It’s way too easy to spend half a day on the YouTube site. With that in mind, here are some of my favorite YouTube videos.
There’s actually a couple of videos with Alex, but this is the only one worth looking at.: Alex & Alasdair - Scotland the Brave.
The Corries: The Corries consisting of Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne performed together from the early 60’s until Roy’s death in 1990. I guess I was first attracted to them because of their honest rendition of many of the traditional Scottish folk songs. Among the best examples of this are Loch Lomond, The Haughs O'Cromdale and Bonnie Dundee. However, they are also at their best when they take the more light hearted approach as in Scotland the Brave.
I’ve only heard the ethereal sound of the bowed psaltry four or five times. Here it is for your pleasure: The Queen's Four Maries. Likewise, I don’t think I’ve ever heard the words of George Gordon, Lord Byron, put to music until I heard Dark Lochnagar. To see the largest badhran I’ve ever seen, check out Come O'er The Stream Charlie and A' The Blue Bonnets. And for a couple of the strangest Instruments since Ravi Shankar introduced the sitar, you’ll have to see Jock O'Braidosly.
Included are many Jacobite songs: Cam Ye By Athol, The News From Moidart, Killiecrankie and The Roses Of Prince Charlie.
Roy Williamson wrote Flower Of Scotland, so this is the definitive version. He also wrote The Hills of Ardmorn, a lovely ballad a about non-existent place. He does reference Sullom Voe which is in the Shetland Islands, but I can find no reference to Ardmorn. Other more contemporary songs include Lord Of The Dance, Green Fields of France and Mingulay Boat Song.
And a few more to round out the list: Massacre Of Glencoe, The Rose Of Allendale, Farewell to the Creeks (Fareweel to Sicily), Barrett’s Privateers, Liberty and one of my favorite renditions of Shoals O'Herring.
And what would a Scottish song collection be without a few good songs of unrequited love. So here’s The Loch Tay Boat Song and Ae Fond Kiss.
Stan Rogers: When Stan Rogers died in a freak plane accident in 1983 at the age of 33, Canada’s finest baritone was silenced for all time. When I began looking for his videos on YouTube, I was surprised to find nothing. I did find these tribute videos with his music and offer them to you:
Nanci Griffith: I discovered Nanci sometime back in the late 80’s. I still believe that if she walked in the door today and asked me to marry her, I probably would. She’s much better known in Europe than the US. Unfortunately, all of her videos have been pulled from YouTube. I will add some of my private stock when I get the chance.
The Seekers: Now I’m going to crank up the WABAC machine and give you one of my favorite groups from my senior year in high school. I guess the ballad has always been my favorite genre of music and the 12 string guitar my favorite instrument. So here’re three songs that are among the best of the best - I'll Never Find Another You(1968), A World Of Our Own(1968) and The Carnival Is Over(1968). I’m not sure what there is about the uniqueness of Judith Durham’s voice, perhaps it is it’s absolute purity. For those that don’t recognize any of the above, here’s their well known hit Georgie Girl. The Seekers, probably the best pop/rock group to ever come out of Australia, disbanded in 1968 but reunited in the 90’s and again in the new century. Here’s another clip from the 90’s just for comparison. I wish I’d aged as well as they have. I'll Never Find Another You (1993).
When I discovered these videos, I was amazed that someone would actually have videos from over 40 years ago. After all, they didn’t just dump them off of their TIVO or even their VCR. No, they had to hang on to some 8mm tapes and have them converted to digital. I am astounded that people have the gumption to even hold on to these things. Watching these certainly brings back memories of squandered youth, lost love and innocence. I’m just glad to know that this particular youth was squandered on me!
Miscellaneous Stuff: Here’s some videos I picked up just because I like them. The first is the combination of one of the best guitar players ever and one of the best songwriters/songs ever - Chet Atkins & Don McLean - Vincent.
This song reminds me of my father singing on Sunday morning whilst making breakfast. He, too, had a sweet voice - Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain
Alan Jackson has a very smooth voice. Of all of his many songs, this is surely my favorite - Alan Jackson-Remember When
The only song I realy like by Mary Chapin Carpenter-This Shirt.
Here’s a duo to rival even Simon & Garfunkel - Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman - Time to Say Goodbye. Now this song is actually entitled “Con te Portiro” which translates literally as “I will go with you”. If someone can explain what I think is the less poetic translation of “Time to say goodbye”, I’d like to hear it.
