The Tannahill Weavers
| The Tannahill Weavers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Paisley, Scotland |
| Genres | Scottish traditional |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Labels | Green Linnet Records Plant Life |
| Website | www.tannahillweavers.com |
| Members |
Roy Gullane Phil Smillie John Martin Colin Melville |
| Past members |
Leslie Wilson Alan MacLeod Bill Bourne Dougie MacLean Duncan J. Nicholson Gordon Duncan Hudson Swan Iain MacInnes Kenny Forsyth Mike Ward Ross Kennedy Stuart Morison John Cassidy Stuart McKay Neil Doherty Jim McGowan |
The Tannahill Weavers are a popular band which performs traditional Scottish music. Releasing their first album in 1976 they became notable for being one of the first popular bands to incorporate the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe in an ensemble setting, and in doing so helped to change the sound of Scottish traditional music.
The band was formed in 1968, practising in a back room of the McKay family's rented Council house at 41 St. Ninian's Road, Hunterhill, Paisley and first performed at St. Peter's Folk Club, Glenburn, Paisley. The Club was run by Pat Doherty, father of Weavers' founding member Neil Doherty.
As of 2016, they continue to tour and release new recordings. They are named after Scottish poet Robert Tannahill, known as the 'Weaver Poet,' and have recorded several of his songs.
Members
The current members of the band are:
- Roy Gullane (guitar, vocals)
- Phil Smillie (simple system flute, tin whistles, bodhrán, vocals)
- John Martin (fiddle, cello, viola, vocals)
- Lorne MacDougall (Highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes, tin whistle)
Past members have included:
- Leslie Wilson (bouzouki, keyboards, bass pedals, guitar, vocals)
- Alan MacLeod (Highland bagpipes, tin whistles, mandola, organ, vocals)
- Bill Bourne (vocals, bouzouki, guitar, electric guitar, fiddle, keyboards, bass pedals)
- Dougie MacLean (fiddle, mandolin, vocals, guitar, tenor banjo)
- Duncan J. Nicholson (Highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes, tin whistles)
- Gordon Duncan (Highland bagpipes, tin whistles)
- Hudson Swan (bouzouki, vocals, fiddle, glockenspiel, mandolin)
- Iain MacInnes (Highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes, tin whistles, vocals)
- Kenny Forsyth (Highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes, tin whistles)
- Mike Ward (fiddle, guitar, vocals)
- Ross Kennedy (bouzouki, fiddle, bass pedals, vocals)
- Stuart Morison (fiddles, bones, guitar)
- John Cassidy (whistles, vocals) - founding member
- Stuart McKay (vocals, guitar, penny whistle) - founding member
- Neil Doherty (vocals, guitar, mandolin, penny whistle) - founding member
- Jim McGowan (vocals) - founding member
Discography
Albums
- Are Ye Sleeping Maggie (1976)
- The Old Woman's Dance (1978)
- The Tannahill Weavers (1979)
- Tannahill Weavers IV (1981)
- Passage (1984)
- Land of Light (1986)
- Dancing Feet (1987)
- Best of the Tannahill Weavers 1979 - 1989 (1989)
- Cullen Bay (1990)
- The Mermaid's Song (1992)
- Capernaum (1994)
- Leaving St. Kilda (1996)
- The Tannahill Weavers Collection: Choice Cuts 1987-1996 (1997)
- Epona (1998)
- Alchemy (2000)
- Arnish Light (2003)
- Live and In Session (2006)
Contributing artists
See also
- Compass Records
- Hedera Records
- Green Linnet Records
- Plant Life Records
External links
- Tannahill Weavers (official site)
- MySpace page