CLASSIC SCOTTISH / IRISH / CELTIC FOLK RECORDS

Stevie · CLASSIC SCOTTISH / IRISH / CELTIC FOLK RECORDS

Hi everyone, looked at the threads and thought a thread for classic Scottish/ Irish /celtic folk albums might be interesting for anyone looking for some great folk records and may not know the older ones.

If you want to add a REVIEW then I think it would be helpful to say what you think about the album and songs (not too much) but simply saying the name of an album or giving a list of albums doesn't help people to know if they would want to buy it.

I think even if several people give their view about the same album that could give a wider perspective for those not in the know to help them decide if it's an album that interests them.

If you don't really know Scottish folk music then this is your chance to get an education of sorts.

I used to be derisive of Scottish folk music thinking it was Jimmy Shand on his accordion but then I heard the following records among others. I assure you this music is not Jimmy Shand or Kenneth McKellar or any other bunch of... well let's not be unpleasant.

I promise you all the records I will review are masterpieces of their kind.

I am not some folky, my favourite group is the Beatles and I have a large collection of pop/rock CDs. My hope is that if you don't know this music then I can lend a hand helping you to get to know it.

Stevie

SCOTTISH

HANDFUL OF EARTH by DICK GAUGHAN

This album came out not long after Five Hand Reel separated (the group that brought him to public attention). Not anything but great recordings on this album. Simple classic musical arrangements that Kicks off with his brilliant version of

"ERIN-GO-BRATH"
great song brought to life by Dick's sensitive then rousing and humourous at times, vocal. The closest in style to FHR but he's clearly more comfortable as captain of his own ship. I thought the guitar might have been speeded up till I saw him play it live in Falkirk. I had invited some acquaintances along to this bar and the gits proceeded to get drunk and make themselves heard. I asked them to leave and apologised to Dick during a break he was having(Dick was gracious enough to act as if there was no problem) needless to say this happened about --- years ago.
NOW WESTLIN WINDS
Better with every listening. Burns would have approved... moving
CRAIGIE HILL
Song in Dick's own original style, the better for it, beautiful.
WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
Stirring stuff(Dick with the anger not taken out nor removed is his sense of justice).
THE SNOWS THEY MELT THE SOONEST
One of the most beautiful ballads, truthful touching.

The other songs equal the finest work of any artist anywhere but I'll finish with

BOTH SIDES OF THE TWEED
Dick echoes the theme of "brotherhood of man" visited on FHR's version of "For a' that" on this ballad, a sublime melody with beautiful chord structure to match.

I listen to this record more and more, I am never without it, but you know it's gets more contemporary with the passage of time... a timeless masterpiece.

Stevie

SCOTTISH

"CANNAN NAN GAIDHEAL" by CATHERINE ANNE MCPHEE

might interest those who like gaelic songs.

Her magnificent voice is the best I've yet heard(yes, better than Karen Matheson who sings with Capercaillie, but Karen is a lot cuter). All the songs are in gaelic and it was lucky for us that she was recorded.

It's a veritable history of island's gaelic music(clearly not all - it's a large subject) but she's the real deal and a rare gifted singer. From 1993 and timeless.

I do recommend only this album, since the other one of hers I heard was stilted, not recorded with her and lifeless and dead to say the least... but "Cannan Nan Gaidheal" is a masterpiece.

Stevie

SCOTTISH

OSSIAN by OSSIAN

This group formed in 1976 produced the wonderful self titled album "OSSIAN"

This their first record never made it to CD until Springtime records finally produced it. Largely forgotten by many, I would argue this is their finest work(opinions sminions of course). The songs are haunting and take you on a true musical voyage. There is a lowlands feel to the music and it is full of songs you'll find yourself singing when you're not even aware of it.

A timeless classic, finished off by the beautiful gaelic lullaby OIDHCHE MHATH LEIBH (goodnight to you)

A must buy.

Stevie

SCOTTISH

SO MANY PARTINGS by SILLY WIZARD

One of my very favourite albums. The beautiful ballad, "The Valley of Strathmore" is quite truly one of the loveliest lost love ballads ever written. Other songs such as "Bridget O'Malley" and the highland battle song "Donald MacGillivray" are just some of the excellent recordings on this quite remarkable album. You won't regret buying it, but it would be much cheaper to buy on Amazon.fr rather than Amazon.UK even with the postage.

