Roy Gullane

“I love the birdlike opening plicatta—reminiscent of Sting's Englishman in New York— of this traditional Ayrshire (Burns Country) song, The Corncrake, about a good roll in the clover. In Roy's liner notes: There is a phrase in the lyrics which speaks volumes about a Scotsman's idea of a sound relationship. "disputes we seldom had". Now here's the pun: the secretive quail-like corncrake, or landrail, has a metallic call like its Latin moniker, Crex crex. Not exactly blissful. Alas, harvester combines have destroyed its habitat. Glasgow born Roy Gullane is better known as the lead singer/songwriter of the Scottish folk group, The Tannahill Weavers (wi' 17 albums to their credit) and this was his first solo album. Most of the songs are his own works done in the Scottish folk style, but Friendless Mary and Corncrake are traditional songs he's always wanted to record but never quite got around to it. Not Only But Also is a tranquil album in a rare and endangered genre. Well worth a listen. This is Roy's fine balladeering at its best. In case ye canna ken the wee words: The Echo Mocks The Corncrake The lass that I loo'ed best of a' Was handsome young and fair Wi' her I spent sae many's the nicht Doon by the banks o' Ayr Wi' her I spent sae many's the nicht Whaur scented clover grows And the echo marks the corncrake Amang yon whinny knowes We loo'ed each other dearly And disputes we seldom had As constant as the pendulum Her heart beat ever glad We sought for joy and found it Whaur yon wee burnie rows And the echo marks the corncrake Amang yon whinny knowes Ye ladies fair and pleasure dames Come fae the banks o' Doon Ye dearly pay yer every scent To the barbers for perfume But rural joys are free for a' Whaur scented clover grows And the echo mocks the corncrake Amang yon whinny knowes The corncrake is noo awa' The burn is tae the brim The whinny knowes are cled wi' snaw Tae tap the highest whin But when cauld winter is awa' And summer clears the sky We'll welcome back the corncrake That bird o' rural joy For a Scots Glossary go to: http://members.aol.com/tannahills2/glossary.htm”