Bob Hay & the Jolly Beggars play the music of the 18th century Scots poet Robert Burns, as well as other old time bluegrass and folk tunes. Some members of the band have been performing together for over 25 years. One of their better known projects w [+]Bob Hay & the Jolly Beggars play the music of the 18th century Scots poet Robert Burns, as well as other old time bluegrass and folk tunes. Some members of the band have been performing together for over 25 years. One of their better known projects was the seminal 1980's Athens dance/pop band The Squalls who were featured in the movie Athens, GA inside/out. The Squalls released a single, an ep and 2 albums.
The March 2004 release by Bob Hay & the Jolly Beggars of "Toils Obscure. Songs by Robert Burns" has been receiving some airplay nationally on primarily folk programming. "Bard of No Regard" from this CD has been chosen to appear on the 2005 AthFest Compilation which will be released on June 23 in conjunction with AthFest.
Robert Burns, the renowned Scottish national poet, was also a writer, editor and collector of 370 songs which range from the political to some of the most romantic ever written. He lived during the Scottish Enlightenment which had a direct impact on the thinking of America's early political leaders and on documents such as the Declaration of Independence. Robert Burns achieved rock star status in Edinburgh with the publication of Poems, Chiefly in the Scots Dialect after overcoming his humble beginnings as the son of a poor farmer. His poetry was wildly popular with every sector of society and he began work on the Scots Musical Museum with his friend James Johnson which continued until his early death at the age of 37.
Despite two centuries passing, the songs of Robert Burns still sparkle with good humor, frank honesty, and decent humanity, with their inspired lyrics so well matched to their charming melodies.
Vocals, banjo, guitar on last 3 tracks: Bob Hay
Mandolin, backing vocals: Bill David
Guitar: Dave Dowless
Double Bass, backing vocals: Ken Starratt
Fiddle, backing vocals: Diana Torell
Percussion: Brian Crum
Recorded at Full Moon Studios, Watkinsville, Georgia, USA
Engineer: Mark Smith
Mixed by: Mark Smith & Bob Hay
Production Manager: Vanessa Briscoe Hay
Photography: Rene Tewksbury
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