The McCalmans Release Scots Abroad

Glasgow, Scotland – One of Scotland’s most popular groups, The McCalmans , have a new CD, Scots Abroad (Greentrax Recordings CDTRAX 300)

Scots Abroad is a wonderful mix of ten new songs from the pens of Ian McCalman and Nick Keir; three traditional songs plus two other compositions from Karine Polwart and “The Proclaimers”. The songs include “Scots Abroad”; “American Accent”; “East Lothian Sky”; “All Over This Town”; “Hooray For Holyrood”; “Follow The Heron”; “Scotland’s Story”; “The Broom o’ The Cowdenknowes” and “March! March! Ettrick and Teviotdale”.

The collection also includes the hilarious “The 12 Folk Days of Christmas” which was recorded ‘live’ by BBC Radio Scotland at the Scots Trad Awards in 2004, when it brought the house down. Apart from the two “live” songs, the album was recorded at lan’s Kevock Digital Studios, Lasswade, and mastered at Castle Sound Studios, Pencaitland. The album has 17 tracks and a playing time of almost 57 minutes.

The McCalmans sing and write songs about today’s Scotland. The group’s members, lan McCalman, Nick Keir and Stephen Quigg constantly address contemporary issues without losing sight of the Scottish tradition, which they cherish.

In 2004 the group was presented with “The Hamish Henderson Award for Services to Scottish Traditional Music” at the Scots Trad Awards and “The Danish Folk Prize” in 2005. ‘The Macs’ were the first group to sign to Greentrax Recordings on its launch in 1986 and recorded “Peace and Plenty” (currently available as CDGMP 8009), which subsequently went on to achieve a Scottish Record Industry Association ‘Gold Disc’ for sales.

In this, the 20th Anniversary of Greentrax Recordings, it is appropriate that Scots Abroad should be given the rather special catalog number of CDTRAX 300. The McCalmans are one of Scotland’s most popular and enduring vocal harmony groups who have spread their songs and humor far and wide, with huge annual tours of Europe and beyond. They have never forgotten their roots, however, and each summer “The Macs” tour the “Highlands and Islands” prior to their Edinburgh Festival Fringe gigs whilst still finding time to fit folk clubs into their busy schedule.

Buy Scots Abroad.