An Introduction To Dick Gaughan

Described by The Scotsman as "One of the most powerful, passionate, accomplished and singular talents to have emerged from post-war Scotland," Dick Gaughan's work has been consistently innovative and challenging both in message and form.

A professional musician and singer since January 1970, Gaughan started out on the Edinburgh folk scene with a deep belief in the socialist commitment of traditional song and made the first of his two solo albums - No More Forever - for Bill Leader's Trailer label in 1971. He joined the Boys of the Lough (with Aly Bain) during 1972 and plays on their self-titled debut album. Bonnie Woodha on this selection features Gaughan singing with the group in 1975. By then he had formed the renowned Scottish electric folk band Five Hand Reel.

Between 1975 and 1978 Gaughan's working life was frenzied. As well as making three albums with Five Hand Reel, he recorded two of the three Topic albums featured here, the all-instrumental Coppers and Brass in 1975 and Gaughan in 1978. One of the songs here from Gaughan, Dominic Behan's Crooked Jack is a fine example of his innovative electric guitar playing.

Gaughan's final album for Topic appeared in 1981 and was the first he recorded in Scotland; it's his most successful album in terms of both acclaim and sales. An album of stunning intensity it bridges contemporary relevance and historical context in its mix of traditional and modern songs and established him as a major force in folk music.