JSD Band – Travelling Days

JSD Band – Travelling Days

A fine example of the early-1970s Scottish folk revival, Travelling Days captures the JSD Band blending traditional Celtic melodies and ballads with the energy of folk rock. Originally released in 1970, the album showcases the Glasgow-based group's distinctive combination of fiddle-led arrangements, acoustic instrumentation, close vocal harmonies and lively traditional repertoire.

The JSD Band—originally formed as the JSD Trio in Glasgow—became an important part of the British folk scene during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group's name came from its original members, Jim Divers, Sean McGuire and Johnny D. Scott, with the band subsequently expanding its lineup and developing a fuller sound that combined Scottish traditional music with contemporary folk-rock influences.

Travelling Days opens with Gallway Races, a lively traditional piece that immediately establishes the album's energetic Celtic character. Fishin' Blues brings a bluesier influence into the band's folk repertoire, while Sarah Jane and the title track Travelling Days demonstrate their ability to move between traditional material and more contemporary folk songwriting.

The second side delves further into Scottish and British traditional music. Cuckoo and Dowie Dens Of Yarrow draw on centuries-old folk traditions, with the latter being one of the best-known Scottish ballads. Down The Road provides another lively change of pace before the atmospheric Young Waters, a traditional Scottish ballad based on the story of a young nobleman facing execution.

The album closes with Green Fields (Of America), a fitting finale that reflects the strong connection between Scottish and Irish folk traditions and the folk music that travelled across the Atlantic.

With its combination of Celtic folk, Scottish traditional music, acoustic instrumentation and early folk rock, Travelling Days is an appealing album for anyone interested in the British folk revival. It sits comfortably alongside the work of artists such as Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Steeleye Span and The Incredible String Band, while retaining a distinctly Scottish identity.

A sought-after JSD Band vinyl LP for collectors of British folk and Celtic music, Travelling Days offers an authentic snapshot of the Scottish folk scene during one of its most important and influential periods.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Gallway Races
2. Fishin' Blues
3. Sarah Jane
4. Travelling Days
5. King's Favourite

Side B

1. Cuckoo
2. Dowie Dens Of Yarrow
3. Down The Road
4. Young Waters
5. Green Fields (Of America)