THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS tannahill weavers
Recordings:
  Are Ye Sleeping Maggie  1976
  The Old Woman's Dance  1978
  The Tannahill Weavers  1979
  Tannahill Weavers IV  1981
  Passage  1984
  Land of Light  1986
  Dancing Feet  1987
  Best of the Tannahill Weavers 1979 - 1989  1989
  Cullen Bay  1990
  The Mermaid's Song  1992
  Capernaum  1994
  Leaving St. Kilda  1996
  The Tannahill Weavers Collection:  Choice Cuts 1987 - 1996  1997
  Epona  1998
  Alchemy  2000
  Arnish Light 2003

Are Ye Sleeping Maggie
Check out the bands very FIRST recording, from way back in 1976!! The members of the band at this time were Roy Gullane, Phil Smillie, Hudson Swan, and Dougie MacLean (who many of you will know and love!) On Hedera Records, number HRCD 101  
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The Old Woman's Dance
The second recording, in 1978, heralds the addition of the highland bagpipes to the band, paving the way for a new sound in Scottish folk music! The performers are Roy Gullane, Phil Smillie, Hudson Swan, Mike Ward, and Alan MacLeod. On Hedera Records number HRCD 102  INDEX


 

The Tannahill Weavers
This the third recording is one of the few from the early days of the band to follow with the same lineup as the previous; Roy, Phil, Hud, Mike and Alan. Released in 1979, this record won the Tannahills the Scotstar Award for Best Folk Group in 1980. From Hedera Records, HRCD 103
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Tannahill Weavers IV
In 1981 this recording heralded significant changes in the group, both in line-up as well as instrumentation. The musicians were Roy Gullane, Phil Smillie, Alan MacLeod, and Les Wilson. Hedera Records number HRCD 104
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Passage
Passage is definitely the bands "alternative album". It marked the move of the group from Plant Life Records in England (now defunct) to Green Linnet Records in the USA, a new partnership which still stands. The title is appropriate as it was indeed a time of real transition and change for the group. It was originally released on Munich Music (a Dutch label) and if any of you are wondering what that one was with the picture of the ship on the front, that's the original Dutch release. The group was unhappy enough with the quality of that original release to rerecord it in the USA for the release there, which is the only version available now. This album has Canadian as well as traditional Scottish music, with a considerably more contemporary sound than before or since. With electric guitar and a drum kit added to the usual instrumentation, this is pretty much a "love it or hate it" recording. The members at the time were Roy Gullane, Phil Smillie, Alan MacLeod, and Bill Bourne (the Canadian influence). From 1983, it is Green Linnet Records number GLCD 3031
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Land of Light
1986 brought major changes and growth to a more mature sound from the Tannahills, as can be heard on Land of Light. Again there were major line-up changes, to the more stable combination of Roy Gullane, Phil Smillie, Iain MacInnes, and Ross Kennedy. This is the first of the groups recordings to include songs written in the traditional style by Roy Gullane, a trend which has continued since. Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1067
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Dancing Feet
Dancing Feet in 1987 marks the return to the five-piece format with the addition of the fiddle as a full-time instrument again. We missed it! That makes the members Roy Gullane, Phil Smillie, Iain MacInnes, Ross Kennedy and Stuart Morison, on Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1081
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The Best of the Tannahill Weavers 1979 - 1989
Time for a compilation!! This is twelve tracks of the groups favorites from the five preceding recordings, on Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1100
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Cullen Bay
Cullen Bay, from 1990, marks the return of Les Wilson (as a more permanent member this time!) and the addition of fiddler extraordinaire John Martin. With Roy, Phil, Iain, Les and John, it is Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1108
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The Mermaid's Song
1992 brings the Mermaids Song, again featuring Roy, Phil, Les and John, but with the addition of piper Kenny Forsyth. Great stuff! Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1121
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Capernaum
Capernaum, released in 1994, has got to be, along with Alchemy from 2000, the highlight so far of the Tannies recordings. In May of 1995 it won the Indie Award in the USA at the NAIRD (National Assoc. of Independent Record Distributors & Manufacturers) conference for Celtic Album of the Year 1994. With the same line-up as the Mermaids Song (!) of Roy, Phil, Les, John and Kenny, it has received serious critical acclaim - don't miss this one! Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1146
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Leaving St. Kilda
The bands next studio release, featuring for the first time with the group the outstanding piping of Duncan J. Nicholson. Excellent! A great choice for lovers of the bagpipes. Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1176
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The Tannahill Weavers Collection: Choice Cuts 1987 - 1996
Time for ANOTHER compilation!! 14 tracks equaling 62 minutes and 44 seconds of the bands favorite tracks from the 5 studio recordings from the years 1987 to 1996. A great introduction to the band, Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1182
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Epona
From 1998, the band's tenth recording with award winning label Green Linnet Records!  Twelve tracks including two new songs by Roy Gullane.  If you love the slower tracks, don't miss this one, Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1193
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From 2000, this recording is an essential for any Tannahills fan.  Roy, Phil, Les, John and Duncan have produced an album of haunting ballads and airs, and blood-stirring songs and sets of tunes, all played and produced immaculately. 
Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1210
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Arnish Light

Recorded in 2002 and 2003 in Scotland, with Tannies' exciting new young piper Colin Melville.
"...expertly rendered medleys and songs that feature the band's trademark richly arranged harmonies"   All Music Guide
"...their best album for ages..."  
                      The Living Tradition
Green Linnet Records number GLCD 1226
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The Tannahill Weavers