R.I.P Sandy Roberton

The legendary producer Sandy Roberton has passed away. He produced both of Shelagh’s albums and she remembers him in the following tribute:

Today it was with great shock and sadness to hear of Sandy Roberton’s passing. He was THE seminal supporter of my music and my gratitude to him holds no bounds. A truly brilliant producer and innovator, he was, to us folk performer’s, what George Martin was to the Beatles. Fame, I suspect was never on Sandy’s personal agenda. His was not a spirit that sought the lime light. He chose instead to aim those prismatic beams on the artist’s he took under his wing, and to this end acted as producer, Manager, Agent
Publicist and crucially he undertook the difficult task of placing our recordings within the cynical realms of the recording companies, at a time when variety in the musical genres rarely strayed beyond the main stream. The sheer hard work and courage in this undertaking is nothing short of awe inspiring. I can still see him, a dashing figure (in both senses) briefcase in hand, Marcus his dog at his side, shooting off in his white car with that air of cautious optimism. He leaves a rich legacy of irreplaceable recordings, the potent aural aspic in which the hope and idealism of an entire generation has been preserved. It was a privilege to know him.

Shelagh to appear at this years Solas Festival in Perth

Shelagh will appear at this years Solas Festival in Perth on 21/06/14 The festival takes place in The Bield at Blackruthven, Perthshire from 20 – 22 June 2014 and aims to create a generous, hospitable space in Scotland where the arts can be performed and enjoyed by all. The programme also makes space for challenging debate with activists, writers and thinkers from across the political, cultural and religious spectrum. Shelagh will perform, and take part in one of the festival’s debates.

Listen to Shelagh’s new collaboration with the Razorbills

Tune in to Folk’n’Stuff on Alive 107.3 tonight as, Alan McClure and Harry Thomson will give the first airing of a collaboration between their band The Razorbills and Shelagh on a track called ‘Femme Fatale’.

Listen to Shelagh on Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone

Shelagh has done an interview with Stuart Maconie for his Freak Zone programme on BCC 6 music. He also plays a new recording called ‘The Snows They Melt The Soonest’ from Shelagh’s forthcoming album ‘Parnassus Revisted’. Have a listen here.

Expanded version of Charles Donovan’s interview with Shelagh

The journalist Charles Donovan has posted an expanded version of his Huffington Post interview with Shelagh on his website. It can be read here.

Shelagh Interviewed by Charles Donovan for The Huffington Post

Back in 2005 journalist Charles Donovan wrote a fascinating piece on Shelagh for the Independent newspaper. It was that article that inadvertently ended up bringing Shelagh back to us. The piece raised interest in Shelagh at a time when her music was being re-issued, and the story was picked up by the Scottish press. Now nine years after writing that article, Charles Donovan got to interview Shelagh about her return, and the new music she has been working on. The interview can be read on the Huffington Post.

Shelagh will feature on the new Razorbills album

After collaborating with the Razorbills on stage back in March, Shelagh has now recorded a song with the band called ‘Femme Fatale’ which will feature on their forthcoming album. We will have more info about the collaboration, and a chance to hear the track soon.

Photo: Shelagh at the Masonic Arms, Castle Douglas after the Razorbills session by Harry Thomson

Shelagh on BBC Radio Scotland

Shelagh has given an extended interview to BBC Radio Scotland on the Shereen Nanjiani programme. Fans can listen to Shelagh’s interview again on the BBC website here.

Shelagh interviewed in the Guardian

Shelagh was interviewed in the ‘Experience’ section of the Guardian newspaper on 12/10/13. Anyone that missed the article can read it on the Guardian website here.
Photo: Murdo MacLeod

Shelagh busy preparing a new album

Shelagh has been busy demoing new material at the Sound Cafe, just outside Penicuik. The album will be Shelagh’s first release since 1971!
Photos: Heather McLennan