I love the way scottish tunes sound on accordion, but I only have a couple of youtube recordings I've found and CD's with Phil Cunningham to listen to.
Can you recommend CD's or Spotify tracks with some nice scottish accordion playing? Especially looking for waltzes and reels, but if you have something else it would be highly appreciated too.
Phil and Jimmy are great, of course, but there are many different styles. I'm not generally that keen on the Scottish Dance band type of playing but this is where the box seems to dominate.
However, some of the old players such as Jimmy Shand himself, Bobby Macleod etc are well worth a listen.
John:
Fergie MacDonald was a very good recommendation, and Mairearad sounds promising. Thanks.
You're right I should have specified the styles more. The problem is that I don't really know what styles there are.
I believe I tend to listen to music from the western regions, like Julie Fowlis and boxtubeman on youtube. The latter plays tunes in a style that I really like.
As an off-topic question, maybe someone could give me a link or explanation to the various styles?
pennhorse:
Lau sounded interesting, well worth a bookmark in Spotify even though they don't sound like what I'm looking for at the moment.
If you like the west coat style, check out "bobby macleod", it may sound dated, and it is,, but where I live you could expect to hear similar whenever you head out to strip the light fantastic.
The tunes are timeless. And there's the point, wether you like scottish country dance band music or not, it's not the tunes themselves, just how their played.
If you like pipe tunes, just get the music and get squeezing. Nothing wrong with a few pipe tunes, just playing the big notes is more than good enough to be getting on with.
I already play (try to) a pipe tune and some other tunes on the accordion. Can't get the rhythm and phrasing right though, so that's partly why I'm asking for listening suggestions so that I can get a better feeling of it.
Raretunes: Great site! Unfortunate with the recording quality, but I'm not one to nitpick when the underlying feeling is good.
Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
I love the way scottish tunes sound on accordion, but I only have a couple of youtube recordings I've found and CD's with Phil Cunningham to listen to.
Can you recommend CD's or Spotify tracks with some nice scottish accordion playing? Especially looking for waltzes and reels, but if you have something else it would be highly appreciated too.
Thanks in advance!
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by NotVeryInventiveName
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
I'll add that I have no idea who are the "accordion greats" apart from Phil Cunningham and Jimmy Shand. Maybe someone can enlighten me on that.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by NotVeryInventiveName
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
"Phil Cunningham and Jimmy Shand"
You haven't specified whether or not you want piano or button box but if you've given examples of both so that should give us a wee bit more scope.
Unfortunately, this site isn't really all that "accordion(or Scottish) friendly" but I'm sure there's a few who will help.
You could try seeking out some stuff by Fergie MacDonald to start off...
http://www.fergiemacdonald.co.uk/
Very laid back West Highland ceilidh style.
This man here is also fun
http://www.brechin-all-records.com/sandybrechin.htm
Phil and Jimmy are great, of course, but there are many different styles. I'm not generally that keen on the Scottish Dance band type of playing but this is where the box seems to dominate.
However, some of the old players such as Jimmy Shand himself, Bobby Macleod etc are well worth a listen.
My favourite young player is Mairearad Green
http://www.mairearadgreen.com/
who also features in bands with Anna Massie, The Box Club, Poozies as well as being a great solo performer.
There are many more good young players though, eg John Somerville, Gary Innes, and so on.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Lau. Great stuff.
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display.php/2555
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by pennhorse
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
John:
Fergie MacDonald was a very good recommendation, and Mairearad sounds promising. Thanks.
You're right I should have specified the styles more. The problem is that I don't really know what styles there are.
I believe I tend to listen to music from the western regions, like Julie Fowlis and boxtubeman on youtube. The latter plays tunes in a style that I really like.
As an off-topic question, maybe someone could give me a link or explanation to the various styles?
pennhorse:
Lau sounded interesting, well worth a bookmark in Spotify even though they don't sound like what I'm looking for at the moment.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by NotVeryInventiveName
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Forgot to mention that I like pipe tunes played on accordion.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by NotVeryInventiveName
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Alasdair MacCuish has a great CD with The Black Rose Ceilidh Band called 'Stepping Out'
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/stepping_out
There are a couple of sample tracks you can listen to. His youtube offerings are not very good, but the CDs are excellent.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Toppish
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
If you like the west coat style, check out "bobby macleod", it may sound dated, and it is,, but where I live you could expect to hear similar whenever you head out to strip the light fantastic.
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
The tunes are timeless. And there's the point, wether you like scottish country dance band music or not, it's not the tunes themselves, just how their played.
If you like pipe tunes, just get the music and get squeezing. Nothing wrong with a few pipe tunes, just playing the big notes is more than good enough to be getting on with.
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Quite a few historical tracks (1900-1960) at www.raretunes.org with many more to be added over the year...
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by Raretunes
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
http://www.raretunes.org/
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Solidmahog:
I already play (try to) a pipe tune and some other tunes on the accordion. Can't get the rhythm and phrasing right though, so that's partly why I'm asking for listening suggestions so that I can get a better feeling of it.
Raretunes: Great site! Unfortunate with the recording quality, but I'm not one to nitpick when the underlying feeling is good.
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by NotVeryInventiveName
Re: Scottish accordion CD's or Spotify?
Tom Orr band is the best of the new bands, great tunes and great lift in his playing.
# Posted on March 13th 2011 by tirvaluk