Karine Polwart - New CD

Karine Polwart - Scribbled In Chalk [CD] Ref: SPIT28

1. Hole In The Heart
2. I'm Gonna Do It All
3. Daisy
4. Maybe There's A Road
5. Where The Smoke Blows
6. Holy Moses
7. Don't Know Why
8. Take Its Own Time
9. I've Seen It All
10. Baleerie Baloo
11. Terminal Star
12. Follow The Heron

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Almond Valley Folk Club Listings - 2006

The original club was formed several years ago to give local acoustic performers the opportunity to perform in an informal setting, but one which would also offer "good order" for the artistes. The club was envisaged as an acoustic music club as opposed to a folk club to enable a wider range of members, for example, blues performers. The Almond Valley Folk Club meets every 3rd Monday of the month at the Midcalder Inn, Midcalder, West Lothian. All serious visitors and performers are very welcome.

Monday May 15th: Gordeanna McCulloch and Chris Miles – two of Scotland’s most “feisty” balladeers

Monday June 19th: Tom Paxton tribute night

Monday July 17th: Session

Monday August 21st: Session

Monday September 18th: The Last Resort – Almond Valley’s resident band – come along for a sing-a-long

Monday October 16th: Ballad night – murder and mayhem night – and that’s just getting to the bar!

Monday 20th November: Tryst – another great local group, tight harmonies, trad and contemporary, and cheeky songs

Monday December 18th: Christmas session and party

Details at www.geocities.com/magjam


Full listing of Folk clubs in Scotland

EMBRACE TO HEADLINE BELLADRUM FESTIVAL

by Beauly Inverness-shire August 11 12

Current chart-toppers Embracehave been booked to top the bill at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival’s Saturday night headliner slot, supported by a line-up of astonishing strength and variety as the Highlands’ family-friendly summer festival gears up for its third year. This year’s festival has been increased to five stages with around 90 acts performing over the two days. A headliner for the main stage on the Friday night and more artists on all stages will be announced in the coming weeks.

Other artists confirmed on the bill include Biffy Clyro, Mystery Jets, Martha Wainwright, Dreadzone, Arlo Guthrie, Morning Runner, the Vatersay Boys, Guillemots, Desmond Dekker, Bell X1, Forward Russia, Forward Russiaand Cinematics. “With the strength of the bill this year, we are very keen that Highlanders get the first opportunity to buy tickets,” said festival director Joe Gibbs. “We anticipate their being significant demand from further South as there was last year, so we urge local families and people wanting to attend the festival to buy their tickets early.”Other artists appearing at the two-day event on 11th and 12th August include: The Upper Room; Seth Lakeman; Young Knives; Bellowhead; Rumble Strips; Batucada Sound Machine; Exist; 3 Daft Monkeys; Vincent Vincent & the Villains; Union Avenue and Australian piper Mark Saul whose music draws on everything from acid techno to aboriginal chant. The Grassroots Stage will feature: Chris Difford; Culture Clash; I See Hawks In LA; Christina Kulukundis; Charlotte Gordon Cumming; Martin Stevenson & The Toerags; Errol Linton; Tom Morton; Scott MacDonald; Moonshiner; Clare Campbell; and Feis Rois. A fourth music stage – the Seedlings stage – has been added to the event this year, featuring newly signed and unsigned artists. Details of the line-up on this stage will be announced in due course. And another major new feature at this year’s Belladrum will be the Venus Flytrap Ballroom, a stage mainly dedicated to performance artists. Booked already for this stage are classical violin sensation Sophie Solomon and Flash Monkey, one of the UK’s leading burlesque cabaret acts. A number of children’s theatre and music acts have also been booked for this stage. The festival will also see an increase in street theatre and kids’ entertainment. An attendance of around 10,000 is expected.

