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Isla St Clair

02 Mar 99 - 04:41 PM (#61067)
Subject: Isla St Clair
From: Dr John

Isla StClair is a beautiful Scottish lady with a beautiful voice. I have some recordings of her from Jim Lloyd's "Folk on Two" with voice and guitar which are superb. So I bought a CD - horrible! Drowned out by too loud and unnecessary keyboards. Why? Has she made any recordings which show how good she really is : with just voice or voice and guitar?

02 Mar 99 - 08:07 PM (#61090)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Bill D

I have "Isla St. Clair sings traditional Scottish Songs"
an LP on Tangent Records ..TGS-112 ..recorded Nov.1971

Intro by Hamish Henderson

(on this record she sings, among others, MacCrimmon's Lament, Annie of Lochroyan, Will Ye GO to Sherrifmuir)..wonderful record

02 Mar 99 - 11:00 PM (#61110)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Pete M

Yes i've got that LP too Bill, great isn't it? The accompaniment is by Tom Ward on concertina, so although its not just a guitar as you requested Dr John, I think you would like it. I've also got a recording of her singing "51st Highland Div's farewell to Scicily", but from memory, that was recoreded from a live performance. One day I'll get my tapes sorted out!

Pete M

02 Mar 99 - 11:12 PM (#61112)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Bill D

gee, Pete...I used to say that about MY tapes..but now my wife just snickers..( they have these cryptic notes on them..."dry day" & "work songs".etc...if I am ever laid up in bed for 6 months, I know what to do!

03 Mar 99 - 11:45 AM (#61158)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Pete_Fletcher

I had the pleasure of hearing Isla at last year's "Natioal" festival in England. She sang Scotish ballads, unacompanied, unamplified, in a small room to no more than 30 people. Absolutely stunning !

03 Mar 99 - 10:00 PM (#61206)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: alison

Hi,

I first saw Isla St Clair when she appeared in a series of "The Generation Game" on the BBC. Then she went on to do a great kids program called "The song and the story" where they chose a subject and sang folk songs on that particular subject, (like mining, weaving etc.).. it was excellent but didn't last for more than a few weeks probably due to lack of interest from children.......(most of my friends used to tell me the music was crap....... I didn't agree).

There might be some soundtracks to the program but we're talking maybe 20 years ago.

Slainte

alison

04 Mar 99 - 08:24 PM (#61330)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin

Yes, the same Isla St Clair from The Generation Game, but fortunately also a talented singer.

On a cute biographical note, when in her teens, she went on a summer holiday to Shetland. As she says, her first boyfriend on that epic summer for herself turned out to be Aly Bain.

I like a nice romantic tale. Thank you, Isla.

Bobby Bob.

11 Mar 99 - 10:23 AM (#62420)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Philippa

Isla made an LP "The Song and the Story" featuring songs from the programme Alison mentions. I've also heard a more recent recording Isla made of her mother's songs, but I don't recall the album title.
I just did a quick Alta Vista search and found that album at Greentrax. Also, Isla is listed for Broadstairs folk fest in Kent this August
The following recordings are available from Greentrax
"Tatties & Herrin'" - The Sea CDTRAX146 (1997)
"Tatties & Herrin'" - The Land CDTRAX145 (1997)(two albums from the eponymous radio seriesof 1995)
19 tracks: Tatties & herrin/The plooman laddies/Wi' my rovin'eye/Arlin's fine braes/Up the Noran Water/Bogie's bonnie belle/The Kirk o' Birnieboozle/Drumdelgie/Chairlie O Chairlie/Band o'shearers/Johnny Sangster/Guise o' Tough/Barnyards o' Delgaty/Nicky tams/Dying ploughboy/Twa recruiting sergeants/Emigrants' farewell to Donside/Hilly's man/ Tatties & herrin'.
"Scenes of Scotland" CDTRAX119 (1996)
14 tracks including: Lest we forget/Queen Edinbro'/Couthy Cullen/Ballachulish/Lament for the commandos/Dunkirk/ Lullin' the Littlin'/A toast for Stornaway/The lifeboat/ Spinning wheel/Glencoe/The bonnie boats o' Buckie/Poet & lover.
TV girl Isla St Clair sings the songs of her mother Zetta, and takes some musical journeys around Scotland. Produced by Phil Cunningham, who also plays various instruments.

11 Mar 99 - 10:31 AM (#62422)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Philippa

I found the Greentrax albums and four other Isla St Clair recordings listed at Folk On Line Directory of Events and Recording Order Listings ("Fol-de-rol")
St Clare, Isla. 1979. Isla.. Decca, LP SKL 5317.

