Old Blind Dogs

Last updated

Old Blind Dogs
Old Blind Dogs blacksheep 2016 0439.jpg
Old Blind Dogs at the 2016 blacksheep festival in Germany
Background information
OriginAberdeen, Scotland
Genres Scottish folk, Celtic
Years active1990–present
Labels Green Linnet
Members
  • Jonny Hardie
  • Aaron Jones
  • Donald Hay
Website oldblinddogs.co.uk

Old Blind Dogs is a Scottish musical group which plays traditional Scottish folk music and Celtic music, with influences from rock, reggae, jazz, blues, and Middle Eastern music rhythms.

Contents

Background

The three founding members of the band (Ian F. Benzie, Buzzby McMillan and Jonny Hardie) first met during a so-called "buskers' holiday" in the Scottish Highlands in 1990, [1] and after playing together for the summer decided to call themselves "Old Blind Dogs". Dave Francis and Carmen Higgins joined the band soon afterwards, but left in 1992 before the recording of the first album, New Tricks. Since that time, the line-up of the band has changed frequently, with only Jonny Hardie remaining from the original group.

The Old Blind Dogs were named "Folk Band of the Year" at the Scots Trad Music Awards. [1] Also in 2004, Jim Malcolm was named Songwriter of the Year. In 2001, the UK's Association of Independent Music selected their album Fit? as a finalist for the Celtic Album of the Year award.

The band have toured extensively, performing in Britain, the US, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, and Russia.

Discography

Band members

1990–92

1992–96

1996–97

1997–99

1999–2003

2003–2006

2007–2008

2008–2016

2016–2021

2021-


In the following table, please note that although "Live" was released in 1999, the performers are those from the 1992–1996 line-up (Benzie, Hardie, McMillan, and Cattenach) and not those from "The World's Room" (a studio release from the same year).

Old Blind Dogs member timeline, 1990 – present
Name1990s2000snow
01234567890123456789
ReleasesNew TricksClose to the BoneTall TailsLegacyFiveLive, The World's RoomFit?The Gab o MeyPlay LiveFour on the FloorWherever Yet May Be
Ian F. Benzieguitar, vocals
Jonny Hardiefiddle, mandolin, guitar, backing vocalsfiddle, guitar, backing vocalsfiddle, guitar, vocals
Buzzby McMillancittern, bass
Carmen Higginsfiddle
Dave Francispercussion
Davy Cattanachpercussion
Fraser Fifieldsmall pipes, saxophone
Graham Youngsonpercussion
Jim Malcolmguitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Rory Campbellborder pipes, whistles, vocals
Paul Jenningspercussion
Fraser Stonedrums, percussionpercussion
Aaron Jonesbouzouki, bass, backing vocalsbouzouki, guitar, vocals
Ali Huttonborder pipes, whistles

Related Research Articles

<i>Pagan</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Cruachan

Pagan is the fourth studio album by Irish folk metal band Cruachan released in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane MacGowan and The Popes</span> Irish band formed in 1992

The Popes are a band originally formed by Shane MacGowan and Paul "Mad Dog" McGuinness, who play a blend of rock, Irish folk and Americana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battlefield Band</span> Scottish traditional music group

Battlefield Band were 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, none of the original founders remain in the band.

<i>This Womans Work: Anthology 1978–1990</i> 1990 box set by Kate Bush

This Woman's Work: Anthology 1978–1990 is a compilation box set by the British singer Kate Bush. Released in 1990 on CD, vinyl and cassette; it comprises her six studio albums to that point together with two additional albums of B-sides, rarities and remixes. The box set was re-released, on CD only, in 1998 in different packaging. It was not released in the US mainly due to The Sensual World being released there by Columbia Records.

<i>The Blue Idol</i> 2002 studio album by Altan

The Blue Idol is the eighth studio album by Irish traditional band Altan, released in February 2002 on the Narada label.

