High Level Ranters
Encyclopedia
The High Level Ranters are a Northumbian
traditional musical group founded in 1964, best known for being one of the first bands in the revival of the Northumbrian smallpipes
.
The High Level Ranters have been playing traditional music and song from North-East England for nearly 40 years, becoming one of the most influential groups of the Folk Revival. For many years they were the only group featuring the Northumbrian smallpipes in their performances, and are thus responsible for introducing many of today's pipers to this unique instrument. They have also introduced many of today's musicians to the distinctive traditional music in the North-East, and have done so with a unique enthusiasm of performance. Performers such as The High Level Ranters brought Northumbrian folk to national and international audiences.
, where they all played, and from the Cheviot Ranters, a famous Northumberland dance band operating in the Alnwick
area from about 1953 to 1996.
and Colin Ross
. Since 1980 the line up has been Jim Hall, Johnny Handle and Colin Ross.
- first on 18 October 1972, recorded at The Playhouse Theatre
, Northumberland Avenue in London, and later on 3 July 1974, recorded at the BBC Newcastle Studio.
Music of Northumbria
Here Northumbria is taken to mean Northumberland, the northernmost county of England, and County Durham. The region possesses a distinctive style of folk music with a strong and continuing tradition...
traditional musical group founded in 1964, best known for being one of the first bands in the revival of the Northumbrian smallpipes
Northumbrian smallpipes
The Northumbrian smallpipes are bellows-blown bagpipes from the North East of England.In a survey of the bagpipes in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University, the organologist Anthony Baines wrote: It is perhaps the most civilized of the bagpipes, making no attempt to go farther than the...
.
The High Level Ranters have been playing traditional music and song from North-East England for nearly 40 years, becoming one of the most influential groups of the Folk Revival. For many years they were the only group featuring the Northumbrian smallpipes in their performances, and are thus responsible for introducing many of today's pipers to this unique instrument. They have also introduced many of today's musicians to the distinctive traditional music in the North-East, and have done so with a unique enthusiasm of performance. Performers such as The High Level Ranters brought Northumbrian folk to national and international audiences.
Name
The name was chosen as a combination of the location of the Bridge Folk Club at the North end of the High Level Bridge in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, where they all played, and from the Cheviot Ranters, a famous Northumberland dance band operating in the Alnwick
Alnwick
Alnwick is a small market town in north Northumberland, England. The town's population was just over 8000 at the time of the 2001 census and Alnwick's district population was 31,029....
area from about 1953 to 1996.
Band members
Between 1969 to 1979 the band consisted of Alistair Anderson, Tommy Gilfellon, Johnny HandleJohnny Handle
Johnny Handle is an English folk musician and singer/songwriter. Starting as a skiffle player in 1957 he soon crossed into folk music both as a soloist and as a member of The High Level Ranters. His repertoire is heavily influenced by the traditional music of North East England and, in particular,...
and Colin Ross
Colin Ross (pipemaker)
Colin Ross is an English folk musician, playing fiddle and Northumbrian smallpipes, and a noted maker of Northumbrian smallpipes, Border pipes and Scottish smallpipes, and one of the inventors of the modern Scottish smallpipes. Ross is also a fiddler, and played both Northumbrian smallpipes and...
. Since 1980 the line up has been Jim Hall, Johnny Handle and Colin Ross.
Former members
At various times and for various recordings, the following musicians have also been band members: Forster Charlton, John Doonan, Pete Wood and Louis KillenHistory
The band were featured twice live in session by BBC Radio One's John PeelJohn Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
- first on 18 October 1972, recorded at The Playhouse Theatre
Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, located in Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square. The Theatre was built by F. H. Fowler and Hill with a seating capacity of 1,200. It was rebuilt in 1907 and still retains its original substage machinery...
, Northumberland Avenue in London, and later on 3 July 1974, recorded at the BBC Newcastle Studio.
High Level Ranters (1966-1979)
- Northumberland for Ever, 1968 (Topic 12TS186)
- The Lads of Northumbria, 1969 (Trailer LER 2007)
- Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinnie, 1970 (Trailer LER 2020)
- High Level, 1971 (Trailer LER 2030)
- A Mile to Ride, 1973 (Trailer LER 2037)
- The Bonny Pit Laddie, 1975 (Topic 2-12TS271/2)
- Ranting Lads, 1976 (Topic 12TS388)
- English Sporting Ballads, 1976 (Broadside BRO 128) (with Martyn Wyndham-Read)
- Four in a Bar, 1979 (Topic 12TS445)
”New” High Level Ranters (1980- 2004)
- The New High Level Ranters, 1982 (Topic 12TS425)
- Border Spirit, 1983 (Topic 12TS434)
- Gateshead Revisited, 1987 (Common Ground CGR 005)