 Red Clydeside is an amazing album only Hulett and Swarbrick could pull this off, I loved it!
RED CLYDESIDE
Recording by Alistair Hulett & Dave Swarbrick
OUT NOW ON RED RATTLER! (RATCD005)
 John Maclean
Written by Alistair Hulett and produced by Dave Swarbrick, this album is a collaboration in every sense of the word. The story of the revolt on the Clyde is told in nine original songs by Hulett, with extensive booklet notes that relate in startling detail, including eyewitness accounts, a chain of events the authorities tried to airbrush out of history.
Hulett’s voice and guitar are accompanied not only by the wonderful fiddle playing of Swarbrick, but on some tracks by double fiddles and even a string ensemble that features the maestro on dual fiddles, viola and baritone violin. The album has been engineered and mixed by Swarb, with assistance from Kevin Dempsey, the guitarist from his days with Whippersnapper. Kev also contributes a breathtaking guitar part on one of the tracks.
The disc carries a full lyric file to print out, complete with a Scots language glossary, and a folder of archival images to accompany each song. These photographs have been digitally enhanced for clarity and include Maclean’s prison portrait from 1916 and a photograph from his second trial in 1918.
Right-wing historians have tried to play down Red Clydeside, even suggesting it only existed in fantasy of socialist hot-heads. The visual evidence on this disc dispels any such notion, and the songs and text tell the gripping story with some truly wonderful singing and playing.
Swarbrick’s arrangements are sure to delight everyone who loves his work. The album showcases the musician at the peak of his powers and his debut as a musical director, recording engineer and producer heralds a new direction that holds tantalising promise.
For his part, Hulett has painstakingly researched the background to the story for two years and the end result is a collection of songs that will doubtless find their way into the repertoire of many a singer of note. Roy Bailey, June Tabor, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Andy Irvine are already some of those who have recorded Hulett’s compositions, and the list will certainly grow with the release of Red Clydeside.
For UK Orders: The album is available by Mail Order from Alistair Hulett. Send cheques for £13.00 to Flat 2L, 66 Kenmure Street Glasgow G41 2NR.
Worldwide Orders: Visit www.fourdogsmusic.co.uk
To Book Alistair Hulett solo and with Dave Swarbrick
Contact Alistair direct on Tel 0141 429 5276 or email
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To Book Alistair in Australia contact NewSouthFolk at www.newsouthfolk.com.au
and Ewald Schmitt at
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for Germany
Visit the Hulett Websites at www.alistairhulett.com and www.roaringjack.com
For those wanting to know more about the history of Red Clydeside visit here: Red Clydeside: a history of the labour movement in Glasgow 1910-1932
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