Traditional Music

The Gaugers

The Gaugers are Peter Hall, Tom Speirs, and Arthur Watson and were formed in 1974. Peter had an early interest in jazz trumpet, then skiffle, before becoming an influential figure in the folk revival in Scotland. In 1964 he took up the concertina, and later worked on the famous book The Scottish Folksinger with Norman Buchan.

Tom Spiers learned the fiddle at school and became involved with the Aberdeen Folk Club. Arthur Watsom was influenced in his whistle playing by Irish traditional players, which one can hear in his style.

Any further information would be gratefully received (email me).

Records:

The Gaugers: Beware of the Aberdonian (Topic 12TS284, 1976) Side One: Young Jackie; The Cruel Brother; Monymusk Lads; The Keys to the Cellar/Go to Berwick, Johnnie; The Lass o' the Moorland Hills; The Bonny Lass o' Anglesay; Sleep Sound In the Morning/Donald Blue Side Two: The Aberdonian; Lochaber No More; The Minister's Sheep; Bogie's Bonnie Belle; The Ewie Wi' the Crookit Horn/The Jolly Shepherd/Polly Stewart; The Scranky Black Farmer All songs traditional except where indicated Peter Hall (vocal, English concertina, baritone concertina); Tom Spiers (vocal, fiddle); Arthur Watson (vocal, whistle, dulcimer, bodhran)