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| Dick Gaughan |
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| Rab Noakes |
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| Emeli Sande |
Writing
this I realise I've been fortunate to have met and seen live most of these very talented Scottish
Troubadours at their gigs in the past years and I have also taken photos of
them - with the exception of Annie
Lennox and Gerry Rafferty. These talented artists include - Annie Lennox, King Creoste, Dick
Gaughan, Rab Noakes, Karine Polwart, Emeli Sande, Dougie McLean and
Michael Marra.
Some have managed to cross over to the mainstream for commercial successes, but for the likes of Gaughan does this matter if he can still tour his music? All these artists follow the music in the first instance, have great strength of character as well as being talented musicians.
Some have managed to cross over to the mainstream for commercial successes, but for the likes of Gaughan does this matter if he can still tour his music? All these artists follow the music in the first instance, have great strength of character as well as being talented musicians.
*Dick Gaughan - Leads the field. He mixes his
Scottish and Irish roots to great effect and draws on deep traditions of song
craft. Best songs Westlin Winds, Both Sides the Tweed
He's been
touring his songs for over 40 years, while he also does song researching, and
more. He is a true character in every sense with no pretensions whatsoever. His songs have much to say about character,
social inequalities, beauty, truth and more. For Gaughan it is about the song
and its message - while also about his guitar and edgy voice. Worth seeing live
for his chat between songs too. http://www.dickgaughan.co.uk
*Gerry Rafferty - I remember
clearly listening to Humblebums and Stealerswheel small cassettes, before his solo career and
to his many wonderful songs. He was the rare folk singer who managed to cross over to commercial successes - or maybe it was simply easier for talent back then? In the 70s he gave us his biggest hits - the
soaring sax of Baker Street
and the dancing rhythms of Stuck in
the Middle With You, as well as Get It Right Next Time, Right Down The Line and
The Ark. His songs cover the full
spectrum of emotions, they express full-on-energy, questioning cynicism and
mystic spiritualism. He was from Paisley Scotland and his music gave the folk
song a new voice. He cared about the craft of the song and not celebrity or
it’s trimmings. He was an artist in the true sense of the word and had a rare
clarity of artistic vision. Folk pop singer songwriter Rafferty was one of Scotland’s greatest singer
songwriters. http://www.gerryrafferty.com/
*Rab
Noakes played
with Rafferty in Stealers Wheel before going solo. He draws on 50s American rock n roll such as
Buddy Holly and his hero Dylan. Noakes always sings some lesser known classic
songs by respected musicians and clearly respects music back catalogue. Songs - Branch,
Together Forever, Clear Day. Noakes is a straight talking and sincere
man. http://www.go2neon.com/
*Karine Polwart - Of the younger artists she has
the most to say on social injustices and a lovely voice too. She writes about
sensitive political issues, such as alcoholism and genocide. Songs Daisy, Rivers Run. I've met Karine and she is a lovely down to
earth person too. http://www.karinepolwart.com/
*Michael Marra paints colourful images of American legends from
his Scottish perspective. His songs are effective through his slanted
humour. His songs include - 'If Dundee was Africa', 'Bob Dylan's Visit to Embra', 'Grace Kelly's
Visit to Dundee,' 'Muggie Shaw', 'Freda Kohl's Visit to the Tay Bridge Bar',
'Lonesome Death of Francis Clarke',
'Schenectady Calling', 'Letter from Perth', http://www.musical1.com/Michael_Marra/
*Annie Lennox started out in the Eurythmics with Dave Stewart (Sweet Dreams) and has gone on to solo successes worldwide both as a song writer and performer. Annie also does a lot of work for charities - Amnesty International and Greenpeace. She and Dave Stewart donated all of the profits from Eurythmics' 1999 Peacetour to both charities. Lennox is one of the worlds best selling music artists. http://www.annielennox.com
*Dougie MacLean is one of Scotland’s premier songwriters and producers. His most famous music is ‘The Gael’ which was used as the main theme for The Last of the Mohicans. And Caledonia which has been covered by many other artists and called Scotland's "unofficial national anthem". He played with the bands Tannahill Weaver and Silly Wizard. http://www.dougiemaclean.com
I'm not sure where the young
Troubadours are. Yes I know there is KT Tunstall and Paolo Nutini who have had
successes on the festival circuit, yet I am not sure
what these artists are saying to me. A mention here for talented singer songwriters Kim Edgar, Boo Hewerdine, King Keoste and Kris Drever, who tour and play at Celtic.
Exciting New Scottish Artists 2012
*Emeli Sande. I've followed Emeli (previously
known as Adele) since 2006 at her ep launch and it has been very exciting to see
her reap the rewards from all her songwriting work with the successes of her
debut album Our Version of Events,due to be released in America in June. She has a powerhouse soul voice and
distinctive song writing. I met Emeli
at her King Tuts gig and she has such a natural warm smile and was very earnest
about her music. She plays clarinet and piano. http://www.emelisande.com/
*King Creoste - His album collaboration album Bats in the Attic with Jon Hopkins won
him a Mercury Prize Nomination 2011. Creoste draws from folk roots and world
music influences.http://www.kingcreosote.com/
New Scottish Bands - Admiral Fallow,
Dirty Beggars, Rura, Manran... There appears to be more creative activity in
the folk/bluegrass/Celtic rock traditions than in the rock music field. Perhaps
following after the success of English artist such a Mumford and Laura Marling.
Scotland boasts three world scale Arts festivals - T in the Park (second largest
music festival in the UK),
Celtic Connections and Edinburgh
International Festival and Fringe festival. Glasgow
has the most attendances at Arts events of any UK city ( this includes galleries).
As well as the SubClub world famous dance club venue.
Scottish music: Rock of the north - Talk of independence is giving Scottish culture a boost – especially in the thriving music scene. The new bands are inspired by the country's traditional music, and they sing in their own accents too! I found this article below on the resurgence of Scottish 'pride' in our very unique Scottish heritage - and it's effect on younger musicians. Many say they now feel proud to include Scottish roots elements in their music. Plus some Scottish bands no longer feel they 'have' to be based in London an can access the wider world via a Scottish base - the Errors, Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad, Admiral Fallow. London is a very over crowded city metropolis and why should Scottish bands/artists feel they have to move there to have successes. If you check the artistic breath of Scottish music its' a huge plus to be free of the 'what's the cool trend' in London. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/
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| Karine Polwart |
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| Michael Marra |
