his own amusement in the early 1950s. They were remastered and released on this LP in 1976, and a few more on a cassette which came out in 1980 (The Dickie Style). The quality is not perfect, but it affords us the chance to hear a significant Scottish fiddler of the early 20th century. His style is very much of the James Scott Skinner mode, and therefore doesn't always fit in with how our modern ears perceive fiddle music, but you can hear that Dickie was an extremely accomplished player, even if these recordings were made when he was past his prime (Dickie was performing at the turn of the twentieth century with other fiddlers and his brother John, a champion tin whistler). At the very least, this is a document of a bygone style of North-East fiddling.

01 The Cairdin' O't/Highland Donald

02 Francis Sitwell

03 Hard Is My Fate/Good Wife Admit the Wanderer

04 The Dean Brig o' Edinburgh

05 Glencoe/The Trumpet/Banks

06 The Smith's Waltz

07 Millhill's/Laird o' Drumblair/The Baker

08 Bonnie Lass o' Bon Accord

09 The Peterhead Polka

10 Braes o' Auchtertyre/Leaving the Glen

11 The Miller of Drone/JF Dickie's Reel

12 Bovaglie's Plaid/South of the Grampians/Good Old John

13 MacPherson's Rant

14 Madam Frederick/Earl Grey

15 Whistle O'er the Lave O't/White Cockade

Unavailable

Other albums featuring J F Dickie:

James F Dickie: The Dickie Style (1980)

James F Dickie: The Dickie Style (1980)

2010-07-16T10:35:00.004+01:00

James F Dickie: The Dickie Style (1980)

Jim Dickie was born in New Deer, Aberdeenshire in 1886. His father was a concertina player, and his brother John was a champion penny whistle player. By the age of seventeen he had started winning fiddle contestsAs a fiddler his biggest influences were James Scott Skinner, whom he knew, and Bill Duguid of Aberdeen. His style is very much in the Skinner camp, and is very much of its time, not always easily accessible to modern ears, but there's no doubt he was a very accomplished player. His friend J Murdoch Henderson wrote of him, "A player of great taste and polish. In the rendering of slow strathspeys and E flat airs in general his style is inimitable." This recording consists of his own home recordings from the early 1950s, complemented by tracks from his son-in-law James Duncan, and was issued on cassette in 1980.

James F Dickie:

01 Our Highland Queen

02 Smith's a Gallant Fireman

03 North Shore Hornpipe

04 Stirling Castle/Rachel Rae

05 Tulchan Lodge/Gladstone Reel/Glenlivet/The Hurricane

06 Shakins o' the Pocky/Farewell to Gartly/O'er the Hill/Newcastle Hornpipe

07 Master Francis Sitwell/Glories of the Star

08 Princess Beatrice

09 Finlay's Hornpipe

10 Castles In the Air

James Duncan:

11 Laird o' Bernerside/Earl Grey/JF Dickie's Reel

12 Braes o'Auchentyre/Mirth & Melody/Fit & Fervour

13 JF Dickie's Delight/The Baker

14 Peterhead Polka

15 Bonnie Lass of Headlake/Tarland Memories

16 Bob Steele/The Spey In Spate

17 Mar Castle/The Hawk

18 JO Forbes of Corse

19 Haslam's Hornpipe

20 Riches Denied

Unavailable

Other albums featuring J F Dickie:

James F Dickie's Delights (1976)

The Fiddler's Companion (1980)

2010-07-14T20:15:00.004+01:00

The Fiddler's Companion (Waverley Records GLN 1023, 1980)

This was released as a companion to a book of fiddle tunes, The Caledonian Companion (there was already an LP of that name, so they had to come up with something else). It's simply a small collection of tracks from some of Scotland's top fiddlers of the time. The LP kicks off with Aly Bain playing a couple of wonderful sets, and continues at a very high standard. Other fiddlers featured include Angus Grant from Fort William, Tom Anderson from Shetland, Hector MacAndrew from Fyvie, Donald Stewart from Edinburgh, Alastair Hardie and Bill Hardie from Aberdeen. Because MacAndrew died just before he was due to record the tracks for this LP, they have used some earlier recordings from the 1960s.

Tracks

01 Aly Bain: The Shakin's o' the Pocky/Princess Beatrice

02 Aly Bain: The Firth House/Mrs Forbes Leith

03 Angus Grant: Well May Charley Wear the Crown/Lady Dorothea Stewart Murray's

04 Angus Grant: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban

05 Alastair Hardie: Gin Yell Kiss My Wife I'll Tell the Minister/here's a Helath to Glorious Wellington

06 Alastair Hardie: Robert Innes of Stirling Universirty/Whistle O'er the Lave O't

07 Alastair Hardie: Methlick Style/Madam Neruda

08 Donald Stewart: Merrily Danced the Quaker's Wife/My Wife's a Wanton/Stool of Repentance

09 Donald Stewart: Balmoral Castle/Miller o' Dervil/James Hardie

10 Tom Anderson: Da Sixereen/Willafjord/Da Grocer

11 Bill Hardie: Mr AG Wilken's Fav/Jenny Hardie's Reel

12 Bill Hardie: Earl Haig/Laird o' Drumblair/Speed the Plough

13 Hector MacAndrew: Chapel Keithack

14 Hector MacAndrew: Muir o' Gellan/Gillen's Reel

15 Hector MacAndrew: Gicht Cadstle/Mrs JH Alexander/JH Alexander Esq

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Tom Anderson:

