Musical Tour of Scotland
Encyclopedia
Musical Tour of Scotland is a collection of traditional and original songs and tunes, which accompanied Billy Connolly's
1994 television series World Tour of Scotland. It was released in 1995.
Alongside Connolly's performances are arrangements of well-known folk musician Ralph McTell
's songs. The musical nature of this album is notable as Connolly, who had been a folk musician in the 1960s and early 70s, and who included musical interludes in his comedy albums and performances up until 1983, had mostly phased music out of his performances by the late 1980s.
All but the final song, a cover of Van Morrison
's "Irish Heartbeat
", are studio recordings. "Irish Heartbeat" is performed live during Connolly's seven-night stand at Edinburgh
's Usher Hall
during the "World Tour". Connolly, playing acoustic guitar
, is joined on stage by female backing vocalists and, from the bridge
onwards, a pipe band
. The song was limited-released as a single.
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
1994 television series World Tour of Scotland. It was released in 1995.
Alongside Connolly's performances are arrangements of well-known folk musician Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s....
's songs. The musical nature of this album is notable as Connolly, who had been a folk musician in the 1960s and early 70s, and who included musical interludes in his comedy albums and performances up until 1983, had mostly phased music out of his performances by the late 1980s.
All but the final song, a cover of Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
's "Irish Heartbeat
Irish Heartbeat (song)
"Irish Heartbeat" is a popular song that was first recorded on Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison's 1983 album Inarticulate Speech of the Heart...
", are studio recordings. "Irish Heartbeat" is performed live during Connolly's seven-night stand at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
's Usher Hall
Usher Hall
Usher Hall is a concert hall, situated on Lothian Road, in the west end of Edinburgh, Scotland. It has hosted concerts and events since its construction in 1914 and can hold approximately 2,900 people in its recently restored auditorium, which is well loved by performers due to its acoustics...
during the "World Tour". Connolly, playing acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, is joined on stage by female backing vocalists and, from the bridge
Bridge (music)
In music, especially western popular music, a bridge is a contrasting section which also prepares for the return of the original material section...
onwards, a pipe band
Pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term used by military pipe bands, pipes and drums, is also common....
. The song was limited-released as a single.
Track listing
- "Banjo Land" (Trad. arr. Graham Preskett)
- "The Islands Theme" (Ralph McTell)
- "The Waltzing Fool" (Trad. arr. Billy Connolly)
- "Tangle of the Isles Theme" (Trad. arr. Graham Preskett)
- "I Wish I Was in Glasgow" (Trad. arr. Billy Connolly)
- "Flower of ScotlandFlower of ScotlandFlower of Scotland is a Scottish song, used frequently at special occasions and sporting events. Although there is no official national anthem of Scotland, Flower of Scotland is one of a number of songs which unofficially fulfil this role, along with the older Scots Wha Hae, Scotland the Brave...
Theme" (Roy WilliamsonRoy WilliamsonRoy Murdoch Buchanan Williamson was a Scottish songwriter and folk musician, most notably with The Corries.-Early life:...
) - "Campbell's Farewell" (Trad. arr. Billy Connolly)
- "Will Ye Go" (Trad. arr Graham Preskett, performed by Ralph McTell)
- "From Here to Claire" (Trad. arr. Graham Preskett)
- "The Islands" (Ralph McTell/Martin Allcock, performed by Ralph McTell)
- "Waltz of the Waves" (Trad. arr. Billy Connolly)
- "Tangle of the Isles" (Trad. arr. Graham Preskett, performed by Ralph McTell)
- "Barges" (Ralph McTell)
- "Flower of Scotland" (Roy Williamson, performed by Ralph McTell)
- "Glasgow Theme" (Trad. arr. Billy Connolly)
- "Will Ye Go Theme" (Trad. arr. Graham Preskett)
- "Irish HeartbeatIrish Heartbeat (song)"Irish Heartbeat" is a popular song that was first recorded on Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison's 1983 album Inarticulate Speech of the Heart...
" (Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, performed by Billy Connolly)
Musical credits
- Billy Connolly - BanjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, AutoharpAutoharpThe autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the...
, Vocals - Ralph McTell - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Vocals - Graham Preskett - PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, Arrangements
Production credits
- Graham Preskett - Musical Production
- Cameron McBride - Recording Engineer