March 2009

The first of what we hope will be several tracks from NATA's own "Flat Earth"...

• Am I really standing here? (right click and "save as" to download the MP3 file, 3MB)

Click here to launch the Radio NATA Player 

Introduction

Welcome to Radio NATA, a first amongst the TA Online community. We plan to bring you a new selection of tracks every couple of months, with a mix of established Tartan Army favourites, a few under-rated classics, and the odd "novelty" track thrown in to keep you all on your toes.

The Radio NATA Player is designed with Flash, so you will need Flash 6 to play it. You can read more about how it works on the About Radio NATA page, and why we're not letting you download these tracks on the Copyright Policy page.

You can also read about the first set of 12 tracks that await your listening pleasure below - the player will also display some track information and a relevant picture when that song is playing

All in all, this is a brand new venture for us - please let us know your thoughts and feedback.

In the meantime, Happy Listening!

Back to top of page

Track List

July 2003 - present

1. Campbelltown Loch (Andy Stewart) - this was taken from the Tribute to Skippy CD, a compilation of Tartan Army favourites produced a few years ago. Singer Andy Stewart is a "shortbread tin" singer of some repute, and his albums are widely available in Edinburgh Woolen Mills!

2. Say It With Pride (1990 WC Squad) - This was recorded by the 1990 World Cup Squad, aided by the likes of Runrig's Donnie Munro, The Silencers and Fish. Most people remember it for the hideous "training shirts" sported by the squad on the record cover and on Top of the Pops (as recently modelled by Dean Gordon). This one was pilfered from the Scotland World Cup Anthems album.

3. An Open Letter (Jim Prime and Drew McCulloch) - Another World Cup song, another compilation (Tartan Army - Pride of Scotland, released ahead of France 98). This criminally under-played ballad brings a lump to my throat.

4. High Tension At Boghead (The Supernaturals) - Lifted from the B side of Prepare to Land (disc 2), this is a spoken word track set against an indie-pop tune. I don't what it is about spoken songs, but I've always been a big fan if they're done right. The lyrics of this one are very good, and will doubtless ring true to any lower-league supporter.

5. Chance (Big Country) - Chance features some very intense and poetic lyrics, and dates from the debut album The Crossing (1982). This live version has been taken from Without The Aid Of A Safety Net, the 1994 live album. A great band, with many great songs.

6. The Woolston Ferry (Gutta Percher and Balladeers) - Lifted from Super Saints, this Southampton classic starts off slightly suspect (the first verse is an adaptation of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariots" of all things) but develops into a catchy, witty folk song. Can't tell you much about the band, I'm afraid.

7. Caledonia (Frankie Miller) - This song hails from The Best Scottish Album In The World, although I can boast of owning an original seven-inch single of this very song. I remember this song from the lager ads in the early 1990s. I honestly don't know why we don't hear it more often?

8. D.I.V.O.R.C.E. (Billy Connolly) - This adaptation of Tammy Wynette's country and western anthem was spoofed by the Big Yin, and actually made it to number one in the UK charts for one week only in November 1975, which happened to be the very week I was born! You can find this track on the Pick Of Billy Connolly.

9. Wild Mountain Thyme (The Silencers) - Another track from the The Best Scottish Album In The World, this is my favourite version of this old Scottish folk song.

10. Headlights On The Parade (The Blue Nile) - An electronic pop band around in the late 1980s, the Blue Nile always threatened to be bigger than they ever were. This track is my favourite, and comes from the 1989 album Hats.

11. Happy Hooligans (Gaberlunzie) - Another nod to the Tribute to Skippy album, this sing-along favourite celebrates the hi-jinks at the end of the famous 1977 win at Wembley.

12. The Commentator Cried (Rory McLeod) - Dating all the way back to 1976 and from the album Kicking The Sawdust, this is another spoken word song with a football link. Despite the Scottish-sounding name, Rory McLeod usually sounds very much like a politicised version of Chas and Dave!

Back to top of page