St Clare, Isla. 1981. sings Traditional Scottish Songs.. Tangent, LP LP TGS 112.

St Clare, Isla. 1981. The Song And The Story.. Clare, LP ISLA 1.

St Clare, Isla. 1993. Inheritance. Moidart, MOICD 008.

11 Mar 99 - 03:52 PM (#62468)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Dr John

Thanks for the listings; I'll look them up. The problem is where can I find Isla alone or with guitar (or concertina as posted above). Perhaps recording with over loud keyboards and the rest should carry a health warning.

20 Mar 99 - 09:53 AM (#64499)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: AlistairUK

Alison: 'The Song and The Story' actually won a heap of international TV awards and when it was on i remember all my mates saying how much they liked it...and this in urban Luton! The episode I always remember was the SoVay Sovay one where she dressed up as the Female Highwayman and also the Black Leg Miner where she was the miner...pretty grim stuff for a wednesday afternoon between John Craven's Newsround and Ivor the Engine.

02 Oct 00 - 04:43 PM (#310416)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Doctor John

I am glad to say two CD's have recently been released which are really superb and well worth a listen. Just Isla's beautiful voice alone or with simple guitar and/or fiddle singing ballads- Matty Groves, Lamakin etc. Short CD's but inexpensive. Called The Traditional Collection these CD's promise to be the first two in a series. Thanks Isla: prayer answered! Available from . Dr John

02 Oct 00 - 04:46 PM (#310418)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Doctor John

...www.highlandclassics.com no, not from me! I still can't do those blue clicky things! Dr John

02 Oct 00 - 05:06 PM (#310431)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Jon Freeman

Dr John, try "<a href="http://www.highlandclassics.com">Isla St Clair</a>.

I've not heard Isla St Clair since the time of the Generation Game but I seem to remember that she has an absolutely beuatiful voice.

Jon

03 Oct 00 - 05:30 AM (#310801)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,Michael in Swansea

Say her name with reverence. Say it loud and there's music playing, say it soft and it's almost like praying.
I am potty about Isla, I thought I had everything she'd recorded but there's a tape called "From a Distance" of which only 500 copies were made. If anyone out there has a copy - name your price!
I had her to myself for 40 minutes last October in Swansea and we were in the same hotel in Scarborough at the start of September for the Maritime festival AND SANG WITH HER ON STAGE *sigh*
Isla's my favourite.

Mike

03 Oct 00 - 06:02 AM (#310806)
Subject: Isla St Clair THIS SATURDAY
From: GUEST,David Moore

Isla St Clair is performing this Saturday (7th Oct) at the Anston Free Folk Festival. The festival starts 12 noon, and runs to nearly midnight. Isla has, I think, 3 half-hour slots spread through the day.

North and South Anston are villages between Sheffield and Worksop.

03 Oct 00 - 07:24 AM (#310825)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: JulieF

< A HREP="hhttp://www.stirrings.co.uk/folkzone/little_pot/Anston/harmony.html/">Aston Details

See you there

Julie

03 Oct 00 - 07:27 AM (#310828)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: JulieF

Try again

< A HREF="http://www.stirrings.co.uk/folkzone/little_pot/Anston/harmony.html/">Aston Details

Julie

03 Oct 00 - 07:29 AM (#310829)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: JulieF

And Again

< A HREF="http://www.stirrings.co.uk/folkzone/little_pot/Anston/harmony.html/">Aston Details

Forgot the end bit

Julie

03 Oct 00 - 07:31 AM (#310830)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: JulieF

Sorry - one last go and then I 'ld give up

< A HREP="http://www.stirrings.co.uk/folkzone/little_pot/Anston/harmony.html/">Aston Details

julie

03 Oct 00 - 08:22 AM (#310852)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Malcolm Douglas

JulieF:  Your third try was nearly there, but you put a space between the first pointy bracket and the a; leave out the space and you get:

Anston Details

Malcolm

03 Oct 00 - 08:30 AM (#310856)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Malcolm Douglas

Mind you, you also had the wrong URL!  This one works (I imagine that the capitalisation is important):

<a href=http://www.stirrings.co.uk/folkzone/Little_Pot/Anston/harmony.html>

Malcolm

03 Oct 00 - 09:56 AM (#310906)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: JulieF

Thanks Malcolm

I'm going to have to practice - maybe do my own page if I have the time.

Julie

03 Oct 00 - 11:40 AM (#310974)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Bernard

Isla appeared at our folk club earlier this year - what a fantastic evening!

She did Matty Groves unaccompanied - absolutely electrifying! And I'm one who is fed up with the dozens of versions of the dratted song littering the place!

