Capercaillie
The line-up of this traditional Scottish group consists of Karen Matheson (b. 11 February 1963, Oban, Argyll, Scotland; vocals), Marc Duff (b. 8 September 1963, Ontario, Canada; bodhran/whistles), Manus Lunny (b. 8 February 1962, Dublin, Eire; bouzouki/vocals), Charlie McKerron (b. 14 June 1960, London, England; fiddle), John Saich (b. 22 May 1960, Irvine, Scotland; bass/vocals/guitar), and Donald Shaw (b. 6 May 1967, Ketton, Leicestershire, England; keyboards/accordion/vocals). Formed in 1984 at Oban High School in Scotland, initially to play for local dances, the band have now built a strong reputation for their treatment of traditional and Gaelic music from the West Highlands of Scotland. Strong musicianship, featuring Manus Lunny, who is equally well known for his work with Andy M. Stewart, and the haunting vocals of Karen Matheson, have established the group wherever they have performed. Having toured the Middle-East, South America, and the USA between 1984 and 1990, the band's appeal would seem to be widening, moving beyond the restrictions of the folk music market. In 1988, the group were commissioned to compose and record the music for THE BLOOD IS STRONG, the television series about the history of the Gaelic Scots. The resultant success of both series and music led to the soundtrack being released, and within six months it had been awarded a platinum disc for sales in Scotland. In 1990, Capercaillie signed to Survival Records and, as evidence of their widening appeal, the single from DELIRIUM, ‘Coisich a Ruin’ (Walk My Beloved), a traditional Gaelic work song, achieved daytime airplay on BBC's Radio 1. Touring and promoting DELIRIUM, Capercaillie were on the bill at Loch Lomond, Scotland, in the summer of 1991, the venue for a 40,000 strong concert by Runrig.