 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.Hulett
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alistair Hulett ..... www.alistairhulett.com
Il mondo musicale nel quale si muove Alistair Hulett, Singer-Songwriter & Guitarist nativo di Glasgow, è parte integrante della migliore tradizione della canzone d'autore britannica. Erede di una forte tradizione che gli deriva dalle sue origini scozzesi e irlandesi e quindi erede di un patrimonio musicale di notevole ricchezza, Alistair Hulett può vantare un vasto repertorio fatto di canzoni tradizionali, i cui testi riflettono i principali drammi che sviliscono la nostra esistenza e la condizione umana, quali la guerra, il razzismo, la povertà e la necessità di affrontarli con la solidarietà e la forza comune. Memorabili sono le sue interpretazioni del repertorio di poemi e di canzoni del grandissimo Robert Burns, Poeta Nazionale in Scozia e sicuramente uno dei maggiori Autori dell'intera letteratura inglese. Dei poemi e delle canzoni scritte da Robert Burns Alistair Hulett è considerato uno degli interpreti più efficaci e le sue versioni dei classici del "Poeta contadino" sono state incluse nelle numerose raccolte celebrative finora pubblicate in tutto il mondo con grande successo. Negli anni Alistair Hulett ha saputo coniugare la liricità dei temi della musica tradizionale scozzese a testi dai contenuti di forte impatto sociale e politico, seguendo il solco di una tradizione ben consolidata che ha avuto in Autori molto noti come Ewan McColl, Hamish Henderson, Dominic Behan, Jeannie Robertson, Davie Stewart e più recentemente Leon Rosselson, Roy Bailey, Dick Gaughan, Billy Bragg e Robb Johnson, non solo promotori ma anche staordinari autori ed interpreti. La tematica dell'impegno sociale è una costante nella canzone popolare scozzese, dai canti fioriti intorno alla tragica ed eroica avventure delle ribellioni giacobite, ai radiodrammi del mitico Ewan McColl sulla vita dei pescatori e dei minatori, alle dolci e sferzanti ballate del grandissimo Dick Gaughan. Da oltre 25 anni Alistair Hulett ha cominciato a scrivere e poi a sviluppare le sue canzoni riche di pathos, dolore e gioia, fin dalle prime esperienze nei Folk-Clubs di Glasgow, quando, ancora giovanissimo, amava definirsi come "Glasgow's pimpliest Bob Dylan clone". Dopo l'emigrazione in Nuova Zelanda con i suoi parenti, ancora solo diciottenne, fu indirizzato a frequentare la scena folk australiana dal Folk-Singer Gordon McIntyre. Dopo alcuni anni spesi in viaggi in vari Paesi, Alistair Hulett diventa in Australia la guida carismatica del noto gruppo folk-punk-rock "ROARING JACK", considerato un gruppo di culto per gli amanti del genere portato in auge da grandi artisti come Billy Bragg e da storiche formazioni ben note anche da noi in Italia come i "POGUES" e "THE MEN THEY COULD'T HANG", spesso supportati proprio da Alistair Hulett & ROARING JACK nei loro tour austaliani. Incisi tre CD ed una manciata di singoli con i ROARING JACK, tutti molto acclamati dal pubblico e dalla critica e tuttora ricercati dai collezionisti, Alistair Hulett ritorna ad interessarsi alla musica tradizionale scozzese ed inizia in Australia, proseguendola negli anni anche al suo rientro in Scozia dove vive tuttora, una fertile collaborazione con il mitico Dave Swarbrick, leggendario violinista dei Fairport Convention, storica formazione e punta di diamante del movimento Folk-Revival inglese. Alistair Hulett ha inciso ben sette CD tutti ispirati al folk tradizionale scozzese e sempre ottimamente recensiti dalla critica. Dopo l'incisione del noto pezzo "The Swaggies Have All Waltzed Matilda Away" che ha aperto la loro esperienza in duo in Australia, con Dave Swarbrick ha inciso tre splendidi lavori e sovente compie acclamati ed affollati tour che interesseranno anche il nostro Paese il prossimo anno. Uno di questi lavori, "RED CLYDESIDE", inciso