I'm looking at the back of a Seán Maguire & Roger Sherlock LP released on Outlet, and among the other contemporary offerings were 'Rangers: We are the People', 'The Orange Walk', 'The Loyal, the Faithful, the True: Best of Orange Songs'... Then we have 'Irish Songs of Freedom', 'The Flags are Out for Celtic', 'James Connolly the Irish Rebel'...
To produce music from both sides of the sectarian divide, particularly in 1970s Belfast, seems an interesting practice, even if nothing more than a necessary insurance policy. I'd be very interested to hear the recollections of people who remember the record label from its heyday - and particularly from people who are intimately acquainted with it's ongoing story, from glorious past to pitiful present.
Anybody with anecdotes, stories, memories, information - about its past and somewhat murky disappearance - I'd be very grateful to find out as much as possible.
Sorry. Your are quite right. It is a big subject and, as one of the few positive stories to emanate from Belfast in the late 20th century, deserves more comment. I suggest you start by looking up thesession.org entries on whistle player Tom McHale. Great entertainment there if you check out the recording of the album following his All Ireland win in 1968. McBurney had a record shop (Premier Records) in Smithfield Market in Belfast and sold records to people of the opposite religions equally. As a sideline he promoted concerts and produced recordings, most of which entered the Outlet Records label. McHale, Mcguire, Sherlock and Ted Furey were among the artistes recorded. Sadly Outlet is no more as a result of an argument about royalties for old Dubliners recording, an education in itself for anyone interested in such matters. All the records are classics and well worth seeking out. As it happens I have the 33rpm versions, which have wonderful sleeve designs, but the later CDs are better than nothing.
I believe he is. He is one of a number of saintly figures, not sufficiently recognised IMHO, who were able to transcend the religious and political divisions in Belfast. You might learn more from belfastfolk.co.uk. Those greater than I can add to my earlier list of names but I do think that Van Morrison and Margaret Barry should also appear.
I've got quite a few itm records on Outlet. While appreciating that some rare music was preserved, the quality was often dubious. I have one record, I think one of Roger Sherlock and Sean Maguire, where the recording slows down and back up again in the middle of a set of tunes. Priceless! Would be interesting to have some stories from the recording artists themselves.
The Outlet Records story...
The Outlet Records story...
I'm looking at the back of a Seán Maguire & Roger Sherlock LP released on Outlet, and among the other contemporary offerings were 'Rangers: We are the People', 'The Orange Walk', 'The Loyal, the Faithful, the True: Best of Orange Songs'... Then we have 'Irish Songs of Freedom', 'The Flags are Out for Celtic', 'James Connolly the Irish Rebel'...
To produce music from both sides of the sectarian divide, particularly in 1970s Belfast, seems an interesting practice, even if nothing more than a necessary insurance policy. I'd be very interested to hear the recollections of people who remember the record label from its heyday - and particularly from people who are intimately acquainted with it's ongoing story, from glorious past to pitiful present.
Anybody with anecdotes, stories, memories, information - about its past and somewhat murky disappearance - I'd be very grateful to find out as much as possible.
Thanks.
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: The Outlet Records story...
The answer to your query is quite simple. Bill McBurney was a great tightrope walker. Nobody outside norniron would understand.
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by robertw
Re: The Outlet Records story...
To quote a slightly more loquacious Irishman than robertw: 'The pure and simple truth is rarely pure, and never simple.'
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: The Outlet Records story...
Sorry. Your are quite right. It is a big subject and, as one of the few positive stories to emanate from Belfast in the late 20th century, deserves more comment. I suggest you start by looking up thesession.org entries on whistle player Tom McHale. Great entertainment there if you check out the recording of the album following his All Ireland win in 1968. McBurney had a record shop (Premier Records) in Smithfield Market in Belfast and sold records to people of the opposite religions equally. As a sideline he promoted concerts and produced recordings, most of which entered the Outlet Records label. McHale, Mcguire, Sherlock and Ted Furey were among the artistes recorded. Sadly Outlet is no more as a result of an argument about royalties for old Dubliners recording, an education in itself for anyone interested in such matters. All the records are classics and well worth seeking out. As it happens I have the 33rpm versions, which have wonderful sleeve designs, but the later CDs are better than nothing.
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by robertw
Re: The Outlet Records story...
Excellent, thanks. Is McBurney still around?
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: The Outlet Records story...
Great story, cheers.
http://www.belfastfolk.co.uk/reflections/index09.asp
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: The Outlet Records story...
I believe he is. He is one of a number of saintly figures, not sufficiently recognised IMHO, who were able to transcend the religious and political divisions in Belfast. You might learn more from belfastfolk.co.uk. Those greater than I can add to my earlier list of names but I do think that Van Morrison and Margaret Barry should also appear.
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by robertw
Re: The Outlet Records story...
It's an amazing story, really. Thanks for the tips.
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: The Outlet Records story...
I believe Billy McB has been beyond the reach of debtors and creditors for some years.
# Posted on October 6th 2009 by deeor
Re: The Outlet Records story...
I've got quite a few itm records on Outlet. While appreciating that some rare music was preserved, the quality was often dubious. I have one record, I think one of Roger Sherlock and Sean Maguire, where the recording slows down and back up again in the middle of a set of tunes. Priceless! Would be interesting to have some stories from the recording artists themselves.
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by The Archivist