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The voice of Scotland...

Bryan Burnett | 19:58 UK time, Monday, 29 November 2010

Is it Moira Anderson or Marti Pellow? Sharleen Spiteri or Susan Boyle? Julie Fowlis or John Martyn? To celebrate St Andrews Night we are asking you to get in touch and nominate Scotland's best voices. It's not about the songs tonight - it's all about the singers. We're not necessarily looking for the most technically gifted singers but perhaps the ones that have made the most impact. There are some like The Proclaimers that very obviously celebrate their roots but maybe one of the more soulful voices will get your vote. I think it's going to be a fiercely debated theme on the blog...

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

  • Comment number 2.

    For Tuesday please allow me to suggest...





    Not just because he is my friend.. but because i genuinely believe he is a great singer and should have been a star....

    (oh and bloody handsome too)


    FID

  • Comment number 3.

    Getting my Frankie Miller shout in now so they have plenty of time to find it

    Jealous Guy - Frankie Miller

    I know we had Love and Money last week, but without a doubt one of the finest voices around

    Does it All Add Up to Nothing - James Grant

    and if this doesn't send shivers down your spine go out and play in the snow

    Thairis Air An Ghleann - Runrig - several times requested, surely St Andrew's Night would be the appropriate time to GIO

  • Comment number 4.

    Ross Kennedy of The Iron Horse, The Jura Ceilidh Band and Canterach...

  • Comment number 5.

    Annie Lennox - 'Train In Vain', 'Don't Let It Bring You Down' or 'No More I Love Yous', or...duetting with David Gray on 'Full Steam' (in which I was very pleased to hear her in good voice again after a bit of a dip in form).

  • Comment number 6.

    Oh well, where to begin...

    Jack Bruce this campaign has been running for at least a year now.Best known for his work with Cream,of course, and therefore one of the most instantly recognisable voices in the world.

    However, Jack is a classically trained musician and Cream lasted barely three years out of a lifetime career that spans collaborations with almost everyone. He is also cited by many current musicians as a major influence, both for his bass playing, obviously, but also his singing style.

    It would be completely remiss to exclude him tonight: 'Cream' is not his only voice:

    Can I suggest:

    Pollution Woman - West Bruce & Laing

    Make Love - Jack Bruce

    Progress - Jack Bruce or

    The Wind Cries Mary - Jack Bruce


    The first three are very radio friendly for a tea-time show,The Wind Cries Mary is stunning and upon reflection maybe not too long.


    I'd also like to endorse any suggestions for James Grant, of course, and I'd also like to mention:

    Christopher Rainbow who has worked with so many people it's endless but a particular favourite is :

    Don't Let It Show - the Alan Parsons Project

    strange hymn like quality but a very un -spiritual message - the opposite of what you'd expect in these 'let it all hang out' days.

    I am unable to explain and don't know why, but I'd like this played at my funeral. I think maybe it sums up a lifetime of self-denial.



    regardez - youse

    henri

  • Comment number 7.

    #6...BRILLIANT!!! I LOVE that Alan Parsons track...it's wonderful. Was it Pat Benetar who did a cover of it?

  • Comment number 8.

    A wierd thing just happened:

    I was checking the musicians on Jack Bruce's 'The Wind Cries Mary' on Spotify and it jumped track and started playing a band called "Sky Cries Mary" from an album called "Here & Now".

    I really liked it and decided to check it out.Of course, unwittingly, I though the album was 'Sky Cries Mary' and the band were 'Here & Now'.

    "Here and Now" turn out to be a prog rock band made up of the ex-members of Gong!

    "Sky Cries Mary" are an American band, and really rather good.

    regardez youse

    henri

  • Comment number 9.

    #5, so much to choose from but Annie plays Neil Young sounds ideal!

    It's not their most famous single but I think Justin Currie's vocals sound
    great on...

    Just Before You Leave - Del Amitri

    Paul from Ayr

  • Comment number 10.

    The Hiking Song - Calum Kennedy



  • Comment number 11.

    Ma he's making eyes at me / lena zavaromi

    Not quite as good at it as my old granny but doubt the ´óÏó´«Ã½ still plays reel to reel tapes

  • Comment number 12.

    Holy roller / nazareth


    Especially for one of the bloggers on the previous thread

  • Comment number 13.

