11/07/2025
I’ve been helping retired/disabled Scottish folk legend Dick Gaughan towards a box set (a mock-up pack shot is pictured above) and further planned releases, in part inspired by the unavailability of much of his recorded canon. That unavailability of catalogue shares some space in a Venn diagram with an entity known as Celtic Music. Not a criticism – just a statement of fact.
Dick Gaughan (not me, Dick himself) has now engaged serious solicitors to seek the retrieval of seven albums and two tracks from this entity. Those solicitors have thoroughly vetted the video script and accompanying text used in this GoFundMe campaign – just launched. There is nothing defamatory therein. I don’t encourage defamatory statements here – this is purely a business matter, and I’m confident that some, at least, of the albums and PRS registrations in question will come back to the artist…
If you believe in it, and you are able to throw something in, please do – and please share. With luck, it may establish precedents that can help other folk artists whose works are claimed by the same people to begin the process of retrieval, if they wish.
We are blessed to have support in the venture – which is simply a business matter, to test the legality of current claims by a particular entity to works recorded between 30 and 53 years ago – from the former members of Boys of the Lough (1972-73 line-up), Clan Alba and Dave Burland, all of whom are involved in one each of the seven albums in question. We were also blessed to have helping us in the film Maggie Holland, Kathryn Tickell and Patsy Seddon.
Here is the link to the crowdfunder. Realistically, we need around £30,000 but every little helps! 🙂
https://www.gofundme.com/f/aatux2
Every little added. Venceremos!
Donated. I hope that this case can help establish a precedent. I’m sure you will raise more than enough.
Billy Bragg has posted it on Facebook.
As has Simon Nicol.
Of course, Gaughan was one of the members of Clan Alba, along with ex-Battlefield Bander Brian McNeill. I have an mp3 of their only album, a double. It isn’t a masterpiece but it is an essential artefact.
I believe the cause is righteous.
‘It’s not how big your share is, but how much you can share…
‘It’s not just what you’re given, it’s what you do with what you’ve got…’
Dick Gaughan, live on television in 1993
Currently, 930 donors of nearly £30,000 believe in the righteousness of this view. 🙏
I’m in. The whole Celtic Music thing makes no sense to me at all and it’s a shame that it needs to be resolved through expensive legal action. But here we are.
Hi Colin, I’m playing the just received and I’m playing ‘Untroubled Live In Belfast 1979-1982’
A superb performance from Dick and a superbly mastered recording thank you
Thank you Pyro! Assembled from three performances, though – so three superb performances from the maestro. 🙂
‘The Grauniad’ today: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/nov/19/i-never-wanted-to-sing-into-a-vacuum-scottish-folk-pioneer-dick-gaughans-fight-for-his-lost-music
An update on this campaign, friends: in March, letters asserting rights to ‘No More Forever’ (1972) and ‘The Boys of the Lough’ (1973) – with the other Boys/heirs on board – using the 50-70-year ‘use it or lose it’ copyright extension law were sent to ‘CM’. Within 12 months of receit, high-quality digital and physical reissues (with the artist paid for each sale) must happen OR the rights must be returned to the artist. The law is absolute here – there’s no arguing the toss for years over contracts.
I’m happy to say that I’m aware of several other 1969-75 Leader/Trailer label artists and heirs of artists who are hiring solicitors to apply this law to the retrieval of their own works.
Today, I was able to update the GoFundMe campaign with the news that notice has now been served on CM under a US law with regard to Dick’s 1989 album ‘Call It Freedom’. Under this law, a 24-month clock has started after which the rights within the US – to reissue it digitally and physically – will revert to Dick.
Next on the list is Clan Alba.
More here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/aatux2
I am in awe of what you are achieving with this. It’s an incredible shift of power back to the artist and away from labels (whatever a label is, really.) You personally deserve some sort of honour for this. Arise Sir Colin H.
It’s a kind thought, Leffster, but no rewards necessary save the pleasure of seeing people who made (often brilliant) music in their youth being able now to have it heard again – and to benefit from it financially. 🙂
I’ll have another announcement in a week or two concerning a wide range of early 70s Trailer artists.
I’m sure I’d feel the same in your shoes, but I feel compelled to point out just how important this all is.
Thank you – and it is!