Nick Keir - All Over This Town

(November 2004) Long Road * Envy The Wind * Fires Of Edinburgh * All Over This Town * The Heart * Far Down The Line * Save Your Soul * Vibrate * American Accent * Loves The Rising Sun * Going Down To Laurel * On This Island * The Daybreak Carol * Next Time Round.

A celebration of Edinburgh, and Scotland, from a well-known singer, songwriter, and McCalman.

Most of the songs are Nick's own - he plays guitar, whistle, mandolin, and harmonica too. A bunch of talent joins him in backing, and to great effect too: Aaron Jones (bass guitar), Richard Werner (shaker, djembe), Madelaine Taylor (vocals), Claire Mann (violin), Emily Smith (accordion,vocals) and Oliver Macdonald (guitar).

Nick was born and raised in Edinburgh, as reflected in many of his songs. At Stirling University, in between gigs with his group Finn MacCuill, he managed to graduate in Literature. He had a spell writing material for and performing with the theatre company 7:84, and in 1982 he joined the now legendary McCalmans.

"All Over This Town is the second solo CD from the Edinburgh-based Nick Keir, who is probably better known for his work with The McCalmans than in his own right as a singer-songwriter and instrumentalist. On this CD he ably demonstrates his considerable talents with a collection featuring mainly his own songs. Nick says he has always written songs with a strong sense of place, revealing his feelings for Scotland, and now he has brought in modern songs addressing contemporary issues and emotions, but which have their roots firmly in Scotland. Here he's succeeded in that aim, and will entertain a lot of people into the bargain." (Scots Magazine)

"A fantastic voice which makes you feel comfortable and warm..." (Living Tradition)