Andy Stewart Discography

EMI Recordings (1969-1973)

With Andy’s contract having been renewed with EMI he began to release more new recordings on the Columbia label; 1969 being a bumper year with two albums, and a new single in a complete departure from his previous style. This final period with EMI would see Andy deliver another three albums that can be defined as Stewart “essentials”; ‘I Love to Wear the Kilt’, ‘Here’s Tae You’ and ‘Scotch Corner’.

I Love To Wear The Kilt

January 1969 kicks off with ‘I Love to Wear the Kilt’ his first album on Columbia and the first of all previously unrecorded songs since 1965’s ‘Campbeltown Loch’. This also was the final album containing songs from the “Stewart-Grant” songwriting team. After the end of a ten-year partnership, Andy would begin collaborating with his bandleader Jimmy Blue in 1970, and Blue would arrange Andy’s songs from there on.

I Love To Wear The Kilt LP

Side one begins with a bona-fide Stewart-Grant classic ‘I Love to Wear the Kilt‘ in which Andy extols the virtue of the plaid, “I love to wear the kilt because it’s right for me” – and it was! ‘The Lammas Time‘, is a traditional, strictly entitled ‘The Lammas Tide’, Lammas being an ancient festival of thanks-giving and the start of the harvest calendar. The song details the Battle of Otterbourne in 1388, and a hand-to-hand combat between the Scots, led by the Earl of Douglas, and the English by Lord Percy of Otterbourne at Newcastle. ‘The Village Worthy‘ is performed in Andy’s “auld-man” guise and is the story of a typical village character, “the voice of the village”, involved in the church and a man to be held in some respect as the voice of morality (but who usually delights in knowing everyone else’s business!).’Wild Rover‘ probably needs no introduction, the folk song is said to be the most performed Irish song ever, the actual lyric originated as a temperance song “No, Nay, Never, No nay never no more, and I’ll play the Wild Rover, no never, no more”, however modern interpretation has turned this into one of the most popular “drinking songs” of all. Another new love song is up next ‘The Rose Among the Heather‘ and the side ends with ‘What Would Ye Do‘, in which Andy fiercely opposes “removal” of green and white and orange and blue, from Scottish culture – the colours representing Catholics and Protestants. The tune on which the song is based is ‘The Old Orange Flute’, rather than the ‘The Old Grange Flute’ as misspelled on the album notes.

The Road to Aberdeen‘ is a straightforward tribute, and one of two songs Andy would pen in his career, dedicated to his favourite Granite City. Andy delivers a pair of brilliantly performed comic songs next; ‘Seven Drunken Nights‘ and ‘The Green Crystal Bag‘. In the first (made popular by Irish group The Dubliners) Andy – totally inebriated – arrives home each night to find a different clue as to his wife’s infidelity, to which his spouse excuses: “You’re drunk, you’re drunk, you silly old fool…” In the next Andy (still under the influence) – is nabbed by the police on leaving the pub, breathalysed, and arrested for being over-the-limit for driving. One small problem however, as Andy points out: “I haven’t a motor car!” As such he is charged with fraud instead! The song is based on the folk tune ‘The Black Velvet Band’ (again popularised by The Dubliners). Another favourite is up next from Argyllshire, ‘Campbell Town‘ followed by a new Stewart-Grant tribute to Scotland ‘Here is Where my Heart Is‘. We began this musical journey with Andy telling us how he loves to wear the kilt, however by the end and in a change of heart Andy pleads ‘Blow Blow My Kilt Awa” and “bring me back my troosers!”. A thoroughly enjoyable thirty-seven minutes in the company of Andy Stewart in fine voice, making this album one of his very best.

