Posted: 29th November 2012
Fiona J Mackenzie is releasing a special remix of Air a chiad Latha den Nollaig (On The First Day of Christmas) from her 2007 Greentrax album Duan Nollaig (A Gaelic Christmas).
The single is to be released for Christmas 2012 and will be available on iTunes and other download stores.
Fiona is a former Gaelic Mod winner, and BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards winner.
The track is traditional, arranged by Sandy Jones & Fiona J Mackenzie and published by Grian Music.
Posted: 24th November 2012
This concert is now sold out.
Greentrax is proud to announce that Donald Shaw is including a stage presentation of ¡No Pasaran! - Scots in The Spanish Civil War in the Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow on Sunday 20th January 2013, as part of the Celtic Connections festival. Greentrax has invited Ian McCalman to act as musical director, a position he has revelled in with the Far, Far From Ypres series of concerts. Ian has accepted and we are looking forward immensely to this concert.
Artists appearing will be: Dick Gaughan, Alison McMorland and Geordie McIntyre, Christine Kydd, Arthur Johnstone with Brian Miller, George Archibald with Charlie Milne and Donald Hay, Carlos Arredondo, Frank Rae, The Wakes, Gallo Rojo and Liederjan. The McCalmans, who of course have now retired, learned Peatbog Soldiers from Liederjan so Ian thought they would make a good replacement for the concert.
Most of the songs on the album, plus some others, will be performed in the concert. In addition, Iain Anderson of BBC Radio Scotland will read the Bob Cooney poem and Daniel Gray, author of Homage to Caledonia, will tell us something of the Scots who fought in the conflict against the fascists.
There are fifteen songs and a poem on the album. Ian McCalman got behind the new project and recorded six of the songs, including: Dick Gaughan’s unbeatable version of Jamie Foyers; Christine Kydd - Si Me Quieres Escribir; Eileen Penman with Tom Ward - Graves In Spain; Robin Laing with Steven Polwart - Picasso Paints Guernica; Alison McMorland and Geordie McIntyre, accompanied by piper Allan MacDonald - Viva Los Brigadistas. Ian McCalman searched his archive of multi-track tapes of McCalmans recordings and unearthed The Peatbog Soldiers, recorded live in 1979 by the original lineup of Ian, Derek Moffat and Hamish Bayne. It was originally adopted by The International Brigaders as their marching song.
Greentrax licensed the following tracks from various companies: The Laggan - Jarama Valley/Bandiera Rosa; Alison and Geordie - Another Valley; Carlos Arredondo - Viva La 15 Brigada / Viva Nicaragua; the late John Watt - Owt For Nowt; the Glasgow/Irish folk ‘n’ roll band The Wakes - These Hands; the late Jim Brown - Salud International Brigade; and Frank Rae - Hasta Luego.
Edinburgh’s Gallo Rojo recorded the high energy ¡No Pasaran! sung in Spanish. The poet and author Alistair Findlay submitted a poem late in the production of the album - When The Call Comes. Ian McCalman put music to it and enlisted the help of George Archibald to sing it. The poem – Hasta La Vista Madrid – by Bob Cooney was read and recorded by Iain Anderson.
We have received numerous complimentary phone calls and emails from radio presenters and customers who had so enjoyed the album that they found time to let us know, including one presenter who has played the late Jim Brown song several times.
A launch of the album was held in Barioja Tapas Bar in Edinburgh on Sunday 28th October 2012, when the absolutely packed bar was treated to songs by many of the artists on the album, described as a very memorable occasion by several.
Posted: 2nd November 2012
Greentrax Recordings are the first recipients of Hands Up For Trad’s Business Limelight Award. The ‘Limelights’ are a monthly initiative launched in October 2012 that recognises the outstanding contributions made by businesses and organisations who contribute, shape and influence the arts and cultural sector in Scotland today. Hands Up For Trad exists to increase the profile and visibility of Scottish traditional music through information, education and advocacy. Read an interview with Ian Green about this award.
Posted: 19th October 2012
¡No Pasaran! - Scots in The Spanish Civil War will be launched on Sunday 28th October 2012 at Barioja Tapas Bar in Edinburgh.
There will be songs from Eileen Penman, Alison McMorland & Geordie McIntyre, Gallo Rojo and others. Daniel Gray, author of Homage To Caledonia, will speak.
A dedication ceremony and anti-fascist pledge for locals who fought and nursed in Spain will be held earlier that day. Assemble at 11.45am at the Waverley Gate Entrance to Princes Street Gardens.
Posted: 19th October 2012
With great sadness, we have to announce the death of Ian Hardie on Tuesday 16th October 2012.
Ian was an outstanding fiddler and composer and played with Jock Tamson’s Bairns, The Occasionals Ceilidh Band and others.
His funeral will take place on Tuesday 23rd October at 12.30 in Nairn, in the United Reform Church.
Ian Green was proud to have Ian Hardie on the Greentrax books and considered him a good friend as well as a great musician. He will be sadly missed.
