On a black and blustery January night, three of the most distinctive female voices on the contemporary Scottish folk-roots scene got together round a Borders kitchen table with a bottle of rioja, some baked tatties and The Collected Songs of Robert Burns. What began as a brief set for a show at Celtic Connections Festival 2006 has evolved into something we're running with a wee bit further ... because we're having so much fun with it!
The three of us have wound up performing together many times over the past five years: as members of the landmark Scots Women celebration of Scots traditional song; with some of our Gaelic singing sisters, in the popular spin off touring project Scottish Women; and as members and guests of the splendid Scottish folk big band experience The Unusual Suspects (which Corrina co-directs).
Through these collaborative encounters we discovered our mutual love of inventive vocal harmony and before we knew it some of the arrangements assembled spontaneously in buses and back rooms hit the stage. And they actually worked.
In between times Annie has crafted a smokily intimate solo album of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes "Take Me Out Drinking Tonight" (Greentrax), released her farewell album with the influential folk band Iron Horse and starred in award winning stage productions. She doesn't mention it much but she's a bit of legend on the Dutch roots and world music scene too.
Corrina has recorded a spacious and sensuous solo album of Scots song and dazzling harp virtuosity "My Favourite Place" (Footstompin), pioneered (with partner David Milligan) the 32 piece magical musical monster The Unusual Suspects and recorded a gorgeous duo album with Northumbrian piper and fiddler Kathryn Tickell, as well as composed for and played in innumerable collaborative projects.
And Karine has recorded four solo albums of her own songs, the first of which ("Faultlines") won her a bunch of BBC Folk Awards, and all of which prove that she's a writer and singer who knows both the best and the worst that the world has to offer.
Well that's the pitch about us for now.
When we get together we sound - well - a bit like we are! Lilting and lovely sometimes; bolshy and bawdy at others; and both dark and discordant and hopeful and happy!
Saw you in August at the Queen's Hall and it was, without a doubt, one of the best performances I saw during the festival. Desperately wanted to buy a CD and still do. (And if you make one, you have to include Ca the Knowes - hand's down my favorite performance by you all!)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Wonderful concert last night in Queen's Hall! Thank you so much. Please, please make a recording together! Wishing you success in all your various projects, love Clare x
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Un placer encontraros aqui y disfrutar de vuestro magnifico trabajo. Un fuerte abrazo desde Extremadura, España, de vuestros amigos de Aulaga Folk. Juan Carlos
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
Hi Karine, (posting here,there seems to be a problem commenting on your own myspace page?)
Well I saw you on drums with the Burns Unit – and singing your classic songs. I loved both gigs enormously. The Burns Unit – hope recording going well.
I hope you enjoyed the CC festival this year. I had a great time, many wonderful gigs, including yours of course! The City Halls is awful for photos though! The light is poor and no space at all. I got a few pics I’ve posted on my Flickr site. Look forward to next year – where do the years go…. I’ll keep reading you blogs…..
Why is it so hard for me to say hello, You’ve hit my heart like an arrow, Give me your endless breath, So I could cheat death, I feel your heart beat in my chest.
I love your versions of Burns - really inspiring! I was lucky enough to see Karine and Corrina live in Hitchin a couple of years back, hope to catch all three of you some time!