Tom Anderson: Scottish Violin Music (1963)

Other albums featuring Hector MacAndrew:

Hector MacAndrew: Scottish Fiddle Music (1963)

Hector MacAndrew: Scots Fiddle (1975)

Angus Cameron: Strings to the Bow (1977)

2010-07-10T22:31:00.003+01:00

Angus Cameron: Strings to the Bow (1977)

This was Cameron's follow-up to his first solo LP, Bow to the Fiddle (1975) and it has him on top form playing the music he obviously loves. Steeped in the fiddle tradition of the county of Angus, Cameron displays an understanding of the genre. Cameron's father Will Cameron had travelled to London in 1931 to record some solo sides for Edison Bell records, and twee years later again, this time with his brothers James and George (fiddles) and Stewart (piano), recorded a number of solo and group efforts. These records have been re-issued in LP format.

01 Harry Scott of Friokheim/Earl of Dalkeith/Tony Reid of Balnakilly

02 JO Forbes of Corse/Glen Grant/Sir Reginald McDonald

03 The Weeping Birches of Kilmorack

04 Mrs HL McDonald/Duke of Edinburgh/Stray Lodge

05 The Flower o' the Quern-Ballochmyle Brig-Angus Campbell

06 Glen Prosen March/Littlejohn's Hame/Spey In a Spate

07 Farewell to Whisky/Beeswing

08 Margaret-Anne Robertson/Earl Grey/hurdle Race

09 March of the Cameron Men/Cameron Highlanders/Mrs McIntosh of Raigmore/Marquis of Huntly

10 Our Highland Queen/Forth Brig/Forth Brig

11 Mr Minchie/Mrs Adie/Mackintosh of Mackintosh

12 Stool of Repentance/Patrick Harper's Jig/Rakes of Kildare

13 Da Tushkar/Mickie Ainsworth/Millbrae/Susan Cooper

14 Sweet Georgia Brown

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Angus Cameron:

Angus Cameron: Bow to the Fiddle (1975)

VA: Scottish Fiddlers to the Fore (1970)

The National Fiddle Championship 1977 (1977)

Angus Cameron: Bow to the Fiddle (1975)

2010-07-10T16:05:00.007+01:00

Angus Cameron: Bow to the Fiddle (Beltona Sword SBE 180, 1975)

During the 1930s there was a group of three brothers in the county of Angus called The Cameron Men, who performed and recorded Scottish fiddle music. Angus Cameron of Kirriemuir was born into this family, and learned fiddle from an early age from one of the Cameron Men, his father Will Cameron. In 1952 Angus won the Alyth Fiddle Festival at the age of 17, and soon afterwards the Scottish Fiddle Championship, starting an illustrious path through Scottish fiddle circles. As well as playing with his own dance band, he has appeared on numerous television programmes and reformed the Angus Strathspey and Reel Society.

01 Balmoral Castle/Glenlivet/David Adams

02 Flowers o' the Forest

03 Corgarff Castle/Marquis of Huntly/Eugene Stratton

04 Athole Highlanders' Farewell/Brig o' Perth/High Road to Linton

05 Bonnie Lass o' Bon Accord

06 Edgefauld House/Forbes Morrison/The Hurricane

07 The Hen's March/Willafiord Jack/Ollifiord Jack

08 Scott Skinner's Comps/Marchioness of Huntly/Willie Mann of Paddy

09 Mrs Maj Stewart of Java/Bob Johnstone's/Bob Johnstone's

10 Taps of Fechle/Jimmy Blue's/Jimmy Blue's

11 Mrs Scott Skinner/Craigellachie Brig/Lassies o' Stewarton

12 Blackthorn Stick/Connaughtman's Rambles/Tennpenny Bit/Biddy the Bowl Wife

13 Lament for Abercairney/Miss Marianne Oliphant/Cross of Inverness

14 Oh Lady Be Good

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Angus Cameron:

Angus Cameron: Strings to the Bow (1977)

Various Artists: Scottish Fiddlers to the Fore (1970)

Various Artists: The National Fiddle Championship 1977 (1977)

Various Artists: Scottish Fiddlers to the Fore (1970)

2010-07-10T13:00:00.008+01:00

Various Artists: Scottish Fiddlers to the Fore (1970)

This record is old and not in top condition, so there's a lot of pops and crackles. The reason for posting it, however, is the rarity and the standard of fiddle playing.