Year of Release: 1969
Label: Columbia
Catalogue Number: SCX 6289 (Stereo) SX 6289 (Mono)

I LOVE TO WEAR THE KILT (Grant-Stewart-arr. Carmichael) / THE LAMMAS TIME (Trad.) / THE VILLAGE WORTHY (Grant-Stewart-arr. Carmichael) / WILD ROVER (Trad.-Words: Stewart-arr. Sutherland) / ROSE AMONG THE HEATHER (Grant-Stewart-arr. Carmichael) / WHAT WOULD YE DO (Tune: The Old Grange Flute) (Trad.) / THE ROAD TO ABERDEEN (Grant-Stewart-arr. Carmichael) / SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS (arr. The Dubliners) / THE GREEN CRYSTAL BAG (Trad.-Words: Stewart-Marshall) / CAMPBELL TOWN (Trad.-Words: Stewart-arr. Carmichael) / HERE IS WHERE MY HEART IS (Grant-Stewart) / BLOW BLOW MY KILT AWA’ (Trad.-Words: Stewart-arr. Carmichael)

I Love To Wear The Kilt

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Rainbows Are Back In Style

On the Ed Sullivan TV show in America in 1968, Andy entertained the studio audience with his singing impression of Dean Martin. On this UK single release he performs one of Martin’s recent releases ‘Rainbows are Back in Style‘.

Rainbows Are Back In Style 45rpm

In a complete departure from his well-known style, Andy’s performs his version as a “pop-country” song – with a vocal performance sounding remarkably like Martin himself, and that’s where the problem with this single lies. Whereas it is perfectly understandable that Andy would ideally like to perform other styles of music and not be totally identified with songs of Scotland, he fails to find his own “voice” in such songs, and particularly in country-style songs (perhaps a by-product of being such a good mimic) he always tends to sound like he is impersonating Dean Martin. The B-side is, if anything, even more “Martin-ified” than the A-side!

Year of Release: 1969
Label: Columbia
Catalogue Number: DB 8608 (Mono)

RAINBOWS ARE BACK IN STYLE (Burgess)
With Orchestra, Directed by Ralph Dollimore.

THERE’S NOTHING THERE (Andy Stewart)
With Orchestra, Directed by Ralph Dollimore.

Andy Stewart Sings Harry Lauder

In another change that could not be more extreme from his last release, Andy now goes back in time to record the songs of the Scottish legend Harry Lauder.

Sir Harry Lauder was by far the most famous Scotsman in the world during the first half of the Twentieth Century, touring the world extensively as a music-hall comedian and singer. His songs, mostly written by himself, were immensely popular and, testament to their quality, many are still well known today.

Andy Stewart Sings Harry Lauder LP

With his stage outfit of kilt, Tam O’Shanter and crooked walking stick, he almost single-handedly created the stereotypical image of the crafty, canny Scot. Described as “Scotland’s Greatest Ambassador”, for his fundraising during WWI he was knighted in 1919.

As Andy Stewart’s popularity rose in the entertainment field, comparisons were regularly made between the “legend” Lauder and his “natural successor” Stewart, a role, whilst flattering considering the success Lauder achieved worldwide, Andy would dismiss – much preferring to be known as his own self. Indeed in a UK TV special two years earlier wherein Andy performed Lauder songs (predicting more inevitable comparisons) he took pains to make the fact clear that he was interpreting the actual written songs, and NOT impersonating the legend. With this in mind, although he had sang Lauder songs previously, delivering a whole album consisting of nothing else but Lauder songs could be considered either a bold move, or admitting defeat(!)

The opening medley of ‘I Love a Lassie‘/’She is My Daisy‘/’Roamin’ in the Gloamin‘ are three of the best known Lauder and therefore Andy presents them with an appropriate nod to Lauder in his delivery. An old favourite ‘That’s the Reason Noo I Wear the Kilt‘ is up next and this version is probably Andy’s best recording of that particular track, utilising many “voices” and accompanied with great orchestration from Ralph Dollimore and is the standout track on side one. ‘O’er the Hills to Ardentinny‘ and ‘The Wee Hoose ‘Mang the Heather‘ are both performed in pure Stewart-style without any vocal pointers to the originator of the songs. Side one ends with another medley: ‘The Waggle O’ the Kilt‘ and ‘The Laddies Who Fought and Won‘.