Set in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, the critically acclaimed festival has rapidly achieved a cult status amongst festival-goers North (and South) of the border. A mellow, family friendly event – sometimes referred to as the mini Glastonbury of the North – Belladrum offers plenty of interest aside from the music, including an array of entertainment for children. Attractions include street theatre, cabaret, cinema, dance, alternative therapies, stalls, food and drink. Weekend tickets cost £60 (incl VAT, excl booking fee) and entitle holders to free parking and camping 4.00 PM 10th August – 1.00 PM 13th August. Children 12 and under enter free. Passes are needed for parking and under 12s. Check the web site www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk for details. For a third year, Belladrum Festival has announced that Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre will be the beneficiary of a charitable donation from the festival. BBC Scotland has come on board as broadcast media partner for the event in 2006. Retail outlets for tickets include: Tickets Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow); Ripping Records (Edinburgh); One-Up Records (Aberdeen): Hootananny’s and Eden Court (Inverness). On-line outlets include www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.thebooth.co.uk Tickets can be bought by telephone 24 hrs at 0870 169 0100

Calum Kennedy Dies aged 77

Calum Kennedy passed away on Easter Sunday, 16th April. Calum was born in the lochs area of Lewis in 1928. He once had ambitions to be a doctor but instead turned his attention towards a musical career. In 1955 he carried off the National Mod Gold Medal and two years later he went to Moscow to win the National Ballad Competition from 700 other competitors drawn from every corner of the world. Calum perhaps reached his peak in the 1960s and 1970s with his 'Calum's Ceilidhs' TV series.

Radio Scotland presenter Robbie Shepherd, a close friend, said Mr Kennedy was a "major figure in his time".


Calum's recordings.

Anna-Wendy Stevenson

A beautiful, gentle album of Scottish fiddle music. Anna-Wendy is accompanied by the superb James Ross on piano, Ewan Vernal on bass, and James MacIntosh on percussion, all combining to breeze new life into glorious old tunes, and to bring new supremely tasteful arrangements to more recent pieces, including some of Anna-Wendy's own compositions.

1. Fenella's Set
2. Midsummer Star
3. Calgary Set
4. Lament for Glencoe
5. Pipe Jigs
6. F Set
7. Hard is my Fate
8. Lord Castle's
9. Mull Wedding
10. Dorian Dream
11. Dog Bites
12. Patrick McDonalds

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Bagpipe Concert and Ceilidh - 22nd April, 2006

Finish off Ceilidh Culture 2006 with a swing!

The Scottish Folk Arts group presents

The CITY OF EDINBURGH PIPES AND DRUMS 4th Annual CONCERT and CEILIDH.

Saturday 22nd April 2006 at 8pm

Debating Hall, Teviot House Students' Union, Bristo Square.

Tickets (£10 / £8 concs) available from the Usher Hall (0131 228 1155)
or on the door.

The full band will be in concert for part of the show, followed by music
provided by their own members for the ceilidh dance.

Now part of the city's social diary, this is a great chance to meet old and
new friends!

Late Bar.


Full range of pipe band CDs available here

The Corries - Scotland Will Flourish MOICD025 (New Release)

The Corries - Scotland Will Flourish (MOICD025)


1. ALL GOD’S CREATURES
(Staines / Bug Music Ltd. GB.)

2. THE WEE GREY FINCH
(Williamson/Weir /The Corries (Music) Ltd.)

3. THE BIRTH OF THE CORRIES’ BLUES
(Williamson / The Corries (Music) Ltd.)

4. THE WEDDING OF LACHIE MCGRAW / BALLENMUIR
COTTAGE (INST)
(Trad / Browne/Williamson/Williamson /The Corries (Music) Ltd.)