This album is a live recording of the winners of a one-off fiddle competition held in Perth in November 30th 1969. The judges there were Yehudi Menuhin, Hector MacAndrew, Watson Forbes and James Hunter (Hunter later notated some of the pieces on this record for his book The Fiddle Music of Scotland).

First prize was given to Arthur Scott Robertson of Shetland, who went on to record two LPs using his title: Champion's Choice and Scotland's Champion Fiddler. Second was William MacPherson of Elgin giving an incredible performance of Scott Skinner's Valley of Silence. Third equal went to Angus Cameron of Kirriemuir, who is a descendant of the Cameron Men who were fiddle recording artists in the 1930s, and Florence Burns from Aberdeen.

The second side of the LP features a small selection of fiddle orchestras; I have not included these in this download.

01 Arthur Scott Robertson: Maclean of Pennycross/Maggie Cameron/Duntroon

02 Arthur Scott Robertson: Countess of Crawford/Marquis of Huntly's

03 Arthur Scott Robertson: Greig's Strathspey/Beeswing Hornpipe

04 William MacPherson: Valley of Silence

05 William MacPherson: Mackworth/Mary Walker

06 Angus Cameron: Scott Skinner's Comps to Dr MacDonald/South of the Grampians/John McNeill's Reel

07 Angus Cameron: Beauty of the North/Geordie Affleck

08 Florence Burns: Dargai/Miss Laura Andrew/The Hawk Hornpipe

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Arthur Scott Robertson:

Arthur Scott Robertson: Scotland's Champion Fiddler

Arthur Scott Robertson: Champion's Choice

Other albums featuring Angus Cameron:

Angus Cameron: Bow to the Fiddle (1975)

Angus Cameron: Strings to the Bow (1977)

National Fiddle Championship 1977 (1977)

Bill Brian: A Fiddler's Tribute to Scott Skinner (1982)

2010-07-07T12:21:00.003+01:00

Bill Brian: A Fiddler's Tribute to Scott Skinner (1982)

Bill Brian is from Elgin and has been involved with the Scots fiddle scene for many years as a performer, teacher and organiser. He is currently leader of The Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society, a post he took over from the great fiddler Willie MacPherson, also of Elgin. Brian is also a member of the Colin Donaldson Scottish Dance Band. On this album he is accompanied by Ena Anderson (later Ena Brian) on piano and organ, Frank Henery on guitar, and Brian Payne on bass. All the tunes on the LP were composed by James Scott Skinner.

Tracks:

01 Dumbarton Castle/Kirrie Kebbuck/Thrums Cairn

02 Rosacre

03 Mrs Christie/Laird o' Haughs/Eugene Stratton

04 Dr Morrison's/Professor Blackie/Farewell to Huntly

05 Sarona

06 Shakin's o' the Pocky/Miss Mary Walker

07 Lord Huntly's Cave/Dr McHardy/Dan Stewart

08 Dargai

09 Dr Keith/Ben Alligen

10 Bride's/Baker/Peter Gray/Scott Skinner

11 The Fallen Chief

12 Herr Roloff's Farewell/Mrs Chree/Carnie's Canter

Unavailable

Jack Beck: O Lassie, Lassie (1989)

2010-07-04T14:56:00.005+01:00

Jack Beck: O Lassie, Lassie

When Jack Beck was asked to record a solo album im the late 1980s, he got the rest of the current line-up of Heritage to play on the album with him. The result is a splendid collection of songs with tasteful accompaniment, and anyone interested in Scots folksinging will be delighted with this.

01 Birnie Bouzle

02 Matt Hyland

03 Twa Corbies

04 Kilbowie Hill

05 The Bleacher Lass o' Kelvinhaugh

06 Bound to Be a Row

07 Ned of the Hill

08 The Jolly Beggar

09 Love Is Teasing

10 The Merchant's Son

Jack Beck: vocals, guitar

Gary Coupland: accordion

Pete Clark: fiddle

Mike Ward: whistle, keyboards, Northumbrian pipes

Alistair Marshall: Highland bagpipes, flute

George Haig: banjo, mandola, Autoharp

Davy Lockhart: fiddle

Lindsay Porteous: jew's harp

Chris Miles: backing vocals

Andy Hunter: backing vocals

Colin Stuart: backing vocals

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Jack Beck:

Heritage: Some Rantin' Rovin' Fun (1980)

Heritage: When the Dancin' It's A' Done (1981)

Heritage: When the Dancin' It's A' Done (1981)

2010-07-04T14:09:00.004+01:00

Heritage: When the Dancin' It's A' Done (No Bad Records NBLP-2, 1981)

This, the second Heritage album, is a marked difference to the first. By this time the group was down to a six piece: Jack Beck (guitar, vocals), Davy Lockhart (fiddle), Jim Dunn (accordion), George Haig (banjo, guitar) and Lindsay Porteous (jaw harp, bodhran, pan-pipes, mouth organ, bones) were joined by Mike Ward (whistles and harmonium).