Another medley opens side two: ‘Stop Yer Tickling, Jock‘/’It’s Nice to Get Up in the Morning‘/’We Parted on the Shore‘ and is performed in a suitable jaunty style, as is the track following; ‘Foo the Noo‘, which could well have been written for Andy’s vocal delivery. The track is lots of fun and is one of the two outstanding tracks on side two. ‘Tobermory‘ is performed in character as such, with a vocal inflection definitely in tribute to Lauder. The other outstanding track ‘Calligan – Call Again!‘ is probably the least known song on the whole album and as such Andy’s performance benefits from this in making the song his own. Tragically Lauder’s only Son John was killed in action during the First World War, and the song ‘The End of the Road‘ which he wrote in the wake of his death provides an appropriate closing number for the LP.

Andy needn’t have worried about losing any of his own identity when performing Lauder songs. When all was said and done, there was only one Andy Stewart, and everyone knew exactly who he was.

Year of Release: 1969
Label: Columbia
Catalogue Number: SCX 6366 (Stereo) SX 6366 (Mono)

Medley: I LOVE A LASSIE (Lauder-Grafton) SHE IS MY DAISY (Lauder-Harper) ROAMIN’ IN THE GLOAMIN’ (Lauder) / THAT’S THE REASON NOO I WEAR THE KILT (Lauder-Kendall) / O’ER THE HILL TO ARDENTINNY (Lauder) / THE WEE HOOSE ‘MANG THE HEATHER (Lauder-Wells-Elton) / Medley: THE WAGGLE O’ THE KILT (Lauder) THE LADDIES WHO FOUGHT AND WON (Lauder) / Medley: STOP YER TICKLING, JOCK! (Lauder-Folloy) IT’S NICE TO GET UP IN THE MORNING (Lauder) WE PARTED ON THE SHORE (Lauder) / FOO THE NOO (Lauder-Grafton) / TOBERMORY (Lauder) / CALLIGAN – CALL AGAIN! (Rutter-Lauder) / THE END OF THE ROAD (Dillon-Lauder)

Orchestra directed by Ralph Dollimore.

International Variants: ‘I Love a Lassie’ – Capitol USA 1969 / ‘Andy Stewart Sings Harry Lauder’ – Capitol Canada 1970.

Here’s Tae You

The album ‘Here’s Tae You’ featured seven songs from the new partnership between Andy and Jimmy Blue, as Andy himself explained: “During the summer of 1970, I was once again in my favourite city of Aberdeen. This was my fourth Summer Season in Aberdeen during the past six years and the idea for this record actually grew out of writing for our show. I was delighted when Jimmy was able to write the music to go along with my lyrics, starting a partnership in song writing that continued throughout the summer.”

Here's Tae You LP

“Anyone who knows me well will not be surprised at the wee tribute to ‘The Agricultural Show‘, as there is nothing I like better than to make a visit to these wonderful gatherings during the course of any Summer.”

“‘Lassie Oh!‘ and ‘Bonnie Bonnie Banchory‘ are another two songs I wrote along with Jimmy – I had such a delightful stay at the Burnett Arms Hotel in the wee Deeside town of Banchory that I just had to write a song for the good folk there. ‘Lovely Glens of Angus‘ is dedicated to my many friends in what I always consider to be my home county. I was brought up in Arbroath, where I received my secondary education, and I have a genuine fondness for the beauty of the countryside in the Angus Glens. This composition says it all. By the way, I know full well that Glen Shee isn’t in Angus, but I couldn’t think of another place name that would rhyme.”

“Jimmy himself wrote the music for ‘Haud Your Tongue‘ to the lyrics sent to us by Thomas Johnstone all the way from New York, U.S.A. Old as it may be and perhaps over sung, I don’t think there are many songs as haunting as ‘Maggie‘ and I hope the more traditional of my listeners will forgive our newest setting of this.”

