Alan Reid (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alan Reid is a Scottish folk
multi-instrumentalist
and songwriter
. He was a founding member of Battlefield Band
, which combined traditional Celtic melodies and new material.
(1976, 1978, 1979) but since 1980 have recorded exclusively with Temple Records. Reid travelled the world with the band and has been involved in over 30 albums. Although the band's lineup changed many times, Reid was keyboarder and known as the "father and son" of Battlefield Band.
One of the many accomplishments credited to Alan Reid, is his use of keyboards in a Scottish folk band. Starting first with a pump organ, then moving later to electronic keyboards, the sound originally garnered approval and momentary objection from fans and music writers alike. But soon, the sound of the keyboards became part of the basic sound of Battlefield Band, and left the door open for other Celtic bands to tailor their sound to their taste.
In 1997, while remaining a member of Battlefield Band, Reid released his first solo album, The Sunlit Eye, on Temple Records. It featured brand new songs and tunes. In 2001, a song and tune book Martyrs Rogues and Worthies was released by Kinmor Music, the publishing arm of Temple Records. Reid also formed a duo with singer/guitarist Rob van Sante and released a CD in 2002 entitled Under The Blue which featured more new songs. He also appeared as guest singer in Vol. 1 and 2 of the Linn Records series of the complete works of Robert Burns. In 2009, he was nominated at the Scots Traditional Awards
in the Composer of the Year category.
Reid is a prolific and fluid songwriter, his compositions full of imagery and stories of common folk and historical figures as well. As interesting and moving as the stories are, his musical compositions leave the listener with a strong, memorable and very singable melody.
After four decades (from 1969 to 2010) as an ever-present member of Battlefield Band, Reid decided that it was time to bow out in order to develop his writing and to follow other musical paths and partnerships. He left the band at the end of 2010 to concentrate on his musical duo with Rob van Sante who had also been Battlefield Band's sound engineer for a number of years.
In early 2011, the duo undertook a tour of Australia and New Zealand, guesting at Australia's National Folk Festival
. Reid is currently working on an album with Rob on the life of the Scots born sailor John Paul Jones
, an album for which he has written all the material.
The duo are also planning 2011 tours of North America as a well as festival appearances in the U.K. and Europe.
In 2011, Reid released Recollection, a compilation album of the finest songs he wrote during his forty years with Battlefield Band.
Solo
Alan Reid & Brian McNeill Duo Albums
Alan Reid & Rob van Sante Duo Albums
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He was a founding member of Battlefield Band
Battlefield Band
Battlefield Band is a Scottish traditional music group. Founded in Glasgow in 1969, they have released over 30 albums and undergone many changes of lineup. As of 2010, there are no founder members in the band....
, which combined traditional Celtic melodies and new material.
Biography
Alan Reid joined Battlefield Band in 1969, at a time when they were evolving into a folk group. From 1973, Battlefield Band quickly became pre-eminent in the emerging Scottish Traditional music scene, becoming established firmly at the forefront where they remain today. Battlefield Band made two albums with the Breton label Arfolk (1975, 1977) and three albums with the Topic labelTopic Records
Topic Records is a British folk music label, which played a major role in the second British folk revival. It began as an offshoot of the Workers' Music Association in 1939, making it the oldest independent record label in the world.-History:...
(1976, 1978, 1979) but since 1980 have recorded exclusively with Temple Records. Reid travelled the world with the band and has been involved in over 30 albums. Although the band's lineup changed many times, Reid was keyboarder and known as the "father and son" of Battlefield Band.
One of the many accomplishments credited to Alan Reid, is his use of keyboards in a Scottish folk band. Starting first with a pump organ, then moving later to electronic keyboards, the sound originally garnered approval and momentary objection from fans and music writers alike. But soon, the sound of the keyboards became part of the basic sound of Battlefield Band, and left the door open for other Celtic bands to tailor their sound to their taste.
In 1997, while remaining a member of Battlefield Band, Reid released his first solo album, The Sunlit Eye, on Temple Records. It featured brand new songs and tunes. In 2001, a song and tune book Martyrs Rogues and Worthies was released by Kinmor Music, the publishing arm of Temple Records. Reid also formed a duo with singer/guitarist Rob van Sante and released a CD in 2002 entitled Under The Blue which featured more new songs. He also appeared as guest singer in Vol. 1 and 2 of the Linn Records series of the complete works of Robert Burns. In 2009, he was nominated at the Scots Traditional Awards
Scots Trad Music Awards
The Scots Trad Music Awards celebrate Scotland's traditional music in all its forms and create a high profile opportunity to bring the music and music industry into the spotlight of media and public attention.-2010:...
in the Composer of the Year category.