5. MY BONNIE LADDIE’S LANG A-GROWIN’
(Trad /Arr Browne/Williamson /Argyll Songs Ltd.)

6. THE NEWS FROM MOIDART
(Trad / Arr Browne/Williamson /Argyll Songs Ltd)

7. SCOTLAND WILL FLOURISH
(Richardson / The Corries (Music) Ltd.)

8. KIDS ON THE RANGE
(Browne / The Corries (Music) Ltd)

9. BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND
(Trad / Arr Browne/ Williamson /Argyll Songs Ltd.)

10. HAUL AWAY ROSIE
(Trad / Arr Browne/Williamson /The Corries (Music) Ltd.)

11. THE HIGHLANDER’S FAREWELL
(Hogg / Arr Browne/Williamson /The Corries (Music) Ltd.)

12. A MAN’S A MAN
(Trad / Burns / Arr Browne/Williamson /Argyll Songs Ltd.)


Welcome to our new series Corries Classics in which we present original recordings by The Corries digitally remastered in Dolby Surround * to offer listeners using home cinema systems the option of hearing The Corries for the first time in surround sound. This music CD will play as normal in all domestic or in-car CD players presenting the listener with full stereo reproduction. When played in a home cinema system the disc will expand into Dolby Surround * presenting the listener with a choice of stereo reproduction or surround sound - an enhanced audio experience raising the enjoyment of music to a previously unheard level of clarity and depth.

The Recording: The album Scotland Will Flourish was recorded in its native country during 1985 and highlights Ronnie Browne and Roy Williamson’s individual and combined vocal and instrumental talents at their performing peak. On stage their popularity was and remains unsurpassed.To cheers and applause the rousing ‘All God’s Creatures’ opens proceedings in welcoming fashion and is followed by the emotive Jacobite ballad ‘The Wee Grey Finch’ sung by Roy with the subtle harmonies of Ronnie adding a haunting atmosphere to this classic account of Culloden’s bloody aftermath and the price the highland population paid.

‘The Birth Of The Corries' Blues’ provides a lighter note as we learn first hand the manner in which The Corries came into the world - it could be said it was a difficult birth.


‘The Wedding Of Lachie McGraw’ will test lovers of tongue-twisting lyrics to the full and is tailed, for good measure, by the toe-tapping instrumental ‘Ballymuir Cottage’. Ronnie takes the vocal lead on the famous old ballad ‘My Bonnie Laddie’s Lang A-Growin’ and does so brilliantly whilst Roy displays the spine-tingling sound of the combolins to their full extent in this tale of an
arranged wedding.

A stirring call-to-arms summons the clans in ‘The News From Moidart’ - heralding the arrival of Bonnie Prince Charlie in Scotland in 1745 to reclaim the crown for the House Of Stuart in that ill-fated enterprise ended at Culloden battlefield a year later. The title song of the album, ‘Scotland Will Flourish’ is a timeless song in which we are prompted to look forward to the future whilst
retaining the best of our traditional virtues - our tolerance, hospitality and spirit.

Parents of teenage children will relate to Ronnie’s humorous rendering of ‘Kids On The Range’ with its happy ending proving a hit with the concert audience before Roy presents ‘The Banks Of Newfoundland’ a dramatic seafaring tale of yesteryear.

Still at sea, pull on those ropes and rigging to the sea-shanty ‘Haul Away Rosie’ - it has the audience singing along with The Corries in one of the highlights of this concert.

A sympathetic treatment vocally and instrumentally is provided by Roy and Ronnie to that saddest of Jacobite songs ‘The Highlander’s Farewell’ and closing the concert to heartfelt applause is ‘A Man's A Man’ written by Robert Burns. The Corries’ performance is impeccable and the sentiment of Burn’s lines as relevant in this age as when he penned them:
‘
Then let us pray that come it may
As come it will for a’ that
That sense and worth o’er a’ the earth
Shall bear the gree an’ a’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
It’s coming yet for a that
That man to man the world o’er
Shall brothers be for a’ that’


* Trademark of Dolby Laboratories.


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Wild Biscuit - Dooker Soup WBM005

Traditionally, it was a soup made from a seabird, locally known as a Dooker. Not such a pleasant thought you might think, but in its day common enough in a community so closely connected with the sea. To this day, people from Tarbert are known familiarly as Dookers, and this collection represents a generous serving of their talents and stories. A different meaning for different times, infusing the traditional with the modern. And, we suspect, a taste of lots more to come.

