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 Campbell
Copenhagen, August 1976
We would like to thank Alan and Peggy and Michael and Christine (for
looking after the bears), and everyone at New Farm, and wee Jennifer
Roberts (for clapping her hands), with special thanks to Angie for the
excellent food.
THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS:
Roy Gullane: Guitar, Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, Vocals
Phil Smillie: Flute, Whistle, Vocals, Bodhran
Hudson Swan: Bouzouki, Vocals, Fiddle, Glockenspiel, Mandolin
Dougie 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