nel 2002, incentrato sulla vita del martire del socialismo scozzese John McLean e sulla rivolta operaia del Clyside nella Glasgow del primo ventennio del novecento, è considerato un vero capolavoro ed uno dei migliori album pubblicati negli ultimi venti anni in ambito folk. Alistair Hulett & Dave Swarbrick — "Red Clydeside" ... This interactive disc also carries a full lyric file that can be printed out, complete with a Scots language glossary, and there is a folder of archival images to accompany each song. The sleeve notes are in booklet form and give fourteen pages of notes on the events which are the subject of the songs. You don't half get a lot for your money, and it shows what can be done with the CD format — given some imagination and a dollop of hard work! M.L. O'Dean, Tykes News ... This is an interactive CD. The lyrics sit with a glossary of the Scots words alongside, and there are links to references and reading for those who want to explore the period further. Hulett has thoroughly researched his subject with a meticulous eye for detail — his words remind us of John Maclean's message as he stood in the dock during his trial for sedition in 1918. "I am not here then as the accused: I am here as the accuser of capitalism dripping with blood from head to foot"... Make the effort to buy it because this is both politically inspiring and an interesting way to learn about these struggles. Susan Ross, Socialist Review ... Throughout, Alistair's tasteful guitar accompaniments are subtly enhanced by Dave Swarbrick, now happily recovered from the illness that caused his obituary to appear in some newspapers! The CD is also enhanced by the facility to read and print song lyrics and to access web links. An outstanding release. Gordon Potter, The Living Tradition ... The actual stories behind the songs are explained comprehensively in the CD booklet. They are too detailed to do justice in a review, but give a whole new appreciation to the historical events being portrayed... The CD-ROM component is well-designed and very simple to navigate, with full-screen display. As well as the lyrics, it has contact details and information on other CDs by the duo, and larger versions of pictures featured in the booklet — another example of how much thought has gone into the overall package... Michael Hunter, Green Man Review ... The nine songs of RED CLYDESIDE were over two years in the making, deeply felt and well researched, with the CD making impressive use of new technology in the form of picture files and song words... Workers ... The disc is enhanced — it contains song lyrics and web links — and the booklet delivers the facts behind every song along with a rake of archive photos that add to the text... Anyone who hasn't already been introduced to "the Lion o' Red Clydeside" should get this CD. Everyone else should borrow it off them or get their own. Simon Whittle, Scottish Socialist Ugualmente molto belli e di notevole spessore artistico sono altri due lavori da solista, "IN SLEEPY SCOTLAND" ed il recentissimo "RICHES AND RAGS". "IN SLEEPY SCOTLAND" è una splendida collezione di canzoni tradizionali e contiene tre composizioni originali di Hulett. In questo lavoro, a completamento della voce e della chitarra di Alistair, in alcuni brani sono intervenuti Gavin Livingstone, chitarra, mandolino e tastiere, Aidan O'Rourke al violino e Keith Easdale alle Lowland smallpipes. Il recentissimo e notevole "RICHES AND RAGS", brilla sia per la presenza di vecchie ballate scozzesi e di alcune classiche folk-songs del primo novecento, ma anche per alcune composizioni originali di Alistair e le sue reinterpretazioni di alcuni brani di Autori a lui cari come Will Shade (noto musicista di Jug Music con il gruppo The Memphis Jug Band), John Kirkpatrick (English squeezebox virtuoso), Robin Williamson (mitico fondatore della "The Incredible String Band") e