ALISTAIR
RUSSELL
DISCOGRAPHY
February 2008 - new purchasing arrangements!
If you'd like to purchase these albums as CDs,
you can use the cheque payment method listed with the album descriptions
below, but we'd prefer you to use the excellent facilities at
Scotloads - where you can buy both the albums and
individual mp3 tracks
securely.
Scotloads is an
excellent site run by Scottish music enthusiasts, which benefits new unsigned
bands as well as us old hands.
You can see and hear my stuff by following this
link:
Latest Solo CD
Available
worldwide.
The CD is
called 'A19'
UK customers can order the CD direct
by post from
Glade Recordings, 2, South Lane,
Southbourne, nr Emsworth, PO10 8PP
enclosing a cheque for £12.00
inc. p&p made out to A. Russell.
Listen to tracks from A19, and live tracks with Chris Parkinson,
by clicking here:
downloads
Phenomenal reviews all round.
Here they are:
‘It is very difficult to stop listening to this
CD, each track is better than the last. The material is superbly put together.
There is a welcome change of pace from track to track, and a nice mixture
of traditional and modern. There is a broad variety of accompaniment. Alistair
has made good use of his network of friends to assemble an impressive array
of musicians helping out on different tracks.
It is impossible to single out highlights. The
worst that can be said of any track is that it is not the interpretation
we would have chosen. It is also difficult to write comments on every track
without being repetitive - the thesaurus only has so many synonyms for
excellent. The following are therefore singled out with some misgiving.
The Rose of Allendale has a perfect blend of voice and accompaniment. The
Pleasure Will Be Mine is a beautiful new setting of an old theme which
Alistair really brings to life. His phrasing in Rambling Irishman is lovely.
Having heard him perform Ceilidh in the Kitchen live but solo, it is remarkable
how much the instrumental accompaniment on the CD adds. The best is undoubtedly
left to the last. A superb version of Shipyard Apprentice is followed by
The Ship in Distress sung a-capella; the effect is tremendous.
Be careful where you listen to this CD. When
it finishes, you'll shout for more..’
Folkmag UK
‘Alistair has one of the most distinctive and
finest voices in Folk Music..…the whole recording exudes class and the
repertoire is top notch… all sung with that superb voice….The A19 is A1,
all the way, to my ears!’
Buzz UK
‘Excellent warm singing and guitar…. The arrangements
are full and deep… a warm, lush sound created by musicians doing what they
do best… the CD works as a whole… even songs that are extremely familiar…have
something new to say when given the Russell treatment. The quality of recording
and production is excellent.’ Shreds & Patches
UK
‘He has an excellent voice which the album shows
off well…. No frills here, but it’s good quality and you really get in
touch with the feel of the songs. I particularly liked his version of Rambling
Irishman…. fine powers of interpretation. This is an album that grows on
you…’ Shire Folk UK
‘A skilled musician with a proven pedigree.. a
most listenable collection…that never fails to entertain and satisfy…..
Although Alistair’s own musical identity is stamped through the album….the
guest contributions are extremely well judged and to Alistair’s eternal
credit, these never overwhelm his own passion and commitment….
Real highlights… such as The Pleasure will be
Mine…. excellent versions of Archie Fisher’s timeless The Shipyard Apprentice
and Ed Pickford’s Farewell Johnny Miner.’ Stirrings UK
‘Maybe Rage in the Cage, Ceilidh in the Kitchen
(Russell originals both) and Never Tire of the Road were just more boisterous
than I was feeling when I listened to them – but he does an excellent job
on Archie Fisher’s majestic Shipyard Apprentice and Ed Pickford’s Farewell
Johnny Miner…. With a supporting cast too numerous to list and too distinguished
to precis.’ fRoots UK
‘His 14th album.. and it’s a cracker. …Alistair
is a good enough lineup on his own, but the quality of his backing is incomparable….
There are classics like The Rose of Allendale, which is classic and Alistair’s
own Rage in the Cage, inspired by all the travelling he’s done, is inspired….
The quality of recording is superb, the CD is totally delicious.’