“I felt that a song was needed to celebrate the opening of the Aviemore Centre, a sporting complex of skiing, skating, curling… in fact, everything for the winter sportsman. This Highland town now holds a most important place in the life of our country, visited by hundreds in their busloads from (and I could hardly believe this) London. I would like to thank my good friends of An Comunn Gaidhealach, and, in particular, Sergeant and Mrs. MacLean for helping with the inspiration of this song, and, with music by Jimmy Blue, ‘Aviemore‘ was born.”

The Country Dance‘ is a traditional (Petronella) arranged by Jimmy Blue, and is followed by ‘Aberdeen‘ written especially for Andy’s favourite “Silver City”: “I first visited Aberdeen in 1955 to play the Tivoli Theatre, but the theatre that has meant most to me is His Majesty’s in Aberdeen, and I must say a word of appreciation to the Donald family for running the finest theatre in Britain. I first took my own show there in 1964 – during a typhoid outbreak – and I have tried to return to “the most generous people in the world” every year since.”

“It was Jimmy Blue’s playing of the haunting ‘Dark Island‘ that inspired me to write a new set of words, whilst my friend Roddy McMillan seems to abound in limitless talent – folksinger, actor, playwright and songwriter, how pleased I was to received from him the sparkling wee gem of a song he calls ‘The Ceilidh Place‘. Dedicated to fellow actor Robert Urquhart, whose night spot called “The Ceilidh Place” at Ullapool is one of the highlights of any visitor’s tour of the Scottish Highlands.”

Here’s Tae You‘ is: “a song of farewell and sentiment, not that the Scots need another when they have ‘Auld Lang Syne’. But I felt that I wanted to write my own song as a personal message of good-bye on my many tours abroad. This song now closes all my concerts in the four corners of the world”.

A splendid return to form and an excellent addition to the Stewart musical catalogue.

Year of Release: 1971
Label: Columbia
Catalogue Number: SCX 6451

THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW (Blue-Stewart) / LASSIE OH! (Blue-Stewart) / BONNIE BONNIE BANCHORY (Blue-Stewart) / LOVELY GLENS OF ANGUS (Blue-Stewart) / HAUD YOUR TONGUE (Johnstone) / MAGGIE (Trad.) / AVIEMORE (Blue-Stewart) / THE COUNTRY DANCE (Trad.-arr. Blue) / ABERDEEN (Blue-Stewart) / DARK ISLAND (MacLachlan-Silver) Special Lyrics: A. Stewart / THE CEILIDH PLACE (McMillan) / HERE’S TAE YOU (Stewart-arr. Blue)

All record releases were released in stereo only from this album onward.

Oh Soldier

This 1972 single release was Andy’s last 45 with EMI and neither side have ever been featured on any album or compilation, making it probably the rarest of Andy’s records. A fine orchestral backing is provided on these two songs – a rarity on Andy’s recordings in the seventies – and is conducted by Neil Richardson.

Oh Soldier 45rpm

Oh Soldier‘ is a self-penned “day-of-remembrance” tribute to all fallen and forgotten soldiers with a sentimental orchestration – vaguely reminiscent of Rolf Harris’ ‘Two Little Boys’ – including strings, horns and electric organ. “Oh Soldier Oh Soldier there’s nobody knows, if the friends of today may be yesterday’s foes, but the green grass it waves and the bright poppy grows and the grave is unmarked by the shore.”

Fareweel My Love‘ is one of Andy’s best ever recordings. To be buried on the B-side of a rarely heard 45, this touching, beautifully orchestrated ballad deserves to be heard as, not just a Scottish classic, but a masterpiece of song. As Andy himself commented: “A contemporary song, with words and music by Scots actor Roddy McMillan. I gave the first public performance in STV’s series ‘Stewart Style’ in 1969, and since then the song has commanded a great deal of attention.”