The theme of parting in subtly and truly realised as you reach the end of the album. If you buy one folk album this year buy this one.

Stevie

SCOTTISH

NAHOO by PAUL MOUNSEY

This is a recording with... well I think he says it best himself :

"I have always been struck by the inherent groove in many Scottish folk tunes. Nahoo is an attempt to present this tradition using contemporary pop styles other than conventional rock. It is quite possible that many will be offended by such treatment, but I've never felt that folk music belongs in a museum. Having lived in Brazil for over 10 years, Nahoo is also a kind of musical homecoming.

Paul starts with a lament that gaelic is "PASSING AWAY", followed by a song that could very well be a Scottish national anthem if it caught on, "ALBA" (chorus by Run Rig), His songs are largely rythmic and a view of Scotland from having been away and returned. Some traditional songs and some original compositions.

Certainly a classic recording that merits a far wider audience.

Living in France for 13 years now, I understand Paul Mounsey very well.

kevin04

RODDY WOOMBLE - MY SECRET IS MY SILENCE (2006)

Ok, it's not classed as a classic and is probably not so well-known, but Roddy (lead singer in Idlewild) brings out an accoustic-folk-ballad album. Filled with catchy folk melodies, accordians, fiddles, some beautiful co-singing from Kate Rushby, and a few real barn-dance-gaelic-folk-rock, well, that's how I'm describbing 'Whiskeyface'.

The Album begins with 'I Came In From The Mountain' which is a slow and mostly guitar based introduction track, not the worst song on the album, but not the best track to start the record.

Stand out tracks are 'My Secret Is My Silence'. John McCusker plays violin through the whole track, which is a traditional song, in the sense that it has a verse, chorus, and a lovely bridge, I feel makes the song.

'Act IV' and 'If I Could Name Any Name' are just truly amazing, the addition of Rushy to sing backing and her own verse parts, really adds to the song.

'Every Line of a Long Moment', and 'Waverly Steps' could be Idlewild songs, just with a slight lick of the Scots Folk touch to them.

Whole album is fantatic, with some excellent musicanship, singing and I'm amazed it didn't get much more acclaim that it did.
9/10.

kevin04

Drever, McCusker, Woomble - Before the Rain. 2008 8/10

Kris Drever, an Orcadian folk singer, who has his own record 'Black Water' out, which is well worth a listen, joins Roddy and Violinist McCusker for this.

A different feel from the 'poppier' Woomble album. It takes a few more listens to get into, not that the song-writing is worse, just if you are not a fan of 'teuchter' folk then you're musical sense will be tested with what sounds like a few more traditional instruments from 'My Secret Is My Silence'.

As for the tunes, 'Into the Blue' has an almost Runrig/Drunk Scotsman singing about his homeland feel to it. Accoustic Caledonia.
The Album seems to fluctaite between 'Accoustic Caledonia' and 'quiet end of the night whisky for the road', the following song 'All Along the Way' is as downbeat as you can imagine for folk. The album bounces off this, an upbeat chorus/verse/trad song followed by a new-trad ballad.

Best songs, 'Rest on the Rock' It's got that instant feel on it, and almost, the first song that you'll sing or hum/remember the chorus to. 'Out of Light' a very underated song, a slower-downtempo track which reminds me personally of being away from home, almost our Scottish version of 'Irish Heartbeat' (Well, for the first few lines)
I remember coming home for Christmas last year from abroad, and this song was on whilst my Train was pulling into the Station, after a long flight, a long time away it fitted well with coming home..
''I'm floating through cloudless air''
''On a promise to be back home''
''Following the River, Wynding its way to the Cottage door''.

Overall a great listen, highly recommend these two records above.

As you might be able to tell, I haven't a scoobie at reviewing albums, but if you are looking to listen to new Scots folk music. There's almost a wee mafia of fine artists out there including these three, and often they play with Katrine Polwart, Heidi Talbot, Julie Fowlis etc.

For Roddy and Drever/Woomble/McCusker - I'd describe them as quite lowkey.

They don't sell out the Barra's, but I think if they did, it would take away something special about the music.
A secret that probably shouldn't be a secret, but it's maybe best being a secret and you can always go back to it, without anyone knowing who it is Smile