Back in June I said I would post the list of songs for my Funaday Dundee 2022 writing project in a couple of weeks but it seems it took me a little longer than that to get the list together. I’m not sure why I always give myself a huge amount of “work” for this “fun” project. Anyway, the list is in this post so please take a read, listen to any/all of the songs and see what you think. The order of the list is a bit random though some of it is to do with when I first heard each song.
As I said last time, many of these are songs and/or artists that I came across at Montrose Folk Club (a club I attended in North-East Scotland pretty regularly when I lived in Montrose between 2004 and 2018). Other songs in the list have a more tenuous link to this club as they are really just songs/artists I learned about as I started looking into other related gigs and festivals in Scotland and the Cambridge Folk Festival in England (the latter only via TV/radio). And then there are a few songs on the list that are just from albums in my collection that I come back to time and time again – songs that wouldn’t be put in the folk section of a music store maybe but that have a folk sensibility, if you like. I have always loved soul/r & b music and came to that far earlier in my own musical experiences than folk. It may seem miles away from folk (certainly in terms of image) but for me there are many links (in the sounds, the intentions, some of the stories). I couldn’t put a list of songs like this together that was too white, too samey, or too one-sided/sounded. As I mentioned in the June post I am keeping away (for the main part) from songwriters who are major household names (but you will see that I have broken my own rule here and there – some things never change).
As my focus here is writing, currently I am sending questions out to the songwriters (where possible) to put together a post around each song for January. I’ve already had some great conversations and a few fascinating sets of answers (it’s a huge generalisation but I love songwriters). The posts about the songs will go up on this blog one a day in January 2022. Much of the Funaday Dundee content appears on Instagram (as it’s mainly visual artists that take part in the wider project) so I will post something there every day in January too – maybe using some of the lyrics from each song (that part will come later … I haven’t even thought about that yet). As with last year some elements of biography/memoir will come into each blog post I am sure but I think that’s just my age – every writing experience is a chance to try and pin down memories that are slipping away! I know at least some readers enjoyed the memoir elements last year so I hope that is the case again (if not feel free to skim – I know I do…).
So, here’s the list of songs with some minimal information to start with (the posts in January will have much more detail about each song). If you see anything that you know is incorrect in this initial list please let me know straightaway. The joy of a blog is I can correct it immediately. [Added 2023: One or two of the videos may have come off YouTube since I made this list, apologies if any of the links are now useless.] One thing I’ve already learned (from a long chat with one of the songwriters) is how unreliable sleeve notes for albums are (I did not know this – maybe you did). Also, if you hear anything you like, please support the artists (buy music, as directly from the artist/label as you can, give albums for birthdays/xmas etc.). I've put some links in here for shopping purposes and there will be more in the individual posts in January. Keeeeep listening!
1. Another Train
Written by: Pete Morton
I first heard it: Performed by Canadian folk singer Eileen McGann at Montrose Folk Club in 2004. It is also on her album Journeys (1995) and on a couple of Pete’s albums (including Game Of Life).
Where you can find it online: Pete Morton’s version is here.
***1 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
2. The Mission Hall
Written by: Pete Livingstone
I first heard it: Performed by the Anna Massie Band at Montrose Folk Club in 2005. It’s on the 2003 Anna Massie album Glad Company, vocals by Jenn Butterworth.
Where you can find it online: The original by Pete’s band Tonight At Noon is here and the Anna Massie Band version is here.
***2 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
3. Fine Times
Written by: Judy Dinning
I first heard it: On her album Fine Times (2003) (though I probably bought it a while after 2003). Judy appeared regularly at Montrose Folk Club and I saw her there with the band Real Time in 2005 and 2007.
Where you can find it online: Judy’s version is here.
***3 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
4. Geography
Written by: Boo Hewerdine
I first heard it: Probably Heidi Talbot singing it at Montrose Folk Club in 2006 or on her album Distant Future (2004).
Where you can find it online: Heidi’s version is here, a Boo version here.