01 Over the Water wi' Charlie/Key of the Cellar/Bonnie Prince Charlie

02 Tattie Time

03 Niel Gow's Lament for his Second Wife

04 Lochiel's Welcome to Glasgow/Jig of Slurs

05 Bogie's Bonnie Belle

06 Boulavogue/The Minster Cloak

07 Farewell to Tarwathie

08 Hills of Glenorchy/Hare In the Corn/Hartigan's Fancy/Athole Highlanders

09 Fordell Ball

10 Salmon Tails Up the Water/The Rose Tree

11 The Rock and the Week Pickle Tow

12 Haste to the Wedding/Charlie Hunter/Drops of Brandy

13 The Plaidie Awa'/Maggie's Foot

14 Ae Fond Kiss/I'll Ay Ca' In By Yon Toon/My Love She's But a Lassie Yet

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Heritage:

Heritage: Some Rantin' Rovin' Fun (1980)

Jack Beck: O Lassie, Lassie (1989)

Heritage: Some Rantin' Rovin' Fun (1980)

2010-07-04T13:59:00.007+01:00

Heritage: Some Rantin' Rovin' Fun (1980)

Heritage were a band regarded with some affection within the Scottish folk scene. They were born out of folk clubs and pub sessions in the mid-1970s and centred around Dunfermline in Fife. Founder member Jack Beck had been singing for years, solo and with fellow Fifer Barbara Dickson (1964-66). Other participants of the club scene who became part of the earliest Heritage were Jim Dunn (accordion), Davie Lockhart (fiddle), Mike o' Connor (fiddle), Mike Mustard (fiddle), Lindsay Porteous (jews harp, mouth organ, bodhran), George Haig (banjo) and Mark Milligan (bodhran). This line-up recorded this first Heritage LP, and unfortunately the recording quality is terrible; it was recorded quite primitively in a Fife village hall. I believe it was never meant to have been released, but served as a cassette souvenir for band members. However, it was 'remastered' and published in 1980 on No Bad Records. If you can get past the recording, the music is worthwhile, albeit a little like listening in to the local pub session.

01) The Blackthorn Stick/The Rakes of Kildare/Drowsie Maggie

02) Sleepytoon/The haughs o' Cromdale

03) The Reverend Archie Beaton

04) Cherish the Ladies/The Tenpenny Bit/The Frost is All Over

05) The Band o' Shearers

06) The Reel of Tulloch/The Athol Highlanders

07) Gordon's Favourite/Viellafjord/The Peerie Hoose A'hint the Burn

08) Dunfermline Feein' Mercat

09) Fanny Power

10) Lindsay's Reel/Flogging Reel

11) The Jig o' Slurs/The Hare in the Corn/Hartigan's Fancy

12) Hishie Ba'

13) Julia Delaney/The Foxhunter Jig

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Heritage:

Heritage: When the Dancin' It's A' Done (1981)

Jack Beck: O Lassie, Lassie (1989)

Tom Anderson: Shetland Fiddle Music (c 1970)

2010-07-04T09:33:00.006+01:00

Tom Anderson: Shetland Fiddle Music (Thule Records SNI 214, c.1970)

This is an EP (extended play 45rpm record) published in about 1970 by a small Shetland label called Thule Records. Being an old record, it's a little scratchy, but the sheer magnificence of Anderson's playing obscures any background noise. As usual, the tracks are a mixture of traditional Shetland tunes and pieces from the Scottish repertoire. Anderson performs both with, in my opinion, brilliance. This is an absolute treasure of a recording - enjoy!

01 Sail Her Ower the Raftress/Deil Stick da Minister/Taste da Green

02 Second Star Hornpipe/Madam Vanoni

03 Da Forefit o' da Ship/Sleep Soond ida Mornin'/Lasses Trust in Providence

04 Soo's Lament for Tatties

05 The Hens March O'er da Midden

Tom Anderson fiddle

with

Marjory Smith piano

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Tom Anderson:

Tom Anderson: Scottish Violin Music (1963)

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Violin Music (1966)

2010-07-03T18:02:00.008+01:00

Ron Gonnella: Scottish Violin Music (Scots Disc SDL-001, 1966)

I don't know as much as I'd like about the late Ron Gonnella. He taught at Morrison's Academy in Crieff, Perthshire, but I haven't met anyone who knew him. What little I know is here is gleaned from record sleeves.

Ron Gonnella's great grandfather was a Robert Dewar from Perthshire, who was a shepherd near Tulliemet in Perthshire. Gonnella was from Dundee originally, and played in the Scottish Dance Band circuit with the bands of Jim Johnstone and Anrew Rankine. He had his own band for a while - featuring Iain MacPhail on accordion - but it was as a solo artist that he toured all over the world promoting Scots fiddle music. He recorded many albums (I have twelve different records) and I think this one was his first solo recording.