Year of Release: 1972
Label: Columbia
Catalogue Number: DB 8895

OH SOLDIER (Stewart)
Arranged & Conducted by Neil Richardson.

FAREWEEL MY LOVE (McMillan)
Arranged & Conducted by Neil Richardson.

Andy Stewart In South Africa – White Heather Concert

This album was recorded exclusively for the South African market (although an equivalent was released in Australia) and released through the EMI Brigadiers label. The label was created as a joint venture between EMI South Africa and local label Brigadiers, a deal which ran for a ten year period from 1973-1983. The label published material from the catalogues of Columbia, EMI, HMV, Parlophone, Stateside, and others and the company was jointly run by Gordon Collins (Managing Director of EMI South Africa) and Albie Venter (Chairman of the Brigadiers label).

Andy Stewart In South Africa LP

Like Andy’s other “live” albums the ‘White Heather Concert’ is actually recorded in-studio with overdubbed audience reaction and applause. The on-stage atmosphere is faithfully reproduced though, and the record includes both a character sketch and plenty of “banter” as well as songs.

Accompanying Andy on tour at this time were singers Alex Morrison and Anna Desti and both feature on the LP. Alex Morrison was described in Andy’s 1973 Australasian tour programme as “one of Scotland’s up-and-coming leading tenors”. Born in Glasgow, Alex Morrison was given his first job singing in Variety shows after auditioning for Robert Wilson. From there he won a scholarship to the R.S.A.M.D. in Glasgow, then joined the Scottish Opera and had been singing with them for three years before he joined The Andy Stewart Show. Anna Desti started singing professionally in 1967 in Summer Season with comedian Billy Rusk. She went on to appear on TV and radio shows North and South of the border. In 1969 she was voted “Best Female Vocalist” by the clubs of Scotland.

Manager Jimmy Warren introduces the first side welcoming on “Scotland’s greatest entertainer, Andy Stewart” who launches into a medley including Lauder’s ‘The Wiggle Waggle O’ the Kilt‘ and ‘Parade of Pretty Girls‘ (originally a 1960 recording by “The Playmates”), which would be the spot where, presumably, the Bruce McClure dancers would appear on the stage. Jimmy Blue and tenor Alex Morrison join in the medley with ‘Campbeltown Loch‘ and another from the great Songbook of Scotland – ‘Marching Thru the Heather‘, respectively. Jimmy Blue returns with a ‘Medley of Jigs‘ followed by Alex Morrison who performs ‘Sweet Afton‘ also known as ‘Afton Water’, a poem by Burns from 1791 which was set to music in 1837. Andy pairs up with Alex to perform the Scottish Music Hall favourite concerning Sandy and Andy MacKay: ‘Two Highland Lads‘, then introduces Anna Desti singing the classic ‘Comin’ Thro’ the Rye‘, a poem attributed to Burns but adapted from an original of older unknown origin. Jimmy Warren pops up again next to introduce Andy in character as “Auld Andra” – in a sketch format – and performing another pair of Lauder songs; ‘Foo the Noo‘ and ‘The End of the Road‘.

Jimmy Warren again introduces side two with Andy’s long-term pianist Mark Simpson and “the master on the accordion” Jimmy Blue. Andy performs ‘Lassie Oh!‘ a new Blue-Stewart song as recorded on the LP ‘Here’s Tae You’ (noted incorrectly on the sleeve as a traditional ‘The Bonnie Lass’), then welcomes back Anna Desti with her version of ‘The Holy City‘, a religious ballad written in 1892 by Frederic Weatherly with lyrics by Stephen Adams – real name Michael Maybrick, brother of “Jack the Ripper” suspect James Maybrick (!). ‘Amazing Grace‘ needs no introduction and is performed tenderly by Jimmy Blue. Alex Morrison makes his final appearance with ‘Hail Caledonia‘ a song popularised by Robert Wilson. Old favourite ‘Donald, Where’s Your Troosers?‘ is followed by ‘40 Shades of Green‘ a song written by Johnny Cash in 1959 after a trip to Ireland during which he fell in love with the Emerald Isle and it’s folk songs. The pace quickens now with a medley dedicated to all the “Jeans” in Scotland; ‘Go Home with Bonnie Jean‘ (by Lerner and Loewe, as performed in the musical ‘Brigadoon’) and ‘Jean‘ (written by Rod McKuen, the American poet and songwriter and featured in his Academy Award nominated soundtrack to the motion-picture ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’). Andy introduces ‘Campbeltown Loch‘ with his tale of the origins of the song, then thanking the cast wishes a fond farewell to all with his closing song ‘Here’s Tae You‘.

