Search - Andy Stewart :: The Andy Stewart Collection: 20 Scottish Favourites

If you only buy one Andy Stewart album, make it this one...

Stephen Harris | Scotland, United Kingdom | 12/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released in the UK in the early 1980's as a Record & Cassette on the "Music for Pleasure" label, this compilation of Andy's original recordings for EMI is well overdue for CD transfer. To date there have been (including this one) only three CD's featuring the classic sound of Andy Stewart, as recorded in the 1960's.90% of Andy's recordings during his time with EMI (1960-1973) were produced by Walter J. Ridley and recorded at Abbey Road studios in London. Seemingly amazing given the now world-wide fame and prestige of London's Abbey Road Studios, but even into the 60's it was still known as a "workhorse" studio that saw many, many different orchestral, musical and comedy acts passing through its' doors.Andy had one of the most distinctive & powerful voices in Scottish popular music (being accused of shouting the lyrics by some critics of the time!) and this vocal quality is well presented here in tracks like 'Tunes of Glory', 'Scotland Yet' & 'Going Doon the Watter (Furr the Ferr)'. The latter track of this three along with 'Dr. Finlay' (a popular BBCTV prime-time light-hearted drama of the time) and his famous Elvis impression on his first hit 'Donald Where's Your Troosers?' also amply demonstrate his vocal dexterity in impersonating other popular music stars and musical styles which he was well known for on stage, and on TV on Royal Variety Shows and as host of the BBC Scotland television institution that was 'The White Heather Club'.A rare example of Andy's softer side is displayed here too, with the evocative 'The Road & The Miles to Dundee', whilst sentiment and patriotism is expressed in a typically Scottish manner in 'The Battle's O'er' and 'A Scottish Soldier' - probably his biggest and still most popular hit.During the sixties Andy sold records by the million making him one of Scotland's' best ever exports touring with amazing success all over the world, selling out Carnegie Hall in New York, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show in the US and making many return tours to Australia and Canada. He was awarded the MBE in 1976 and made a "Freeman of Arbroath" in the 1980's.After leaving EMI Andy made albums for PYE & Emerald Gem (Decca) in the 1970's and Lismore in the 1980's each subsequent album revealing more and more his fading voice due to periods of ill-health that started as long ago as the early 70's. However like his namesake he "soldiered on" through times good and bad.Andy officially "retired" in 1985, but habitually unable to rest on his laurels, returned to recording and stage appearances in the early 1990's. He died the day after announcing his embarking on yet another stage run in Scotland in 1992.This compilation serves as a fitting reminder of his "golden years" as Scotland's' most popular singer."

It brings me back to my proud heritage

ELIZABETH R LOCHHEED | RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY United States | 01/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I, strongly, agree with the review that Stephen Harris, from Scotland, wrote. I am a 47 year young woman, who came to America when I was five years old. Listening, to this music, reminds me, of when I was young and my mother and grandmother use to listen to Andy's albums. My grandmother, Gran as we called her, always sang along, and I learned the songs, and sang along with her. I traveled, back, to Scotland a few years ago, and went to a Ceiladh. The songs they were singing were those old favorites that I grew up with. I found myself singing along and remembering the words. One of my favorites, and I say this lightly, as I consider them all favorites, is TUNES OF GLORY. However many times I hear that song, it always gives me goosebumps. It has such powerful lyrics, that it gives me great pride to come from a country that stands so proud as a nation. I'd also like to add that I am a big ELVIS fan, and ANDY does him proud, when he does his rendition of ELVIS, singing "Donald Where's Your Troosers?". There is not one song on the album that I can say I dislike. Buy it, Scottish or not, I am sure you will enjoy the variety of the music. This review is from a proud American who is from Scottish heritage."