The instrument Gonella played was a 1722 Italian violin made by Carlo Antonio Tanegia. I have been told that after his death there were a number of fiddlers desperate to try it to achieve the same wonderful tone that Gonella produced; in the end it turned out to be a mediocre fiddle, and it was the musician who was special, not the instrument.

01) The Braes o' Auchtertyre (Crockat)/The Miller o' Dervil (Barnett)/Jamie Shearer (Duncan)

02) Hard Is My Fate/Mrs Greig's Strathspey/The Perth Assembly (Duncan)

03) Miss Graham of Inchbrakie (Nath Gow)/Glen Rinnes (D Grant)/Loch Leven Castle

04) The Fallen Chief (J Scott Skinner)

05) Scott Skinner's Compliments to Dr MacDonald (J Scott Skinner)/J F MacKenzie, Stornoway (Ross)/Bleaton Gardens

06) Cluny Castle (Troup)/The Duke of Montrose/The Duke of Montrose

07) The House of Skene (Davie)/Kilwinning Archers/Pretty Peggy

08) Niel Gow's Lament for James Moray of Abercairney (Niel Gow)/The Weavers of Newly/The Flowers of Edinburgh

09) The Rover (J Scott Skinner)

10) The Highland Society of Scotland/Lady Madeline Sinclair/The High Road to Linton

11) Coilsfield House (Nath Gow)

12) The Fallen Hero (Nath Gow)

13) The 'Bonnie Ann' (J Scott Skinner)/Mrs Reid of Kilcalmkill (D Grant)/ The Earl of Seafield (D Grant)

Ron Gonnella (fiddle),

with

Robert Campbell (piano)

Unavailable

Other posts featuring Ron Gonnella:
Ron Gonnella: The Gow Collections (1973)
Ron Gonnella: Fiddler's Fancy (1975)
Ron Gonnella: Fiddle Gems (1976)
Various Artists: Fiddle Miscellany 3 (2010)

Iolair: Music and Song from Scotland

2010-06-30T21:15:00.004+01:00

Iolair were Norman Stewart from Easter Ross and Janice Clark from Aberdeen. Janice's aunt, Lindy Cheyne, was a founder member of Aberdeen Folk-Song Club and introduced her to the scene at an early age. There she listened to some of the giants in Scots song: Jeannie Robertson, Lizzie Higgins, Jimmie MacBeath, etc. Her younger sisters Jenny and Kathleen followed Janice into the Scots music field (Jenny was once the singer in The Battlefield Band).

Norman Stewart, a forester by profession, was surrounded by Gaelic music and song as a child, and when he was in Edinburgh he frequented Sandy Bell's Bar in the company of Hamish Henderson and other highly influential people. Norman met and later married Janice Clark (later of the group Highland Tradition) at a North-East ceilidh and the partnership produced one record, Music and Song from Scotland, offered here.

Iolair: Music and Song from Scotland (Celtic Music CM003, 1980)

01) The Kings Command

02) Gaudie Rins

03) Sitting In the Stern of a Boat

04) Shirra Dam

05) Glasgow Gaelic Club/The Blackberry Bush

06) Sandwood Down to Kyle

07) Laddie Lie Near Me

08) Ciaora/The Wee Man from Skye

09) Cirichree

10) As I Went Into Inverness-shire

11) The Poachers

12) Yellow Haired Laddie

13) John MacMillan of Barra/MacLeod of Mull (MacLeod)

14) Fishermans Wife

Janice Clark (vocals)

Norman Stewart (vocals)

with

Christine Martin (fiddle)

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Norman Stewart:

The North Highland Tradition

Will Powrie - 78s

2010-05-17T08:48:00.005+01:00

William Powrie, Scottish Melodeon from 78 rpm Recordings (early 1930s)

This collection of recordings from 78s from the 1930s is Scottish traditional music at its best, in my opinion. Will Powrie, from Forteviot in Perthshire, was a recording artist on Beltona Records, first recording his "ane to sax" series of sides in June 1932. The following May he recorded thirteen duets with his son Ian Powrie on fiddle , eight of which are presented here. Later in the same year - 1933 - Will entered a melodeon competition in Perthshire, coming third (first was Davie Raitt of Dundee, second was one Jimmy Shand of Fife - I wonder whatever happened to him?). Will's solo recordings are a treat, but in the "ane to sax" sides there is a background sound which has been presumed to be piano. It's not, and I've come to the conclusion that it is a foot gong, played by Powrie himself.

Powrie had two musical sons. The previously mentioned Ian, who went on to play fiddle in Shand's band, and formed his own successful dance band before emigrating to Australia. Now 86, his mind is still alert. Bill Powrie played piano accordion, and also forged a successful career in the Scottish Dance Band scene.

