Music of Scotland


For each of the following band or artist, I own only one of their album. Therefore I can't give you an overview of their discography. However, I have tried for each one to list if it's traditionnal or modern music, and for the album I know, which track I prefer.


Tannas

Traditionnal music band, their tracks are essentially gaelic songs with some instrumentals. Really great music except  maybe a little lack of rythm!
 

Oighreachd (1994) 

Three tracks of this album are also part of Runrig discography: first of all "Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh", for which we can hear an instrumental version on Runrig's "Heartland"  whereas in Oighreachd this is a song. There is also  "Cearcall A' Chuain", a song written by Calum et Rory MacDonald present on"The Highland Connection", fusionned to "An Ataireachd Ard", from "Heartland". The Tannas version of  "Cearcall" has a quickest tempo and is sung by two singers, and their version of  "Ataireachd" is only instrumental whereas it is sung by Runrig!
favorite track on this album: "Sabhal Ia'n 'Ic Uisdean"
 
 


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Silly Wizard

"Silly Wizard" is a band, which musically speaking is very similar to the "Tannahill Weavers". Traditionnal songs arranged by the band and instrumental tracks are the major part of their discography. A slight difference nevertheless, the singer of "Silly Wizard" doesn't sing in Scottish, he sings in english with a very soft scottish accent (too bad!!).
 
 

Kiss The Tears Away (1987) 

Although it  is only  my second favorite track on this album, I strongly recommend "The Banks Of The Lee", for  the beauty and the sadness of the lyrics.
favorite track on this album: "The Quenn Of Argyll"
 
 


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The Atholl Pipe Band

I couldn't speak about Scottish music without at least mentioning one pipe band!  For those who don't know what they are, the pipebands are the equivalent of the Breton bagadou (well, to be more rigorous, I should rather say that the bagadou are the Breton equivalent of the Scottish pipebands!), i.e. it is a band of musicians (in a more or less military fashion), playing scottish bagpipes and drums. The music they  play is, of course, traditionnal!
 

Live 'N Well (1996) 

Bagpipes, only bagpipes! Just fabulous!
favorite track on this album: "Brenda Stubbert's Reel"
 
 


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Anna Murray

Anna Murray is a solo bagpipe player. Nevertheless, her favorite instrument is the "small scottish bagpipe", which sound is a little  twangier than the one of the great pipe. The tracks in this album are  instrumentals (traditionnal or written by Ms Murray), and also gaelic songs.
 

Into Indigo (1996) 

Some of the instrumental tracks of this album have been played by other scottish band, like for example "Crann Tara" also played by the  "Tannahill Weavers" or  "Miss Campbell Of Sheerness" played by "Capercaillie".
favorite track on this album: "Na Goisidich"
 
 


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Chris Armstrong

Chris Armstrong is a real genius piper. Less than 20 years old, he is nevertheless a skill player since he has won many contests in Scotland and in Ireland, and since he also composed 90% of his repertory.  His sound is quite traditionnal although some of his pieces are really recent. For the scottish pipe lovers, the results are truly amazing!
 

Notes In Ma Heid (1997) 

Almost all of the tracks on this album are originals. One of the pieces played in  "The Biggar set" has also been played by the "Tannies"
favorite track on this album: "Barbour Roar"
 
 


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