50 top tunes from Scotland

25 years ago I was falling in love with Scottish music through the sounds of Altered Images, Simple Minds and the Associates. Postcard records were launching a number of new bands who seemed to bring with them a new, fresh Scottish sound. Annie Lennox and Jimmy Somerville were bringing drama and invention to the top 40. In the mid to late 80s the likes of Deacon Blue and Aztec Camera were putting out a series of quality pop records, the Cocteau Twins were making unique, entrancing music, and the Proclaimers were establishing a new brand of Scottish folk rock. But I was more excited by the greatest Scottish band of them all, the Jesus and Mary Chain.

How does the current generation of Scottish artists measure up against these idols ? On 20th August 2008, Glasgow was formally inducted as a Unesco city of music. The city had told Unesco that “123 rock and pop bands are based in the city, as well as 44 folk bands, nearly 80 classical music composers and arrangers, 27 singer-songwriters and hundreds of people who enjoy singing in the city’s 49 choirs or playing in the city’s 38 orchestras”. I wonder who had the job of counting them all, and who their favourites were.

For this list, I’ve decided only to include musicians and bands who are still performing and recording today, and aren’t just living on past glories. In selecting tracks, I’ve tended to favour more recent recordings, while still trying to represent the best of each artist. Release dates are given where available. The choices of artists are my own. If I’ve left out your favourite, why not leave a comment and make sure they get a mention.

The list is divided into two. The first list is of 25 traditional, folk and acoustic tunes, the second of 25 rock, pop and electronic songs. It’s a bit of an arbitrary division, but it seems to make sense here. Click on the artist’s name to take you to their myspace page, or on the song title to listen to a youtube video of the song.

LIST ONE – Trad, folk and acoustic

25 Alasdair White – Calders Rant / Prince of Wales Two reels by one of Scotland’s top fiddlers

24 Malachy Tallack and Steven Laurenson – Wounded man Malachy lives on Fair Isle, but is originally from Shetland. He edits the magazine Shetland Life, and writes a weekly column for the New Statesman about his experiences of rural life and living on a remote Scottish island.

23 Shooglenifty - The Tammienorrie (1995) Footstompin’ music

22 David Ferrard – Visions of our youth (2008 ) “I’ve been enjoying my performances at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe – over 30 shows! My solo show, Scottish Folk Roots & Offshoots, has been doing well. Tonight I begin my duo show with Roy Bailey – Not In Our Name: Songs Of Peace & Protest “

21 Kim Edgar – Red (2008 ) “Unlike many singer-songwriters, Edgar’s songs are not soaked in melancholy; rather, there’s a Scottish drizzle of sadness that falls over them in a mist of minor keys.” – Alan Morrison, Sunday Herald

20 Horse McDonald – I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten (2000) The strings and the cello add to the drama of this lovesong

19 Alistair Hulett and Jimmy Gregory – Buy us a drink (1987) Political folk music. This song was originally recorded by Hulett’s former band Roaring Jack

18 Emily Smith – Bleacher Lassie O’Kelvinhaugh (2008 ) Traditional Scottish song : a sailor returns to the Clyde after seven years at sea and meets his old sweetheart walking beside the banks of the Kelvin river where she is employed as a bleacher lassie. He makes a playful attempt to proposition her and she initially fails to recognise him. The song proceeds to a happy ending, they get married and keep an alehouse to which they welcome in the sailor laddies to go drinking ‘wi the bleacher lassie o Kelvinhaugh’.

17 Ben Sturrock – When I first saw you Affecting lovesong by promising young singer songwriter

16 Anna Massie and Jenn Butterworth – Three reels and the Mason’s Apron Two thirds of the Anna Massie Band – rather wierd seeing them play in that big cathedral

15 Eddi Reader with Boo Hewerdine – Footsteps Fall Heartfelt folk/country ballad, recorded here as part of the second Transatlantic Sessions series on the BBC in 1998 and later appearing on Simple Soul in 2001

14 Kathleen MacInnes – Oran Dhomnaill Phadraig (2006) From Lullaby Of The Fairy-Womam “I found this song in my mum’s attic last Summer. The song was composed by the Bard Michael Ruadh MacPherson, Taobh-a-Chaolais, South Uist, for my dad after he died on 13th July 1974 aged 46.”