I can't recommend these recordings highly enough. They're an insight into what was being played in Scotland in the 1920s and 30s, and a rare opportunity to hear one of the tradition bearers of the time.

WILLIAM and IAN POWRIE

1) Highland Wedding-John McAlpine-Inver Lassies

2) Petronella-The Rose Tree-My love Is But a Lassie Yet

3) Jigs: Rory O'More-The Blackthorn Stick-Stool of Repentance

4) Scotch Reform: The Banks of Allan-Jackson's Jig-Captain White

5) Highland Fling: Marquis of Huntly-Monymusk-Miss Drummond of Perth

6) Old Style Waltz: Grannie's Hieland Hame-Come Under My Plaidie

7) Sword Dance: Miss Stewart-Whistle O'er the Lave O't-Wha Saw the 42nd?

8) Strip the Willow: High Road to Linton-Speed the Plough-Mason's Apron-Mrs Mcleod

WILLIAM POWRIE

9) The Scottish Lilt: Hundred pipers-Pibroch o' Donald Dhu-Blue Bonnets O'er the Border

10) Original Eightsome Reel: Reel-Soldier's Joy-Wind That Shakes the Barley-Rachael Rae

11) Ane - March, Strathspey & Reel: Elspeth Campbell-Willie Cook-Speed the Plough

12) Twa - March, Strathspey & Reel: Drunken Piper-Highland Whisky-High Road to Linton

13) Three - Highland Quickstep: Inverness Gathering-Willie McLennan

14) Fower - March, Strathspey & Reel: Dovecote Park-Tulchan Lodge-Mason's Apron

15) Five - Highland Marches: The Marchioness of Tullibardine-The 93rd's Fareweel to Edinburgh

16) Sax - Highland Schottische: Orange and Blue-Laddie Wi' the Plaidie

WILLIAM and IAN POWRIE

17) Auld Songs Medley: Dying Ploughboy??-My Bonnie-Banks of Sweets Dundee?? BL 2093

18) Auld Songs Medley: Haughs of Cromdale-The Back o' Benachie-Peas Brose Again??-What's a' the Steer Kimmer

Doonload

The National Fiddle Championship, 1977

2010-04-26T09:09:00.007+01:00

The National Fiddle Championship, 1977 (EMI Records NTS 130, 1977)

01 Yla Steven: Balmoral Castle/Glen Grant/The Gladstone (all Scott Skinner)

02 Yla Steven: Dunkeld House (Gow)/Lads o' Dunse

03 Iain Laing: Dean Brig of Edinburgh (Archie Allan)/Banks (Parazotti)

04 Donald Montgomery: Lament for James Moray of Abercairney (Gow)

05 Donald Montgomery: Leaving Glenurquhart/Bob Steel/Pretty Peggy

06 Donald Montgomery: The Valley of Silence (Scott Skinner)

07 Angus Cameron: Marquis of Huntly's Farewell/John McNeill

08 Angus Cameron: H Mackworth (Wm Marshall)/Eugene Stratton

09 Douglas Lawrence: Earl Grey (James Hill)/Waverley Ball (John Lowe)

10 Douglas Lawrence: Lady Charlotte Campbell (Macintosh)

11 Douglas Lawrence: Duchess Bedford (Marshall)/Miss Wharton Duff of Orton (Marshall)/Miss Wharton Duff's Jig (Marshall)/Bee's Wing (James Hill)

This competition was organised by Lothian Regional Council as part of the International Clan Gathering in 1977. Judges were Tom Anderson, the renowned Shetland fiddler, Bill Hardie from Aberdeenshire, and Jim Hunter. Douglas Lawrence from Banffshire, at that time a student, won the contest. He had been taught by the legendary Hector MacAndrew. Angus Cameron was runner-up and Yla Steven third. The standard of fiddling on the record is high, especially considering that it was recorded live in front of a capacity audience in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Yla Steven:

Back to the Hills (1976)

Solos and Duets (n.d.)

Other albums featuring Angus Cameron:

Angus Cameron: Bow to the Fiddle (1975)

Angus Cameron: Strings to the Bow (1977)

Various Artists: Scottish Fiddlers to the Fore (1970)

The Cotters (1969)

2010-04-15T09:17:00.003+01:00

The Cotters (Page One Records FORS 030, 1969)

The Cotters were Alex Sutherland and Alistair ("Ali") Watson from Edinburgh, and they got together after meeting in a folk club. They were popular in Edinburgh and elsewhere, at one point recording a commercial for Carling Black Label beer. The name of the duo came about after Ali bought a second-hand mandolin which had "The Cotters" written on it, so they took on that name.

Ali Watson left the Scottish music scene in 1980 and emigrated to Western Australia. He had had several jobs including a deep-sea mariner. He became ill with cancer and died in 2001, after having visited Scotland the same year. After Ali went to Australia, Alex Sutherland, a piano-tuner by trade, teamed up with Ian Simpson and performed as The Alexians. He had also died of cancer by the mid-1980s.

