The Tannahill Weavers - Are Ye Sleeping Maggie ( First Album 1976 - Scottish Folk )

ABOUT THE NAME TANNAHILL

Well, it's from the Scottish poet Robert Tannahill, who lived from 1774 to 1810... Robert Tannahill was a weaver, from the town of Paisley, near Glasgow. The band originated in Paisley, and since weaving was at one time a main industry of the area, the guys thought, hmmm... Robert Tannahill... weaving... Tannahill... hmmm

For Scotland, the late 18th and early 19th century was a time of profound and uncomfortable changes. Economic and social structures were altered dramatically as the Industrial Revolution brought factories and mechanization to Scotland's rural world. At the same time, the Scottish Highlanders were being driven from their lands by the English conquerors, forced into the Lowlands, forbidden to practice their familiar customs. It was a difficult time, often a brutal time... and yet, this was a time of great poets, the likes of Robert Burns and Robert Tannahill. And it was a time of great music.
The Tannahill Weavers' diverse repertoire reflects the duality of Scotland's musical heritage. It embraces both the mystical quality of the Highlander's Celtic music, and the rollicking, sometimes even brawling qualities of the Lowlander's Anglo-Scots tunes. The Tannahill Weavers' arrangements blend the beauty of the traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The penetrating sound of the Highland bagpipes is a thread of ancient memory running through it all.

THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS:
Roy Gullane: Guitar, Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, VocalsPhil Smillie: Flute, Whistle, Vocals, BodhranHudson Swan: Bouzouki, Vocals, Fiddle, Glockenspiel, MandolinDougie MacLean: Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocals, Guitar, Tenor Banjo
All material traditional arranged Tannahill Weavers except where specified. Copyright of text other than lyrics held by Phil Smillie and Roy Gullane. Recorded in 1976 at Acorn Studios, Stonesfield, Oxford. Produced by Nigel Pegrum, engineered by Colin Bateman. Cover design and artwork by Peter Wagstaff Design. Digitally remastered in 1991 by Phil Smillie at Pier House Studios, Edinburgh, Scotland. Engineer: Peter Haigh.
Available as HRCD101 from:Hedera Records

1...Are Ye Sleeping Maggie (4:57) 2...Ferrickside/The Laundry at Drummond Castle (2:16) 3...Galley of Lorne (3:37) 4...Birnie Bouzle (2:37) 5...Cam Ye by Atholl (5:21) 6...Hugaibh Oirbh (4:41) 7...The Gypsy Laddie (3:21) 8...My Love's in Germanie (5:55) 9...The Overgate (2:02) 10...Ca' the Yowes (4:56)

The Tannahill Weavers, like all groups on the folk scene, have had many trials over the years; the hard financial struggle and changes of personnel have, indeed, almost brought about the group's demise on several occasions, but it is now 1976 and they are still on the road, more popular than ever.
The group consists of Roy Gullane (an original member), Hudson Swan, Dougie MacLean (recruited at the Kinross Festival), and the band's original roadie, Phil Smillie.
Although they are well-established in Scotland, over the last few years the band has extended its touring to include England, Denmark, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. They have served their time as support artists to such people as Billy Connolly in Scotland and Hannes Wader in Germany, but are now established as bill-toppers in their own right. Indeed, during a six-week tour of the Continent this summer they appeared at no less than twenty major festivals.
Their music, at one time heavily Irish-influenced, is now almost purely Scottish traditional. They approach their music with feeling, intelligence, grasp and understanding, but - perhaps best of all - with a sense of humour.
Here then is their first LP; in a way an acknowledgement of their past and a looking forward to the future.
Alex CampbellCopenhagen, August 1976

About Tannahill Weavers The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can't get better...yet continue to do just that.
The Tannahills have turned their acoustic excitement loose on audiences with an electrifying effect. They have that unique combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and rich vocals that make their performances unforgettable.

As the Winnipeg Free Press noted, "The Tannahill Weavers - properly harnessed - could probably power an entire city for a year on the strength of last night's concert alone. The music may be old time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll."
Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the group has made an international name for its special brand of Scottish music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The Tannahill Weavers began to attract attention when founding members Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie added the full-sized highland bagpipes to the on-stage presentations, the first professional Scottish folk group to successfully do so. The combination of the powerful pipe solos, Roy's driving guitar backing and lead vocals, and Phil's ethereal flute playing breathed new life into Scotland's vast repertoire of traditional melodies and songs.
Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for Scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes. The Ithica Journal writes, "Travelling overseas to perform always thrusts the artist into the role of cultural ambassador. Audiences inevitably scrutinize the music more closely than their own. If that is the case, the Tannahill Weavers make Scotland out to be a country to desire, one with a utilitarian appreciation of the old, an acceptance of the new and a quick and playful wit."
As Garrison Keillor, the host of "Prairie Home Companion", remarked, "These guys are a bunch of heroes every time they go on tour in the States".
"…world class musicians with passion and a healthy sense of fun, keeping alive and making accessible the very heart of the tradition itself.” - Mojo Magazine
"…as close to perfect as it gets in an imperfect world...there is no Celtic group which can match the enigmatic Tannahill Weavers for pure excitement.” - R. Weir, Sing Out

See Here : http://www.tannahillweavers.com/

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