    Home - Broken Records
    The black roses - Codeine Velvet Club
    Country girl - Primal Scream
    Auf Achse - Franz Fedinand
    Vegetarian restaurant - Aberfeldy
    Airport shutdown - Cado Belle
    Broken down angel - Nazareth
    Answer me - Brbara Dickson
    right down the line - Gerry Rafferty
    Don't leave me this way - the Communards (Jimmy Sommerville)
    Paper and glue - Emma Pollock



    Joe
    Linlithgow

  • Comment number 14.

    Jumpin at the cats - King Creosote

    Actually everybody an his dug pronounces it "Cree-oh-zote". Kenny should kain that any respecting East Neuker cries it "Kri-zote"

    He should be telt

    DC

  • Comment number 15.

    I'm no doubt in a minority in this fair country but Annie Lemnox marti pellow and eddi reader have just never hit the spot with me.

    Those that have however
    60s
    Reflections of my life / marmalade

    70s
    When will you be mine / average White band
    Give me what I cried for / Chris rainbow
    Sweet illusion / junior Campbell
    Ain't got no money / frankie miller
    Right down the line / Gerry rafferty
    Holy roller / Nazareth

    80s


    90s
    Downtown lights / blue Nile
    Driftwood / travis
    Not a huge fan but loved the man who.
    An album which was greater than the sum of it's parts

    00s
    Spark / Amy McDonald
    These streets / paolo nutini
    The shivers / Hercules mandarin
    Whilst I still have thee / teenage fanclub

  • Comment number 16.

    Did I mention Ross Kennedy of The Iron Horse, The Jura Ceilidh Band and Canterach already? We grew up & went to school together.

  • Comment number 17.

    Oops 80s
    Recovery / runrig
    Lullaby no 2 love on board / friends again

  • Comment number 18.

    Happy St Andrew's Day Y'all

  • Comment number 19.

    Guess reading between the lines "impact" = "popularity" = "commercial success".Ìý


    When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?

    Last time I was speaking to Ross it was at my cousins wedding reception in Glasgow's Hunterian 'Iron Horse were the band' it's a 'small world!' Ìý
    Ìý







    Another show of all the usual suspects!

  • Comment number 20.

    #15

    A minority of two. These three leave me cold.

  • Comment number 21.

    #20

    A minority of 2.66.

    I rather like Eddie Reader's first (I think) solo album called something like 'Miramar'.

    But as soon as all that Burns/heedrum - hodrum stuff starts, I just lose the will to live.

    reagrdez youse

    henri

  • Comment number 22.

    Oor ain Nana Mouskouri

  • Comment number 23.

    I, a ruinous anorak, moon

  • Comment number 24.

    And while Norrie's back's turned, could it be that Broocie's new material wasn't released for a reason - that it is 25 versions of the same song? Dross from The Boss?

  • Comment number 25.

    Oo! An anonimous kurri!

  • Comment number 26.


    Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers

    You may scoff but I loved the Rollers!

    :o)

  • Comment number 27.

    Not as much as Tam Paton

  • Comment number 28.

    All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

  • Comment number 29.

    As usual I didn't read the blurb properly and thought it was best voices. So it's just a list of all the Scottish bands/singers people like then?

    Nevertheless I do think Marti Pellow has a fabulous voice, while I can't stand Eddi reader's faux Burns accent, it makes me want to throw the radio to the floor and stamp on it, and I have to agree with #24: I gave up on it and listened to 2032 instead (sorry, norrie!)
    Oh and I was taught long ago by my Dad that it was kri-sote, so me and the cat are well ahead of the men and their dugs.
    Travis? Love Ode to J Smith

    The Unwinding Hours is still one of my highlight albums and didn't get half the recognition it deserves.


    Solstice - the Unwinding Hours (Craig B)

    Before You Were Young - Travis (Fran Healey)

    Don't Want to Sleep Tonight - Malcolm Middleton

    Julia Says - Wet Wet Wet

    And seconds for Joe's Codeine Velvet Club, really like that album too

  • Comment number 30.

    Gary Clark - 'Freefloating'
    The Humblebums (thankfully Gerry Rafferty sings) - 'Over the hill and far away' - beautiful song
    Roddy Frame - 'Bigger Brighter Better
    Roddy Hart - 'Boxes'
    Del Amitri (ah! Justin! Sigh!) - 'Tell Her This'

  • Comment number 31.

