For more than 45 years the Whistlebinkies have maintained one of the most distinctive sounds in the Scottish folk revival, their essential musical core of “rantin’ pipe and tremblin’ string”, along with clarsach, concertina and side drum winning over audiences throughout Scotland and Europe and as far flung as Memphis and Beijing.
The band pioneered the effective use of revived bellows-blown Lowland pipes, have consistently pursued a democratic group approach to their all-acoustic arrangements and frequently and successfully bridge the divide between Scottish traditional and “art” music, in collaboration with such institutions as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Cappella Nova and such revered figures as classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin and avant-garde music luminary John Cage. They were also the first Scottish folk ensemble ever to play in China, in November 1991.
They were the first group to bring the pipes, clarsach and fiddle into regular performance, a combination that seems commonplace now. They continue to use only acoustic traditional instruments and prefer to play in a good natural acoustic without amplification. (by projects.handsupfortrad.scot)
“Following their highly acclaimed first album, this outing shows a wealth of excellencein the Whistlebinkies approach to the traditional idiom. Combining bothoriginal and traditional material with a skillful approach to arrangement, the whole excercise is a convincing example of what can and should be done in this field.” (by David Etheridge, Melody Maker 18 October 1980)
The album was No 1 in the Melody Maker folk music chart on 18 October 1980 and No 2 on 8 November 1980.
The Whistlebinkies are the Scopttish Version of “The Dubliners” … and one of the finest bands in Scottish folk Music.
The Whistlebinkies, 1982
Personnel:
Peter Anderson (scottish drums)
Mick Broderick (drums, vocals)
Rhona Mac Kay (harp, vocals)
Eddie McGuire (flute)
Bob Nelson (fiddle)
Rab Wallace (pipe)
Tracklist:
01 Waukin’ O’ The Fauld (McGuire) 3.34
02. The Bonnie Moorhen (Traditional) 4.00
03. The Pipe Strathspey And Reel (Traditional) 3:50
04. The Fiddle Strathspey And Reel (Traditional) 2.19
05. Phiuthrag’sa Phiuthar (Sister O Sister) (Traditional) 3.09
06. Broderick’s Bodhran (Wallace) 3.09
07. Great Is The Cause Of My Sorrow (Traditional) 3.53
08. The Pipe March (Traditional) 3.39
09. Gealach Nan Eilean (Island Moon) (Traditional) 2.16
10. The Fossil Grove (Traditional) 3.44
11. Freedom Come All Ye (Henderson) 4.37
The Whistlebinkies today
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