The Rough Guide to Scottish Music

1. Ballavanich - Wolfstone

2. Chi Mi'n Geamhradh (I See Winter) - Catherine-Ann Macphee

3. Claire in Heaven - Capercaillie

4. 8-Step Waltz - Iron Horse

5. Seinn O - Talitha MacKenzie

6. Wigtown Fanfare - Ring O Steall

7. Scots Callan O'Bonnie Dundee - Cast

8. Erin Go Bragh - Dick Gaughan

9. Unicorn Set - The Tannahill Weavers

10. Midwinter Waltz - The Boys of the Lough

11. Sally Gardens - Heather Heywood

12. Mairead Nan Cuiread/The Bob Parsons Strathspey - Tannas

13. Galicia Revisited - Ceolbeg

14. Brown Milk Maid/Dunnottar Castle/Maid of Glengarrysdale/Disused Railway - The Battlefield Band

15. Just a Dream - Bert Jansch

16. Malcolm Ferguson/Finbar Saunders - Old Blind Dogs

Tracks:

Clan Coco/The Road To Benderloch/Fifteen Stubbies To Warragul - Battlefield Band
Griogal Cridhe (Beloved Gregor) - Mac-talla
Rithill Aill - Karen Matheson
Heart And Soul - Wolfstone
The Crags Of Ailsa/Staffa's Shore - Alison Kinnaird
The Queen Of Argyll - Silly Wizard
John Griffin's - Rory Campbell & Malcolm Stitt
The Centennial Waltz - Fiddler's Five
Good Drying Set - The Tannahill Weavers
Tha M'Eudail Is M'Aighear 'S Mo Gradh (My Treasure, My Delight, My Love) - Christine Primrose
Dirty Old Town - Ewan MacColl
'S Gann Gunn Dirich Mi Chaoidh - Ossian
The Quiet Man/The Solstice/The Silver Spire - Jonny Hardie & Gavin Marwick
The Harper/Lady Catherine Ogle - Whirligig
The Gathering Storms/The Lowland Of Scotland/Feaden Glan A'Phiobair - Ross Kennedy & Archie McAllister
Jack Broke The Prison Door/Donald Blue/Sleep Soond Id Mornin'/Lasses Trust In Providence/Bonnie... - Tom Anderson & Aly Bain
Wooden Whale/Leaps & Bounds/Skye Barbeque - Alasdair Fraser
The Tree - Capercaillie
The Swallow-Tailed Coat/Turf Lodge - John D Burgess

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There's far more to Scottish folk than the skirl of bagpipes (although that's a part of it, and excellently represented here by John D. Burgess). Fiddle features prominently, as does song, and the ceilidh dance tradition (Tom Anderson and Aly Bain offer a stunning ceilidh set). Gaelic was the native language, and it's never died out, as a number of singers here show. Up in the Isles, it's the tradition of mouth music that lives on, and Capercaillie's Karen Matheson offers a modern version of one of those puirt-a-beul songs. Reels and jigs are also as much a part of the country as the heather, and they're here in force. But the south of Scotland has long been urban, and Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town" is something of a grimy hymn to that modernity. For an introduction to music strongly influenced by the tradition, this is honestly hard to beat. --Chris Nickson

Album Description

A celebration of song and dance from one of Europe's strongest living folk traditions, featuring poignant Gaelic laments, the beauty of the Scottish harp, jigs and reels from the finest contemporary folk bands, and a rousing finale from the 'King of Highland Pipers'.

Artists include: Silly Wizard, Mac-Talla, Capercaillie, The Tannahill Weavers, Ewan Maccoll, Tom Anderson with Aly Bain, Karen Matheson and Alasdair Fraser

Customer Reviews:

A rough Guide To Scottish Folk.......2007-06-27

This is the first time that I have purchased any Scottish Folk Music and I must report my suprise and pleasurte gained while listening to a very professionally sung and produced album.I will certainly keep my eye out for some more of the same.

A wonderful introduction to Scottish folk music.......2005-03-07

These Rough Guide CDs make for excellent introductions to music from cultures and places all over the world. Few places offer the musical depth of tradition as Scotland, of course, and this CD features a plethora of great music blending the old with the new of that land. I should point out that I know virtually nothing about Scottish music, so I really can't do much in the way of putting the featured artists in a proper context; the best I can do is offer my impressions of the nineteen tracks in question.

There is a lot of variety packed into this 70-some minute CD; if you think Scottish music means bagpipes and more bagpipes, you know even less about it than I do. Certainly, you'll get a little bagpipe music here, but you'll also hear some fantastic guitar, fiddle, harp, pipes, whistles, and a lot of other instruments I can hardly pronounce, let alone describe adequately.