And one I throw in just for the poetry - The Highwaymen - Highwayman .
Now this one just puts into word and song what many of us experience on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what that is, but here’s the song - Tom Rush - The Remember Song.
And, finally, I had to put this in because everyone does it, but I think this is one of the best. Perhaps it’s the combination of the fiddle and the weird slide dobro guitar. Or maybe it’s the sound of the sheep? Nah, it’s Emmylou. Dick Gaughan, Emmylou Harris, Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Wild Mountain Thyme.
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.
There’s actually a couple of videos with Alex, but this is the only one worth looking at.: Alex & Alasdair -
The Corries: The Corries consisting of Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne performed together from the early 60’s until Roy’s death in 1990. I guess I was first attracted to them because of their honest rendition of many of the traditional Scottish folk songs. Among the best examples of this are Loch Lomond, The Haughs O'Cromdale and Bonnie Dundee. However, they are also at their best when they take the more light hearted approach as in Scotland the Brave.
I’ve only heard the ethereal sound of the bowed psaltry four or five times. Here it is for your pleasure: The Queen's Four Maries. Likewise, I don’t think I’ve ever heard the words of George Gordon, Lord Byron, put to music until I heard Dark Lochnagar. To see the largest badhran I’ve ever seen, check out Come O'er The Stream Charlie and A' The Blue Bonnets. And for a couple of the strangest Instruments since Ravi Shankar introduced the sitar, you’ll have to see Jock O'Braidosly.
Included are many Jacobite songs: Cam Ye By Athol, The News From Moidart, Killiecrankie and The Roses Of Prince Charlie.
Roy Williamson wrote Flower Of Scotland, so this is the definitive version. He also wrote The Hills of Ardmorn, a lovely ballad a about non-
And a few more to round out the list: Massacre Of Glencoe, The Rose Of Allendale, Farewell to the Creeks (Fareweel to Sicily), Barrett’s Privateers, Liberty and one of my favorite renditions of Shoals O'Herring.
And what would a Scottish song collection be without a few good songs of unrequited love. So here’s The Loch Tay Boat Song and Ae Fond Kiss.
Stan Rogers: When Stan Rogers died in a freak plane accident in 1983 at the age of 33, Canada’s finest baritone was silenced for all time. When I began looking for his videos on YouTube, I was surprised to find nothing. I did find these tribute videos with his music and offer them to you:
Barrett’s Privateers
The Witch of the Westmoreland
Northwest Passage
Lock Keeper
The Mary Ellen Carter
The Field Behind the Plow
Nanci Griffith: I discovered Nanci sometime back in the late 80’s. I still believe that if she walked in the door today and asked me to marry her, I probably would. She’s much better known in Europe than the US. Unfortunately, all of her videos have been pulled from YouTube. I will add some of my private stock when I get the chance.
Late Night Grand Hotel
Across the Great Divide
The Seekers: Now I’m going to crank up the WABAC machine and give you one of my favorite groups from my senior year in high school. I guess the ballad has always been my favorite genre of music and the 12 string guitar my favorite instrument. So here’re three songs that are among the best of the best -
When I discovered these videos, I was amazed that someone would actually have videos from over 40 years ago. After all, they didn’t just dump them off of their TIVO or even their VCR. No, they had to hang on to some 8mm tapes and have them converted to digital. I am astounded that people have the gumption to even hold on to these things. Watching these certainly brings back memories of squandered youth, lost love and innocence. I’m just glad to know that this particular youth was squandered on me!
Miscellaneous Stuff: Here’s some videos I picked up just because I like them. The first is the combination of one of the best guitar players ever and one of the best songwriters/songs ever -
This song reminds me of my father singing on Sunday morning whilst making breakfast. He, too, had a sweet voice -
Alan Jackson has a very smooth voice. Of all of his many songs, this is surely my favorite -
The only song I realy like by Mary Chapin Carpenter-
Here’s a duo to rival even Simon & Garfunkel -
And one I throw in just for the poetry -
Now this one just puts into word and song what many of us experience on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what that is, but here’s the song -
And, finally, I had to put this in because everyone does it, but I think this is one of the best. Perhaps it’s the combination of the fiddle and the weird slide dobro guitar. Or maybe it’s the sound of the sheep? Nah, it’s Emmylou. Dick Gaughan, Emmylou Harris, Kate & Anna McGarrigle -
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.