As far as I know, this is the only recording they made.

01 Mingulay Boat Song

02 Killicrankie

03 Lowlands Low

04 Ye Jacobites

05 Charlie's Lament

06 McPherson's Farewell

07 Tramps and Hawkers

08 Bonnie Ship the Diamond

09 Wild Flying Dove

10 Standard On the Braes O'Mar

11 Fair and Tender Ladies

12 Night Errant

Alex Sutherland: guitar

Alistair Watson: guitar and mandolin

Unavailable

Yla Steven, Solos and Duets (n.d.)

2010-04-14T12:24:00.005+01:00

Yla Steven and Colin O'Riordan, Solos and Duets (n.d.)

1) The Fiddlers from Hoydalar

2) Lament for Archie Beaton

3) Mackworth/Mary Walker/Banks

4) Donald Macphersons lament

5) The Shetlander

6) The Coleburn

7) Edgefauld House/The Sands of Murness/Sandieburn Reel

8) The Wild Rose of the Mountain

9) Lady Charlotte Campbell/Robert McIntosh

10) Balmoral Castle/Glen Grant

11) The Academician

12) Chapel Keithack

13) The Tron Fiddlers

14) Lament for Lockerbie

15) The Hardanger

16) Niel Gow's Lament 2nd Wife

17) King Robert the Br/Craigellachie Bridge/The Devil and the Dirk

18) The Bonnie Lass O' Bonaccord

19) Back to Hills

20) The Duke of Fife's Welcome to Deeside/Tulchan Lodge/Left Handed Fiddle

I'm afraid I know very little about this recording, as I only had a copy on cassette. Yla Steven has been written about below; Colin O'Riordan was a highly influential music educator in Edinburgh who had a great love for traditional fiddle music. He took his own life in 2001 after becoming depressed about funding cuts. His only other fiddle recordings, as far as I know, are with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. All I have of the cover is a couple of poor quality scans.

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Yla Steven:

Back to the Hills (1976)

National Fiddle Championship 1977

Yla Steven, Back to the Hills (1976)

2010-04-14T11:26:00.006+01:00

Yla Steven, Back to the Hills (Scottish Records SR 142, 1976)

01 Back to the Hills

02 Duke of Fife's Welcome to Fife/Tulchan Lodge/Left Handed Fiddler

03 Caledonia's Wail for Neil Gow

04 Lady Charlotte Campbell

05 Glen Coe

06 Barren Rocks of Aden/Stirling Castle/Largo's Fairy Dance

07 The Valley of Silence

08 Queen's Welcome to Invercauld/Laird o' Drumblair/Deil Amang the Tailors

09 Dumbarton Castle/South of the Grampians/Marquis of Huntly's Reel

10 Ossian

11 Scott Skinner's Comps to Dr McDonald/The Iron Man/The Bungalow

12 Sitting In the Stern of a Boat

13 Beauty of the North/Geordie Affleck

14 Goodbye Gramin

15 Fyvie Castle

16 Balmoral Castle/Glen Grant/Gladstone

Yla Steven learned fiddle as a youngster in Edinburgh and Perthshire, and at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. She has been teaching fiddle in Edinburgh schools for many years now, and in 1983 formed the Lothian Schools Strathspey and Reels Society. Yla has won many fiddle championships, including the exclusive Golden Fiddle Award in 1976. As far as I know, she has released to albums of fiddle music: Back to the Hills in 1976, and Solos and Duets with the late Colin O'Riordan.

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Yla Steven:

Solos and Duets (n.d.)

National Fiddle Championship 1977

Various Artists: I Was Born In Glasgow (1991)

2009-12-12T14:42:00.008Z

Various Artists: I Was Born In Glasgow (Gallus Records GAL 102, 1991)

This was a one-off album put together by Ewan McVicar using the money he won in a song competition. It features a handful of singers from Glasgow including:

Iain Mackintosh, banjo player, concertina player and singer. He originally played in groups such as The Islanders and The Skerries, but is better known for his subsequent solo career.

Ian Davison was one of the young people who attended Norman Buchan's Ballads Club in Rutherglen Academy (other members included Gordeanna MacCulloch, Ann Neilson and Adam McNaughtan), and later formed a group, The Ian Davison Folk Four.

Hamish Imlach, a giant figure in Scottish folk singing.

Alan Tall, an actor and musician who provided vocals, saxophone, keyboards and percussion.

This album has not, to my knowledge, been re-released, but it is hoped that Ewan will consider it one day.