I was familiar with the name, if not the music, of one featured artist: Capercaillie, one of the most prominent Gaelic bands out there; not only is the group represented here with The Tree, their famed singer Karen Matheson contributes an impressive Gaelic tune called Rithill Aill. This brings up an obvious point: you will hear a lot more Gaelic than English vocals on this album; Gaelic truly is a more beautiful, musically emotive language; the drawback, of course, is that few of us understand any of the words. By my count, only three of these tunes feature English vocals. Silly Wizard leads the way in the English vocals department, as far as I'm concerned, with a live recording of The Queen of Argyll, my favorite track on the album. Wolfstone isn't far behind them, though, imparting a wonderfully full and busy sound to their track Heart and Soul. Then there is Dirty Old Town by the late Ewan MacColl, one of the most important and influential figures in the preservation and perpetuation of British folk music.

Mac-Talla delivers arguably the most poignant song on the album with Griogal Cridhe, a Gaelic lament and lullaby dating all the way back to 1570 (yes, 1570). Mac-Talla's Christine Primrose also offers a beautiful Gaelic song of her own, Tha M'Eudail Is M'Aighear 'S Mo Grandh (a song which probably dates back to the 18th century). Then there's the much more energetic 'S Gann Gunn Dirich Mi Chaoidh from folk revival band Ossian.

All of the remaining tracks, if I'm not mistaken, are instrumentals. I'm not a big fan of instrumentals, but there are some really impressive ones on this album, ranging from the evocative to the frenetic. You've got the haunting pipes of Rory Campbell & Malcolm Stitt, an unusually pleasing waltz from Fiddlers Five, harp-playing at its finest from Alison Kinnaird on The Crags of Ailsa/Staffa's Shore, fiddle mastery at the hands of Jonny Hardie & Gavin Marwick, and amazing reels from the likes of Tannahill Weavers, Ross Kennedy & Archie McAllister, and Aly Bain and his former teacher Tom Anderson. Whirligig blends the traditional and the modern in fine fashion with The Harper/Lady Catherine Ogle, and John D. Burgess, the "King of Highland Pipers," closes out the album with the incomparable bagpipe strains of The Swallow-Tailed Coat/Turf Lodge.

This CD represents only a tiny dip in the immense pool of Scottish music, but it definitely does do a wonderful job showcasing the variety and unique sounds of a land where music seems to be a vital if not essential part of life.

Oh so good!.......2003-10-27

I teach K-8 music, and have found a way to play this CD in nearly all of my classes. Regardless of their tastes, ("I only listen to rap," for example) the kids can't help bopping their heads and even asking, "can we dance to this?" My own copy spent a month in my mother's car before I got her own. Although the music on this CD varies from track to track, the quality does not. I highly recommend this CD to anyone.

A Great Way To Start.......2001-04-10

This compilation goes beyond sensational. As the title implies, the record gives a great "rough guide" or starting point to one of Europe's strongest living musical traditions. I have always loved various artist albums because of their variety, and how they allow you the opportunity to explore and hear the different styles of many performers. From the opening guitar and fiddle of Battlefield Band, through the final "drones" of John Burgess's highland pipes, you will be energized with a variety in song and dance. I have many favorites, but my top three would include: Track 7, where Rory Campbell (low whistle) and Malcolm Stitt (guitar) both from the group Deaf Shepherd play a mysterious, haunting sort of jig. Added to this, at certain intervals, is just the right amount of electronic vibrations to give it an eye-opening "eerie" feeling. On track 13, Johnny Hardie (fiddle) from Old Blind Dogs, and Gavin Marwick (fiddle, guitar and mandolin) from The Iron Horse put on a 3-part show. It begins with a "quiet" fiddle/guitar duet, which builds in velocity (but not intensity) in part two. By the time the final set arrives, you won't be able to stop the toe-tapping due to the slightly increased tempo and volume. What makes this a nice piece, is the predominant fiddle does not overshadow the other instruments, but compliments them. Track 14, makes me feel like I am being entertained in a 16th century castle. Played by twin sisters on recorders, it begins with a nicely plucked mandolin solo by Steve Lawrence (Iron Horse). He is joined by the recorders, which materializes into a sweet, melodic Renaissance aire. Then, at 1:45 into the piece, all of a sudden Steve adds percussion to the mix. This, along with a harder driven guitar surrounding the recorders, builds enough momentum (puh rum pum pum)for a rousing finish.

