Dave Goulder's superb song celebrating the part of mainland Scotland that we love best. The last verse says,
'If I had a hundred homes
To live in each a while,
I'd build them all along the coast, 
From Sandwood down to Kyle.' 
We have already identified more than a hundred ...  

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Keyboards and sound engineering: Huw Streater

Notes from an empty road

Sandwood Down to Kyle

One of the most evocative songs we know, written by Rory and Calum Macdonald of Runrig, and marking the passing of a generation. Particularly relevant to this time, 80 years after the heroism of so many soldiers of the 51st Highland Division as they protected fellow British soldiers retreating to Dunkirk. 
 
Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Sound engineering: Huw Streater

The Old Boys

A very old song, with many variations. We draw on the version adapted and popularised by Steeleye Span. 

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Electric guitar and sound engineering: Huw Streater.

Little Sir Hugh

Karine Polwart wrote this sad but powerful song for a mother whose son was dying of an AIDS-related dementia. 

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Piano and sound engineering: Huw Streater.

Firethief

David Francey's thought-provoking song with its refrain 'Way off in the distance there rang a bell' is a particular favourite, because she thinks we sing it for her, of our son's dog, Belle... 

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Sound engineering: Huw Streater

Saints and Sinners

A song about departing to war by Steve Byrne, one of Scotland's best writers of songs in traditional style. We particularly like the a capella chorus of Malinky's recording...

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Sound engineering: Huw Streater

Lang Road Doon

Sydney Carter's song about a thirteenth century exponent of equality for all. Burns, too, had  ideas on the subject, and the two songs fit remarkably well.

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Sound engineering: Huw Streater

John Ball (A man's a man for a that)

The Battle of Waterloo
The human cost of war, as seen from small-town Scotland; written by the brilliant Jim Malcolm.

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Sound engineering: Huw Streater

The Battle of Waterloo

A beautiful wee song for the end of the day. A traditional American children's song, adapted by John Renbourn.

Vocals: Susan Streater
Guitar and harmonies: Paul Streater
Sound engineering: Huw Streater

Watch the Stars

Historical song - commemorating the part played by local people in the work (and the battles) of the Knights Hospitaller of the Holy Order of St John of Jerusalem, which had its Scottish base a few miles from where I live.

Thanks to Kirsty Cox for her cello playing, and to Huw Streater for the recording.

Torphichen Braes

It's better to travel than to arrive: discuss...
Song written and performed by Paul Streater.
Sound mixed by Huw Streater.

The Wonders of the World

Sandwood (Susan and Paul Streater) are two singers, instrumentalists and songwriters from central Scotland, with songs ranging from contemporary to very traditional, and including some of our own. We have been performing for over twenty years - a lot of songs we share, but we also perform solo, both with accompaniment and without. We like the variety!

Our duo's name comes from one of our favourite places - the wonderful Sandwood Bay is the most northerly bay on Scotland's rugged west coast, just a few miles short of Cape Wrath. 

Almost all of our sound recording has been done by our recording engineer and musician son, Huw, who also plays an assortment of backing instruments;  thanks, Huw! However, other members of our wider family have also featured. Thanks to Rowenna for arranging a samba piece, and co-ordinating and leading the samba band, and to Flora for playing in it; to Dave for some of the photography and filming; and to Kirsty for playing her cello!

Sandwood

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