Capercaillie

Biography

Capercaillie are a Scottish folk band, founded in 1984 by Donald Shaw and led by Karen Matheson, and which performs traditional Gaelic and contemporary songs in English. The group adapts traditional Gaelic music and traditional lyrics with modern production techniques and instruments such as electric guitar and bass guitar, though rarely synthesizers or drum machines.
They have sold over a million albums world-wide, including "three silver and one gold album in the UK". The BBC notes that the band has "achieved enormous global success both as a group and as individual musicians."

Origins

Originating from Argyll, a region of western Scotland, the band is named after the western capercaillie, sometimes called a wood grouse, a native Scottish bird. Donald Shaw formed the band aged 16 to play at the Mull Musical Festival. After the BBC asked the band to play a singer was needed. Shaw recruited Matheson, with whom he had played in a band called The Etives whilst at Oban High School together.

Career

Their first album, Cascade×Cascade1984 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1The Little Cascade1:492An Eala Bhàn3:453Marc’s Set3:304Milleadh nam Braidhrean3:395The Ale Is Dear (Reels)3:006An t-Iarla Diurach3:377Troy’s Wedding (Jigs)4:338Eilean a’ Cheò3:489Maighdeannan na h-Airidh3:2710Maggie’s Megaset5:10, was recorded in 1984. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band gave their last performance on 17 August 2019 at the Festival des Filets Bleus in Concarneau, Brittany, France. They performed live for the first time in two years on 6 August 2021 at the Wickham Festival in Hampshire.
After a further nine months off the road the band resumed touring, and between April and August 2022 performed in France, including Paris, Condette, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France, Lorient in Brittany, and on the Tatihou islet in Normandy. They also performed concerts in Inverness and Glasgow.
They performed on 26 August 2023 at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival in the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England.
On 19 April 2024, it was announced the release the following month of a new album, ReLoved×ReLoved31 May 2024 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Tobar Mhoire4:152Boules Et Guirlandes4:563Nil Si I nGra5:194Hi Ri'm Bo3:265Alasdair's Tune2:476Port Na Caillich4:277God's Alibi6:558MacLeod's Farewell - The Earl's Chair3:399Oran Do Loch Iall7:1810Iain Ghlinn' Cuaich5:1311David Glen's Jig3:0512Famous Last Words - Through the Roof3:4313At the Heart of It All5:3314Calum's Road2:4815Mile Marbhaisg Air a' Ghaol4:3616Servant to the Slave6:17 (on double vinyl on 10 May and on CD & streaming platforms on 31 May). The album marks the band's fortieth anniversary and is their first studio release in 11 years since 2013's At the Heart of It All. It contains new arrangements of some of the band's work recorded with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. On the same day, the album's first single, "Tobar Mhoire", was released online.