13 Jenna Reid with Aly Bain – Hector The Hero Slow, evocative number. This is from the third Transatlantic series, filmed in the Highlands in 2007, now available on CD and DVD (Transatlantic Sessions 3 vol 2 Jan 2008 ).

12 Julie Fowlis – Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach Julie Fowlis from North Uist is a leading Gaelic singer, named Folk Singer of the Year at the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Here she is accompanied by a distinguished cast : Phil Cunningham on piano, Michael McGoldrick on whistle, Jerry Douglas on slide, Sharon Shannon on accordion, Bruce Molsky and Aly Bain on fiddle, and Russ Barenberg on mandolin. (Transatlantic Sessions 3 vol 2 Jan 2008 )

11 Fred Morrison, Michael McGoldrick and Donal Lunny – Medley – Farewell to Uist, The Lochaber Badger, RIP the Badger Watch for the moment after 2 and a half minutes when Morrison and McGoldrick put down their whistles and start piping. From Transatlantic Sessions 3 vol 1 (Jan 2008 )

10 Lise Sinclair – Who won the heart (2008) From the CD of Shetland poems Ivver Entrancin Wis sung by Lise Sinclair (of music group Fridarey) with instrumental backing from Catriona McKay (pedal harp), Chris Stout (violin, viola), Abby Hayward and Wendy Wetherby (cello), and vocal backing from Fridarey.

9 Patsy Reid & Declan Hegarty – Archibald MacDonald of Kepoch (2002) Beautiful traditional Scottish air with Scottish fiddle and Irish harp. Patsy learned this from the well known Scottish fiddler, Alasdair Fraser. Arrangement by Patsy and Declan.

8 Peatbog Faeries Scots on the rocks (2005) Wonderful stuff – high tempo exciting music from the Isle of Skye

7 Martin and James – You’re Alive Great harmonies and consistent songwriting from this duo, who currently have four free download tunes available

6 Karine Polwart – Sorry (2008 ) I’d like to imagine that this is directed at the world leaders who brought about the war in Iraq

5 Capercaillie – Coisich A Rùin (1991) Capercaillie released their 17th album in 2008, and singer Karen Matheson has also done a lot of solo work, but I love this earlier song of theirs

4 Lau – Sea (2008 ) Robin Denselow reviewed Lau, Live for the Guardian : “It was no surprise that they won best group at this year’s Radio 2 Folk awards, but they should have won best live act as well, as this set proves. The Scottish-English trio are unique in the folk scene for their self-written jigs, reels and complex instrumental work, and for the way they can repeatedly switch mood and direction within a song. The interplay between Martin Green on accordion, Aidan O’Rourke on fiddle and Kris Drever on guitar and lyrics seems almost intuitive. “

3 Dougie MacLean with Kathy Mattea – Turning Away (1991) This performance is from November 1994 for the Transatlantic Sessions series broadcast on the BBC in 1995/6. The song showcases MacLean’s skills as one of Scotland’s greatest songwriters.

2 Dick Gaughan with Emmylou Harris – Both Sides The Tweed (1981) Another from the first Transatlantic Sessions series. “The verses call for the recognition of Scotland’s right to sovereignty and the choruses argue against prejudice between our peoples. The Tweed is the river which forms part of the Scots-English border and is used here as a symbol of both the need for independence and the need for friendship and co-existance. The original text was an attack upon the Treaty of Union of 1707 which abolished the independent Scots and English Parliaments and set up the United Kingdom. I made some minor amendments to give it contemporary relevance.

The tune has been the subject of some speculation and argument. So far as I am aware, I actually composed it and am highly flattered by the presumption that it is traditional, with people claiming to have known it for several decades, if not centuries.” I’m hoping to catch Dick Gaughan perform in Liverpool on September 19th.

1 KT Tunstall – Black Horse & The Cherry Tree (2005) She says the song was ” inspired by old blues, Nashville psycho hillbillies & hazy memories. It tells the story of finding yourself lost on your path in life, and a choice has to be made. It’s about gambling, fate, listening to your heart, and having the strength to fight the darkness that’s always willing to carry you off.” The song won an award for Best Single of 2005 in Q magazine, and it received a 2007 Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

LIST TWO – Rock, pop and electronic

25 Alestorm – Heavy Metal Pirates (2008 ) Scotland’s finest pirate metal band (I think I can say that without fear of contradiction !)