Tykes’ News UK
'This is a great collection of well-loved traditional
and contemporary songs spiced up with some new ones, linked by an evident
love for the material and a great ear for arrangement. My personal favourite
track was the final "The Ship in Distress", whose stark unaccompanied delivery
contrasts splendidly with the lushly arranged material that precedes it,
a great testament to Alistair's ability to captivate on truly solo terms
and persuades the listener to hit play one more time.' EDS UK (EFDSS Publications)
This man has a wonderful voice and has put together
a very good album. .....something to please everyone here.'
Folk on Tap UK
'Sometimes along comes a solo offering from someone
you've known and loved as part of a well-known band. It's possible that
you can be a bit disappointed because it fails to live up to your expectations,
but I shouldn't have worried with this one..... It says a lot
for the popularity of the guy that there is an absolutely stunning line-up
of backing musicians - but none take over from Alistair.......
"Shipyard Apprentice" is just stunning..... Long may he keep
travelling that A19.' Living
Tradition UK
Best of all, this one from the BBC Radio 2 website,
printed in full here:
'To get the measure of ex-Battlefielder Alistair
Russell, play the last track on this album first. The emotionally-charged
Ship In Distress states Russell's case in a trice: here's a man passionate
about the songs he sings, fuelled by a love of a music scene in which he's
been ubiquitous for over three decades.
Named for a road that's figured large in the life
of this well-travelled north-easterner, A19 is Alistair's first solo outing
for eighteen years, though his total discography (via Battlefield Band
and duo partners Tom Napper and Chris Parkinson) now stands at fourteen
albums. Here, solid traditional staples - Rose of Allendale, Rambling Irishman,
Bogie's Bonny Belle - are given the warm, committed Russell treatment alongside
a selection of well-chosen contemporary numbers - John Hiatt's You Must
Go, Archie Fisher's timeless Shipyard Apprentice, a tender rendition of
Alan Reid's beautiful The Pleasure Will Be Mine. A couple of Russell's
own songs, Rage In The Cage and Ceilidh In The Kitchen, reflect on his
journeyings with affection and humour and point up his musical raison d'être
- the sharing of life's quiddities through the power of song.
A19 is engineered, mixed, mastered and produced
by Alistair himself, but don't let that give you the idea this is one of
those amateur DIY deals. Russell's pedigree includes long experience in
sound engineering and he puts his skills - and his own studio - to excellent
use. Add a top cast of guest musicians which includes (to name just half
the list) Maartin Allcock (acoustic guitar/acoustic bass), Mick Doonan
(uilleann pipes), John McCusker (fiddle, viola, low whistle), Chris Sherburn
(anglo concertina) and Dave Burland, Kieran Halpin and Karine Polwart on
BVs, and the result is a well-judged mix of ensemble arrangements which
never detract from Alistair's strong core performance. A lovely album from
a singer who represents the lifeblood of British folk. Mel McClellan -
July 2002'
What a great response - I'm flattered. If you
set any store by reviews, maybe you might go back to the top of the page
now and buy the album!
Companies interested in international
distribution/licensing should contact
Glade
Recordings.
So, there we have the new album.
Now here's the bumf about the two previous releases, followed by the chronological
discography:
APRIL 2001
- TWO NEW CDs AT ONCE!
UK customers can order these CDs direct
by post from
Glade Recordings, 2, South Lane,
Southbourne, nr Emsworth, PO10 8PP
enclosing a cheque for £12.00
inc. p&p made out to A. Russell.
The first CD is "Paddy goes to
Huddersfield", with Chris Parkinson.
A brand new album featuring vocal and instrumental
tracks, including many "old favourites" of Irish music. Gutsy singing and
virtuoso playing on melodeon, piano accordion, harmonica, keyboard and
guitar. You can order this CD by following http://www.folkmusic.net/
The second CD is a long overdue
re-issue of "Getting to the Border".
Featuring Davy Spillane, Tom Mc Conville, Kieran
Halpin, John Campbell, Colin Scarth. At last this 1984 album is available
on CD. Alistair's pre-Battlefield Band solo album featuring Scottish, Irish
and contemporary material.
