Heather Heywood: October 22nd 2004
Heather Heywood is one of the leading female singers in Scotland. Her repertoire consists mainly of traditional Scottish folksongs and ballads, although she has added more contemporary songs in recent years. Don't miss this opportunity to hear her in the flesh.
From The Tradition Bearers Website
From an article at (www.thetraditionbearers.com. Listen to Heather's characteristically modest thoughts:
“I can't help it. My family weren't especially musical, although sometimes me and my sisters would try Everly Brothers' stuff together. We lived in a mining area and I heard many mining songs, parlour ballads rather than traditional, I suppose. I liked them. At school shows (although I sang reluctantly) I did mining disasters when everyone else did Elvis. After a bit, the teachers asked me if I couldn't do a happy song for a change, but I stuck to what I enjoyed most”
So, the accolades flow. Heather seems largely impervious to them, however. “I honestly don't believe I'm that specia”, she says. “Like I said, I'm a bit of a simple soul, I just like songs, that's all it is. I mean, singing to me is just pure joy - so what else would I do?”
Heather sings solo but sometimes with husband Pete accompanying her.
Heather?s distinctive and melodious voice fills the air with songs of powerful emotion. Her basic philosophy is that you sing songs because you like them, and because they give you joy. Her songs also give considerable joy to those listening to them.
Reviews
“Heather Heywood is one of the finest singers of her generation. Ask anybody among her peers to name their favourite singers, and the name Heather Heywood will be mentioned again and again. ......” (Sheena Wellington).
“The Scottish Folk scene's greatest secre” (from an Article in Living Tradition).
Judith Moody, a Whitby Folk Week organiser, talks of a non-trad friend of hers encountering Heather's music for the first time. “She didn't expect to be, but she was captivated and promptly bought the CD!”
Recordings
Heather Heywood is a contributor to the Tradition Bearer Series that features singers who have earn her the respect of their fellow singers.
Lasses Fair and Laddies Braw Scots songs and ballads by Heather Heywood - LTCD1007
“Since the 1988 release of her debut album Some Kind of Love, Heather's voice has reached all parts of the World many people now regard her as one of Scotland's finest female singer” (a review of this CD)
HEAR SAMPLE TRACKS
By Yon Castle Wa' — Greentrax CDTRAX054 — 1993
This recording features a wider range of songs giving a better insight into her ballad singing, together with accompanied traditional songs and some contemporary material.
Some Kind of Love — Greentrax CDTRAX010 — 1987
In 1987, Heather was finally persuaded to make the recording which many people had asked for over the years. She was reluctant to go into the recording studio but once inside, her performance was remarkable and the result was an album that has generated tremendous interest and excellent reviews.