24 Darkwater – 1920 (2007) It’s rock with some big riffs, synths and a searing female vocal. Currently working on their debut album

23 Malcolm Middleton – Loneliness Shines (2005) Routine indie rock from the ex Arab Strap singer

22 Big Hand – Magnet (2008 ) Sounds like “Chuck Berry and Madness having a fight with Manu Chao trying to break it up and the Chilli Peppers and a load of eastern European folk musicians watching n cheering it on…… with a twist of cheap red wine. “

21 Desalvo – Oedipus Rising (2005) Hardcore metal/punk ? Not sure of the exact categorisation. On Mogwai’s Rock Action label. Enjoy the scariest band in Scotland !

20 1990s – You made me like it (2006) Why aren’t these guys storming the charts ? They’ve released three decent singles, with funny lyrics and strong hooks

19 Amy Macdonald - A wish For Something More (2007) Angsty pop

18 Eastborn (Featuring Mantis Chapter) – Kalashnikov Kids (2008 ) Unexpectedly good political hip hop

17 Primal Scream – Kill all hippies (2000) Visceral, blistering rock. No need to search for the message – the message is the music

16 Steven Lindsay – Monkey Gone to Heaven (2007) Former Big Dish frontman Lindsay’s rich, reedy voice is accompanied by lots of piano and glossy production, and his songs are uniformly mournful but pleasant. Here he takes on the Pixies classic

15 Solipsism – Organicism (2007) Wierdly wonderful art-rock by Craig Murphy. Challenging listening which won’t be to everyone’s taste

14 Swimmer One – Music for Other People (2003) Leftfield electronic music with a dark undertone

13 Frightened Rabbit - Old Old Fashioned (2008 ) Perhaps not the most obvious track to go for, but I like the sparse honesty of the lyrics and the guitar playing

12 The View – Superstar Tradesman (2006) Great observational song from the Mercury music prize nominated album Hats Off to the Buskers

11 The Poems – Temptation (2007) Superior in my opinion to the rather soulless original by New Order

10 The Twilight Sad – That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy (2007) A song that seems to improve with every listen. Bit of a classic. Free download available

9 Franz Ferdinand – The fallen (2005) Their sharp, explosive guitar sound is reminiscent of The Jam though they don’t have Paul Weller’s songwriting genius

8 Silicone Soul – Right On (2001) Classic dance track

7 Travis – Selfish Jean (2007) The title is Fran Healy’s little joke – the song has nothing to do with the Richard Dawkins book ‘The Selfish Gene’. Strange but funny video

6 Sharleen Spiteri - All the times I cried (2008 ) I’ve got a soft spot for her soulful brand of pop. This is the first single from her debut solo album Melody

5 Errors – Terror tricks (2006) James Hamilton : “Terror Tricks is about Paul McCartney. Not that you can understand what’s being said. ” From the EP How Clean Is Your Acid House ? on Rock Action records.

4 Sons & Daughters – Gilt Complex (2007) I liked this review which they’ve quoted on their myspace profile – “Abrasive, dark and sexy like a lady assassin, Gilt Complex is quite possibly one of the most perfectly constructed singles of the year.”

3 Camera Obscura – Tears for Affairs (2006) Quality heartfelt pop

2 Isobel Campbell feat. Mark Lanegan – Saturday’s gone (2006) Exceptionally beautiful haunting song from the Mercury music prize shortlisted album Ballad of the Broken Seas. Campbell was of course formerly from the band Belle & Sebastian.

1 Glasvegas – Daddy’s gone (2007) James Allan : “I try to put as much soul in and give myself away as much as possible, but you’re never sure if other people will like what you do. Such a big deal has been made of it and now my family are picking up papers saying that ‘Daddy’s Gone’ is about my absent father, which is something I never saw coming and never really thought about.” This honest, passionate song has been remixed and is released this week, with the much anticipated debut album due out on 8 September 2008