Reid is a prolific and fluid songwriter, his compositions full of imagery and stories of common folk and historical figures as well. As interesting and moving as the stories are, his musical compositions leave the listener with a strong, memorable and very singable melody.
After four decades (from 1969 to 2010) as an ever-present member of Battlefield Band, Reid decided that it was time to bow out in order to develop his writing and to follow other musical paths and partnerships. He left the band at the end of 2010 to concentrate on his musical duo with Rob van Sante who had also been Battlefield Band's sound engineer for a number of years.
In early 2011, the duo undertook a tour of Australia and New Zealand, guesting at Australia's National Folk Festival
National Folk Festival (Australia)
The National Folk Festival - Australia’s premier folk festival event – is a colourful and diverse family orientated celebration attended by over 50,000 people.It is the best Easter week-end in Australia!...
. Reid is currently working on an album with Rob on the life of the Scots born sailor John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was a Scottish sailor and the United States' first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War. Although he made enemies among America's political elites, his actions in British waters during the Revolution earned him an international reputation which persists to...
, an album for which he has written all the material.
The duo are also planning 2011 tours of North America as a well as festival appearances in the U.K. and Europe.
In 2011, Reid released Recollection, a compilation album of the finest songs he wrote during his forty years with Battlefield Band.
Discography
Battlefield Band- 1976 Scottish Folk Arfolk SB349 (re-released as 'Farewell to Nova Scotia' on Escalibur Records)
- 1977 Battlefield Band Topic (rr. 1994 - Temple Records COMD 2055)
- 1977 Battlefield Band Arfolk SB? (rr. as 'Wae's me for Prince Charlie' on Escalibur)
- 1978 At the Front Topic (rr. 1994 - Temple Records COMD2056)
- 1979 Stand Easy + Topic (rr. 1994 - Temple Records COMD2052)
- 1980 Home Is Where the Van Is Temple Records COMD2006
- 1981 The Story So Far (compilation) Temple Records CTP007
- 1982 There's a Buzz Temple Records COMD2007
- 1984 Anthem for the Common Man Temple Records COMD2008
- 1986 On the Rise Temple Records COMD2009
- 1986 Music in Trust 1 Temple Records COMD2010
- 1987 Celtic Hotel Temple Records COMD2002
- 1987 After Hours (compilation) Temple Records COMD2001
- 1988 Music in Trust 2 (with Alison Kinnaird) Temple Records COMD2004
- 1989 Home Ground (live) Temple Records COMD2034
- 1991 New Spring Temple Records COMD2045
- 1993 Quiet Days Temple Records COMD2050
- 1995 Threads Temple Records COMD2061
- 1997 Across the Borders (live) Temple Records COMD 2065
- 1998 Rain, Hail or Shine Temple Records COMD2074
- 1999 Leaving Friday Harbour Temple Records COMD2080
- 2001 Happy Daze Temple Records COMD2085
- 2002 Time & Tide Temple Records COMD2090
- 2003 Out for the Night Temple Records COMD2094
- 2005 Road of Tears Temple Records COMD2098
- 2007 Dookin' Temple Records COMD2100
- 2009 Zama Zama Temple Records COMD2101
Solo
- The Sunlit Eye (1997) (Temple Records) (studio album)
- Recollection (2011) (Temple Records) (compilation)
Alan Reid & Brian McNeill Duo Albums
- Sidetracks (1981)
Alan Reid & Rob van Sante Duo Albums
- Under the Blue (2001) (Red Sands Records RSCD 001)
- The Rise and Fall o' Charlie (2009) (Red Sands Records RSCD 002)
External links
- Alan Reid Official website
- Temple Records
- http://living.scotsman.com/features/Gig-review-Alan-Reid-and.6214542.jp
- http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/music-reviews/alan-reid-rob-van-sante-edinburgh-folk-club-1.1019323
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/drzb
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/ulsterscots/find-out-more/artists/alan-reid-and-rob-van-sante