The Poozies | |
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Background information | |
Genres | Traditional, folk |
Years active | 1990–present |
Labels | Hypertension, Compass, Greentrax |
Associated acts | Sìleas |
Website | www |
Members |
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Past members |
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The Poozies is an all-women band that performs traditional and original music. Much of the traditional material is English and Scottish traditions. Their music relies harmonizing, though it does have a significant accompaniment. The current live set includes arrangements of traditional tunes and songs, original compositions by Sally Barker and covers. The band is currently working on the follow up to their 2009 album, Yellow Like Sunshine. The recording was interrupted by Sally Barker's appearance on BBC TV's The Voice 2014 in which she represented Tom Jones's team in the final.
The Poozies formed in 1990. Mary Macmaster (harp) and Patsy Seddon (harp) were performing together as the duo Sileas and worked with Sally Barker (guitar and vocals) on her solo album. Together they decided that an all-women folk group was a good idea, and when Barker met Karen Tweed in Hong Kong she agreed to join the group. Fiddler Jenny Gardener was the fifth member but left before the band recorded their first album (on which she appears as a guest on the track "Foggy Mountain Top").
After the release of Dansoozies (1993) and Chantoozies (1995), Barker left the group in 1996 to start a family. Kate Rusby joined the band as lead vocalist, and this lineup released one EP, Come Raise Your Head (1997), and a full-length album, Infinite Blue (1998). However, as Rusby's solo career took off, she was replaced by Eilidh Shaw, an accomplished fiddler.
In 2000 the band released Raise Your Head: A Retrospective to celebrate ten years of The Poozies, and in 2003 released Changed Days Same Roots. In 2006 Barker rejoined the group to make it a five-piece again, and they toured with this lineup until December 2007. Tweed left the band in December 2007, and was replaced by Mairearad Green from the band, the Unusual Suspects. Patsy Seddon left in April 2012; the band continue to tour as four-piece.