    Some of the best Scottish voices are ones who have recorded only one or two albums then completely disappeared and been forgotten. To me the best male Scottish voice belongs to

    John O'Kane - Stay With Me

    should be enough to demonstrate this.
    As for female singers,

    Jerry Burns - Pale Red

    is an often forgotten classic and showcases her wonderful voice beautifully.

  • Comment number 32.

    #29

    I once saw Marti Pellow duetting with Joe Cocker and it reminded me of

  • Comment number 33.

    Get it On, Good programme Bryan been listening for years since returning from abroad.
    looking forward to tonight, only one thing John Matyn isn't Scottish he was born in London area doesnt even have Scottish dad, Mum granny anything.
    Same as when some of these music companies give us Best of Scotland albulms and there is about 2 or 3 English born singers!!! i.e. Rod the Plod. Never really got Eddie Reader and why ´óÏó´«Ã½ hangs onto her every word either. A good Scottish voice? Pellow, J Bruce,Dan McCafferty, Willie Hutcheson Wick.

  • Comment number 34.

    Dare I... "Colours Will Come" ~ Billy MacKenzie

  • Comment number 35.

    #33 I'm really not a fan of Eddi Reader...I do like some of her stuff but the American/Scottish accent gets on my nerves but...I've seen her twice live and she is absolutely wonderful on stage. EvÉn the stupid fluttery hand waving doesn't annoy me then...It's one of my 'Things I Just Don't Understand!!!'

  • Comment number 36.

    'No Gods and Precious Few Heroes' ... Dick Gaughan

    England has Bragg ... we have Dick

    Has more credentials in his big toe than most of the usual suspects who are bound to feature ...

  • Comment number 37.

    #34 ... cannae stand nepatism :)

  • Comment number 38.

    #31

    yep, Jerry Burns...I remember that album. That was made at the St Clair studio off King Street. A pal of mine, Allan MacNeil, owned that. The whole story of the studio and what happened there is an interesting little episode in Scotish music history.

    But i've got a copy of that on cd somewhere. Maybe my ex inherited it with the rest of the household? Interesting, I'd like to hear that gain.

    Wonder what happened to Jerry Burns? Last time I was in the GFT one of the seats had her name on it, but that was a while ago. And there was a girl band, His Latest Flame. I met them once.

    Frank, I take it Shine were involved in that scene too?

    regardez youse

    henri

  • Comment number 39.

    All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

  • Comment number 40.

    Must agree with Kene Gelly.... definately some Dick Gaughan: How about Fathers Song?

    Or the inimitable Karine Polwart: We're All Leaving

    Or a bit of Stuart Adamson: Big Country: Come back To Me.

  • Comment number 41.

    #38 Henri

    Yes, Shine were part of the St Clare set-up
    Bobby Henry produced Jerry, His Latest Flame and Shine ... along with many others including Jamestown Cuts and Giant

    Good times


    FID

  • Comment number 42.

    #37

    I know but hey you're the only one in the know!

  • Comment number 43.

    #40 ... cheers Mike ... will gladly second Stuart Adamson (another whose fire extinguished far too soon!)

  • Comment number 44.

    #33 I think Macgeachy's grandparents were Scottish! I will check with JM's cousin & get info on this.

    DC

  • Comment number 45.

    Oh .. and Donovan...

    The Trip - Donovan

    No necessarily the most conventional Scottish voice, but hey - this track showcases the man's voice and talent,

    reagrdez youse

    henri

  • Comment number 46.

    Wattie & The Exploited weren't the most technically gifted but did make a kinda impact...

    SPG ~ The Exploited

  • Comment number 47.

    Yip! Oh dear...

    Nearly forgot Anthony James Donegan AKA Lonnie... an' "Rock Island Line" his breakthrough hit!

  • Comment number 48.

    Over on f***book, they've changed the theme to Great Scottish Bands - which isn't really saying anything about the singers/voices, particularly.

    Bryan will be in his element, an 80's night is guaranteed - you's think nothing had happened before or after.

    Deacon Blue? I wouldn't say Rikki had a particularly notable voice.Paul Buchanan's atmospheric accompaniment to the music is wonderful in context, but a great singer? I suppose in a perverse kinda way 'Dignity' has become an anthem for our times: a kind of Scottish equivilent of 'The White Cliffs of Dover' - a romantic vision of how we might be - a dinghy being as much as we can hope for in these financially freighteneing times, with pensions already being out the question.

