NEW RELEASE - Iain MacKay (SKYECD35)

Iain MacKay - Creag An Fhraoich

Iain MacKay (vocals) with Allan Henderson (fiddle, piano, keyboard), Iain Joseph MacDonald (accordion), Ally MacKenzie (accordion), Angus MacPhail (accordion, vocals), Iain MacFarlane (melodeon), Iain MacDonald (whistle, flute, jaws harp, smallpipes), Kenny 'Fags' MacDonald (guitar), Chaz Stewart (electric guitar), Mary Ann Kennedy (vocals) and Lachie Ringo Mac'Ille Bhuidhe (drums)
.
1. An t-Alltan Dubh
2. Taobh Loch Lìobhann
3. Creag an Fhraoich
4. Duanag an t-Saighdear
5. On dh’fhàg thu mi ‘s mulad orm
6. ‘S truagh nach robh mi còmhla riut
7. Gur moch rinn mi dùsgadh
8. Puirt a Beul
9. Mo chailin bheag dhonn
10. Eilidh
11. Togail cùrs air Leòdhas
12. Hi ho ro mo nighean donn
13. Tha m’eudail is m’àighear ‘s mo ghràdh
14. S truagh nach do dh’fhuirich mi tioram air tìr
15. Puirt a Beul.

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Fiddle Tree events in Birnam

The latest events to be organised by Birnam-based promotions group "The Fiddle Tree" take place this weekend.

On Friday May 27th, starting at 8.30pm, the group presents Scottish Music legend Archie Fisher in concert.

Archie Fisher was born in Glasgow in 1939, the only son in a family of seven, and now lives in the Scottish Borderlands. He is one of the most distinctive voices in Scotland with a guitar style to match in both traditional and contemporary song. His mother Marion, is a native Gaelic speaker from Vatersay in the Outer Hebrides and has a strong subliminal influence on the lyrical quality of his work.Archie has a considerable number of songs to his credit and has recently taken on commissions to write songs for other international solo performers and bands. He is currently working on two new albums for the Red House Label and is again spending more time on his solo career with a programme of Canadian and American tours, two of which have involved pairing up with John Renbourn and Bert Jansch in a series of concerts.He has presented Radio Scotland's weekly 'Travelling Folk' programme since 1983.
Advance tickets are available now priced £6 / £5 (concession). They will also be available on the door on the evening of the concert for £8 / £7 (concession)

The following evening, Saturday May 28th (also with an 8.30pm start), The Fiddle Tree are hosting a ceilidh dance with The Portobello Ceilidh Band featuring one of Scotland's finest dance callers, Wilma Henderson.

This very popular five-piece band exists to promote the music and dance of Scotland, to make them accessible and relevant. Its driving and insistent rhythms are impossible to stand still to - you've just got to dance! And then, when you've danced yourself to a standstill, the plangency of the slow airs and the songs new-spun will move the evening onto a different plane altogether. But only until you've got your breath back once more and your heart-rate down to something approaching normal - then it's back to the dancing again. Band and dancers; dancers and band. Get the equation right, hit the right buttons and the evening takes off in a way which can never be forgotten. The Portobello Ceilidh Band specialise in hitting these buttons!Ceilidh tickets are priced £6 / £5 (concession), either in advance or on the door. Family discounts are also available - contact Birnam CD for details.

The venue for both events is the Baronial Hall of the Birnam House Hotel, Perth Road, Birnam, Dunkeld.

Advance tickets for the concert and the ceilidh dance are available now from The Birnam House Hotel (01350) 727462, Dunkeld Tourist Office (01350) 727688 or Birnam CD (01350) 727158
For details of future Fiddle Tree events, visit http://www.thefiddletree.com/.

NEW RELEASE - Old Blind Dogs

Old Blind Dogs - Play Live(GLCD1231

Dirty Linen Magazine raves, "Old Blind Dogs have just gotten better and better with each album and tour, and are one of the best living examples of the humor, passion and majesty that imbue Celtic music."

