COMD2098 Battlefield Band - The Road Of Tears

Battlefield Band - The Road Of Tears
Battlefield Band
Alan Reid
Mike Katz
Alasdair White
Sean O'Donnell
COMD2098

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:

“I heard the song, Road of Tears, on the Prairie Home Companion. It is truly an awesome song, and had me literally in tears”

“I was listening to "Prairie Home Companion" and heard a fantastic song called 'Road of Tears', I was deeply touched”.

Released in 2006, 17 tracks - 70 mins

"...an album which is emotionally as well as musically compelling"
Calum Macleod
Inverness Courier 16.6.06

"...a stunning example of 'traditional' Celtic music. Superbly recorded and engineered, exceptionally well packaged and a reel (not a typo!) pleasure to listen to!"
Peter J Brown
ww.toxicpete.co.uk

Track list

01. The Road Of Tears
02. Ely Parker / Miss Martin's Wedding / The Primrose Lassies / Mr Galloway Goes To Washington
03. The Emigrant
04. The Highlander's Farewell To Ireland / Farewell To Ireland / Put Me In The Big Chest
05. The Slaves Lament
06. The Moleskin Kilt / The Empty Glen
07. Out In Australia At Last
08. The Patagonia Islanders / The Low Country Dance / Don Juan McKenna's Jig
09. Haro Strait
10. To A Mouse
11. Take Me To The Sea
12. Plane Wreck At Los Gatos
13. Sweet Molly / The Symmetry / The Boat Leaks
14. I Cried
15. Mary's Dream / The Mountain Dairy Maid / The Nameless Migrant
16. Five Bridges To Cross
17 The Green And The Blue