Ivan Drever
Encyclopedia
Ivan Drever is a folk singer, songwriter and guitarist popular not only with the Scottish folk scene but also in other European countries such as Norway, Denmark and Spain. He often tours with popular fiddler Duncan Chisholm
who founded the folk rock band Wolfstone
which Drever joined in 1990 but left in later years. For three decades, Drever has produced a unique music sound, mixing traditional folk with some rock and roll sounds.
one of the islands of Orkney in Scotland
. Interest in music was clear from a young age with Drever winning youth talent shows at 12. He enjoyed country music and Jim Reeves. In 1974 he founded the band 'Knowe O'Deil' and stayed until the late 80's. In the 90's Ivan moved to Easter Ross and joined Wolfstone. Drever spent many years in the Scottish town of Inverness
which inspired many songs. His album 'Waterfront' is named after a favourite bar and restaurant there. Ivan has 4 children, including musician Kris Drever
.
where he played guitar, cittern, whistle, mandola and pipes as well as providing lead vocals and songwriting but pursued a flourishing career of solo and duo work. In 1998 Drever and Duncan Chisholme released their own album, Lewis Blue. In the early 90's Drever released a duo album with fellow Wolfstone member, Struan Eaglesham. 'Long December Night' is a recent duo album (also released as DVD) with Duncan Chisholm
. Apart from his continuing collaboration with Duncan Chisholm
, Drever has often joined up with other musicians, either as a duo with Bruce MacGregor, as Band with "The Vast Majority" or with former Wolfstone members Mop Youngston and Andy Murray as "The Black Sheep" in 2007. Due to Mop Yongston's illness, they could not continue touring. This project, however, has been revived as the Ivan Drever Band. The current line-up now includes Finlay Wells (bass), Iain Coates (drums) and Andy Murray (guitar). In 1998, he took a side-project from Wolfstone
with the album This Strange Place
, although this album was marketed as a Wolfstone album. That same year, he and Duncan Chisholm issued their collaboration album, The Lewis Blue
.
with Dick Clarke
with Wayne Mackenzie
with Struan Eagelsham
with Duncan Chisholm
Duncan Chisholm
Duncan Chisholm is a Scottish fiddler and founder member of folk rock group Wolfstone. As well as Wolfstone, he often tours with Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis' band and Wolfstone's previous lead singer Ivan Drever. He is a former member of ensemble Blazin' Fiddles...
who founded the folk rock band Wolfstone
Wolfstone
Wolfstone are a Scottish musical group founded in 1989, who play Highland music combined with rock and roll. Their repertoire consists of both original songs and traditional folk pieces. To date, they have released seven studio albums, the latest, Terra Firma, in 2007. The band record on their own...
which Drever joined in 1990 but left in later years. For three decades, Drever has produced a unique music sound, mixing traditional folk with some rock and roll sounds.
Life
Drever spent his childhood as one of ten children on SandaySanday, Orkney
Sanday is one of the inhabited islands in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. With an area of , it is the third largest of the Orkney Islands. The main centres of population are Lady Village and Kettletoft. Sanday can be reached by Orkney Ferries or plane from Kirkwall on the...
one of the islands of Orkney in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Interest in music was clear from a young age with Drever winning youth talent shows at 12. He enjoyed country music and Jim Reeves. In 1974 he founded the band 'Knowe O'Deil' and stayed until the late 80's. In the 90's Ivan moved to Easter Ross and joined Wolfstone. Drever spent many years in the Scottish town of Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
which inspired many songs. His album 'Waterfront' is named after a favourite bar and restaurant there. Ivan has 4 children, including musician Kris Drever
Kris Drever
Kris Drever is a Scottish contemporary folk musician and songwriter, who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his debut solo album, Black Water...
.
Career
In 1989 he released his debut album, Homeland. In 1990 Drever joined WolfstoneWolfstone
Wolfstone are a Scottish musical group founded in 1989, who play Highland music combined with rock and roll. Their repertoire consists of both original songs and traditional folk pieces. To date, they have released seven studio albums, the latest, Terra Firma, in 2007. The band record on their own...
where he played guitar, cittern, whistle, mandola and pipes as well as providing lead vocals and songwriting but pursued a flourishing career of solo and duo work. In 1998 Drever and Duncan Chisholme released their own album, Lewis Blue. In the early 90's Drever released a duo album with fellow Wolfstone member, Struan Eaglesham. 'Long December Night' is a recent duo album (also released as DVD) with Duncan Chisholm
Duncan Chisholm
Duncan Chisholm is a Scottish fiddler and founder member of folk rock group Wolfstone. As well as Wolfstone, he often tours with Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis' band and Wolfstone's previous lead singer Ivan Drever. He is a former member of ensemble Blazin' Fiddles...
. Apart from his continuing collaboration with Duncan Chisholm
Duncan Chisholm
Duncan Chisholm is a Scottish fiddler and founder member of folk rock group Wolfstone. As well as Wolfstone, he often tours with Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis' band and Wolfstone's previous lead singer Ivan Drever. He is a former member of ensemble Blazin' Fiddles...
, Drever has often joined up with other musicians, either as a duo with Bruce MacGregor, as Band with "The Vast Majority" or with former Wolfstone members Mop Youngston and Andy Murray as "The Black Sheep" in 2007. Due to Mop Yongston's illness, they could not continue touring. This project, however, has been revived as the Ivan Drever Band. The current line-up now includes Finlay Wells (bass), Iain Coates (drums) and Andy Murray (guitar). In 1998, he took a side-project from Wolfstone
Wolfstone
Wolfstone are a Scottish musical group founded in 1989, who play Highland music combined with rock and roll. Their repertoire consists of both original songs and traditional folk pieces. To date, they have released seven studio albums, the latest, Terra Firma, in 2007. The band record on their own...
with the album This Strange Place
This Strange Place
This Strange Place is a project album featuring members of Celtic rock band Wolfstone. Originally released in 1998 under Drever/Mackenzie, it was soon erroneously reissued as a Wolfstone recording, perhaps, it has been suggested, as a contract filler....
