| About Woodston Music | Andy Shanks Andy is a singer songwriter who writes contemporary Scottish folk songs. Started singing with folk group 'Rattlebone' in the 80's with Jazz guitarist George Burt, multi instrumentalist Jim Russell and singer Craig Mair. After a number of years doing the rounds including the Lorient Celtic festival the band reduced to a three piece and when Andy moved north to just Jim and himself. Started playing self penned material and won the Jack Stewart song writing competition and the Edinburgh song writing competition in quick succession. A number of other awards followed and growing recognition as both a dynamic live act and as powerful songwriters. Recorded an album with many musical friends Davey Scott ( The Pearlfishers), Bill Wells ( Scotland’s number one jazz composer) and all round good guy , John Burgess, Brian Mcalpine, Wilf Smith( Capercallie)Wendy Weatherby and Lindsey Cooper (Tubular Bells double bass player) and many others and landed a recording deal with Culburnie Records. Massive critical acclaim for the album and continuing live shows paused for a while when Jim moved south to England. Andy now performs with fiddler Peter Cameron and following on from successful expeditions to Ireland and California continues to write and perform a growing bank of unique songs. Alongside performing he is currently involved in song writing projects for the 'Newmakar's Trust' contributing to the 'In an Aroon Ainster' CD, 'Songs in the Lea of Time' and ' From Scotland to California' The songs themselves have been recorded most notably by June Tabor who has recorded both ' The fiddler' and 'The Dancing' on her new Album' Apples'. Other artist to record the songs are, The Sangsters and Crooked Jack. Andy is currently working with the Bluestonesmusic project in Peterhead as as songwriting tutor. |
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