    I notice someone called Susan Boyle has requested Dougie McLean, but so far no one called Dougie McLean has requested Susuan Boyle.

    regardez youse

    henri

  • Comment number 49.

    Drever McCusker Woomble - Into the Blue

  • Comment number 50.

    #35 she did a great interview with Edi Stark - I really wished I could have liked her songs after I'd heard it!

  • Comment number 51.

    #46 ... as big an impact as some of the other owd codgers that have been mentioned MM. Ingratiate us with the Exploited!

  • Comment number 52.

    #50

    You mean when she's great when she doesn't sing and you can't see her?

  • Comment number 53.

    No Real McKenzies, Kene?

  • Comment number 54.

    Maggie Bell...Taggart,Lulu..Shout,was that there only "shout"?Both had similar admirable career moves that you dont hear much about.They "done a Dusty"and cut discs with Atlantic records with variable results but some fine moments.Lulu's original version of "Oh Me,Oh My" from her 1969 album"New Routes"written by fellow Glaswegian Jimmy Doris was a big hit in the States and although Aretha's stunning cover blew Lulu out the water it is still a fine performance.Maggie Bell's "Queen of the Night"album came out in 1974 and has some great tracks,"A Woman Left Lonely"is every bit as good as Janis Joplin's cover, in my opinion.It would be great to hear either of these,Bryan.Oh,and what about the brilliant Shirley Manson(there's a name,Henri!)."Stupid Girl"and the mesmerising "Milk"are two of my favourite rock tracks ever.Thanks, Willie Bartke

  • Comment number 55.

    #54

    Yep, her Dad, Charlie, was a big Beatles fan.

    I got 'Stupid Girl' played on GIO on guitar night,much to the consternation of some of my blogging peers. I then compounded the 'Stupid henri' bit by confessing that I'd got into the band because my then girlfirend was into them. I was trying to point out that music is timeless and nothing to do with age but only served to give the impression that I had a thing for younger wimmin, which was simply coincidental to the story....

    regardez youse

    henri


  • Comment number 56.

    #48
    That's just it Henri. Paul Buchanan does have a great voice in the context of his music as I suppose do many others. I would struggle to think of many Scottish voices that would stand out on their own.

    Oh there you go Deacon Blue first on. That's you won the sweep Henri!

  • Comment number 57.

    Lets have another sweep to see which Proclaimers song gets played, the one that showcases their superb voices. I'll go for Sunshine on Leith. I know it's a long shot but hey!




    ps not a request just a guess :-)

  • Comment number 58.



    Can I please ask you to play MAY YOU NEVER by THE LATE GREAT JOHN MARTYN

  • Comment number 59.

    i never asked for Jenny don't be hasty.

    John Martyn in in a technicality but welcome nonetheless.

    Will be a crime if Dan McCafferty and Frankie Miller don't feature tonight.

    Ah looks like the traffic might be moving again.

    Until the next jam.......

  • Comment number 60.

    The large green object apparently reversing towards you is a stationary coporation bus.

  • Comment number 61.

    Greetings from Bucharest, got to put my vote for my fellow Dundonian. The modern voice and writer of all things scottish. Who else but Michael Marra... Take your pick from Mother Glasgow to Hermless, either song can summon up the feel of being scottish . His writing combined with his deep gruff voice echoing despair but victorious hope those twin scottish traits. The scottish peoples choice of voice No Doubt

    Jake McDonough

  • Comment number 62.

    Marti Pellow, anyone?

  • Comment number 63.

    Rap wit Mole

  • Comment number 64.

    Tapeworm ill.

    If Frightened Rabbit have the best voice in Scotland it's time to emigrate.

  • Comment number 65.

    'LOADS of people have asked for Frankie Miller'..............

  • Comment number 66.

    low male trip

  • Comment number 67.

    Lo - primal Wet

  • Comment number 68.

    Darling is probably about Frankie Millers 84th best song but at least we all know it.

  • Comment number 69.

    Shh - I'm trying to hear the Proclaimers

  • Comment number 70.

    Musical kryptonite in the form of Wet Wet Wet but at least no Hue and Cry so far.

  • Comment number 71.

    53 ... ah know Gaie ... have almost been battered into submission on that front ... almost that is!

    Anyhoo ... nae Dick G on a night such as this? ... whits the World + GIO coming to?

  • Comment number 72.

    'Not In Love' by Crystal Castles featuring Robert Smith on vocals...brilliant stuff!!

Ìý

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