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The Boys of the Lough is a Scottish-Irish band playing Celtic since the 1970s.
The early yearsTheir first album, called Boys of the Lough (1972) consisted of Aly Bain (born 15.5.1946, in Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland) (fiddle), Cathal McConnell (born 8.6.1944, in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland) (flute), Dick Gaughan (born Richard Peter Gaughan, 17.5.1948, in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland) vocals and guitar) and Robin Morton (born 24.12.1939, in Portadown, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland) (flute).
Since the 1960s the Forest Hill Bar in Edinburgh had been a centre for folk singers and instrumentalists. In a pub now called "Sandy Bell's", fiddler Aly Bain played along with guitarist Mike Whelans and singer Dick Gaughan in sessions. Aly Bain was from the Shetland Islands, and steeped in the Shetland style of playing. Meanwhile in Ireland, Cathal McConnell was an All-Ireland champion in both flute and whistle. He was from a family of flute players in County Fermanagh in Ireland. Cathal's musical collaborators were Tommy Gunn and Robin Morton. The two halves met at Falkirk folk festival in Scotland, and formed Boys of the Lough.
Gaughan left to pursue a solo career and Dave Richardson (born David Richardson, 20.8.1948, in Corbridge, Northumberland) (mandolin) joined.
This line-up (wittout Gaughan) was constant for the next six albums. Dave Richardson was also a writer of new material. They played ensemble instrumentals and the occasional song, equally divided between traditional sources from Ireland and Scotland.
Regrouped - The EightiesThe Boys of the Lough 1978/79 tour was billed as their final tour
. However they returned a year later with Regrouped (1980). Robin Morton had left to found a Scottish folk music label called Temple Records (featuring such groups as the Battlefield Band). The "Regrouped" line-up had three new members, including John Coakley (fiddle) who remained with the group for the next 12 years. Their 1980s sound also included Christy O'Leary from County Kerry (uilleann pipes), who had previously toured with De Dannan. During a car accident in Northumberland in 1983, Tich Richardson (guitar, bass) died. In 1992 Boys of the Lough played at Carnegie Hall.
The NinetiesIn 1993, the band took out The Day Dawn (1994). John Coakley left the band.
Several years later, the band took out Lonesome Blues and Dancing Shoes (2002). The group invited guests to appear for a single album. Chris Newman (guitar) and Kathryn Tickell (northumbrian pipes) sat in with the group on tours and albums. After 32 years, Aly Bain left to play with other musicians, most notably Phil Cunningham (accordion), and was replaced in 2002 by fellow Shetland fiddler Kevin Henderson of Fiddlers' Bid.
In 2006, Boys of the Lough participated in TG4's "Geantraí". An album of the same name was issued in 2007, with contributions from Boys of the Lough, Gerry O'Connor, Joe Burke, Noel Hill, Mairtín O'Connor and others.
Discography- The Boys of the Lough (1973)
- Second Album (1973)
- ''Live at Passim's (1974)
- Lochaber No More (1976)
- ''The Piper's Broken Finger (1976)
- Good Friends ... Good Music (1977)
- Wish You Were Here (1978)
- Regrouped (1980)
- In the Tradition (1981)
- Open Road (1983)
- To Welcome Paddy Home (1985)
- Far From Home - Live (1986)
- Farewell and Remember Me (1987)
- Sweet Rural Shade (1988)
- Live at Carnegie Hall (1992)
- The Fair Hills of Ireland (1992)
- The Day Dawn (1994)
- The West of Ireland (1999)
- Lonesome Blues and Dancing Shoes (2002)
- Twenty (2005)
- Rising Fawn Gathering with Norman Blake (2009)
Copyright Citations
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