Based in London, Ontario, Scottish-born Alistair Brown has lived in Canada since 1972. A performer of traditional songs and songs written in a traditional style, Brown frequently accompanies himself on concertina and button accordion. A member of Friends of Fiddler's Green, Brown has been active in many aspects of folk song and dance for years, as a recording artist, radio broadcaster, columnist, festival director, dance teacher, and program director at folk music and dance camps.

Alistair's first solo recording was No Idle Jest (1993), a cassette-only release by Prospect records. His second was The Swan Necked Valve (1996) which takes its title from an industrial ballad about a foundry apprentice. The rest of the tracks span a repertoire from Childe Ballads--"Jock O'Hazeldene"--to traditional songs such as "Broom of the Cowdenknowes" and "Collier Laddie" to humorous ballads such as "Laundromat Lover." A very engaging album, well sung and well played.

Additional musicians on The Swan Necked Valve include Roger Houghton, guitar; Jeff McClintock, piano; and Laurence Stevenson, violin, mandolin, dulcimer, and bass.

The Swan Necked Valve
1997 Prospect ()

The Swan Necked Valve/The Jenny Lind Polka; Dockyard Gate; Cairnomount; The Old Red Duster; A Man's a Man for A'That; Magdalene Green/Bonny Doon; Laundromat Lover; Jamestown; The Bonny Wee Lassie's Answer; Jock O'Hazeldene; The Dundee Ghost; The Broom o' the Cowdenknowes; Kilbowie Hill; The Seven Deadly Sins; Will Ye Gang Love; Collier Laddie; The Funeral/The Temperance Reel; Tak a Dram 68:43