01 Iain Mackintosh: I Wish I Was In Glasgow (Billy Connolly)

02 Ewan McVicar & Alan Tall: Tam the Bam (Ewan McVicar)

03 Iain Mackintosh & Ewan McVicar: The Glasgow I Used to Know (Adam McNaughtan)

04 Ewan McVicar: Caves In the Canyons (Ian Davison)

05 Iain Mackintosh: Farewell to Glasgow (Jim McLean)

06 Ewan McVicar: Nancy Whisky (Ewan McVicar)

07 Ewan McVicar: I Belong to Glasgow (Will Fyffe)

08 Ewan McVicar & Alan Tall: Bus 33-Glasgow Rain (Ewan McVicar)

09 Hamish Imlach: Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice (Carl MacDougall)

10 Ian Davison: Doon In the Wee Room (McLughlin)

11 Ewan McVicar & Alan Tall: Dannie Lannie & his Heavy China (Ewan McVicar)

12 Hamish Imlach: Twelve and a Tanner (McKenzie/Fyffe)

13 Ewan McVicar: Barroom Mountaineers (trad)

14 Ian Davison: Going Home to Glasgow (Ian Davison)

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Iain Mackintosh:

The Islanders: Keep Left (1965)

A Better Class of Folk (1975)

Bobby MacLeod: Maestro MacLeod (1977)

2009-12-06T20:04:00.004Z

Bobby MacLeod: Maestro MacLeod (Emerald Gem GES 1171, 1977)

As the sleeve notes say, Bobby MacLeod is one of the all-time greats of the Scottish accordion. Originally from the island of Mull, MacLeod's recording career started in the early 1950s on 78rpm sides, and continued for decades afterwards. In this recording, rather like another here (Simply Solo), he is playing away from his usual band, except here he's accompanied by Wullie Thom on drums. The concept was formed as they jammed at Bobby's Hotel in Tobermory in 1976.

01 Hiram and Calum: Hi-O-Hiram/Calum Bheg

02 Piper's Delight: Millbank Cottage/The Edinburgh Volunteers

03 New Hebridean Waltz: Malcolm Ferguson

04 Two-Step: The Dancing Dustman

05 Polka: Happy Hours

06 Jiggery: Dan the Cobbler/The Maid On the Green/Jimmy McHugh

07 Reelography: Colonel Rodney/The General Election/The Byres Road

08 Waltz Musette: Bourrasque

09 March, Strathspey & Reel: Captain Carswell/Lady Macbeth/John Morrison of Assynt House

10 Pride of Erin Waltz: The Homes of Donegal/A Mother's Love/The Glens of Antrim/The County of Armagh

11 Hornpipery: The Kingston/The Golden Eagle/Off to California

12 Melodeonisticks: Les Triolets

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Bobby MacLeod:

Simply Solo (1988)

Norman Stewart: The North Highland Tradition

2009-12-05T14:46:00.005Z

Norman Stewart: The North Highland Tradition (Tigh na Teud, n.d.)

Norman Stewart is from Easter Ross, and a forester by profession. He was surrounded by Gaelic music and song as a child, and when he was in Edinburgh he frequented Sandy Bell's Bar in the company of Hamish Henderson and other highly influential people. Norman met and later married Janice Clark (later of the group Highland Tradition) at a North-East ceilidh and the partnership produced one record, called Iolair. I don't know of any of his recordings being released on CD. This recording is from a cassette, but there is no date given at all.

01 Pride of Coll (Iain MacDonald)

02 Fear a'Bhata

03 Coshieville (Stuart MacGregor)

04 John of Lorne (NeilMunro)

05 As I Went to Inverness-shire

06 Kenneth J MacLeod (Donald Macleod)/Lyndhurst (Jack Smith)/The Conundrum (Peter R MacLeod)

07 The Men of Knoydart (Hamish Henderson)

08 'S Fhada leam an Oidhche Gheamhraidh (Murchadh MacPharlain a Mealabost)

09 Macallum's Lament

10 My Donald (Owen Hand)

11 A Ribhinn Og Bheil Cuimhn' Agad?

12 The North Highlands (trad/Norman Stewart)

Unavailable

Other albums featuring Norman Stewart:

Iolair: Music & Song from Scotland (1980)

The Jacobites (1981)

2009-11-22T19:16:00.005Z

The Jacobites (Ptarmigan Records PT 001, 1981)

The Jacobites centred around the late Dave Davidson from Tayport. This incarnation featured Dave on lead vocals, guitar and Brian Lochrie from Perth on vocals, guitar and banjo. This was the first recording as The Jacobites. The cover photographs see the duo in front of The Unicorn frigate in Dundee's docks.

01 Ye Jacobites

02 The Lifeboat Mona (Peggy Seeger)

03 The Gallowa' Hills

04 Dainty Davie

05 Bonnie Glenshee

06 Island Spinning Song

07 A Man's a Man

08 The Balaena

09 Bonnie Brown Maid

10 Roving Journeyman

11 Jamie Raeburn

12 Bonnie Dundee

13 Loch Lomond

14 Scots Wha Hae

Front and back covers included.

Doonload

Other albums featuring The Jacobites:

Ye Jacobites By Name (1984)

Dundee Folk (1977) (as Dingly Dell)