Renowned Scottish group Battlefield Band will be touring Hawaii this month and they will be presenting matetrial from their upcoming album.
For the first time Battlefield Band have recorded a song in Gaelic. ‘A’ Bhriogais Uallach’ translates as ‘The Pompous Trousers’. Ewen Henderson, ‘the new boy’ of the band, sings the main vocal on this traditional song, with the rest of the band on backing vocals. ‘The Waves of Otur’, a Mike Katz composition, follows the song, and the set of music finishes up with ‘Split The Whisker’, a traditional tune with what is probably a fairly bawdy title…
‘Robber Barons’, written by Alan Reid, is the first single release from the new album, and looks at greed through the ages, from the ‘Robber Barons’ of the Middle Ages in Germany to the modern day politicians & bankers. The subject matter is as relevant today as it ever was…
“This album started as a collection of songs and tunes about gold,” says Alan Reid. “But as we searched, like the alchemists of old, it turned into a wider idea. In the process we saw the greed, disasters and victories inherent in the search and exploitation of various sources of wealth in this world. Then, as if by demonic serendipity, along comes the worldwide economic crisis.
We watched the major banks, many best cheap auto insurance and life insurance companies and Hedge Funds etc. implode, discrediting the entire financial system and many of its managers and advisers – But there was still more to come. We, in Britain, could only stand and watch aghast as many (too many) Members of Parliament, and the House of Lords at Westminster, ‘the Mother of Parliaments’ were exposed for their cynical misuse of the expenses system, often amounting to fraud.
As we put this album together, with our producer Robin Morton, we have been amazed, amused, angered, depressed and hilariously horrified. Who knew about the Zama Zama Boys? Or Ku’ula-kai, the Hawaiian God of Fish; or the extraordinary folklore and history of Chocolate? We will leave you to mine these extraordinary stories for yourselves.”
With this new album, Battlefield Band offers songs both old and newly composed. Alongside new songs like ‘Robber Barons’ are tracks such as Nina Simone’s ‘Plain Gold Ring’.
The release of the album celebrates the 30th Anniversary for Battlefield Band and their label Temple Records. For 30 years they have created and performed traditional Scottish music with a rare passion and joy, delighting audiences around the globe.
Inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength and vibrancy of today’s Scottish cultural scene, which indeed they have done much to create and fuel, they have led, and been at the forefront, of a great revival in Scottish music.
Refusing to be limited musically by suffocating antiquarianism, or the music business’ fashions, they have mixed the old songs and music with a new self-penned repertoire, all played on a fusion of ancient and modern instruments – bagpipes, fiddle, synthesiser, guitar, flutes, bodhran and accordion.
Recordings available:
- In North America: The Best of Battlefield Band / Temple Records: A 25 Year Legacy, Across The Borders, zama zama – try your luck, Rain, Hail Or Shine, Dookin’, Battlefield Band, Battlefield Band – Live in Concert at the Brunton Theatre, Home Ground – Live From Scotland, The Road of Tears, Leaving Friday Harbor, Happy Daze, Anthem For The Common Man, Home Is Where the Van Is, Time & Tide, Opening Moves, At the Front, Stand Easy / Preview, Threads, New Spring, Live Celtic Folk Music, On the Rise, Battle of the Field, Celtic Hotel, Out for the Night, Quiet Days
- In Europe: The Best of Battlefield Band / Temple Records: A 25 Year Legacy, Across The Borders, zama zama – try your luck, Rain, Hail Or Shine, Dookin’, Battlefield Band, Battlefield Band – Live in Concert at the Brunton Theatre, Home Ground – Live From Scotland, The Road of Tears, Leaving Friday Harbor, Happy Daze, Anthem For The Common Man, Home Is Where the Van Is, Time & Tide, Opening Moves, At the Front, Stand Easy / Preview, Threads, New Spring, Live Celtic Folk Music, On the Rise, Battle of the Field, Celtic Hotel, Out for the Night, Quiet Days
10th Jan 2011
New York NY
Banjo Jim’s
On the corner of 9th Street & Ave. C New York, NY 8:30 – 10:00pm. No Cover Charge
www.banjojims.com
call: 212 777 0869
25th Jan 2011
Hana HI
Helene Hall (Outreach)
www.mauiarts.org
(808) 242-2787
27th Jan 2011
Kahului HI
Maui Arts and Cultural Center
Castle Theater
www.mauiarts.org
(808) 242-2787
28th Jan 2011
Pearl City HI
Leeward Community College Theatre
www.lcctheatre.hawaii.edu
(808) 455-0385
29th Jan 2011
Hilo HI
University of Hawaii at Hilo
www.uhh.hawaii.edu
(808) 935-5831
30th Jan 2011
Kamuela HI
Kahilu Theatre (Concert)
www.kahilutheatre.org
(808) 885-6868
31st Jan 2011
Kamuela HI
Kahilu Theatre (Outreach)
www.kahilutheatre.org
(808) 885-6868
03rd Feb 2011
Berkeley CA
Freight & Salvage
www.thefreight.org
(510) 644-2020
04th Feb 2011
Santa Monica CA
McCabe’s
www.mccabes.com
(310) 828-4497
05th Feb 2011
Grass Valley CA
Center For the Arts
www.thecenterforthearts.org
(530) 274-8384
09th Feb 2011
Dayton OH
Canal Street Tavern
www.canalstreettavern.com
(937) 461-9343
10th Feb 2011
Ann Arbor MI
Ark
www.theark.org
(734) 763-8587
11th Feb 2011
Boston Hts OH
Happy Days Visitor Center
(330) 657-2909
12th Feb 2011
Charleston WV
West Virginia State Theater, FOOTMAD www.footmad.org
(304) 415-3668
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
