Scan

Tonight and Friday: The Tannahill Weavers present Scotland sounds

Andrew Ritchey · 3 Feb 2010, 12:26 PM · Comment

Since forming in 1968, the Tannahill Weavers have grown into one of the world’s premier conduits for traditional Scottish music. On the road six months of the year, an active touring schedule lets the band spread the sounds of Scotland—and often puts them in interesting, unexpected situations. While preparing for another U.S. tour at his home in the Netherlands, guitarist and singer Roy Gullane recalled two of those most interesting times.

For one show,the band

The Tannahill Weavers

decided to drive from the north of Scotland all the way to Vienna. But a planned rest stop in Stuttgart, Germany turned into an all night party when they happened into Scottish folk singer Hamish Imlach.
“By the time we got to Vienna, we were shattered.” Tired and with little time before the show, Gullane couldn’t find any sort of dressing room. “I found a room somewhere behind the stage to change my clothes, but couldn’t find the light switch. Undeterred, I carried on with the task, and had just wrestled my pants off when a door burst open, the lights went on, and hundreds of people started pouring past me. I was in the foyer.”

And then there was the festival in Germany with the 7:30 a.m. sound check. Continue reading »

Interviews and Long Cuts, You Should Do This Chatham Mills, Tannahill Weavers, Tir Na Nog

Talking to The Red Clay Ramblers’ Bland Simpson

Grayson Currin · 23 Oct 2009, 11:45 AM · Comment

Bland Simpson, songwriter and UNC professor

The Red Clay Ramblers got their start in 1972 and, over the years, have evolved with many personnel changes. Once a string band, the group now offers smatterings of American roots music from New Orleans to Tin Pan Alley. The Ramblers have a history of spreading their music through theater productions as well as music performances.

Pianist Bland Simpson has been involved with the band almost since its inception. At band mate Chris Frank’s house, Simpson helped mail out discs of the Red Clay Rambler’s newest album, Old North State earlier this week. Before calling an end to the afternoon and heading home to grill dinner, Simpson spoke with The Independent over the phone about the history of the group, its broadening sound, and performing roots music in alternative venues.

The Red Clay Ramblers play Chatham Mills in Pittsboro at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 23. On Saturday, October 24, they move over to Chapel Hill’s ArtsCenter at 8:30 p.m. $15-17. Continue reading »

Interviews and Long Cuts, You Should Do This Bland Simpson, Chatham Mills, Red Clay Ramblers, The ArtsCenter