Musical style

Capercaillie's repertoire includes both traditional Gaelic songs and tunes, as well as modern English-language songs and tunes, composed by other folk writers and musicians, or by members of the band. The group often adapt traditional Gaelic songs and music using modern production techniques, and often mix musical forms, combining traditional lyrics and tunes with modern techniques and instruments such as synthesisers, drum machines, electric guitar and bass.
Capercaillie's first two albums, Cascade×Cascade1984 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1The Little Cascade1:492An Eala Bhàn3:453Marc’s Set3:304Milleadh nam Braidhrean3:395The Ale Is Dear (Reels)3:006An t-Iarla Diurach3:377Troy’s Wedding (Jigs)4:338Eilean a’ Cheò3:489Maighdeannan na h-Airidh3:2710Maggie’s Megaset5:10 and Crosswinds×Crosswinds1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Puirt a Beul / Snug in a Blanket6:112Soraidh Bhuam gu Barraidh3:293Glen Orchy / Rory MacLeod3:404Am Buachaille Bàn3:365The Haggis6:016Brenda Stubbert's Set3:357Ma Thèid Mise Tuilleagh3:038David Glen's4:349Urnaigh a' Bhan-thigreach3:0810My Laggan Love / Fox on the Town4:2711An Ribhinn Donn2:56 featured few modern instruments and the tunes and songs were played in a more traditional arrangement. However beginning with later albums such as Sidewaulk×Sidewaulk1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda2:31A2Balindore: Miss Campbell of Sheeness / Balindore / Irish Jig4:00A3Fisherman's Dream3:56A4Sidewaulk Reels: Argyll Reel / O'er Bogie / An Chearc is h-Al / Mrs Dow / Maire's Reel4:49A5Iain Ghlinn' Cuaich3:21B1Fosgail An Dorus / Nighean Bhuidh' Ruadh3:01B2The Turnpike: Gesto Reel / Keep it Up / Nine Pint Cogie / Pretty Peggy / Maureen Kennelly's / The Turnpike6:31B3Both Sides the Tweed5:03B4The Weasel: Humours of Cork / P.M. Jimmy Pryde / Weasel in the Dyke / MacLeod's Farewell5:22B5O Mo Dhùthaich2:44, and the soundtrack of The Blood Is Strong×The Blood Is Strong1988 · Album · SoundtrackSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks1An Gille Bàn5:112Dòmhnall (Black Donald)1:313An t-Eilean Mu Thuath2:564Fagail Bhernaraidh (Leaving Berneray)3:255The Lorn Theme2:306Gun Teann Mi ris na Ruinn Tha Seo (Remembrance)2:507Aignish1:208The Hebrides1:279Arrival Theme2:5310Cumha Do dh'Uilleam Siosal1:3011Iona Theme0:5012O Mo Dhùthaich1:3513Calum's Road3:4014Callinish, Picts, Celts1:4015Fear a' Bhàta1:5416Alasdair Mhic Colla2:0517Dèan Cadalan Sàmhach2:0018Lordship of the Isles1:3219Grandfather Mountain3:0820Arrival Reprise2:0521An Ataireachd Àrd2:0022Colum Cille0:4723'S Fhada Leam an Oidhche Gheamhraidh1:5524Downtown Toronto2:3325Maideanan na h-Airidh1:28, Capercaillie began to experiment with adding funk bass-lines into certain tracks, as well as synthesisers and electric guitar. This fusion style gained Capercaillie chart success in the 1990s, on albums such as Delirium×Delirium1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Rann Na Móna3:532Waiting for the Wheel to Turn4:393Aodann Srath Bhàin4:074Cape Breton Song3:055You Will Rise Again3:336Kenny MacDonald’s Jigs4:017Dean Sàor An Spiórad4:278Coisich, a Rùin3:159Dr. MacPhail’s Reel2:5210Heart of the Highland3:5011Breisleach2:4312Islay Ranter’s Reels3:0513Servant to the Slave5:45 and Secret People×Secret People1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Bonaparte4:452Grace and Pride5:153Tobar Mhòire (Tobermory)3:504Four Stone Walls3:175Crime of Passion5:206The Whinney Hills Jigs5:497An Eala Bhàn (The White Swan)5:318Seice Ruairidh (Roddy's Drum)4:389Stinging Rain4:5410Hi Rim Bo3:3411The Miracle of Being6:1112The Harley Ashtray4:0713Òran2:2514Black Fields4:36 (see Chart Success, below) and reached its peak in the albums To the Moon×To the Moon1995 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1To the Moon5:492Claire in Heaven3:563Níl Síl I nGrá4:364Why Won’t You Touch Me4:565You4:276La Paella Grande5:017The Crooked Mountain4:578Ailein Duinn3:359God’s Alibi3:0710Fear-Allabain3:5511Rob Roy Reels5:2412The Price of Fire4:0513Eastern Reel4:33 and Beautiful Wasteland×Beautiful Wasteland1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1M'Ionam5:372Inexile4:273The Tree4:024Am mùr gorm (The Blue Rampart)5:395Beautiful Wasteland4:316Co ni mire rium (Who Will Flirt With Me?)4:257Shelter5:148Hebridean Hale-Bopp4:299KeppleHall / 25 KTS5:2110Thiocfadh leat fanacht4:2511Finlay's4:2712Sardinia4:23, with the remix albums Get Out×Get Out1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Waiting for the Wheel to Turn ('92 version)6:442Pige Ruadh (live)3:273Dèan Cadalan Sàmhach / Servant to the Slave ('92 version)6:434Silver Spear Reels (live)4:165Outlaws (live)4:436Coisich a' Rùin (live)3:467Fear a' Bhàta3:378Dr. MacPhail's Trance ('92 version)6:12 and Capercaillie being released during this period.
Capercaillie have drawn back slightly from the heavy fusion style featured on their albums the 1990s, and their more recent albums from Nàdurra×Nàdurra4 September 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Skye Waulking Song4:382Hope Springs Eternal4:363Michael's Matches4:154Tighinn air a' Mhuir am Fear a Phòsas Mi3:465Hoireann O4:016Truth Calling4:577Argyll Lassies4:488Mo Chailin Dìleas Donn3:579Rapture3:5310The Hollybush5:2411Gaol Troimh Aimsirean5:1312The Cockerel in the Creel5:07 (2003) up to At the Heart of It All×At the Heart of It All12 August 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1S’ Och a’ Dhomhnaill Òig Ghaolaich (Waulking Song)4:052The Strathspey Set4:443Ailein Duinn Nach Till Thu an Taobh-Seo4:044The Jura Wedding Reels3:465At the Heart of It All4:596Abu Chuibhl’ (Spinning Song)3:447The Marches4:348Nighean Dubh Nighean Donn4:349Fainne an Dochais (Ring of Hope)5:1210Cal’s Jigs4:1011Lament for John ‘Garve’ MacLeod of Raasay4:46 (2013) feature more traditional arrangements and instruments, while still retaining a slight fusion feel.
The opening track from their 2000 album Nàdurra, "Skye Waulking Song", was used in the Edexcel Music GCSE Specification from 2009 to 2016. The song was in the world music section, and was used as a representation of traditional folk music combined with rock music.

