Vultures, Becci Wallace, Kathryn Joseph and Dick Gaughan
Here’s a grand mix of music this week with new album releases from Kathryn Joseph and Becci Wallace, archive gold from the Maida Vale vaults (The Vultures!) and an amazing project to celebrate Dick Gaughan…
Dick Gaughan is a legend in Scottish folk music and his album A Handful of Earth is considered a world classic. He’s a bona fide genius but much of his work is now unavailable. Now Colin Harper, Karine Polwart and Barbara Dickson have got together to put together a box set of Dick’s music from 1969-1983. They explain the project:
“This is a project of preservation, celebration and remuneration for Dick Gaughan, one of the folk music giants of the late 20th century: (1) to preserve, polish and present a remarkable body of work from 1969–83 (most of it previously unreleased); (2) to celebrate Dick’s incredible artistry once again, years after he and much of his recorded work have faded from view; and (3) to remunerate Dick fairly and squarely for that work.
The 7CD+DVD box set in preparation will include over 9 hours of music and around 90 minutes of film. It’s being created by a crack team of professionals: Colin Harper (audio/film research, compiling, project managing); Graeme Thomson (booklet author); Cormac O’Kane (audio mastering); Eroc (film restoration/mastering); Mark Case (design); and cheerleading from trad torchbearers Karine Polwart, Barbara Dickson, Steve Byrne and Robin Dransfield.
“Does Dick approve? Yes. Will Dick get 100% of the revenue after costs? Yes.”
Billy Bragg has said: “Dick Gaughan is a towering figure in folk music circles, a musician whose radical politics have always been to the fore. I did many benefit gigs with him in the 80s and was inspired to record ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ after hearing his version on the magnificent ‘Handful of Earth’ LP.
Click here for some words from Dick.
This is a remarkable project, well worth supporting. Go here to support the project: http://kck.st/4izsxbT
The Vultures Return
Epic late 80s Edinburgh garage punk band The Vultures are making an unlikely – and very welcome return with the release of their Liz Kershaw Session.
The Vultures were an Edinburgh based band, formed by Allison Young and Anna Watkins, second year students at Edinburgh College of Art. They enlisted fellow student Janie Nicoll to take on vocals, and then Ian Binns to play drums. They began gigging in January 1987 with their first gig at The Onion Cellar supporting the Beeville Hive 5, The Thanes, and the Stayrcase. They went on to play 17 gigs in total supporting My Bloody Valentine, The Pastels, The Thanes, Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes, The Motorcycle Boy amongst many others, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and London. They recorded the Good Thing EP in spring 1988, which was a four track 12″, and the final release of Narodnik Records, run by Eddie Connelly and Alex Taylor (of Meat Whiplash, The Shop Assistants, and The Motorcycle Boy).
Following the EP and various plays on the Radio 1 Early Evening Show they were asked down to Maida Vale Studios to record a session for the BBC. This has now been issued as a 10″ by Precious Recordings of London, after being dug out of the BBC Archives.
Lead singer Janie Nicoll told Bella: “The current ‘resurgence’ of The Vultures has come about partly due to the current interest in the indie scene that the band were part of, by people like Grant McPhee, who interviewed me for his book “Postcards from Scotland” and probably by word of mouth recommendations by people like Lenny Helsing, of The Thanes/ Green Telescope. Saskia Hollings is also currently writing a book about the female members of bands at that time, which I was interviewed for, that will hopefully be released soon.”
“There were two book launches for Postcards from Scotland last summer, one in Glasgow at Mono and then another one at the Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art (from where The Vultures originated!) It was something of a school reunion for the folk from the indie bands, and the Onion Cellar, and Speed 3 gig nights that I had gone to in my art school days. The Vultures had even played a gig at the Wee Red Bar at one point, so to say it was an evening filled with nostalgia would be an understatement. Coming back on the train with Fran Schoppler, of Jesse Garon and the Desperadoes, and Sandy Maclean of Love Music, I realised that maybe I should try to find out if our BBC session files had been archived or not. Jesse Garon had just released their BBC Janice Long Session on Precious Recordings, and I thought if they can get their session released then probably so could we! I wasn’t sure if the tracks still existed as the only copies I had were taped off the radio onto bog standard cassette tapes, so not great quality recordings.”
“I sent a fairly vague email to an email address at the BBC enquiring about our session and got a reply saying that they couldn’t find any files and maybe they hadn’t been archived, so I looked through an old folder of Vultures paraphernalia that I have and found the actual receipt from the BBC that contained all the information about the session. I emailed this back over and this time they were able to locate the files. I then contacted Nick at Precious Recordings of London, who was totally up for the idea of releasing the tracks. Basically, these sessions were high-quality recordings, done at Maida Vale studios and then generally played only twice on the radio, so it totally makes sense to actually release them.”
You can order vinyl and listen to the Liz Kershaw session here:
After the Fog… Air
Glasgow’s Becci Wallace is a singer-songwriter, producer, and monumental creative force. With a career that bridges heartfelt storytelling and innovative collaborations, she has carved out a unique space in the Scottish music industry. This Spring Wallace is launching her new album After the Fog… Air, arriving in April 2025. A collaboration with renowned Scottish hip-hop producer Steg G, the album marks a bold step forward, blending dynamic production with Becci’s signature poetic storytelling.
Steg G describes the creative process as transformative: “Working with the phenomenal Becci Wallace on her new album has been an inspiring journey. Her talent, creativity, and passion shine through in every track, and it’s been a privilege to help bring her vision to life. I’m beyond excited for everyone to experience the music we’ve crafted together—it’s something truly special!”
Follow her on Bandcamp and pre-order the album here: After the Fog… Air | Becci Wallace & Steg G | becci wallace
Follow Becci Wallace:
Website: www.becciwallace.net
Facebook/Instagram: @Becciwallacemusic
Twitter: @Toidfish
WE WERE MADE PREY
Katherine Joseph has teamed up with Lomond Campbell for her fourth studio album, WE WERE MADE PREY.
“It feels like I am definite in this album. It’s angrier and stronger,” she explains. “I was so sure when I was writing these songs that I had to let go of something, but then, of course, as soon as you don’t have something you want it again. That’s basically what this record is. Trying to work out the truth of things, and making quite a big mess while doing it, with a lot of blood on the table.”
They play Saint Luke’s on 11th June. Get your tickets HERE.
PRE-ORDER: Kathryn Joseph – WE WERE MADE PREY.
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