Went to see them 2 nights ago here in Basel, Switzerland, they’re on tour and managed to come down to Basel, how glad I am!!
They are just phenomenal, been listening to their albums for many a year now, they’re simply awesome. If you guys EVER get a chance, then you simply MUST go and see/hear/experience them. I simply haven’t got the words to describe them.
They rock.
Slainte, Amar.
I have several of their Cds (including At the Front)and love them too.
Philo
I envy you. The Last Trip Home is one of my all time, any kind of music, FAVORITE tunes.
-Heard them for the first time on radio recently as guests on Prairie Home Companion. I think it was a rebroadcast, but their music was wonderful, easily some of the best from any band PHC has hosted.
I love the music that’s composed by their fiddler… I have that music book, Bothwell Boy… excellent stuff!
Lucky you! They’re heaps better live than on CD (and the CDs are good)
Haven’t listened to Battlefield Band in years (but I used to be a big fan). Maybe I should go and acquire some of those CDs I remember so fondly…
I really enjoyed them when they came to Fairbanks. That was the time it struck me that the musician is more important than the instrument. I suddenly realized that here’s a guy with a $5 whistle standing next to a fiddler with a NICE fiddle, who also plays a rather nice-looking stand of bagpipes, but he’s an equally-respected musician. It was sort of an epiphany for me. And that’s something I always associate with Battlefield Band.
I really ought to get some of their albums. My dad has one he got at the concert and there’s one particular song I can listen to over and over. The one about the Jocks stranded on the beaches of St. Vallery. Almost brings tears to my eyes. Every time I listen to it.
Yeah, I think I should put some of these albums on my Christmas list.
-Patrick
FWIW: I think Threads is their best single album if you are considering a first purchase. They had a great piper during that time, who had previously played with Ossian.
I guess people rotate in different bands when they have artistic “differences.” Mike Katz, the current piper is technically good but does not move me the way that Iain McDonald (I think thats his name, the previous guy) did.
As for humility and perspective: the first time I saw them was during the Threads tour. I had dang near idolized these guys because I found that to be such a great record. After the show, they were all standing in the lobby, selling CDs, writing up credit card purchases etc. That was downright weird. I kept my mouth shut (yes, its possible) but some of the Berkeley yuppie types made some rather rude comments to them (you know, why are you doing this…etc)…It was embarassing to stand there and hear that crap.
The reality of the folk music circuit is that great music is made at low renumeration. Another reason that bands break up I reckon. It has to be really clickin’ to withstand such a life.
The band has existed for at least 25 years or so and I think Alan Reid is the only remaining original member. Another funny anecdote from that nite is that they did their version of “Bad Moon Rising” a Credence Clearwater Revival song (composed a mile or two away in El Cerrito by John Fogerty) complete with the pipes. That song reminded me of the fact that they began as a Glasgow bar band, not Celtic revivalists of any sort.
I dont know who is whistling these days with them but they do a lot of that finger vibrato, which is okay but makes you realize that its definitely not an Irish style of whistling. They also have used a lot of octave mando-zouk in their songs, sometimes with two at once for their most rousing tunes…
I learned a lot from them.
On 2002-09-05 14:44, The Weekenders wrote:
I dont know who is whistling these days with them but they do a lot of that finger vibrato, which is okay but makes you realize that its definitely not an Irish style of whistling.
Errr, what? I thought finger vibrato was considered the standard form of Irish whistle vibrato. Do you mean they do it during dance tunes or something?
To explain: They had a young guy who did it so very much that it was distracting. Its one of those things that can become habitual and on the low note, he would wiggle the whistle around to make it happen. It was a slow deliberate vibrato that I have not heard on any of my Irish records, trad or neo-trad. Not to that strength, degree or noticeability.
cowtime and patrick. you both are referring to songs sung by a former band member, Davy Steele, he was a wonderful chap, unfortunately he died of a cancer of the brain last year. But he kept his wits to the very end. The two BB-albums in which he collaborated in are: “Rain, Hail, or Shine” and “Leaving Friday Harbour” (4th and 3rd newest albums), they are a must. If any of you would like to go and see a website dedicated to this fine fellow, go here: http://www.mcclellanweb.com/davysteele/
Cheers, Amar.