a r t i s t : Battlefield Band
t i t l e : The Road of Tears
d a t e : 2006
l a b e l : Temple Records
g e n r e : Celtic
r l s. d a t e : May/2006
t r a c k s : 17
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 95,6 MB
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Emigrants and emigration are making the headlines all over the
world. The problems and benefits are highlighted in the press,
the TV, radio and discussed in pubs, over the dining table,
and in dubiously reasoned political debate, as politicians
search for the populist vote. The path of emigration is a
well-trodden one in the history of the Celtic nations, so it
is no surprise that many songs and compositions have been
inspired by the subject. Battlefield Band have touched on the
subject on past albums. On this album, as they were rehearsing
and recording, the theme of 'displacement of people' sort of
took over.
Battlefield Band have not tried to come up with any answers;
just music and song, contemporary and traditional that show
how the issue of 'Immigration' has always been as relevant as
it is today.
Look at your own background and no doubt you will find that
emigration plays a big part in your family history. Take a
look at Battlefield Band - One side of Alan's family is from
Ireland and he has relatives in the USA, Canada and Australia.
Mike's family went to the U.S. from Belarus and now he's a
fully 'registered' Scot. Alasdair's family went to Lewis from
the Scottish mainland, with some past ancestors from England,
and relatives in New Zealand and the U.S. This album also
welcomes singer and guitarist Sean O'Donnell to the band.
Another emigrant. He's from Ireland now living in Scotland and
no doubt with relatives all over the world. Rob, our soundman,
hails originally from Holland, but has lived in England for
years, but behind it all 'we're a' Jock Tamson's Bairns', as
the Scottish saying goes.
The subject of Immigration has inspired much great and moving
music and words and highlighted on this album are experiences
from Scotland, Ireland, the Americas and Australia, plus a
setting by Alan Reid of Robbie Burns popular poem 'To A
Mouse', as well as a couple of bonus songs from previous
albums.
The title track 'The Road of Tears' is a very strong song
composed by Alan Reid. Certainly the audience response to when
they recently played on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home
Companion shows that it has touched the emotions and
sensitivities of many people. Here are some quotes from some
of the many emails we received:
ôI heard the song, Road of Tears, on the Prairie Home
Companion. It is truly an awesome song, and had me literally
in tearsö
ôI was listening to "Prairie Home Companion" and heard a
fantastic song called 'Road of Tears', I was deeply touchedö.
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01-the road of tears [04:23]
02-ely parker set [04:27]
03-the emigrant [04:34]
04-the highlander's farewell to ireland set [03:16]
05-the slaves lament [03:35]
06-the moleskin kilt - the empty glen [03:28]
07-out in australia at last [03:26]
08-the patagonia islanders set [04:07]
09-haro straight [04:48]
10-to a mouse [04:16]
11-take me to the sea [03:24]
12-plane wreck at los gatos [06:10]
13-sweet molly set [03:48]
14-i cried [03:20]
15-mary's dream set [04:28]
16-five bridges to cross [05:04]
17-the green and the blue [05:18]
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71:52 min