Interesting albums from the folk and roots music history, by Marius Roeting.
About ten years ago, in Scotland, the so-called ‘The Island tapes’ were performed a couple of times. Not your average concert, but a performance where live music is played to old film footage. This music was mostly newly composed work, based on traditional Scottish folk music and complemented with old poems, songs and and tunes. They also used samples, live loops and stanzas of talks with old informants woven into the music, who tell what the images portray. A total package: touching, compelling, educational and overwhelming.
A true tribute to the days of old, the start of the last century, when people had to work hard for a meagre income. But also stories of saying goodbye, googbye to the island they had lived their entire lifes. Imported diseases tore apart the stable close-knit community apart and the evecutated island dwellers’ future was unsure. Also every-day stories about work, surviving and free time. The Island Tapes were recorded, both the music and the footage, and was released as a CD-DVD combo. We will play a large section of the CD.
Because of its long duration, we are forced to select several tracks. Because of copyrights, we cannot show you the footage of the DVD, that also includes documentaries. Unfortunately, it’s the unity of image, speech, sound and music what makes The Island Tapes so memorable and unique. You can see some footage on the website www.theislandtapes.com, including some of the next project, The St Kilda tapes.
Playlist: Various Artist – The Island tapes– – Smiddymade recordings SMD618132
1. ST Kilda – Britains Loneliest Isle (David Allison, Duncan MacDonald) 16.29
2. Holidaying in Harris (Iain Moireasdan, Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair, Alyth McCormack) 7.51
3. Crofting in Skye (Ian Vance Melrose, Alyth McCormack, Allan Neave) 13.00
4. Da makkin o’ a keshie David Allison) 4.54
5. A new way to a new world (David Allison, Alyth McCormack) 14.30
Special thanks to Muziekweb.