Berger Performing Arts
1200 W. Speedway
Tucson, AZ
520-440-4455 800-594-8499
www.rhythmandroots.org

For Scotland, the late 18th and early 19th century was a time of profound and uncomfortable changes. Economic and social structures were altered dramatically as the Industrial Revolution brought factories and mechanization to Scotland's rural world. At the same time, the Scottish Highlanders were being driven from their lands by the English conquerors, forced into the Lowlands, forbidden to practice their familiar customs. It was a difficult time, often a brutal time... and yet, this was a time of great poets, the likes of Robert Burns and Robert Tannahill. And it was a time of great music.

The Tannahill Weavers' diverse repertoire reflects the duality of Scotland's musical heritage. It embraces both the mystical quality of the Highlander's Celtic music, and the rollicking, sometimes even brawling qualities of the Lowlander's Anglo-Scots tunes. The Tannahill Weavers' arrangements blend the beauty of the traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The penetrating sound of the Highland bagpipes is a thread of ancient memory running through it all.

Tannahill Weavers - About the Band

The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can't get better...yet continue to do just that.

The Tannahills have turned their acoustic excitement loose on audiences with an electrifying effect. They have that unique combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and rich vocals that make their performances unforgettable. As the Winnipeg Free Press noted, "The Tannahill Weavers - properly harnessed - could probably power an entire city for a year on the strength of last night's concert alone. The music may be old time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll."

Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the group has made an international name for its special brand of Scottish music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The Tannahill Weavers began to attract attention when founding members Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie added the full-sized highland bagpipes to the on-stage presentations, the first professional Scottish folk group to successfully do so. The combination of the powerful pipe solos, Roy's driving guitar backing and lead vocals, and Phil's ethereal flute playing breathed new life into Scotland's vast repertoire of traditional melodies and songs.

Three years and a dozen countries later, the Tannahills were the toast of Europe, having won the Scotstar Award for Folk Record of the Year with their third album, The Tannahill Weavers. Canada came the next summer, with thousands at the national festivals in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto screaming an approval that echoed throughout the Canadian media. The Regina Leader-Post wrote, "The Tannahill Weavers personify Celtic music, and if you are given to superlatives, you have to call their talent 'awesome'."

In 2001 the group was joined by Colin Melville, one of Scotland's hottest young pipers. The Tannahill's 16th recording, Arnish Light is set for release in September 2003. They are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage; from reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.

The Band:
Roy Gullane - guitar, vocals
John Martin - fiddle, viola, mandola, mandolin, cello
Colin Melville - Highland bagpipes, Scottish small pipes, whistles, guitar, keyboard, djembe
Phil Smillie - flute, whistles, bodhran, djembe, vocals
Les Wilson - bouzouki, keyboards, guitar, vocals

".as close to perfect as it gets in an imperfect world." - Sing Out!

".the Weavers combine tradition with the spirit and energy of rock 'n' roll into an entertaining and satisfying evening of music, humor and joy." - News & Observer, Raleigh, NC

"The music of Scotland's Tannahill Weavers can be summed up in just a few words. Stirring. Heartfelt. Uplifting." - Peterborough Examiner, Peterborough, ONT

Traditional Scottish music at its best - as tight and versatile as any band in the Celtic music scene, the Tannahills can summon rock-n-roll intensity or haunting introspection. "An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new." - New York Times