Scottish music.

[Scottishbychoice]

So I'm English by birth but Scottish by choice having met my first H , a Glasgow highlander, when I was 20 and moved.to Scotland when I was 24. That's almost 50 years ago.

I'm sat here listening to a Corries LP, not something I do very often. But having
been introduced to them in the early 1970s before I moved to Scotland and having seen them a couple of times in concert in Newcastle, I have a real love of them. And of Flower of Scotland.
I love listening to them occasionally, and Hamish Imlach and Silly Wizard and Runrig etc.

H knew so many people who were talented fiddlers and accordion players, and who I was introduced to when I was younger

I just wondered to what extent other Scottish people feel about music that is peculiarly Scottish. Whether it has a big part of their lives. Or whether my love of it is just fashioned by nostalgia.

Simple Minds & Capercaillie are two that are regularly on a playlist in this house. Also Paolo Nutini. There will be more, but those are the cds I came across as I decluttered this morning.

Have to say, Flower of Scotland is an utter dirge as far as I am concerned. It’s down there with God Save the King. I would love it if some talented person could come up with an inspiring modern take on Scotland.

@Dearg My take on Flower of Scotland is that I think it's brilliant because it has been spontaneously adopted by the people, not forced on them. That it is totaly accessible to everyone because the words are so easily and unconsciously learned. And it's only a dirge if the rendition of it is manipulated

If you are in the crowd at Hampden or Murrayfield it is totally the opposite of a dirge and is up there with The Marseillaise and Land of my Father's s the best anthems in the world.

I do take on board though that I need to get to know the music of people like Paulo Nutini and Capercaille.

Have you heard the song 'Home' by Nathan Evans? My DC sang it at a school assembly recently and it had me welling up (married to a Scotsman, been here over 20 years)

Talking of dirges, I do like Highland Cathedral (which was not even composed by a Scot!)

Big fan of Pauli and also used to love Travis, back in the day…

There does seem to be more of a music culture here - it’s much easier to find casual music groups and sessions and hearing the difference between Irish, Scottish and English music is fascinating

there is a huge modern trad scene on Scotland - so much innovative cross over music which I loved long before I moved up , but seeing how accessible it all is - great bands at low cost village halls. And people of all generations milling together at festivals

and the islands have their own culture - Shetland tunes really have their own vibe. And chatting to a cousin in Orkney - all the kids do either music or sport or both - much more encouragement to learn

The music that moves me ties in with my gig going in the late 80s; Hipsway, Love and Money, Aztec Camera, Deacon Blue ( Born in a Storm still gives me goose pimples) Hue and Cry, Danny Wilson, The Proclaimers- this is the music of my youth when it suddenly felt cool to be Scottish and I was so desperate to be Lorraine that I got a disastrous perm lol !

I hadn't heard it but just listened to it.
It's brilliant.
And I see he is the Sea shanty man! So I did know about him but not his name.

Yes I remember back in the day on my vists to Lewis as a total English foreigner being intrigued by the importance of music and Ceilidhs in the lives of the people there.
And how back in Glasgow this music and the events featured so much in the talk of the Glasgow Highlanders

It’s happening now - not just 50 years ago

Oh I take your point totally.

Generally these days I listen to a lot of classical music. But I love sometimes going back to the music that meant an awful lot to me when I was younger.

But I would be very happy to be guided
to good Scottish generated music of any era.

I second Nathan Evans. My daughter loved Arabella and then found his other stuff. It's a great sound

Check out Nathan Evans! I love ALL of his songs and they always give me a right boost and a proud to be Scottish feeling 😂

There is a fantastic Scottish pianist called Fergus McCreadie whose last two albums "Forest Floor" and "The Sheiling" are jazz but with a heavy Scottish folk influence. They are quite beautiful and very evocative of Scottish landscapes and nature. I feel very patriotic when I have them on!!!

I had never heard of him and I must say jazz is a genre i'm usually a bit ambivalent about but having just watched some of the clips on YouTube he is really quite captivating in his originality. I particularly liked Sparrowsong.
Thank you very much for bringing Fergus to my attention .

I listen to a lot of Frightened Rabbit. I think that’s the only Scottish music I listen to actually!

Check out some of the younger west coast bands - Trail West, Skerryvore, Tide Lines, Skippinish, Manran, Niteworks.

You need Tidelines on your play list.

Theyre on tour this year too.

I have heard of Frightened Rabbit but never heard their music @Oblivionnnnn

Thanks for your suggestions @Meridas
@ScaryM0nster

I shall definitely have a listen to all of these. I'm very pleased to have my musical listening broadened. I have been very guilty in the past few years of just sticking to stuff I know rather than trying to take in any of the vast amount of.other potentially good stuff that I don't know.

My mother in-laws cousin is Jim kerr.

@Flannelfeet - does he do a turn at Hogmanay ? 😂😂

Some great suggestions (watching!)

Unfortunately not, they are not very close, im gutted as I love simple minds.

Beluga Lagoon are brilliant, I particularly love The Glen and Neverland.

Second Beluga Lagoon, Manran, Trail West, Tidelines and Skerryvore. All are fab live.

I love most Scottish music especially Runrig.