1) The Battle of Harlaw
2) Sky City
3) The Wisest Fool
4) Cuilfhionn/The Rejected Suitor
5) Kincardine Lads
6) Breton/Galician Set
7) Young Edward
8) Soup of the Day
9) Tramps and Hawkers
10) The Battle of Waterloo
11) Lochanside
12) A Man's A Man For A' That
13) A Wild Rumpus

Other Old Blind Dogs Albums Available from Music In Scotland:

World's Room (GLCD1201)
Fit? (GLCD1214)
The Gab O’ Mey (GLCD1223)

NEW RELEASE - The Cottars

ON FIRE (CDTRAX281)

Greentrax released The Cottars first album - "Made in Cape Breton" CDTRAX251 - in 2003 and are delighted to be entrusted with their new album - "On Fire". "Made in Cape Breton" of course included their stunning arrangement of "The Briar and the Rose", widely acclaimed and featured as the best song of the final concert at the tonder Festival 2003. Many wondered if the band could better that track on their second album but Fiona has done it again, in style, with Dougie Maclean's "Ready for the Storm". Ciaran's singing has matured greatly since the first album and he leads in "The Loch Tay Boat Song" and "Parting Glass", while Ron Kavana's "Reconciliation" gets amazing vocal harmony treatment. The album also contains a mix of lively instrumentals, including a tune - "Planxty Mira" - composed by Ciaran and a harp selection from Fiona. The new album shows amazing progression since "Made in Cape Breton", good though it was!

1. Ready For The Storm
2. Calling On Song
3. Bodhran/Fiddle Medley
4. Loch Tay Boat Song
5. Planxty Mira Medley
6. Cape Breton Lullaby
7. Boholla Medley
8. The Wild Geese
9. The Guitar Jigs
10. Reconciliation
11. Celtic Harp Medley
12. The Parting Glass

Buy The Cottars CDs here

Called 'one of the hottest acts in the folk world today' by the Boston Globe.

The Cottars have become Cape Breton Island's latest musical success story in thae remarkabley short period of time. The four young Celts - brother/sister pairs Ciaran and Fiona MacGillivray and Jimmy and Roseanne MacKenzie - have all been playing traditional music since early childhood. Ranging in age from 14 to 17, each is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and stepdancer.

Prominent live appearances have included not only the Symphony Hall in Boston, but also the Milwaukee Irish Festival, The Calgary and Edmonton Festivals., The Kennedy Centre, and the Tonder Festival in Denmark. The hard-working foursome have also played Canadian cities from Grace Bay, Nova Scotia, to Vancouver and travelled the USA from coast to coast - oh, and travelled to Tokyo, Japan as well! Visits to the UK and Europe are planned for 2005. In 2003 the band won the East Coast Music Award (Canada) for 'Best New Artist' and in 2005 they won the award for the 'Roots/Traditional Group of the Year' at the ECMA. All this since forming a few short years ago in late 2000.

Tom Clelland - Life Goes On

Life Goes On (WHISTLEBERRYCD002) is featured this week on Iain Anderson's show on Radio Scotland. Iain has five copies to give away, so get listening!

Tom Clelland is not your typical singer-songwriter, having only decided to embark on a music career at the age of 50 - Playing local folk and Gram Parsons tribute evenings in Scotland, he soon discovered that he not only had a voice but a gift for songwriting.

1. Bands
2. Sky Like a Hammer
3. Blisters and Hacks
4. The Wine Song
5. Life Goes On
6. A Day Like This
7. Another Love Song
8. Stay Young
9. The Wind She Changed
10. The Balancing Boy
11. Stormclouds at a Distance
12. Slip Away

Order a copy here.

Battlefield Band ..... on the Great Silk Road

Scotland and England Tour Details

Battlefield Band have toured the world for over 30 years. Presenting their unique mixture of old and new music, to an ever widening audience. In November 2003 they were proud to be voted 'Best Live Band' in the first Scots Trad Awards. They also toured Uzbekistan that year - Samarkland; Tashkent; Ferghana; - names to conjurewith Enchanted by the people and their audience they took every chance they had to play with the local musicians.