***4 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
5. Piece of Clay
Written by: Gloria Jones and Pam Sawyer (though sometimes online it says just Jones and sometimes just Sawyer)
I first heard it: Carleen Anderson’s version on her album Blessed Burden (1998).
Where you can find it online: Carleen sings it here.
***5 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
6. Gently Does It
Written by: Rab Noakes
I first heard it: At Montrose Folk Club when I saw Rab Noakes for first time in 2006 (I also saw him there in 2013 and 2014).
Where you can find it online: Rab sings it here.
***6 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
7. Fallen Soldier
Written by: Beverley Knight and A Clark
I first heard it: On Beverley Knight’s album Who I Am (2002).
Where you can find it online: Beverley singing it here.
***7 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
8. One Voice
Written by: Ruth Moody
I first heard it: On the 2004 album 40 Days by The Wailin’ Jennys.
Where you can find it online: Album version by the band here.
***8 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
9. If You Ask Me
Written by: Patsy Matheson
I first heard it: When Patsy Matheson played at Montrose Folk Club in 2012 (with Becky Mills I think) and it’s on Patsy’s 2012 album Stories of Angels and Guitars.
Where you can find it online: Patsy Matheson and Becky Mills performing the song here.
***9 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
10. The Littlest Birds
Written by: Samantha Parton and Jolie Holland
I first heard it: Performed by The Bevvy Sisters at Montrose Folk Club in 2010, it’s also on their album St James Sessions (2009).
Where you can find it online: Version by The Be Good Tanyas here.
***10 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
11. Somewhere Tonight
Written by: Johnny Dickinson
I first heard it: Johnny’s album English Summer (2005). I also saw him at Montrose Folk Club in 2006 and 2007.
Where you can find it online: I have the CD but can’t find it online anywhere so have temporarily uploaded just the one track here. You can still buy the CD English Summer on ebay (highly recommended).
***11 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
12. General Grant’s Visit to Dundee
Written by: Michael Marra
I first heard it: Michael Marra performing it at Montrose Folk Club in 2006 (I also saw him there in 2008, 2009 and 2011). It's on live albums and Gaels Blue (1985).
Where you can find it online: A lovely live version here.
***12 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
13. What Would Woody do?
Written by: Dana Robinson
I first heard it: At Montrose Folk Club when I first saw Dana and Susan Robinson in 2005. It's on Dana’s 2002 album Avenue of the Saints.
Where you can find it online: A live version by Dana and Susan here.
***13 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
14. I’d Do It All Again
Written by: Corinne Bailey Rae
I first heard it: On Corinne’s album The Sea (2010).
Where you can find it online: Corinne on video here.
***14 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
15. Never Any Good
Written by: Martin Simpson
I first heard it: Not sure exactly. I saw him at Montrose Folk Club in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011 so it was probably one of those. It’s on his 2007 album Prodigal Son.
Where you can find it online: A live version here.
***15 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
16. The Blue Lagoon
Written by: Findlay Napier and Boo Hewerdine
I first heard it: Probably when I saw Findlay Napier at Montrose Folk Club in 2018. It’s on his 2017 album Glasgow.
Where you can find it online: Album version here.
***16 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
17. Done
Written by: Josienne Clarke
I first heard it: Probably when I saw Josienne Clarke live with ex-duo partner Ben Walker at Montrose Folk Club in 2016 (it was Brexit Referendum Day). Josienne is now a solo act and Done is currently available on her 2010 album One Light is Gone.
Where you can find it online: A video for this brilliant song is here.
[Added 2023: A new version of this song is on the brilliant new album Onliness. A new video for the new Done is here.]
***17 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
18. You Don’t Owe the World Pretty
Written by: Bella Hardy
I first heard it: I think I first heard it on her 2017 album Hey Sammy.
Where you can find it online: A video by Bella here.