Here's a reprint of the "Paddy goes to Huddersfield"
press release, if you'd like more information.
Paddy Goes to Huddersfield.
Celtic Music from Yorkshire.
A new album from Alistair Russell and Chris Parkinson.
March 2001 sees the release of the first new album
for several years from either of these musicians. It was recorded to accompany
an extensive tour of German concert halls, as part of the 12th St. Patrick's
Day Celebration Festival.
The players:
Alistair Russell (guitar, vocals) comes from
North-East England, of Scottish parentage. He has been singing and playing
Scottish and Irish music, and his own songs, for over 30 years, chiefly
as a member of Scotland's legendary Battlefield Band from 1984 to 1997.
He has 11 albums and 2 video releases to his name, and currently performs
solo and with Chris, besides being active as a recording engineer/producer
and tour manager.
Chris Parkinson (melodeon, piano accordion, harmonica,
keyboards) comes from Lancashire, with family roots in the west of Ireland.
A session player on over 20 albums from various artists, as well as 2 solo
albums and 8 CD releases with his own band, The House Band ( a pan-celtic
outfit which originated in Scotland some 15 years ago). He currently divides
his time between the House Band, his duo with Alistair, and sideman duties
with Steve Phillips, and Norma Waterson/Martin Carthy.
The music:
This album contains the live set (and more) played
by Alistair and Chris on their 2001 German tour. Their brief, as veterans
amongst a cast of young Irish bands, was to play accessible music, and
include some well-known material. Both players had realised some time ago
that lots of excellent material had passed out of currency through overuse.
But a whole new generation of young celtic music fans was eager to hear
what were, for them, new songs and tunes. Both Battlefield Band and the
House Band did their bit in the 1990's, so that "old chestnuts" could be
given new life – the folk process, in a nutshell. Alistair and Chris continue
this process on this album. "The Laird O' Drumblair", "The High Level Hornpipe",
"McShane", and the "Curragh of Kildare", are but a few of the old favourites
to be given an honest, up-front, enthusiastic treatment here. Lesser-known
gems, such as Kieran Halpin's "Port of Call" and Chris's own "Paddy Durkin's"
are also included.
With this album, you get virtuoso playing, yet
simple arrangements, enthusiastic singalongs and tender ballads. Two experienced
players, who have both, in their time, been at the very cutting edge of
celtic music, relaxing with the tunes and songs they love best.
And now to the chronological discography:
photo: Dave Harrold
Most of these albums were recorded
with Battlefield Band, so here's a Battie picture from 1990!
ALISTAIR RUSSELL ALBUMS
1977 - "Folk at the Wren" with
Cleveland Connection. (out of print)
1979 -"Tripping Upstairs" CM 002,
with Tom Napper
1984 - "Getting to the Border"
gldcd 0301, with guests Davy Spillane, Kieran Halpin, Tom McConville etc.,
now available on CD from Glade Recordings
Then, with Battlefield Band (1984
- 1997)
Anthem for the Common Man
On the Rise
Music in Trust 2
Celtic Hotel
Home Ground
New Spring
Quiet Days
Threads
Across the Borders
(all available from Temple
Records )
March 2001: Paddy goes to Huddersfield
GLDCD0201, with Chris Parkinson.
March 2001: re-issue "Getting to
the Border" GLDCD0301, with guests Davy Spillane, Kieran Halpin, Tom McConville
etc.
March 2002: 'A19' GLDCD0202
Albums produced by Alistair Russell:
Last Night's Fun! - Chris Sherburn
and Denny Bartley, SOM 002
Foothold - Chris Sherburn and Denny
Bartley, SOM CD 003
Lowlands - Sarah Mallinson and
Debbie Warren, published Punch Music
Sweet is the Melody - Rosie Clegg,
BRTCD0201
While the Heart Beats in Me - Nickie
Willis, Minkle Music CD001
Emily Weygang and Ben Harker - and many
more! Click on Glade Recordings
to learn more.