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Sleeve Notes
I have been privileged over the years to work with many of Orkney's leading musicians, recording their performances and releasing their albums. People have often suggested to me that a compilation album should be made, bringing together as many artistes as could be accommodated on one CD. I decided that 25 years would be an appropriate milestone for such a release. With 70 albums recorded to date and a total running time of 80 minutes it was always going to be difficult deciding what to use. Listening to all the original recordings has brought back many great memories of time spent in the studio with some excellent musicians. Many of these folk are included on this CD and the final selection also includes a couple of tracks never released before.
Owen Tierney
Holm Band Tune & Mrs. Anne Barbour — The Knowe O' Deil Band were formed in the early eighties by Ivan Drever. This track features Ivan along with Ian Cooper. They toured successfully as a "folk" duo for several years in the mid eighties.
Rootan Aboot in the Heather — Billy Budge composed many humourous songs, his performances of which caused great hilarity with audiences everywhere. This song, written over twenty years ago, correctly predicted the demise of peat cutting in Orkney.
Naomi Jane's Reel & Nordraflür — Debbie Scott, at 16 years of age, performed at one of the early Orkney Folk Festivals, accompanied by legendary Shetland guitar player 'Peedie' Willie Johnson. They were the star turn at the Festival and later the same year returned to Orkney to record an album. Her playing inspired many of the young fiddlers in Orkney at the time.
McLean of Pennycross — Davie Eunson from Deerness was one of the leading fiddlers of his era. He composed many fine tunes as well as making fiddles. On this recording he is accompanied by his son Ronald on Guitar.
St James Infirmary Blues — Jenny Kendall has lived in Orkney for many years and her amazing voice has enthralled audiences throughout the islands. This recording was made at an impromptu session with Willie Johnson and has never been released before.
Kerri Marie Shearer, Natalie Jean McAdie & The Stronsay Weaver — Pat Shearer was a gifted fiddle player who, like Davie Eunson, composed many fine tunes including the three on this album. The pianist on this recording is Molly Ritch.
The Wild White Swan — Fridarey, a band who hail from Fair Isle, have travelled extensively entertaining audiences with songs like The Wild White Swan for many years.
Colin's Cattle & Shoals of Herring — Kirkwall City Pipe Band have been an institution in Orkney for many years. Playing at all the major shows and outdoor functions throughout the county. This set comes from an album recorded to mark their 70th Anniversary.
Brak Him Up For Spares — Angus Findlater was a stalwart of the local music scene for many years. Most notably as singer with the Royal Dance Band during the sixties and seventies. He also spent many years presenting programmes on BBC Radio Orkney. His death earlier this year is a sad loss to us all and as John Ferguson of Radio Orkney said; "Angus is irreplaceable".
The Humours of Brandon & Maggie Brown's Fancy — Albert Linklater has fronted dance bands for many years and playing accordion for Scottish dancing over the years is something of a speciality. This track is taken from an album he recorded with Jim Marwick and Billy Peace.
The Weather Man — The Weather Man was composed by Harvey Johnston and, tongue in cheek, pokes fun at our local weather forecasters. The singer is Robin Nicolson.
5th Flight & Madam Neruda — The Wrigley Sisters recorded their first album when they were 16 years of age. Leaving Orkney to tour professionally for the next 12 years. During that time their work took them all over the world. They recently returned home to Orkney and started a music school, teaching a variety of instruments. This track was taken from their second album The Watch Stone.
Twilight Over Shetland — Ronnie Jamieson composed and performs this track. Ronnie is one of Shetland's many fine fiddle players, and his rendition on this recording is quite stunning.
Rattling Roaring Willie — Carolyn Allen and son Kris Drever recorded this song accompanied by Andy Cant for an album Carolyn recorded with Jenny Kendall. Kris has followed in his father's footsteps and is currently in huge demand on the Scottish folk scene where he performs as both guitarist and singer with a wide variety of bands.
Carnegie's Welcome to Scotland & Mr Michie — Kenny Ritch, one of Orkney's foremost accordion players recorded an album along with his son Kenneth on fiddle. This track I feel demonstrates an Orkney style which is distinctly different from that played on Mainland Scotland.
The Cuckoo's Nest, Val's Reel & The Amorous Cat — Hullion were formed 15 years ago to play at a festival in The Faroe Islands. They are still going strong and entertain at local functions as well as the odd trip 'sooth' or north as the case may demand. This track features The Cuckoos Nest followed by two of their own compositions: Val's Reel and The Amorous Cat.
Phil The Fluter's Ball & Down in the Cane Break — The Wyre Band have a unique driving style played on button accordions, which is very popular at dances throughout Orkney. This track is typical of that style. At a folk festival dance in Wyre their playing so impressed Freeland Barbour that he wrote a tune dedicated to the lead accordionist. Edwin Flaws of Wyre was the tune and has since been recorded by many bands including The Wyre Band.
Cootamundra Wattle — Ray Moore, a talented singer & songwriter from Ireland has recorded two albums with Attic Records and has involved numerous local musicians on both. This song is from Australia.
Katy Broom Lowthian — Shoramere Fiddlers are a group of youngsters from the West Mainland of Orkney, brought together and tutored by Jenny Keldie who accompanies them on piano. Jenny, a very talented fiddle player and singer, is originally from Shetland but now lives in Orkney. This track is taken from their second album Still Around.
The Stone Court, Maureen's Jig & Rambling Pitchfork — Ronald Anderson's Band is in demand for functions throughout Orkney. This track is taken from their album Sounds of Orkney where they are joined by Jim Halcrow from Shetland on second accordion.
Salmon Nets of Cowie — Seona Dunsmuir is the fiddler playing this beautiful tune composed by Ray Moore for his second album with Attic. Stewart Shearer provides the sensitive guitar accompaniment.
Which Way — Ivan Drever is Orkney's foremost singer/songwriter. Following his time with The Knowe O' Deil Ivan fronted the highly successful band Wolfstone writing much of their material. He has been professional for over 20 years and currently performs as a solo artiste as well as with former Wolfstone fiddler Duncan Chisholm.
Fiddle on Fire & Inverness Lasses — Douglas Montgomery and Stewart Shearer got together to perform at a St Magnus Festival concert where their musical talent as well as compatibility so impressed everyone that they joined forces to record an album together.
Maple Sugar — The Selkies are a young trio featuring two fiddlers and accordion. They have a unique sound with the left hand of the accordion being the only accompaniment. Their first album Gaan Wae The Flow has proved popular with both locals and visitors to Orkney.
The McMillin Dubh, The Haggis, The High Drive & The Concertina — The Orkney Sessions were recorded in The Reel, where, every Saturday night musicians can join in at the weekly session run by The Wrigley Sisters in conjunction with their music school at their Castle Street studio. The track here is a typical set of 'Session Tunes'.
Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Day Light — This album would not be complete without a track from the first ever release by Attic Records. Stuart Sim Fugitive was an LP record and was recorded before I acquired a multi-track recorder. This meant that all the musicians had to get it right in a single take. In other words it was a 'live' studio recording.
Owen Tierney of Attic Records has been in the business of recording and producing music for the past 25 years.
In that time he has recorded over 70 albums and has accumulated a remarkable sound archive of some of Orkney's best musicians from that period.
An enthusiastic and talented musician in his own right, Owen's musical interests lie mainly in traditional music and this album reflects that.
To mark this milestone in recording history Owen has put together a compilation of artistes from each year up to 2006 and has managed to squeeze in a full 26 tracks.
This album is surely the definitive collection of Orkney's traditional musicians, a 'must have' for anyone interested in our musical heritage.
— Colin Keldie