It’s been a while since I’ve featured a look at music from the past, so I thought it time I correct that although we’re only travelling back ten years. The lines of this story start in the previous year of the release in question. In 2008, James Yorkston released When The Haar Rolls In which I promptly went and bought the limited edition boxset version which sits proudly on the FRUK office shelves. The reason I mention it is that it was this album that properly introduced me to Yorkston’s music. I was initially drawn to the album by the presence of Lal Waterson‘s Midnight Feast. Norma, Mike and Marry Waterson were guest vocalists on the track along with Olly Knight on electric guitar.
After hearing that album, I got hold of everything Yorkston had released and have continued to so since. I’ve yet to be disappointed.
One of my all-time favourites came the following year in 2009 with James Yorkston & The Big Eyes Family Players – Folk Songs. All of the songs featured on the main album were traditional and arranged by both James Yorkston and James Green (Green also did the artwork). There was a vast array of instruments featured and alongside Yorkston was a band that was made up of James Green, Nancy Elizabeth, Paul Fletcher, Ellie Bond, Luke Daniels, Pip Dylan and David Wrench.
Again, there was a deluxe version on offer. Included with Folk Songs was a CD and DVD offering called the Analogue Catalogue Sessions. The lineup featured James alongside James Green, Nancy Elizabeth, Paul Fletcher, David Jaycock, Jon Thorne and Emma Smith. Among the tracks featured was Lal Waterson’s Cornfield, the session for which also featured on the DVD.
The good news is that Domino Records have since made a number of those recordings from the DVD available on Youtube. Below you can watch them performing Cornfield; I Went to Visit the Roses and Martinmas Time. There is a short film documentary also included which features some great moments. In short, it’s a very rewarding album, seek it out.
The standard version of the album is still readily available on places like Amazon, but you may need to hunt around for the Analogue Catalogue Sessions version.
Live Dates
Details of James Yorkston’s live dates are below including his very popular Tae Sup wi’ a Fifer which he hosts at the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy.
Sweden
Saturday 7th September – Gothenburg FOLK – Info here
United Kingdom
Sunday 8th September – Dunfermline Outwith Festival – Tickets here
Monday 16th December – Newcastle Cluny 2 – Tickets here
Tuesday 17th December – Birmingham Kitchen Garden Café – Tickets here
Wednesday 18th December – London Lexington – Tickets here
Tae Sup wi’ a Fifer: Info here
All held at the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, hosted and programmed by James Yorkston:
14/9/19 – Jane Weaver / Ian Rankin / Callum Easter
25/10/19 – STUART BRAITHWAITE (MOGWAI) / BELL LUNGS / GWENIFER RAYMOND
16/11/19 – Hollie Mcnish / Ye Vagabonds / Nancy Kerr & Luke Daniels
14/12/19 – Josie Long / Özgür Baba / Rachel Newton