Country & Northern?
Country & Northern was a foolish idea, executed haphazardly, and with little regard for the feelings or opinions of others.
As any islander will tell you, the traditional sound of Shetland is not the fiddle it is country and western. And due to a mutual love of this music, Malachy, together with friends Eve Eunson and Jordan Ogg, decided to write an album of country songs about their native isles.
Unfortunately, the plan failed.
Most of the 21 songs written for the album were not really country songs, and most of them weren't really about Shetland either. But never mind, they were recorded anyway, very roughly and very quickly. And now they are going to be given away. For free.
All of the songs from the album are available to listen for free online, and a special limited edition CD is also now available.
As any islander will tell you, the traditional sound of Shetland is not the fiddle it is country and western. And due to a mutual love of this music, Malachy, together with friends Eve Eunson and Jordan Ogg, decided to write an album of country songs about their native isles.
Unfortunately, the plan failed.
Most of the 21 songs written for the album were not really country songs, and most of them weren't really about Shetland either. But never mind, they were recorded anyway, very roughly and very quickly. And now they are going to be given away. For free.
All of the songs from the album are available to listen for free online, and a special limited edition CD is also now available.
COUNTRY & NORTHERN: Volume one
After numerous inexplicable delays, impatient tantrums and unrelated financial crises across the Eurozone, Country & Northern volume one has finally come into being. This very limited edition CD will be available to order from Monday 21st May 2012, and will be officially launched on Monday 28th May.
The album features 21 songs, and is being released in a print run of just 120, of which only 105 will be available for sale.
The album features 21 songs, and is being released in a print run of just 120, of which only 105 will be available for sale.
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Each copy of Country & Northern is unique. Every one is hand stamped on the front, and signed and individually numbered on the back.
In addition, there are six colours of recycled card cover available. Numbers 1 to 20 are dark red (maroon, or burgundy, if you prefer). 21 to 40 are yellow; 41 to 60 are dark green; 61 to 80 are blue; 81 to 100 are red; and 101 to 120 are off-white (oyster, perhaps?) Inside you'll find a charming piece of recycled brown paper with some insightful comments on every song on the album, as well as details of all musicians and singers. One copy of Country & Northern is just £12, including postage and packing. For overseas orders please contact mail@malachytallack.com. When ordering your copy, please include your preferred colour, if you have one. If that colour is no longer available, your CD will be chosen at random.
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All of the songs from Country & Northern volume one are available to listen for free below. Please enjoy.
John's Roller Disco Blues
This is a true story. The sad tale of a young man who was tragically dumped on his way to the roller disco, it was written by Eve and Malachy. The young man's full identity has been concealed in order to preserve his dignity, and to make sure he doesn't take out his anger on the writers or performers.
Little Birds
This song was written for Astryd Jamieson on her birthday because Malachy had forgotten to buy her a present.
An Honest Man (Willie Leask)
Country music is filled with tales of honest outlaws and morally ambiguous heroes. This is one of those tales, set in Shetland. It was written by Malachy and Jordan, and includes gratuitous banjo.
Dirt
A song about homesickness and the foulness of cities.
Lerwick Town
As soon as this little riff came dancing from the ukulele, Malachy and Jordan knew they were on to a good thing. A sincere and heartfelt tribute to Shetland's capital, this is quite possibly the first calypso number ever to be written about the town. The song also features not one but two stunning mouth-trumpet solos by Rory Tallack.
Broken Song
One of those post-breakup songs in which the singer wonders why he stayed in the relationship for so long. This one includes a couple of borrowed lines, and is all the better for it.
Santa is Homeless
A great deal has been written about the dangers of global warming, but to date little comment has been made about what will happen to Santa when his frozen home has finally melted. This song imagines a future in which Saint Nick has become a refugee, wandering alone in a snowless world. It is a sad song, and I hope it doesn't come true.
Lucy (Secret Means)
Another post-breakup song. This time the singer's former beau has been spreading rumours all around town, much to the displeasure of the singer. The song features harmony yodelling in the chorus, which is surely to be applauded.
Rob the Student
Malachy has a good friend called Rob, who is a student. Or at least he was until very recently. Now he is a teacher. But mark my words, he will be back at university very soon, and then this song will ring true once again.
We Leave So Many Things Behind
So much is lost to us in time, and yet, mercifully, some things are not. This is a song about memory.
Clubbing Ain't Cool
This is a song that is partly about seal bashing and partly about the closure of the North Star nightclub in Lerwick, and the end of Shetland's club scene. Don't ask me how these subjects got tangled up. Eve Eunson wrote the words, I just strummed along. You've got to admit though, it's the catchiest song about seal bashing you've ever heard, isn't it?
And Mary
A sinister tale of neighbours watching out for each other, but not for the right reasons. Wouldn't happen round here, I'll tell you.
That girl
True love, seen through binoculars.
Jordan Don't Go
This song was written to try and convince Jordan Ogg not to go back to university. It didn't work. But so much time has passed since it was written that he's now returned to the north again, so everything is alright.
Dear Susan
A letter to a long lost lover.
Cabin Life
Sometimes Malachy would like to live all alone in a cabin, on top of a hill, all covered with trees. So he sings this song.
City of Stone
A song of drunken regret, a long way from home.
Swimming Pool Car Park
A love song set in a Lerwick car park, where a swimming pool used to be. A duet with Missy Mowat.
(I Don't Want to Go) Down South
This is pretty much what is says on the tin: an anthem for those who stay put.
Swine Flu Blues
Malachy was struck down with (self-diagnosed) swine flu, back when everyone was going on about it. Luckily he got this song out of the experience, which is more than most people got.
Sweethearted Lover
This ought to be sung by a female person, but none were available at the time. The story is this: a man has gone to sea, a storm has come, and a woman sits waiting.
The Players
Country & Northern features Malachy Tallack on guitar and banjo, Steven Laurenson on guitar, Graham Malcolmson on bass, and Rory Tallack on fiddle and mouth trumpet.
The Singers
Malachy Tallack, Helen Bradley, Missy Mowat and Louise Thomason sang stuff.
