Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom EP

by Sam Shackleton

supported by

libbird Genuinely can’t stop listening. The roots of this music are so present — I can’t recommend it enough. Favorite track: Tramps and Hawkers.

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£8 GBP or more
Limited Edition CD
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Be the first to own a limited edition CD of Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom and help support independent Scottish folk music! Fast shipping & delivery guaranteed worldwide / tracked shipping to USA. All orders shipped express delivery.

Includes unlimited streaming of Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom EP via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out

1.	Johnny Laddie 02:39	buy track
2.	Tramps and Hawkers 04:00	buy track
3.	Freedom Come All Ye 02:08	buy track
4.	Ye Scottish by Name 02:41	buy track
5.	MacPherson's Rant 03:10	buy track
6.	Highland Widow's Lament 03:56	buy track

about

Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom EP is a collection of traditional folk ballads from Scotland by Edinburgh based independent singer-songwriter, Sam Shackleton. It is his second self recorded independent release this year, following his highly acclaimed debut album, Causeway Recordings.

After videos of Shackleton busking traditional ballads such as "Tramps and Hawkers" and "MacPherson's Rant" went viral on Tik Tok, Sam decided to bring forward the release of this EP which he has been working on since before his debut album. Featuring songs by Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, and inspired by the likes of Ewan MacColl, Hamish Imlach, Matt McGinn, and Hamish Henderson, Shackleton is delving deep within his own traditional Scottish roots, showcasing and reinventing these historic and ancient folk ballads with his unique clawhammer banjo style and distinctive Scottish brogue.

"Steeped in Scottish history and folklore, Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom is further evidence of Sam Shackleton’s singular approach and, judging by his growing TikTok account, eminence far beyond folk circles..." - FOLK RADIO UK

----

Sam Shackleton, also known by his Gaelic moniker, Sorley the Bard, is a young up and coming Scottish singer-songwriter and folk artist. His music is greatly inspired by the rich inter-connected musical oral traditions of Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. Strongly influenced by the 1960’s folk revival, he sings and plays clawhammer banjo, guitar and harmonica. His unique sound is a mix of country, old time, traditional, folk, and blues with a Scottish spirit.

He was born in Stirling and raised all over Scotland, from the Borders to the Highlands and his music is deeply inspired by the oral tradition, musical culture, and landscapes of Scotland. He views all of his music as part of the carrying stream of folk tradition. Sam also holds a research masters degree with distinction in Scottish Ethnology from the renowned academic folk music institution, the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in folklore and ethnomusicology.

He spends his days writing, performing, and busking across the world, sharing his unique and authentic musical style through his own writing and interpretation of the folk traditions, songs, and ballads that came before him.

credits

released December 10, 2022

All songs are Shackleton's own unique arrangements of traditional Scottish folk ballads and are all sung in the Scots language. "Freedom Come All Ye" was written by founder of the School of Scottish Studies, Hamish Henderson. "Johnny Laddie" has been entirely re-written by Shackleton, along with "Ye Scottish By Name", heavily inspired by the folk ballad known as "Ye Jacobites by Name" popularised by Robert Burns who also wrote the "Highland Widow's Lament". Both "MacPherson's Rant" and "Tramps and Hawkers" have existed in the Scottish folk tradition for so long that no original authors can be cited.

Recorded by Sam Shackleton, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mastered by Harley Cummins, Dublin, Ireland.

Front Cover Portrait by Dilaver Singh, Ontario, Canada.

All Rights Reserved - Sam Shackleton - 2022.

license

about

Sam Shackleton Edinburgh, UK

Scottish folk artist based in Edinburgh. Original trans-Atlantic folk songs on the banjo, harmonica and guitar.

WEBSITE-
www.samshackleton.com/links

INSTAGRAM- www.instagram.com/sorleythebard ... more

Recommendations

contact / help

Contact Sam Shackleton

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Sam Shackleton recommends:

Sonny Terry's Washboard Band
by Sonny Terry

The Harmonica King, without this man I'd certainly not be playing that whoopin' harmonica. Sam Shackleton
go to album
Copperhill
by Clifton Hicks

The Outlaw Old-time King. My biggest banjo influence, genuine authentic, honest and incredibly talented, traditional old time banjo at it's best. Sam Shackleton
go to album
Songs Of Robert Burns
by Ewan MacColl

This album was one of my earliest influences, the great Ewan MacColl. Sam Shackleton
go to album

If you like Sam Shackleton, you may also like:

The Mary Wallopers
by The Mary Wallopers

supported by 8 fans who also own “Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom EP”

This is album is so good! I'm sorry I ever called yous meme-Lankum michaelspence1066
go to album
Long Time To Be Gone
by Nora Brown

supported by 7 fans who also own “Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom EP”

I have listened to bluegrass and old-timey style banjo music for many years. Nora Brown has the most poetic interpretation of these styles that I have heard so far. She is the John Fahey of banjo (but also with striking vocals). brit_b
go to album
Spider Tales
by Jake Blount

This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
go to album