Shelagh Mcdonald - Stargazer Shelagh Mcdonald

Originally released in 1971, produced by the legendary Sandy Roberton and featuring the likes of Richard & Danny Thompson, Keith Christmas and members of Mighty Baby & Fotheringay, the album has been talked about in glowing terms by an ever increasing fanbase over the years and is highly sought after. Its a beautiful mixture of folk, psychedelic flourishes and adventurous production combining majestically with Shelaghs exquisite songwriting and purity of voice. It will immediately appeal to fans of Pentangle, Incredible String Band and Joni Mitchell, as well as the solo records from members of some of the biggest U.S. bands of the 1970s; David Crosbys If Only I Could remember My Name and Gene Clarks No Other, and is presented here for the first time ever on vinyl re-issue. Born in Edinburgh in 1948 before moving to Glasgow and attending the Glasgow School of Art, Shelagh McDonalds reputation grew rapidly on the London and Bristol folk circuit, gaining a cult following. In her early twenties she cut her first album titled simply Shelagh McDonald, the following year entering the studio with producer Sandy Roberton (Ian Matthews, John Martyn, Chocolate Watch Band, Steeleye Span) to cut Stargazer. Unfortunately for Shelagh, following a bad LSD experience, she withdrew from not only the music industry but public life shortly before commencing work on her third album. However, it is Stargazer that continues to grow its reputation, with original copies changing hands for hundreds of pounds. Imbued with the finest instrumentation and vocal delicacy in late 60s folk, the record is heightened by a progressive production approach; the slow organ grooviness in the traditional Dowie Dens of Yarrow, uplifting gospel overtones of Odyssey and the perfect match of melancholic piano and haunting strings by Robert Kirby on the title track. These sublime arrangements all serve Shelaghs songwriting and soulful voice that invoke the finest folk traditions but at the same time look forward. The album is the inaugural release on new label Different Strokes For Different Folks with more genre bending, rare and cult records scheduled for 2025. First ever vinyl re-issue Original copies sell for large amounts of money on the secondary market Targeted promo with coverage expected from Shindig!, BBC 6 Music & key folk/psych media outlets Tracks: Rods Song / Lizs Song / Lonely King / Citys Cry / Dowie Dens Of Yarrow / Baby Go Slow / Canadian Man / Good Times / Odyssey / Stargazer