, although this album was marketed as a Wolfstone album. That same year, he and Duncan Chisholm issued their collaboration album, The Lewis Blue
The Lewis Blue
The Lewis Blue is an album by Scottish celtic musicians Ivan Drever and Duncan Chisholm, released in 1998. At the time, both musicians were members of Wolfstone ....
.
The Ivan Drever Band
The Ivan Drever Band is a folk-meets-rock band featuring Ivan Drever, Andy Murray, Finlay Wells and Iain Coates. They have released an EP with 5 songs: Every Beat of the Drum, Harbour Lights, Ballad of Jimmy Fry, Walk Beside Your Shoes and Stranger's Tongue. A full album, 'Sea Air', is to be released soon after their current tour of the UK and Denmark.Career highlights
- 2001- One of Ivan's most popular projects which gained huge media interest was a Californian dance spectacular named 'Celtic Fusion' in which he provided the music and toured not only in the UK but in the US with the high-profile team. He was the chief songwriter.
- The popular Irish band The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
have recorded some of his tunes. - The 1997 film Good Will HuntingGood Will HuntingGood Will Hunting is a 1997 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård...
included one of Ivan and Duncans songs. - In 1988 he recorded a duo album, 'October Bridge', with Dick Clarke
- In 1996 he hosted a BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
documentary about the Islands of Scotland
Solo albums
- Homeland (1989)
- Isles Ne'er Forgotten (1992, re-released in 1999)
- Four Walls (1996)
- Black, White And Blue (2000)
- The Orkney Years Vol. 1 (1998, Collection of previous songs 1986-1992)
- The Orkney Years Vol. 2 (2006)
- Tradition (2004)
- Waterfront (2006)
- Notes from an Island (2010)
Duo albums
The Knowe O'Deil (with Ian Cooper)- Orkney Anthem (1986)
- The Viking's Bride (1987)
with Dick Clarke
- October Bridge (1988)
with Wayne Mackenzie
- Drever Mackenzie (1991, re-released as a Wolfstone album "This Strange Place“ in 1992)
with Struan Eagelsham
- Back to Back (1994)
with Duncan Chisholm
- The Lewis BlueThe Lewis BlueThe Lewis Blue is an album by Scottish celtic musicians Ivan Drever and Duncan Chisholm, released in 1998. At the time, both musicians were members of Wolfstone ....
(1998) - A Long December Night (2004, also as DVD)
Other albums
- This Strange PlaceThis Strange PlaceThis Strange Place is a project album featuring members of Celtic rock band Wolfstone. Originally released in 1998 under Drever/Mackenzie, it was soon erroneously reissued as a Wolfstone recording, perhaps, it has been suggested, as a contract filler....
(1998) (marketed incorrectly as a WolfstoneWolfstoneWolfstone are a Scottish musical group founded in 1989, who play Highland music combined with rock and roll. Their repertoire consists of both original songs and traditional folk pieces. To date, they have released seven studio albums, the latest, Terra Firma, in 2007. The band record on their own...
album) - Celtic Fusion (2003)
- Number One (2007, EP "The Black Sheep")
- Every Beat of The Drum (2009, EP "Ivan Drever Band")
Wolfstone albums with Ivan Drever
- UnleashedUnleashed (Wolfstone album)Unleashed is the official debut album of Scottish Celtic rock band Wolfstone. It was released in 1991.-Track listing:# "Cleveland Park" - 4:16#*Cleveland Park#*The Banks of the Allan#*Kenny Gillies of Portnalong, Skye# "Song for Yesterday" - 5:25...
(1991) - The ChaseThe Chase (Wolfstone album)The Chase is the second album by Scottish Celtic rock group Wolfstone. It was released in 1992.-Track listing:# "Tinnie Run" - 3:44#*The Road to Mount Tinnie Run#*The Boys of Ballymoat#*Alan MacPherson of Mosspark# "Glass and the Can" - 4:37...
(1992) - Burning HorizonsBurning HorizonsBurning Horizons is a 1993 EP by Scottish Celtic rock band Wolfstone.The second track, "Battle", is one of the band's better known performances, awarding itself as the first track on Pick of the Litter, the band's 1997 "best-of" album. It is also on The Best...Scottish Album in the World...Ever!,...
(1993) - Year of the DogYear of the Dog (Wolfstone album)Year of the Dog is the third album by Scottish Celtic rock group Wolfstone. It was released in 1994.-Track listing:# "Holy Ground" - 3:57# "Ballavanich" - 4:45#*The Boys from Ballavanich#*Mrs...
(1994) - The Half TailThe Half TailThe Half Tail is the fourth album by Scottish Celtic rock group Wolfstone. It was released in 1996.It was released in August 1996, first in limtied quantines on 6 August, followed by a wider released on 26 August...
(1996) - Pick of the LitterPick of the LitterPick of the Litter is a best-of compilation album by the Scottish Celtic rock group Wolfstone. It was released in 1997.- Track listing :# "Battle" - 3:30##The Battle of the Somme##The Bugle Horn##The Atholl Highlanders# "Tall Ships" - 4:54...
(1997) - This Strange PlaceThis Strange PlaceThis Strange Place is a project album featuring members of Celtic rock band Wolfstone. Originally released in 1998 under Drever/Mackenzie, it was soon erroneously reissued as a Wolfstone recording, perhaps, it has been suggested, as a contract filler....
(1998)