Chart success

Their 1992 EP, A Prince Among Islands×A Prince Among Islands1992 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Coisich a RùinA2Fàgail BhearnaràidhB1The Lorn ThemeB2Gun Teann mi ris na Ruinn Tha Seo, was the first Scottish Gaelic-language record to have a single that reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart: "Coisich A Ruin" peaked at No. 39. Another single, "Dark Alan (Ailein duinn)×Dark Alan (Ailein Duinn)June 1995 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Dark Alan3:362Gaelic Psalm Theme3:443The Laurel House Theme3:094Ailein Duinn2:36" reached No. 65 in the UK Singles Chart in June 1995.
The album Secret People×Secret People1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Bonaparte4:452Grace and Pride5:153Tobar Mhòire (Tobermory)3:504Four Stone Walls3:175Crime of Passion5:206The Whinney Hills Jigs5:497An Eala Bhàn (The White Swan)5:318Seice Ruairidh (Roddy's Drum)4:389Stinging Rain4:5410Hi Rim Bo3:3411The Miracle of Being6:1112The Harley Ashtray4:0713Òran2:2514Black Fields4:36 (1993) reached No. 40, and To the Moon (1995) peaked at No. 41 in the UK Albums Chart.

Studio albums

Cascade (1984)
Crosswinds (1987)
Sidewaulk (1989)
Delirium (1991)
Secret People (1993)
To the Moon (1995)
Beautiful Wasteland (1997)
Nàdurra (2000)
Choice Language (2003)
Roses and Tears (2008)
At the Heart of It All (2013)
ReLoved (2024) (re-recording of previously released tracks)

Soundtrack albums

The Blood Is Strong (1988)
Glenfinnan (Songs of the '45) (1998, recorded in 1995)

Remix albums

Get Out (1992) (a compilation album of B-sides, remixes & unreleased studio and live tracks)
Capercaillie (1994) (a compilation album of re-worked and remixed tracks)

Compilation albums

Dusk till Dawn: The Best of Capercaillie (1998)
Waulk Roots (1998) Tracks from early albums Crosswinds×Crosswinds1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Puirt a Beul / Snug in a Blanket6:112Soraidh Bhuam gu Barraidh3:293Glen Orchy / Rory MacLeod3:404Am Buachaille Bàn3:365The Haggis6:016Brenda Stubbert's Set3:357Ma Thèid Mise Tuilleagh3:038David Glen's4:349Urnaigh a' Bhan-thigreach3:0810My Laggan Love / Fox on the Town4:2711An Ribhinn Donn2:56 and Sidewaulk×Sidewaulk1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda2:31A2Balindore: Miss Campbell of Sheeness / Balindore / Irish Jig4:00A3Fisherman's Dream3:56A4Sidewaulk Reels: Argyll Reel / O'er Bogie / An Chearc is h-Al / Mrs Dow / Maire's Reel4:49A5Iain Ghlinn' Cuaich3:21B1Fosgail An Dorus / Nighean Bhuidh' Ruadh3:01B2The Turnpike: Gesto Reel / Keep it Up / Nine Pint Cogie / Pretty Peggy / Maureen Kennelly's / The Turnpike6:31B3Both Sides the Tweed5:03B4The Weasel: Humours of Cork / P.M. Jimmy Pryde / Weasel in the Dyke / MacLeod's Farewell5:22B5O Mo Dhùthaich2:44
Grace and Pride: The Anthology 2004-1984 (2004)

Current members

Karen Matheson – vocals (1984 – present)
Charlie McKerron – fiddle (1986 – present)
Michael McGoldrick – flute, whistle, uilleann pipes (1997 – present)
Manus Lunny – bouzouki, guitar (1989 – present)
Donald Shaw – keyboards, accordion (1984 – present)
Ewen Vernal – bass (1998 – present)
David "Chimp" Robertson – percussion (1997 – present)
Che Beresford – drums (1998 – present)
James Mackintosh – drums (1992 – 1993, 2000, 2013)

Former members

Marc Duff – whistle, recorder, wind synthesizer, bodhrán (1984–1995)
Fred Morrison – Highland small pipes and low whistle (1995–1997)
John Saich – bass, guitar (1988–1998)
Shaun Craig – guitar, bouzouki (1984–1988)
Anton Kirkpatrick – guitar (1988–1989)
Martin MacLeod – bass, fiddle (1984–1988)
Joan Maclachlan – fiddle, vocals (1984–1986)