Double CD of songs from the time of, and relating to, World War I.
This album is a tribute to all the soldiers from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, and also their Commonwealth brothers in arms from all corners of the globe, who fought and suffered together in the Great War and, in particular, to all those who died.
The album has a more Scottish perspective than any of its predecessors, but when one considers that Scotland suffered the most soldiers killed (per head of population) of any nation that fought in the conflict, such an album is greatly overdue. It is also doubtful if the songs, poems and music of WW1 have ever before been covered in such depth.
CD1 consists of the soldiers' trench and marching songs, music hall favourites of the time, a Harry Lauder track, a pipe band track consisting of tunes associated with Scottish regiments, the poignant Flowers of The Forest and The Last Post.
CD2 comprises a pipe band track of tunes named after some of the major battles of WW1, songs written about WW1, or strongly connected with that war, by such songwriters as Judy Small, Alan Bell, Eric Bogle, Dick Gaughan, Jim Malcolm, and the late Davy Steele. Some of the writers perform their own songs on the album but there are also contributions from The Corries, The McCalmans, Malinky, Sheena Wellington and Karine Polwart, Steven Palmer, Robin Laing and Gaelic singer Donny MacLeod. The BBC Radio Scotland presenter Iain Anderson reads three poems.
The pipers and drummers on both CDs are from The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.
'Far, Far From Ypres is a timely reminder of the futility of war but at the same time honouring and remembering the thousands of servicemen who have in the past suffered and indeed given their lives to both protect and preserve their country the world over' (James Soars)
'One CD is devoted to contemporary material; the other mostly to post-war writing. The result is an impressive, entertaining and at times utterly chilling impression of the thoughts of those who were there, or who wanted young men to be there, and above all, of the way The Great War will not let people go. The line-up of participants, too, is impressive, from Iain Anderson to Sheena Wellington, from the staff of the Army School of Piping to Ian McCalman, and from Jim Malcolm to Harry Lauder himself, singing Keep Right On To The End Of The Road... it's a lot more than just an album... This is a stunning piece of folk history, of national pride and of emotion. Anyone who can listen unmoved to the troops' early merriment and na�ve high spirits turning into pain, sorrow and disillusionment must have a heart of stone.' (Scots Magazine)
'Beautiful songs... preserves a whiff of the spirit of those terrible times...' (The Scotsman)
'Greentrax has successfully risen to the challenge... an album which is long overdue' (East Lothian Life)
'This is a masterpiece of a collection which is further enhanced by informative notes' (Scottish Memories)
Buy this title online at the Music Scotland Scottish and Celtic Music store or phone Greentrax to order.
Amazing, all the songs are so great. Jiggin’ & Blue Bonnets O’er The Border are my favourites. :D
by AmberNicholle from Golspie, Scotland :D on August 29th 2010