Kitchen Cynics - Apardion: Songs of Aberdeen by Fitlike Records

Catalogue Number: fitlike015
Kitchen Cynics
Apardion: Songs of Aberdeen
Songs crafted from the rich history of the North-East of Scotland.

1) STRANDLOOPERS. The first Aberdonians were hunter-gatherers who would have been moving along the coast from beach to beach, living off of the sea and the land. Finding the area here very amenable they would have decided to stay.
2) AFTER THE FIRE. In 1244 a great fire burned down most of the town. In those days of wattle and clay thatched housing this was a regular hazard. Fortunately deaths were avoided, and the fire did the town a service by clearing away insanitary dwellings. Stone-built housing was a lot safer!
3) HARLAW. The battle of Harlaw, on 24th July 1411, is now usually regarded as having no real winner, but the human toll was massive. The Lord of the Isles was intent on destroying Aberdeen, but lowland forces, (including an Aberdeen contingent led by Provost Robert Davidson) held firm. Davidson himself was slain, and his body buried in St. Nicholas Kirk.
4) JON JUSTICE. The public executioner in the late 16th century was known as Jon Justice (although this was probably a pseudonym). In those days of avid witch hunting he is known to have put to death 26 suspected witches in one year alone. At work he wore a mask, and he lived in rooms under the Tolbooth steps.
5) JANET'S GIFT. When plague threatened the city in 1647 all gates to the town were sealed and visitors turned away. One woman from Brechin (itself in the grip of the plague) is said to have crossed the Dee stealthily by ferry at night. However she brought the disease with her, leading to the deaths of almost a quarter of the population.
6) ABOVE THE FAULTS. Since its beginnings at the very start of the 19th century, Union Street has become loved by most of the population. The stories it could tell would be both wonderful and worrisome. Nowadays it is definitely in need of some tender love and care.
7) THE TORRY FERRY. On the 5th of April, 1876, the ferry to Torry was full of passengers returning from a spring holiday daytrip. The swollen tide (a result of snow melting on the hills) and overcrowding caused it to sink, with the loss of 32 people.
8) BEST LEFT ALONE. The early 1960s weren’t the best times for Aberdonian health. In 1960 the remains of many foot and mouth cattle were bulldozed into pits in the area now occupied by the Springhill football pitches. Then, in 1964, the city was hit by the typhoid outbreak.

Contains tracks

• Strandloopers by Fitlike Records
• After The Fire by Fitlike Records
• Harlaw by Fitlike Records
• Jon Justice by Fitlike Records
• Janet's Gift by Fitlike Records