With musicians and dancers from Scotland & Uzbekistan

17th May 05 WHITEHAVEN Rosehill Theatre 01946 692422
18th May 05 GLASGOW Royal Concert Hall 0141 353 8000
19th May 05 PORTREE Isle of Skye Aros Centre 01478 613750
20th May 05 EDINBURGH Usher Hall 0131 228 1155
21st May 05 ARDROSSAN Civic Centre 01563 571220
22nd May 05 GALASHIELS Volunteer Hall 01721 725777
26th May 05 DARLINGTON Arts Centre 01325 486555
27th May 05 ABERDEEN Lemon Tree 01224 642230
28th May 05 INVERNESS Eden Court Theatre 01463 234234
29th May 05 ANNAN Dumfries Arts Festival 01387 260447

1st June 05 WORCESTER Huntingdon Hall 01905 611427
2nd June 05 MAIDENHEAD Norden Farm Ctr. For the Arts 01628 788997
4th June 05 LONDON Purcell Room 0870 401 8181
5th June 05 SALISBURY ARTS FESTIVAL City Hall 01722 320333

Pete Clark & Friends - Pitlochry Theatre

Wednesday 18th May, 2005

From foot-tapping jigs, strathspeys and reels to some of the most beautiful airs in the Scots fiddle repertoire, Pete Clark and friends play music spanning two centuries. Their programme includes works by legendary Perthshire fiddle composers Niel Gow and Robert Mackintosh and Deeside's "Strathspey King" James Scott Skinner. The Quartet of two fiddles, 'cello and piano will als be performing some of Pete's own recent compositions, including excerps from "The Birnam Oak" and "Sycamore".

Pitlochry Theatre Box office: 01796 484626

A Highland Journey in Music

New Greentrax Release - CDGMP8008 (Buy Here)

Well known and loved tunes take you on a musical tour around Scotland.

Dougie Pincock (Highland Bagpipes); Mairearad Green (Smallpipes & Accordion); Innes Watson (Fiddle); Jack Evans (Guitar, Whistles and Synth)

1. My Heart's in the Highlands (My Heart's in the Highlands, Mist-Covered Mountains)
2. Loch Lomond (The Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond, Oban)
3. Fingal's Cave (The Sound of Mull, Leaving Lismore, Fingal's Cave)
4. Highland Cathedral
5. Glen Coe (The Hills of Glenorchy, Loch Liobhan, Glen Coe)
6. Ben Nevis (Ben Nevis, The Banks of Loch Eil, Lochaber No More)
7. Stirling Castle (Stirling Castle, The Braes o' Balquhidder)
8. Cam' Ye by Atholl? (Killiekrankie, Cam' Ye by Atholl)
9. Cairn Gorm (Drumochter, Aviemore, Cairn Gorm)
10. Inverness Gathering
11. The Banks of Loch Ness (The Banks of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle)
12. Kintail (Return to Kintail, Loch Carron)
13. Skye Boat Song (Skye Air, The Skye Boat Song)
14. The Dark Island (Eriskay Love Lilt, Rowing from Isla to Uist, Harris Dance, The Dark Island)

New Release - La Boum

La Boum - Marionette (LBCD002)

La Boum bounce back, invigorated by Malian and Nambian grooves, celtic harp and Indian violin. Afro-Celt turns Anglo-Mrigiyan slide. Swing the hammock, and don't spill the G. & T.!

Order here

Doune and Dunblane Fling - 22-29 May 2005

The forthcoming Doune Fling is aiming to be bigger and better than previous years, with a week of music, dance and family fun rather than the normal weekend festival

The Fling organisers have joined forces with other organisations including the Rotary Club and the Kilmadock Trust as well as the New Dunblane Centre who will provide the hub for the main activities.

There will be a ceilidh dance, concerts, pipe bands, storytelling and workshops - perhaps you might like to try African drumming, four-part harmony singing or guitar lessons!

The final concert will feature Jez Low and the Bad Pennies.

For more information upcoming events click here

New Release - Scottish Guitar Quartet

Scottish Guitar Quartet - Landmarks (CR1006)

Order album here

Third album, and decidedly third time lucky for their fans. Another superbly executed album of guitar music which draws together the clarity and technique of classical guitar and the fey but so easily recognisable element of Scottish tunesmithing. Ged, Nigel, Malcolm and Kevin wrote all but one of the rather gorgeous pieces on this crisp CD.

1. It’s A Beautiful Thing
2. See You In Seattle
3. Ebony Coast
4. The Road To… La Mancha
5. Every Road… Leads Somewhere
6. This Song Reminds Me Of You…To Mary
7. Running Round Trees
8. October
9. Phantassie Hill
10. August Rain
11. No Longer South Of This House
12. The Gift

Cassette Clearout

OK I hear you say.... who wants to buy cassettes these days? Well I'm sure you have a mum or dad, great Auntie or Uncle somewhere who swears by them. This is your chance to send that long overdue thankyou present for putting up with you all those years.

