FESTIVAL BANDS_02 SANGSTERS
SANGSTERS
Sangsters, from Fife in Scotland, are an internationally recognised harmony group of prize-winning Scottish singers. The band members are Scott and Anne Murray MBE, Fiona Forbes and John Blackwood.
The band features quality singing and close harmonies with sympathetic guitar accompaniment and interpretation of Scots song. Traditional and Burns songs sit alongside contemporary material, all wrapped in warm couthy humour.
The band was offered a recording contract with Greentrax, the premier Scottish recording label, after only their third gig in 1991.
Regular club and festival performances followed, as did live and recorded radio sessions and appearances.
The quality of Sangsters’ live performance and their connection with their audiences has made them popular performers the length and breadth of Scotland. Sangsters have also performed in England, Germany and Nova Scotia, as guests at the internationally renowned Celtic Colours Festival.
Concert appearances in venues as diverse as castles in private ownership, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, regional and local theatres, small pubs and clubs and Burns Suppers both formal and informal shows the band’s versatility.
Regular appearances at major regional Scottish festivals have been a feature of the band’s success.
Celtic Connections appearances representing Fife in the Songs of Scotland in 2006 and as guests in McCalman and friends in 2007 showcased the delicate harmonies and at times irreverent humour for which the band have become renowned.
The trip to Canada’s major Celtic festival cemented the band’s reputation and led to more Scottish appearances at festivals and clubs.
Discography
The band are “Greentrax” artists and their CDs ”Begin” and “Sharp and Sweet” have both met with critical acclaim. Various tracks have been used for compilation albums on the Greentrax label.
Fiona has also recorded with Ian McCalman on the Greentrax “Music and Song of Edinburgh” and on the newly released Greentrax “Far Far from Ypres” World War 1 CD
The band appear on “Bah Humbug” Greentrax anti Christmas CD
Fiona and Scott were also recorded on the collection of Burns Merry Muses of Caledonia. A copy of this work, complete with “Parental guidance” sticker, was on display in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh during the bard’s bicentennial celebrations.
All of the band members have provided backing vocals and harmonies for many friends in the music scene.
Quotes:
“…Stunningly good…a big warm sound that sucks you into the song…”
THE SCOTSMAN
“Some of the best harmonies I have heard”
LIVING TRADITION
“This is my favourite..…they are all superb singers…”
SHEENA WELLINGTON
“Sangsters stole the show”
GLASGOW HERALD
“the final song of their set, an emotion-filled performance that raised the hair on my head and lead to a well-deserved standing ovation.”
CAPE BRETON POST
Photograph and gig information:
Sandy Forbes at me.an.ma.big.mooth@btopenworld.com
SANGSTERS |