Richard M. Jones (talentuoso blues-piano player). In questo ottimo lavoro Alistair Hulett si è avvalso della collaborazione di alcuni dei migliori musicisti del circuito folk britannico, quali Nancy Kerr, violino e viola, James Fagan, bouzouki e mandolino e Gavin Livingstone, Dobro resonator guitar, accordion, basso e Appalachian dulcimer. Alcune delle sue più splendide canzoni sono state interpretate da importanti e noti personaggi della scena Folk, come nel caso di "He Fades Away" (Roy Bailey, June Tabor, Andy Irvine, Never The Twain), "Sons of liberty" e "Song of a Drinking Man's Wife"(Nancy Kerr & James Fagan), "A Migrant's Lullabye" e "When The Small Birds Start Leaving" (Roy Bailey). La sua fama in Scozia è da tempo consolidata ed a conferma di tutto il suo valore Alistair Hulett è stato chiamato nel 2005 a svolgere la funzione di tutor per la "Common Ground, Summer School for The Traditional Arts" presso "The Ayrshire Management Centre at University Campus Ayr, Ayrshire, Scozia". I siti internet di riferimento per Alistair Hulett sono: www.alistairhulett.com www.folkicons.co.uk/alistair.htm Discografia ALBUMS WITH ROARING JACK STREET CELTABILLITY – Roaring Jack 6 Track EP on vinyl released 1987 on Mighty Boy MBEP0002 THE CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS – Roaring Jack Released on vinyl and CD in 1988 on Mighty Boy MBLP 7007 THROUGH THE SMOKE OF INNOCENCE – Roaring Jack Released on vinyl and CD in 1990 on Mighty Boy MBLP 7016 SINGLES ALSO OUT ON MIGHTY BOY The Thin Red Line / Honkytonks In Heaven (1988) Destitution Road / Just Like Cigarettes (1988) The Swaggies Have All Waltzed Matilda Away / No Half Measures (1989) Framed / Criminal Justice (1991) MB203012 ROARING JACK ON CD NOW THE COMPLETE WORKS OF ROARING JACK 1987- 1991 All the band’s recordings on a double CD released in 2003 on Jump Up Records Germany and currently available JUMPUP 004. SOLO AND WITH DAVE SWARBRICK: DANCE OF THE UNDERCLASS – Alistair Hulett (1991) CD on Red Rattler released RATCD 001. Also out on Intercord (Germany) Currently available on Jump Up Records Germany JUMPUP001 IN THE BACKSTREETS OF PARADISE – Alistair Hulett (1994) CD on Red Rattler released RATCD002. Currently available on Jump Up Records Germany JUMPUP002 SATURDAY JOHNNY & JIMMY THE RAT – Hulett and Swarbrick (1995) CD on Red Rattler released RATCD003. Currently available on Jump Up Records Germany JUMPUP 007 THE COLD GREY LIGHT OF DAWN – Hulett and Swarbrick (1997) CD on Musikfolk released MFCD513 and currently available. IN SLEEPY SCOTLAND – Alistair Hulett (1999) CD on Red Rattler released RATCD004 and currently available. RED CLYDESIDE – Hulett and Swarbrick (2000) CD on Red Rattler released RATCD005 RICHES AND RAGS - Hulett(2005), CD on Red Rattler RATCD006, -------------------------------------------------------------- COMPILATION ALBUMS THAT INCLUDE ALISTAIR HULETT UNION IS STRENGTH – Songs For The Weipa Heroes (1996) AUS CD released by the CFMEU (Australia) through Peter Hicks Hulett track : The Shipyard Apprentice ROBERT BURNS – The Complete Songs Vol. 6 (1998) UK CD released on Linn Records CKD 009. Hulett tracks : When Guilford Good, Though Cruel Fate, She Is A Winsome Wee Thing, By Yon Castle Wa’, My Lady’s Gown ROBERT BURNS – The Complete Songs Vol. 7 (1999) UK CD released on Linn Records CKD 010. Hulett tracks : Geordie, No Churchman Am I, Sae Flaxen Were Her Ringlets. Full boxed set of 12 volumes also available from Linn Records UK FEAR OF A RED PLANET – Morning Star Benefit Album (1999) UK CD released on Red Planet Records RPRCD1 and available from The Morning Star. [www.poptel.org.uk] Hulett track : Militant Red RAISE YOUR BANNERS – Festival Of Political Song (2001) UK CD available from Raise Your Banners Festival, PO Box 44 Sheffield S4 7RN, UK. Hulett / Swarbrick track : The Siege Of Union Street SWARB! – Dave Swarbrick Boxed Set (2002) UK