Biography
Scottish band Deaf Shepherd assembled its songbook by merging traditional Scottish material with original compositions, many supplied by its own members. Members drawn from the Lowlands, the Highlands, the Hebrides, and Glasgow allow the group to blend regional styles across the country, while Irish percussionist and bodhran player Mark Maguire adds another thread. The remaining musicians are Rory Campbell on whistles and pipes; fiddlers Clare McLaughlin and Marianne Campbell, Rory’s sister; lead singer and guitarist John Morran; and bouzouki player Malcolm Stitt. The band has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, and folk festivals in Skagen, Cambridge, and Shetland.
Upon its 1997 release, the group’s second album, Synergy, was named one of the year’s standout releases by BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk program. An original member, bouzouki player Stitt—the son of a bandleader and accordionist—also co-founded Tannas. He began on bagpipes, earning several trophies before expanding to other instruments, and has appeared on more than thirty recordings by various artists, including Boys of the Lough, another group to which he belongs. Stitt maintains a solo career and has produced a record for Leo McCann. Lead singer Morran frequently lectures on Scottish traditional music, has recorded with Dougie MacLean, and contributed to Linn Records’ project documenting the songs of Robert Burns. Fiddler McLaughlin joined in 1994; outside Deaf Shepherd she works as a soloist and in the duo cMc alongside Marianne Campbell.
The Campbell siblings grew up in a household that nurtured their talents, their father being renowned for his singing and piping. Marianne Campbell also collaborates with other artists and took part in the self-titled album Cantycheils. She entered the band a year after McLaughlin, whereas her brother has been present since Deaf Shepherd’s formation. Rory Campbell has additionally performed with Caledon and with Fred Morrison’s band, the Big Spree. He issued a solo album in 1996; two years later he and Stitt released Field of Bells, followed by Nusa. He composes and is a member of Old Blind Dogs. Irishman Maguire, who taught bodhran in the United States, arrived in 1997. He holds the titles of All-Irish Bodhran Champion and All-Irish Drum Champion, the latter won on eight occasions.
Upon its 1997 release, the group’s second album, Synergy, was named one of the year’s standout releases by BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk program. An original member, bouzouki player Stitt—the son of a bandleader and accordionist—also co-founded Tannas. He began on bagpipes, earning several trophies before expanding to other instruments, and has appeared on more than thirty recordings by various artists, including Boys of the Lough, another group to which he belongs. Stitt maintains a solo career and has produced a record for Leo McCann. Lead singer Morran frequently lectures on Scottish traditional music, has recorded with Dougie MacLean, and contributed to Linn Records’ project documenting the songs of Robert Burns. Fiddler McLaughlin joined in 1994; outside Deaf Shepherd she works as a soloist and in the duo cMc alongside Marianne Campbell.
The Campbell siblings grew up in a household that nurtured their talents, their father being renowned for his singing and piping. Marianne Campbell also collaborates with other artists and took part in the self-titled album Cantycheils. She entered the band a year after McLaughlin, whereas her brother has been present since Deaf Shepherd’s formation. Rory Campbell has additionally performed with Caledon and with Fred Morrison’s band, the Big Spree. He issued a solo album in 1996; two years later he and Stitt released Field of Bells, followed by Nusa. He composes and is a member of Old Blind Dogs. Irishman Maguire, who taught bodhran in the United States, arrived in 1997. He holds the titles of All-Irish Bodhran Champion and All-Irish Drum Champion, the latter won on eight occasions.
Albums
