Biography
Combining a passion for traditional Celtic tunes with fresh and creative musical settings, the British folk ensemble the Poozies has been active for more than ten years. Originating in 1989, the band came together after Mary Macmaster, previously of Sileas and handling metal-strung and electro harps along with percussion and vocals, and Patsy Seddon, also ex-Sileas and playing gut and electro harps, percussion, vocals, plus fiddle, proposed forming an all-female folk act to guitarist/vocalist/percussionist Sally Barker. Accordionist/vocalist Karen Tweed and fiddler Jenny Gardner soon became part of the lineup. Jenny Gardner departed following the initial performances, among them a show at the Shetland Folk Festival, yet the Poozies persisted as a four-piece and issued Chantoozies in 1993 followed by Dansoozies in 1995. In 1996 Sally Barker departed, with emerging singer Kate Rusby stepping in temporarily to contribute to the Come Raise Your Head EP and Infinite Blue album prior to pursuing her individual path. Toward the end of the 1990s, Eilidh Shaw, who performs vocals and fiddle, became a member, leading to the 2000 album Raise Your Head: A Retrospective that marked a decade since the group's inception.
Albums