Available from Free Reed Records online now. Hulett/Swarbrick tracks : In The Days Of ’49 (live), Lassies Of Neilston RED ROOTS the folk cd – Morning Star Benefit Album (2002) UK CD released on Red Planet Records RPRCD2 and available from The Morning Star. [www.poptel.org.uk] Hulett track : The Dark Loch HAVE A GOOD TIME! – Fairbridge Festival Sampler (2002) AUS CD available from Fairbridge Festival [www.fairbridgefestival.com] Hulett track : Geordie THE NATIONAL 35 Years Of The Australian National Folk Festival (2003) Double CD available from the National Library Of Australia AUS Hulett track ; Everyone I Know (recorded live with Jimmy Gregory) FREE MUMIA NOW! For political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal (2002) GER Double CD available from Jump Up Records, Germany [www.jump-up.de] Hulett tracks : Lads Of The BLF, The Internationale -------------------------------------------------------------- ALISTAIR HULETT SONGS RECORDED BY OTHER ARTISTS NO HALF MEASURES – Kate Delaney & Gordon McIntyre 1985 AUS On ‘PLEASURES TO FIND’ – Blackwater Productions (LP only) BR001 WORKING LIVES – Kate Delaney & Gordon McIntyre 1985 AUS On ‘PLEASURES TO FIND’ – Blackwater Productions (LP only) BR001 BALLAD OF 1975 – John McAuslan 1987 AUS On ‘THE IMMIGRANT’ – Brunswick Recordings 009 (LP only) BUY US A DRINK – The Irish Rovers 1989 CAN On ‘HARD STUFF’ (LP only) Attic Records LAT1253 NO HALF MEASURES – The High Notes 1990 AUS On ‘THE HIGH NOTES- Independent CD Release FMCD001 HONKYTONKS IN HEAVEN – Bourkenback Boys 1991 AUS On ‘I’VE BEEN TO BOURKE AND BACK’ – Ridgerunner Records RRR002 DESTITUTION ROAD – Kate Delaney & Gordon McIntyre 1991 AUS On ‘CALEDONIA DREAMING’ –Blackwater Productions BR002 BLUE MURDER/HE FADES AWAY – Kate Delaney & Gordon McIntyre On ‘CALEDONIA DREAMING’ - Blackwater Productions BR002 1991 AUS HE FADES AWAY – Roy Bailey 1994 UK On ‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’ – Fuse Records CFCD 400 HE FADES AWAY – June Tabor 1994 UK On ‘AGAINST THE STREAMS’ – Cooking Vinyl Cook CD 071 SWAGGIES HAVE ALL WALTZED MATILDA AWAY – Kerfuffle 1996 AUS On ‘UNION IS STRENGTH- Songs For The Weipa Heroes’ –CFMEU CD HE FADES AWAY – Andy Irvine 1996 IRE On ‘RAIN ON THE ROOF’ – Independent CD Release AK1 A MIGRANT’S LULLABYE – Roy Bailey 1997 UK On ‘NEW DIRECTIONS IN THE OLD’ – Fuse Records CFCD 402 HE FADES AWAY – Never The Twain 1998 AUS On ‘LIVE AT THE POD’ – Because We Like You # SONG OF A DRINKING MAN’S WIFE – Nancy Kerr & James Fagan 1998 On ‘STARRY GAZY PIE’ – Fellside Records FECD127 UK BLUE MURDER – Ola 2000 UK On ‘THE ANIMALS ARE IN THE WEST’ – Green Fingers Music GFMCD25 WHEN THE SMALL BIRDS START LEAVING – Roy Bailey 2000 UK On ‘CODA’ – Fuse Records CFCD 404 HE FADES AWAY – Wired To The Moon 2000 UK On ‘FLIGHT OF FANCY’ – Hooli Records # BUY US A DRINK – The Fables 2000 CAN On ‘A Time’ No other details available. See Fables website HE FADES AWAY – Garlic Bread 2002 FR On ‘A FOUR WHEELED BIKE’ – Collectif Mirliton MIR2569666 THE SWAGGIES HAVE ALL WALTZED MATILDA AWAY– The Combined Unions Choir on ‘STRIKING CHORDS’ - Art In Working Life Project 2003 AUS BUY US A DRINK – The McGillicuddys 2003 CAN On ‘KILT BY DEATH’ – Retch Records RRCD026 AMONG PRODDY DOGS AND PAPES – Mick West Band 2004 UK On ‘A POOR MAN’S LABOUR’ – Claytara Records CLCD042 -------------------------------------------------------------- ALISTAIR HULETT ON OTHER ARTISTS’ ALBUMS DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD – Phil Garland (LP only) 1968 NZ Alistair Hulett – concertina on one track WEST ALONG THE ROAD – Jimmy Gregory on Craic Records CRAC001 1996 AUS - Alistair Hulett – harmony vocal on ‘Waters Of The Clyde’ WOOLSHED BOYS – Duncan McFarlane Band on Dunxmusic DUNXCD016 - 2004 UK – Alistair Hulett- vocal on Canadadee-io, harmony vocal on Bring ‘Em Down, Can’t Go There, Woodshed Boys, Benjamin Bowmaneer, Goodnight. |