An interesting album which not only provides a record of the songs performed on tour, but also gives a flavour of what a typical early-seventies Andy Stewart concert comprised of.

Year of Release: 1973
Label: Columbia
Catalogue Number: SCXJ 217

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHOW Spoken Jimmy Warren / THE WIGGLE WAGGLE O’ THE KILT (Lauder) Andy Stewart / CAMPBELTOWN LOCH (Trad. McMillan-Stewart) Jimmy Blue / PARADE OF PRETTY GIRLS (Cogan-Styles) Andy Stewart / MARCHING THRU THE HEATHER (Hanley Gourley) Alex Morrison / THE WIGGLE WAGGLE O’ THE KILT (Lauder) Andy Stewart / MONOLOGUE Andy Stewart / MEDLEY OF JIGS (Traditional) Jimmy Blue / MONOLOGUE Andy Stewart / SWEET AFTON (Traditional) Alex Morrison / TWO HIGHLAND LADS (Bell-Gourley) Andy Stewart – Alex Morrison / MONOLOGUE Andy Stewart / FOO THE NOO (Lauder-Grafton) Andy Stewart / MONOLOGUE Andy Stewart / THE END OF THE ROAD (Dillon-Lauder) Andy Stewart / TWO STEPS (Traditional) Jimmy Blue / THE BONNIE LASS (Traditional) Andy Stewart / THE HOLY CITY (Adams-Weatherley) Anna Desti / AMAZING GRACE (Traditional) Jimmy Blue / HAIL CALEDONIA (Traditional) Alex Morrison / DONALD WHERE’S YOUR TROOSERS? (Stewart-Grant) Andy Stewart / 40 SHADES OF GREEN (Traditional) Andy Stewart / BONNIE JEAN (Traditional) Andy Stewart / JEAN O JEAN (Rod McKuen) Andy Stewart / WEE BONNIE JEAN (Traditional) Andy Stewart / CAMPBELTOWN LOCH (Stewart-McMillan) Andy Stewart / MONOLOGUE Andy Stewart / CAMPBELTOWN LOCH (Trad. McMillan-Stewart) Andy Stewart / HERE’S TAE YOU (Stewart-arr. Blue) Company

Andy Stewart In South Africa – White Heather Concert

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Andy Stewart Invites You To Scotch Corner

With Jimmy Blue & his Band

Andy’s final UK album for EMI sees him going out on a high note with this wonderful collection of songs being favourites in his highly successful television programme. Although there are no Stewart compositions, due to the excellent performance, production and song choices this album cannot be recommended highly enough.

Scotch Corner LP

The album gets off and running – well, walking – with a welcoming rendition of a Scotch Corner favourite ‘The Uist Tramping Song‘, originally written in Gaelic by Archibald MacDonald a native of the Outer Hebridean Island of Uist. Also known as the Long Island, Uist has nearly 200 freshwater lochs, making it a paradise for fishermen and walkers alike. ‘Aikey Braes‘ is well-known ballad written by George Morris (the Buchan Chiel”), brother-in-law of Willie Kemp (“King of the Cornkisters”), both were specialists in Doric songs and Bothy ballads. The song details a trip to the Sunday fair which, with rides and stalls, was held at Aikey Brae in the Buchan countryside from the 1800s till the mid 1940s. Another Scottish favourite penned by the talented piper/composer/poet John McLellan DCM, the ‘Road to the Isles‘ follows, in which the traveller passes Tummel, Loch Rannoch, Lochaber, Shiel, Ailort, Morar, the Skerries and the Lews on his way to the “far Cuilins”; the hills on the Isle of Skye.