The Railway Website

I've a few photos of the event - email me if you want them.

email clicky

03 Oct 00 - 11:59 AM (#310999)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Steve Parkes

I saw her at Loughborough (England) Folk Festival in 1972 (she must have been about 4!), and I've still got the programme. I still start to dribble at the mention of her name!

03 Oct 00 - 03:39 PM (#311232)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: wildlone

I found a copy of the book The Song and the Story in a local 2nd hand book shop for £3, it was pub by Pelham books in 1981.
I will now have to go to the music shop and order the Cds

23 May 03 - 12:13 PM (#958250)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Isla St Clair will be coming to the States next fall (03) to perform at a few Highland Games, and may be coming to some schools in the area. I'm glad I found this thread- it sounds as though she would be a treat to see!

23 May 03 - 01:56 PM (#958309)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,Val

She'll be appearing in a small concert in Lancaster (UK) on Saturday 22nd November 2003, as part of a 'Jacobite Day' event. The other guests on the bill will be The McCalmans. Should be a brilliant night!!! (She is brilliant, by the way - so are The McCalmans).

23 May 03 - 06:38 PM (#958441)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Little Robyn

I was also at the 1972 Loughborough festival and she was about 17 or 18.
And yes, she was amazing then too.

24 May 03 - 03:29 AM (#958567)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,Boab

Isla has been, for many years, a first class folk performer. Her warm personality shines through in her singing. Interesting that she is partnering the Macalmans;she was married to one of the group at one time.[He is no longer with them]. The Macs are topline entertainers too. Their vocal harmonies are very good. The fairly recent "co-option" of Stephen Quigg into the line-up after the untimely death of Derek Moffat was a smart move too. Stephen has a voice in a thousand. Enough of the unpaid advertising---you are in for a treat......

24 May 03 - 05:57 AM (#958591)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,Bystander

She is on the bill at the Traditional Singing Weekend at Cullerie Farm Park, Aberdeenshire on 25-27 July, 2003. Details 01224 272996 or from elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk

24 May 03 - 12:28 PM (#958716)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: MairSea

She's also at the Cabaret Caff in Fareham's Ferneham Hall, 10th August 2003. Lovely person and great artiste.

19 Dec 03 - 06:13 AM (#1076004)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,David Styles

I have been an admirer of Isla for yonks and heard her sing a particular song that I can't seem to obtain anywhere. Unfortuately all I can remember is something about 3 ships sailing out of Yarmouth harbour and I don't know the title. I played in a folk group in the 70's and we were on the same billing as the McCalmans once. I was staioned in the Shetland Isles in 1961 and heard a lot of favourites there. Can anyone help with this track.

19 Dec 03 - 07:03 PM (#1076495)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Compton

Sadly, apart from the TV show (Song and Story), I've never heard her live...probably because of the awfulness of The Generation Game with the bloody Larry Grayson. Must catch "Her Act" somewhere soon as so many mudcatters enjoy!

11 Aug 04 - 11:48 AM (#1244835)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST

11 Aug 04 - 07:32 PM (#1245303)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: Big Al Whittle

I quite like the synths in her work.

I think they paint a dramatic landscape far more effectively than many acoustic instruments. Its one of the things I really like about her work. There are several of the songs from the song and story that I had convinced myself I hated - I had endured all the phoney ethnic/in the tradition versions by floor singers for years.

To ber honest I only really bought the album because she had fantastic musicians Rick Kemp, John Kirkpatrick etc along and it was in a bargain bin. the songs were a revelation to me.

Her recorded work deserves to better known. She takes a song and tries to let it tell the story by giving it an accessible and atmospheric backing. So much better than taking an attiude about what traditional song is about and making the song conform to set of obscure and barely understandable rules.

12 Aug 04 - 10:32 AM (#1245786)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,Lindsay

Isla St. Clair used to live in my village - it was lovely to walk past her house sometimes and hear her singing in her garden to her baby. Towards the end of the 80s there was a musical event for primary school children staged at Fringford School. I was asked to play my accordion for the children to learn some country-dancing, and Isla entertained with some of her songs (I'll never forget her "Herring's Head" song!) Chris Leslie was also there and said I played "very well" - high praise indeed!!!!!

16 Feb 05 - 11:05 AM (#1411785)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST,TOM

I have a copy of the rare isla st clair 1972 lp   SINGS TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SONGS. it is signed by her on both the front and back covers.disc and sleeve are excellent.im willing to sell this wonderful item.anyone interested please email me at LITP@CWCTV.net

12 Aug 15 - 02:57 PM (#3729874)
Subject: RE: Isla St Clair
From: GUEST

anyone has the lyrics for McCrimmon lamnet as it sung by Isle St Clair???