There are a large selection of fiddle, accordion, harp, piping solo, pipe band, scottish country dance, ceilidh dance, group/ band, singing and compilation CDs. Most are at least half their original recommended retail price. And just when you thought things could not get better, we're throwing in a free cassette for every three bought!

Choose from great artistes like Jimmy Shand, The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Capercaillie, Lori Pappajohn, Declan Nerney, Jim Johnstone, Alastair Hunter, Isla St Clair, the Tartan Lads and many more.

Click here for Special Offer Cassettes

FifeSing2005 - 13-15 May

Singers and traditional song enthusiasts from far and wide will be attracted to the third Fife Traditional Singing Weekend taking place at the Fife Animal Park, Collessie.

Guests this year include Elizabeth Stewart from Mintlaw, Jock Duncan from Pitlochry, bothy ballad singer Ron Bissett of Falkland, the renowned ballad singer Shiela Stewart from Blairgowrie (daughter of the late Belle Stewart) and master story teller Stanley Robertson from Aberdeen.

Other artistes include Lois Killen, Joe Aitken, Norman Kennedy and Anne Murstad.

The weekend will include concerts, singarounds, sessions and workshops.

For more information Tel. 01337 830773.

New Dougie MacLean Release

Dougie MacLean - Early (DUNCD027)

Some of Dougie's ealy material at last sees the light of day…and it has been well worth the wait! Lover You Don't Have To Cry, Till Tomorrow, Just A Little Thunder, More Fool I, Over My Mountain, Down Too Deep, Rolling Home, Sad Dreams, Sailing To Australia, Silver And Gold.

You can purchase Dougie Maclean CDs here

NEW PEATBOG FAERIES CD RELEASED

Peatbog Faeries - Croftwork (CDBOG002)

Another pocket-opener for all you faerie-philes; tremendous work from the boys with plenty of laid-back rythmn, contemporary groove, and yet still a strongly identifiable Scottish accent. Pipes and whistles, fiddles, mandolin and guitars surge with dobro, piano, horns and twanger (yes!) in a hyper-cool Celtic collection.

1. Scots On The Rocks
2. Weakened
3. Croftwork
4. The Anthropologist
5. When The Seahound Left Me
6. Decisions Decisions, Kevin O'neill Of Rutherglen
7. The Veganites
8. Trans Island Express
9. The Great Ceildh Swindle
10. Drone-Age
11. All About Windmills

Peatbog Faeries CDs available here

THE POOZIES' 2005 PERFORMANCE DATES

Sa 28 May CHESTER Chester Folk Festival Contact
Su 26 Jun GRASSINGTON Town Hall 01756-75 26 91 Grassington Arts Festival Contact
Fr 19 Aug Venue tbc Pontardawe Folk Festival Contact
We 14 Sep CUMBERNAULD 01236-73 28 87 Cumbernauld Theatre Contact
Th 15 Sep DUNKELD Birnam House Hotel 01350-72 71 58 Fiddle Tree Contact
Su 18 Sep SHEFFIELD Highcliffe Hotel 0114 281 5324 Bob Hazelwood Contact
Tu 20 Sep CARDIFF St David's Hall (level 3) 02922-39 94 59 Dave Haslam Contact
Th 22 Sep NORWICH 01603-66 03 52 Norwich Arts Centre Contact
Fr 23 Sep BIRMINGHAM Midland Arts Centre 0121-440 3838 Midlands Arts Centre Contact
Sa 24 Sep BELPER Nailor's Football Club 01773-85 34 28 PR Promotions Contact
Su 25 Sep BRACKNELL 01344-42 72 72 South Hill Park and Wilde Theatre Contact
Mo 26 Sep CROYDON Ruskin House 0208-698 5322 Croydon Folk Song Club Contact


If you would like more information or would like to contact/interview THE POOZIES
contact:


CATHERINE MACK
Promotions Administrator
GREENTRAX RECORDINGS LIMITED
Cockenzie Business Centre
Edinburgh Road
Cockenzie
East Lothian
EH32 0XL
Tel: 01875 814155
Fax: 01875 813545

Poozie CDs available here