<i>Island Angel</i> Album by Altan

Island Angel is the fourth studio album by Altan, released in 1993 on the Green Linnet label. In 1995, Q included Island Angel in its publication "In Our Lifetime: Q's 100 Best Albums 1986–94", a list compiled to celebrate its 100th issue. It was also the final album to feature founding member Frankie Kennedy who died a year after its release.

<i>Runaway Sunday</i> 1997 studio album by Altan

Runaway Sunday is the sixth studio album by Altan, released in July 1997 on the Virgin Records label.

<i>Little Lights</i> 2001 studio album by Kate Rusby

Little Lights is an album by British folk musician Kate Rusby, released in 2001.

<i>Secret People</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Capercaillie

Secret People is the fifth studio album by folk rock band Capercaillie. It reached number 40 in the UK album charts. It was re-released in North America by Valley Entertainment in 2003.

<i>A New Journey</i> 2007 studio album by Celtic Woman

Celtic Woman: A New Journey is the third studio album by Celtic Woman, released worldwide on 30 January 2007.

<i>Live Hearts</i> 1983 live album by Moving Hearts

Live Hearts is the first live album by the Irish folk rock band Moving Hearts, recorded on 28 February 1983 at the Dominion Theatre London by the Rolling Stones Mobile Unit. Steve Turner produced and engineered the album.

<i>Home Fire</i> 1991 studio album by Ron Kavana

Home Fire is the fourth album by Irish musician/songwriter Ron Kavana. Released in 1991 on the Special Delivery label of Topic Records(and the next year in America on Green Linnet), the album is really a joint project with Terry Woods, formerly of The Pogues. The album features two Kavana/Woods co-writes, including "Young Ned Of The Hill", previously recorded by The Pogues on the album Peace and Love. About half the tracks are performed by Kavana and Woods unaccompanied, the other half with other musicians.

<i>Terra Firma</i> (Wolfstone album) 2007 studio album by Wolfstone

Terra Firma is the eighth album by Scottish Celtic rock group Wolfstone. It was released in 2007. It saw Ross Hamilton take over lead vocals, only for him to leave the band a few months later.

<i>Safe Upon the Shore</i> 2010 studio album by Great Big Sea

Safe Upon the Shore is the ninth and final studio album released by Canadian folk rock band Great Big Sea. The album was released on July 13, 2010.

<i>EastWind</i> 1992 studio album by Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane

EastWind is an album by Andy Irvine and Davy Spillane, showcasing a fusion of Irish folk music with traditional Bulgarian and Macedonian music. Produced by Irvine and Bill Whelan, who also contributed keyboards and piano, it was widely regarded as revolutionary at recording.

<i>Abocurragh</i> 2010 studio album by Andy Irvine

Abocurragh is an album by Andy Irvine recorded in Dublin, Norway, Australia, Hungary and Brittany between February 2009 and April 2010. It was produced by Dónal Lunny who also plays on all the tracks, except the last one.

<i>Live from the Powerhouse</i> 2004 live album by Andy Irvine & Dónal Lunnys Mozaik

Live from the Powerhouse is an album rehearsed in six days, starting on 1 March 2002 in the seaside town of Rye, Victoria in Australia, by multicultural group Mozaik featuring Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Bruce Molsky, Nikola Parov and Rens van der Zalm.

<i>Changing Trains</i> 2008 studio album by Andy Irvine & Dónal Lunnys Mozaik

Changing Trains is the first studio album recorded by Mozaik in Budapest during November 2005, and for which they had rehearsed new material a few months earlier, in January and April.

<i>Rude Awakening</i> (Andy Irvine album) 1991 studio album by Andy Irvine

Rude Awakening is Andy Irvine's second solo album, recorded in December 1990 and January 1991 at Westland and Ringsend Studios, Dublin and Frank MacNamara's Park Studio, County Meath, and released in 1991 on Green Linnet Records.

<i>Moving Hearts</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Moving Hearts

Moving Hearts is the debut studio album recorded by Irish Celtic rock band Moving Hearts. The album features folk singer Christy Moore on vocals.

References

  1. 1 2 Mills, Michelle (3 March 2016). "Scotland's Old Blind Dogs in concert in Pasadena". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.