***18 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
19. I Didn’t Try Hard Enough
Written by: Kris Drever
I first heard it: Probably at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen in 2016, though maybe later on his 2016 album If Wishes Were Horses. I had previously seen him elsewhere many times (mainly in Montrose), either solo or with Fine Friday, Eamonn Coyne, or Eddi Reader, or in Lau.
Where you can find it online: A live version by Kris here.
***19 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
20. Little Bird
Written by: Gary Anderson
I first heard it: Probably at Montrose Folk Club in around 2012 (or before) where Gary is a regular for years now and often the compere too. The track is on his album Hair o’ the Dog (2012). Gary now uses the name Kinnaber Junction for recordings but before then it was just Gary Anderson (not a darts player).
Where you can find it online: hear it here.
***20 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
21. The Light on the Shore
Written by: Karine Polwart
I first heard it: Probably on her first solo album Faultlines (2004). I have seen her live various times (in Dundee, in Glasgow, in Aberdeen). Like a few of the songwriters in this list, I could really have picked any of Karine’s many songs because I love them all. I went for this one because it’s one I’ve paid less attention to over the years.
Where you can find it online: Album version here.
***21 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
22. Blackbird
Written by: Belinda O’Hooley
I first heard it: Either on the Rachel Unthank and the Winterset album The Bairns (2007) or when I saw that band at Stonehaven Folk Festival in July 2008. Belinda left the band around that time and has been part of the duo O’Hooley and Tidow since 2009, as well as in other groups and a solo performer. The duo played Montrose Folk Club in December 2012.
Where you can find it online: Album version here.
***22 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
23. Let It Rain
Written by: Tracy Chapman
I first heard it: On Tracy’s 2002 album Let It Rain. Obviously Tracy Chapman is one of the more widely known writers/musicians in this list but I feel this album is much less well-known than her earlier work and it is amazing. It is one of the albums that’s always on my phone…
Where you can find it online: Album version here.
***23 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
24. Sing About Love
Written by: Boff Whalley
I first heard it: On Chumbawamba’s brilliant 2008 album The Boy Bands Have Won.
Where you can find it online: Album version here.
***24 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
25. Come on in my Kitchen
Written by: Robert Johnson
I first heard it: At a Crooked Still gig at Celtic Connections in Glasgow in 2007. It was first recorded by Robert Johnson in the 1930s.
Where you can find it online: Johnson version here, Crooked Still (with the line up I saw) version here.
***25 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
26. Edina
Written by: Ross Wilson
I first heard it: Probably when I first saw Blue Rose Code at Montrose Folk Club in 2015.
Where you can find it online: Lovely version here.
***26 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
27. We Could Fly
Written by: Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell
I first heard it: On Rhiannon’s 2017 album Freedom Highway, or maybe on the radio (Radio 2 Folk Show maybe) or maybe when I saw her and band live in Glasgow in November 2017.
Where you can find it online: Amazing version here.
***27 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
28. Tightrope
Written by: Kim Edgar
I first heard it: On Kim’s 2016 album Stories Untold.
Where you can find it online: Great video here.
***28 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
29. Golden Leaves
Written by: Rhona Macfarlane
I first heard it: Either at Montrose Folk Club in 2016 or 2017 or as a single in 2016 or on Rhona’s 2017 EP The Tide.
Where you can find it online: Lovely video here.
***29 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
30. Lay My Heart
Written by: Rachel Sermanni
I first heard it: At Glasgow festival Celtic Connections (online) in 2021. I bought it on Bandcamp (where it says first released in 2017).
Where you can find it online: Lovely video here.
***30 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
31. Tentsmuir Sky
Written by: Roseanne Reid
I first heard it: Online somewhere in 2021 when it came out. I bought it on Bandcamp.
Where you can find it online: Lovely video here.
***31 January 2022: The post is now up for this one. Click here to read it.
*Eagle-eyed regulars may notice this is the artwork used on the cover of my rough-as-you-like 2008 book of poems More about the song. In recent years I moved away from writing about music but I guess I'm back with a boom bang a bang now ...
