Capercaillie (band)

Capercaillie

Capercaillie is a Scottish folk band founded in the 1980s by Donald Shaw and fronted by Karen Matheson. The group originates from Argyll, a region of western Scotland and is named after the bird Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus, which in the British Isles occurs only in Scotland

The band recorded its first album, Cascade, in 1984. Their 1992 EP A Prince Among Islands was the first Scottish Gaelic-language record to reach the UK Top 40 singles chart, peaking at number 39. Another of their singles, Dark Alan (Ailein Duinn) reached number 65. The album Secret People got number 40, and To the Moon got to number 41. They have adapted traditional Gaelic songs and music using modern production techniques, and often mix musical forms, such as combining traditional lyrics with drum and bass.

Capercaillie performed at the Big in Falkirk for its 10 year anniversary in 2009. They performed at TFF.Rudolstadt in July 2009.

Discography

Studio albums

• 1984: Cascade
• 1987: Crosswinds
• 1988: The Blood is Strong
• 1989: Sidewaulk
• 1991: Delirium
• 1992: Get Out
• 1993: Secret People
• 1994: Capercaillie
• 1996: To the Moon
• 1997: Beautiful Wasteland
• 1998: Glenfinnan (Songs of the '45)
• 2000: Nàdurra
• 2003: Choice Language
• 2008: Roses and Tears

Live albums and compilations

• 1998: Dusk Till Dawn: The Best of Capercaillie
• 2002: Capercaillie Live in Concert
• 2004: Grace and Pride: The Anthology 2004-1984

Current members

• Karen Matheson — Vocals
• Donald Shaw — Keyboards, accordion
• Charlie McKerron — Fiddle
• Michael McGoldrick — Flute, whistle, Uilleann pipes
• Manus Lunny — Bouzouki, guitar
• Ewen Vernal — Bass
• Che Beresford — Drums
• David Chimp Robertson — Percussion

Former members

• Marc Duff — Bodhrán, whistle, wind synth, rauschpfeife
• John Saich — Bass, guitar
• James Mackintosh — Drums
• Shaun Craig — Guitar, bouzouki
• Martin MacLeod — Bass, fiddle
• Joan Maclachlan — Fiddle, vocals
• Anton Kirkpatrick — Guitar
• Fred Morrison — Bagpipe.

External links

• Capercaillie's official website
• Vertical Records website
• Capercaillie's Complete Discography
• An outdated but somewhat useful FAQ of Capercaillie (covers activity up to 1995)