The town of Tarbert, set at the north end of the Kintyre peninsula and one of the most remarkable natural harbours on the west coast of Scotland, has a colourful history. In 1098, Magnus Barfod, King of Norway, had his ship hauled across the narrow strip of land between Loch Fyne and West Loch Tarbert to claim Kintyre on a quite ingenious, if exhausting, technicality. Robert the Bruce, following his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, built on the already existing castle overlooking the harbour in 1325, the castle which now gives Tarbert its distinctive skyline. The town has for centuries been a thriving fishing port, particularly during the post war years when herring catches were plentiful and the town was home to one of the largest fleets in the country. Today the fishing boats are fewer, but Tarbert is still a working harbour where business and leisure craft navigate the East Loch throughout the year.

The musical performances and stories you will hear on Dooker Soup were all recorded on location in and around the town during the winter of 2005. The design concept of the booklet and CD cover also came to life through workshops with local artists and enthusiasts. It is the enthusiasm so evident in everyone involved that has made this project so special - now we invite you to sit back and enjoy the results.

Music by:The Fraser McGlynn Duo, Archie McAllister, Tarbert Gaelic Choir, Katie Fitzgerald, David Hunt, Euan Plater, The Ryan McGlynn Trio, Katy Evamy & Megan Marshall, Amanda Lough, The Lemmings, Flamin' Fiddlers, Christopher Robertson, Tarbert Primary School Gaelic Choir

With spoken words byRobert Ross, Kenny MacInnes and Ed Tyler

For more information see Wild Biscuit Site

New Release - Battlefield Band

Battlefield Band - The Road Of Tears [CD] Ref: COMD2098

Emigration - enforced, desired or abhorred - is the theme of this album. The Scots have spread around the globe and have also witnessed the displacement of others; songs of delight, despair and plain bone-weariness characterise the state. Some new pieces from the band and some traditional pieces in new settings.

1. The Road Of Tears
2. Ely Parker, Miss Martin's Wedding, The Primrose Lassies, Mr Galloway Goes To Washington
3. The Emigrant
4. The Highlander's Farewell To Ireland, Farewell To Ireland, Put Me In The Big Chest
5. The Slave's Lament
6. The Moleskin Kilt, The Empty Glen
7. Out In Australia At Last
8. The Patagonia Islanders, The Low Country Dance, Don Juan McKenna's Jig
9. Haro Strait
10. To A Mouse
11. Take Me To The Sea
12. Plane Wreck At Los Garos
13. Sweet Molly, The Symmetry, The Boat Leaks
14. I Cried
15. Mary's Dream, The Mountain Dairy Maid, The Nameless Migrant
16. Five Bridges To Cross
17. The Green & The Blue

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New Release - The Whistlebinkies

The Whistlebinkies - Albanach (CDTRAX288)

Recorded in 2005 and early 2006 and a lot of love and care went into its preparation, both by the band and engineer Robin Rankin, resulting in an album which the band consider to be their best effort to date.

Annaliese Dagg (Fiddle and Viola), Rob Wallace (Scottish Smallpies, Lowland Pipes), Rhona Mackay (Clarsach and Vocals), Peter Anderson (Bodhran, Scottish side drum & Percussion), Stuart Eydmann (Concertina & Fiddle), Mark Hayward (Fiddle), Iain Crawford (Double Bass)

1. The Loch Ness Monster
2. Wendel's Wedding
3. Farewell to St Kilda
4. Donald MacLennan's Tuning Phrase
5. The Albannach
6. Ceilidh Lines
7. Muntanyes de Canigo
8. Toys and Brooches
9. Coronach
10. On the High Road to Linton
11. The Shepherdess
12. By Bonny Moor Hen
13. Captain Celtic

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New Release - Dick Gaughan

Dick Gaughan - Lucky For Some (CDTRAX290)

"Lucky For Some" consists of seven of Dick's own powerful songs, an instrumental piece, one traditional song and the stunning "Anna Marie" by Jim Page. Dick has an uncanny knack of seeking out songs such as this one. This collection should be hugely popular with Dick's many fans but should have a far wider appeal.

1. Whatever Happened
2. Lucky For Some
3. Anna Mae
4. The Devil And The Pastor Jack
5. The Hunter Dunne
6. Dancing With Eagles
7. Bleacher Lassie O Kelvinhaugh
8. Come Gie's A Sang
9. Different Drum
10. We Got The Rock 'n' Roll

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