The songs on this album are really well suited to Andy’s style and the next choice is another prime example, the Bothy song ‘Barnyards O’ Delgaty‘. The song is an everyday tale of farm life involving half-dead horses, flirting, drinking and fighting! The Barnyards are located in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. The Robert Burns ‘To the Lassies‘ medley is followed by another standout track ‘Here’s to the Gordons‘, originally made popular and partly written by Robert Wilson and is a tribute to the 92nd regiment The Gordon Highlanders. Jimmy Blue provides excellent accordion accompaniment on this track. ‘Granny’s Highland Hame‘ needs little introduction, being a classic from the Scottish book of song. The “hielan’ hame” is situated near Golspie in Sutherlandshire, one of many areas that suffered greatly during the “highland clearances” in the 19th century. The song was written by a homesick native of Embo in Sutherland, Sandy MacFarlane.

Farewell My Love‘ the wonderful love song written by Roddy McMillan receives a stripped down performance with vocal, piano and accordion here and the bothy ballad is back with ‘MacFarlane O’ the Sprotts O’ Burnieboozie‘, a hilarious tale written by the partnership of George Bruce Thomson and Willie Kemp. The song is now considered to be one of the very best examples of Doric songs and Andy performs it here with gusto. ‘Help Me Make it Through the Night‘ is actually one of the best of Andy’s “country” efforts and the county feel is continued through a new version of the standard ‘Maggie‘. ‘The Streets of London‘ proved to be the signature song for folk singer Ralph McTell. First released in 1969, it would not be released as a single (eventually reaching number 2 in the UK charts) until 1974, but Andy was among many who had a great appreciation of the song prior to it becoming a “hit”. ‘The Faraway Island‘ is a sentimental waltz based on the old pipe tune ‘The Highland Cradle Song’, and probably the favourite Scotch Corner request ‘Loch Maree Islands‘ rounds off the album – complete with the signature “dunt-dunt-dunt” chorus, one can almost see audience clapping in unison! Loch Maree is located in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands and is the only island in Britain containing a loch which itself contains an island – thirty of them here, to be precise. Jimmy Blue inserts a quick burst of ‘Campbeltown Loch’ right at the end of this version, and as such almost provides a coda of farewell from Andy after thirteen excellent years of recordings.

Year of Release: 1973
Label: EMI Starline
Catalogue Number: SRS 5159

UIST TRAMPING SONG (Trad. coll. and adapt. Bannerman – arr. Robertson) / AIKEY BRAES (Trad.) / ROAD TO THE ISLES (MacLellan – MacLeod arr. Kennedy-Fraser) / BARNYARDS O’ DELGATY (Trad. arr. Stewart) / TO THE LASSIES MEDLEY: a) GREEN GROW THE RUSHES O b) CORN RIGS c) MY LOVE IS BUT A LASSIE YET (Burns arr. Blue) / HERE’S TO THE GORDONS (Gordon-Wilson-Stewart arr. Wilson) / GRANNY’S HIGHLAND HAME (MacFarlane) / FAREWELL MY LOVE (McMillan) / MACFARLANE O’ THE SPROTS O’ BURNIE-BOOZIE (Thompson-Kemp) / HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT (Kristofferson) / MAGGIE (Trad. arr. Blue) / STREETS OF LONDON (McTell) / THE FARAWAY ISLAND (Trad. arr. Stewart) / LOCH MAREE ISLANDS (McKenzie)

Recorded at EMI’s Abbey Road, London, Studios

Scotch Corner

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