The Fiddler - Andy Shanks & Jim Russell

About Andy Shanks and Jim Russell
Andy and Jim are singer songwriters who write contemporary Scottish folk songs. They started singing with folk group 'Rattlebone' in the 80's in Falkirk with Jazz guitarist George Burt and singer Craig Mair. After a number of years doing the rounds including the Lorient Celtic festival the band reduced to a three piece and when Andy moved north to just Jim and himself.
Jim and Andy started playing self penned material and won the Jack Stewart song writing competition and the Edinburgh song writing competition in quick succession. A number of other awards followed and growing recognition as both a dynamic live act and as powerful songwriters. They recorded an album with many musical friends Davey Scott ( The Pearlfishers), Bill Wells jazz composer , John Burgess, Brian Mcalpine, Wilf Smith( Capercallie)Wendy Weatherby and Lindsey Cooper (Tubular Bells double bass player) and many others and landed a recording deal with Culburnie Records. Massive critical acclaim for the album and continuing live shows paused after a few years when Jim moved south to England.
Andy now performs with fiddler Peter Cameron and following on from successful expeditions to Ireland and California continues to write and perform a growing bank of unique songs. Alongside performing he is currently involved in song writing projects for the 'Newmakar's Trust' contributing to the 'In an Aroon Ainster' CD, 'Songs in the Lea of Time' and ' From Scotland to California' The songs themselves have been recorded most notably by June Tabor who has recorded both ' The fiddler' and 'The Dancing' on her new Album' Apples'. Other artist to record the songs are, The Sangsters and Crooked Jack. Jim continues to write as does Andy and they are currently putting together songs for a new recording.

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