Tracks:

Get Together - Tony Allen
Loi - Koffi Olomide
Mahanhela - Mabulu
Joe Le Taxi - Sharleene Boodram
Jaro - Impact All Stars
En Guantanamo - Septeto Nacional Ignacio Pineiro
Mabarane - Sheer All Stars
Pyar Ka Hai Bairi - Sangeeta
Akata Sun Dunchi - Takashi Hirayasu/Bob Brozman
James Bond Theme - The Surf Champlers
Griogal Cridhe - Mac-talla
Maggio - Riccardo Tesi/Banditaliana
Antin Mikko - JPP
Bassa - Momo Wandel Soumah
Salimata - Ifang Bondi
Que Pena - Samuelito Almonte Y Su Conjunto Tipico
The Secrets Of The Life Tree - Kroke

Customer Reviews:

Excellent overview, well worth getting!.......2007-02-04

This was our introduction to the series, and our favorite. It interested us in the rest of the collection. Fantastic set of songs.

rough bop.......2001-06-12

not as good as told by others, but in there own right they are unique and very tight! They would be nice if they did a live cd also? Noboby can touch be-bop delux! More breaks!

Average customer rating:

Not bad
A mix of modern and traditional Celtic fare

The Rough Guide to Scottish Music
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Rough Guide to Scottish Folk
The Rough Guide to Celtic Music
The Rough Guide to Irish Music: Second Edition
Rough Guide to Irish Folk
The Rough Guide to the Music of Wales

ASIN: B00008UVB8
Release Date: 2003-04-28

Tracks:

Chuir I Gluin Air A Bhodach/ DJ MacLeod's/ The Ness Pipers/ The Earl Of Space - Battlefield Band
Fair Helen Of Kirkconnel - Emily Smith
Cowden Hall - Finlay MacDonald
Millennium Village (Islay's Charms/ Farewell To Millennium Village/ Pierre's Right Arm/ Alec C. MacGregor - Deaf Shepherd
Skye Waulking Song- Chuir M' Athair Mise Dhan Taigh Charraideach (My Father Sent Me To A House Of Sorrow) - Capercaillie
Niel Gow's Lament For His Second Wife - Bob Hobkirk
Utiseta (Roseness/ Churchill Barriers/ Deerness Reel) - Jennifer & Hazel Wrigley
Fordell Ball - Jack Beck
Coilsfield House - Pete Clark
Do Ghaidheil Shiatail - Christine Primrose
Calypso (The Carnival Reel/ The Calypso Piper) - Robert Mathieson
Brother Gildas/ Calliope House - Boys Of The Lough
Logie O' Buchan - Heather Heywood
Cailleach An Airgid/ Rachainn A Shuiridh' Air Oighrig - Cliar
6/8 March, Hornpipe - Donald Black & Malcolm Jones
Dancing On The Moon (Celtic Cousins/ The Flaggon/ Dannsa Air A' Ghealach) - Blazin' Fiddles
Gaelic Air & Hornpipes (My Love, My Joy/Duncan Johnstone/Doctor Macinnes' Fancy) - Pipe Sergeant Gordon J. Walker
Rowan In The Rock - Alison McMorland & Geordie McIntyre

Customer Reviews:

Not bad.......2005-10-06

I enjoy the music, the Irish is better. This line of "Rough Guide" definitely gives the distinctive flavor of a variety of cultures. Very cool!

A mix of modern and traditional Celtic fare.......2003-05-03

The third Scottish RG collection veers decisively into softer, mellower territory, although there are a few surprises, such as the steel pan drums on Robert Mathieson's "Calypso." Old standbys such as Capercaillie, Boys of the Lough, Christine Primrose and the Battlefield Band are present, as well as a few lesser-known folkies. This set's a bit too soft and modern for my tastes, but I'm sure many folk fans will find plenty to enjoy here. Worth checking out.

Average customer rating:

Very Nice

The Rough Guide to Scottish Music
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rough Guide: Tango
Rough Guide to Classic Jazz
The Rough Guide to Klezmer
The Rough Guide to Celtic Music
Rough Guide's Off the Beaten Track

ASIN: B00000B18Z
Release Date: 1996-07-02

Tracks:

Ballavanich
Chi Mi'n Geamhradh
Claire in Heaven
The 8 Step Waltz
Seinn O
Wigtown Fanfare
The Scots Callan O' Bonnie Dundee
Erin-Go-Bragh
The Unicorn Set
A Midwinter Waltz
The Sally Gardens
Mairead Nan Cuiread/The Bob Parsons Strathspey
Galicia Revisited
Brown Milkmaid: Dunnottar Castle/Maid of Glengarrysdale/Disused Railw
Just a Dream
Malcolm Ferguson/Finbar Saunders

Customer Reviews:

Very Nice.......1999-08-01

This is a very good selection of contemporary Scottish music, with an interesting variety of songs and a balance between the vocal and instrumental. There is a range of everything from semi-traditional ballads to Scottish techno. Many of the songs capture authentic Celtic flair. But those who are looking for traditional Scottish music will probably not be pleased with this CD, as even the traditional songs are arranged in somewhat contemporary style. This is modern music with a traditional flair.

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