Seelyhoo
Encyclopedia
Seelyhoo were a Scottish Folk band based in Edinburgh
, with band members originally from Orkney.
Seelyhoo are fronted by songwriter, vocalist and tin whistle player Fiona MacKenzie
-- with a voice not unlike Capercaillie
's Karen Matheson
. They play more on the traditional side of the progressive celtic movement many of us follow today.
Their tour circuit spans Great Britain, continental Europe and the North American continent as well.
Songs are written either traditionally or by Fiona MacKenzie
, Jennifer and Heather Wrigley, or Sandy Brechin
. The other artists in the band are
Sandy Brechin
(accordion),
Jennifer Wrigley (fiddle
, hardanger fiddle),
Jim Walker ([[drums]], [[percussion]]),
Niall Muir (bass guitar
, backing vocals),
Aaron Jones
(bass guitar
, bazouki, Citern)
Hazel Wrigley (guitar
, piano
, fender rhodes, mandolin
).
Whether vocally rich or instrumentally based, the band does not play purely traditional folk music. The tunes are clearly steeped in Scottish roots but the band have that unique knack to progress the music into modern times with effective use of percussion and electronic instrumentation to underscore the central traditional themes. The music has enormous energy which clearly must contribute to the loyal following of their live performances. The music is happy and leaves one with a great feeling whilst its being played.
They recorded two albums: `The First Caul` (1995) and `Leetera` (1998).
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...
, with band members originally from Orkney.
Seelyhoo are fronted by songwriter, vocalist and tin whistle player Fiona MacKenzie
Fiona Mackenzie
Fiona J Mackenzie is a Gaelic singer from Dingwall in Scotland, and has toured and performed throughout Europe and North America. In 2005 she won the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Stornoway.-Career:...
-- with a voice not unlike Capercaillie
Capercaillie
The Western Capercaillie , also known as the Wood Grouse, Heather Cock or Capercaillie , is the largest member of the grouse family, reaching over 100 cm in length and 6.7 kg in weight. The largest one ever recorded in captivity had a weight of 7.2 kg....
's Karen Matheson
Karen Matheson
Karen Matheson OBE is a Scottish folk singer, who frequently sings in Scottish Gaelic. She is lead singer of the group Capercaillie and was a member of Dan Ar Braz's group L'Heritage des Celtes, with whom she often sang lead vocals, either alone or jointly with Elaine Morgan...
. They play more on the traditional side of the progressive celtic movement many of us follow today.
Their tour circuit spans Great Britain, continental Europe and the North American continent as well.
Songs are written either traditionally or by Fiona MacKenzie
Fiona Mackenzie
Fiona J Mackenzie is a Gaelic singer from Dingwall in Scotland, and has toured and performed throughout Europe and North America. In 2005 she won the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Stornoway.-Career:...
, Jennifer and Heather Wrigley, or Sandy Brechin
Sandy Brechin
Sandy Brechin is a Scottish musician and accordionist. He has developed an instantly recognisable style and is well known as a player, teacher and composer of traditional Scottish music ....
. The other artists in the band are
Sandy Brechin
Sandy Brechin
Sandy Brechin is a Scottish musician and accordionist. He has developed an instantly recognisable style and is well known as a player, teacher and composer of traditional Scottish music ....
(accordion),
Jennifer Wrigley (fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, hardanger fiddle),
Jim Walker ([[drums]], [[percussion]]),
Niall Muir (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals),
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones was a professional football player who played in the NFL. He played as a defensive end and a linebacker and had played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins. His son Mike Jones plays linebacker for the University of Michigan football team.-References:...
(bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, bazouki, Citern)
Hazel Wrigley (guitar
Guitar
The 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...
, piano
Piano
The 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...
, fender rhodes, mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
).
Whether vocally rich or instrumentally based, the band does not play purely traditional folk music. The tunes are clearly steeped in Scottish roots but the band have that unique knack to progress the music into modern times with effective use of percussion and electronic instrumentation to underscore the central traditional themes. The music has enormous energy which clearly must contribute to the loyal following of their live performances. The music is happy and leaves one with a great feeling whilst its being played.
They recorded two albums: `The First Caul` (1995) and `Leetera` (1998).
See Also
Lineup
- Sandy BrechinSandy BrechinSandy Brechin is a Scottish musician and accordionist. He has developed an instantly recognisable style and is well known as a player, teacher and composer of traditional Scottish music ....
(accordion), - Jennifer Wrigley (fiddle, hardanger fiddle),
- Jim Walker (drums, percussion),
- Niall Muir (bass guitar, backing vocals)
- Hazel Wrigley (guitar, piano, fender rhodes, mandolin).