Tannahill Weavers
"Passage" 1984
In 1984, after recording four outstanding albums for the regional Hedera label, Scotland's Tannahill Weavers set their sights on the American market by signing with Green Linnet. Passage ushered in a new era for the group. Canadian singer/multi-instrumentalist Bill Bourne introduced electric guitar into the fold and focused on contemporary covers like Stan Rogers' "Harris and the Mare" and "Marie Christine" by Gordon Lightfoot. His contributions, while excellent, do little to overshadow frontman Roy Gullane's powerful voice, whose emigration lament "Jamie Raeburn's Farewell" provides one of the record's finest moments. Piper Alan MacLeod opens the collection with the blistering "Roddie MacDonald's Favourite," a song in two-parts that the band learned during a break in Philadelphia, and co-founder Phil Smillie, who applies tasteful keyboard work, remains the glue that keeps the band so cohesive amidst its constant lineup changes. While by no means their best record, this leap into the future serves as a fascinating peek into a band stretching its legs outside of the traditional folk circle. Passage also marked the beginning of the addition of a Scots glossary -- a helpful guide to Gaelic terminology -- which has since accompanied each and every release. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
In 1984, after recording four outstanding albums for the regional Hedera label, Scotland's Tannahill Weavers set their sights on the American market by signing with Green Linnet. Passage ushered in a new era for the group. Canadian singer/multi-instrumentalist Bill Bourne introduced electric guitar into the fold and focused on contemporary covers like Stan Rogers' "Harris and the Mare" and "Marie Christine" by Gordon Lightfoot. His contributions, while excellent, do little to overshadow frontman Roy Gullane's powerful voice, whose emigration lament "Jamie Raeburn's Farewell" provides one of the record's finest moments. Piper Alan MacLeod opens the collection with the blistering "Roddie MacDonald's Favourite," a song in two-parts that the band learned during a break in Philadelphia, and co-founder Phil Smillie, who applies tasteful keyboard work, remains the glue that keeps the band so cohesive amidst its constant lineup changes. While by no means their best record, this leap into the future serves as a fascinating peek into a band stretching its legs outside of the traditional folk circle. Passage also marked the beginning of the addition of a Scots glossary -- a helpful guide to Gaelic terminology -- which has since accompanied each and every release. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
posted by Lizardson at 12:50 AM
3 Comments:
More MORE M-O-R-E of The Weavers PLEASE! You never can have enough of'em ! And THANX for this upload
Lovely album - it is a real pity that every track has inexplicable gaps at 15 second intervals and someone felt the need to "normalise" each track.
I agree with Paul - nice album, but the hiccups ruin the recording. It's difficult to listen to and not go crazy.
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