The Poozies
| The Poozies | |
|---|---|
 Poster image depicting the current line up of the Poozies | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | folk music |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Hypertension Music, Compass, Greentrax |
| Associated acts | Sileas Macmaster/Hay Harem Scarem Unusual Suspects Mairead & Anna Sting Tom Jones Eddi Reader |
| Website | official website |
| Members |
Sally Barker Mary Macmaster Eilidh Shaw Mairearad Green |
| Past members |
Kate Rusby Patsy Seddon Karen Tweed Jenny Gardener |
The Poozies is an all-women band that performs traditional and self-composed material. Much of the "traditional" material is English and Scottish traditions. Their music relies a lot on vocals and harmonizing, though does have a significant accompaniment at times. The current live set includes arrangements of traditional tunes and songs, original compositions by Sally Barker and covers.[1] The band is currently working on the follow up to their 2009 album, Yellow Like Sunshine. The recording was interrupted by Sally Barker's appearance on BBC TV's 'The Voice 2014' in which she represented Sir Tom Jones' team in the final of that programme.[2]
Biography
The Poozies formed in 1990. Mary Macmaster (harp) and Patsy Seddon (harp) were performing together as the duo Sileas and worked with Sally Barker (guitar and vocals) on her solo album.[3] Together they decided that an all-women folk group was a good idea, and when Barker met Karen Tweed in Hong Kong she agreed to join the project. Fiddler Jenny Gardener was the original fifth member of the group but left before the band recorded their first album (on which she appears as a guest on the track 'Foggy Mountain Top').[3]
After the release of Dansoozies (1993) and Chantoozies (1995), Barker left the group in 1996 in order to start a family. Kate Rusby joined the band as lead vocalist, and this lineup released one EP, Come Raise Your Head (1997), and a full-length album, Infinite Blue (1998). However, as Rusby's solo career took off, she was replaced by Eilidh Shaw, an accomplished fiddler.[4]
In 2000 the band released Raise your head: A Retrospective to celebrate ten years of The Poozies, and in 2003 released Changed Days Same Roots. In 2006 Barker rejoined the group to make it a five-piece again, and they toured with this lineup until December 2007. Tweed left the band in December 2007,[5] and was replaced by Mairearad Green from the band, the Unusual Suspects. Original member Patsy Seddon left in April 2012; the band continue to tour as 4-piece.[6]
Mary Macmaster worked with Sting on his 2009 album "If On A Winter's Night", duetting with him on "Christmas at Sea", on which she sang a traditional Gaelic refrain. [7] Sally Barker sang "Walking in Memphis" as a duet with Sir Tom Jones in the final of the Voice UK 2014. [8]
Current lineup
- Sally Barker (guitar, vocals)
- Mary Macmaster (electro-harp, metal-strung harp, percussion, vocals)
- Eilidh Shaw (fiddle, vocals)
- Mairearad Green (piano accordion, pipes, vocals)
Discography
- Dansoozies (1993) – Hypertension
- Chantoozies (1995) – Hypertension
- Come Raise Your Head (EP) (1997)
- Infinite Blue (1998) – Compass
- Raise your head: A Retrospective (2000) – Compass
- Changed Days Same Roots (2003) – Compass
- Yellow Like Sunshine (2009) – Greentrax
- Into The Well (2015) – Schmooz Records
References
- ↑ "The Poozies, Famous Spiegeltent, Review". Retrieved 2014-09-07.
- ↑ "Why losing The Voice UK could save Sally Barker's career". Retrieved 2014-09-07.
- 1 2 "Folk band – The Poozies". Scottish-folk-music.com. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
- ↑ "The Artist Index – The Poozies". Celticmusicbase.com. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
- ↑ 'Karen Tweed – Essentially Invisible to the Eye', Folk Radio UK, 4 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
- ↑ "The Poozies". Retrieved 2014-09-07.
- ↑ "Christmas at Sea". Retrieved 2014-09-07.
- ↑ "Walking in Memphis". Retrieved 2014-09-07.