The Humblebums

The Humblebums were a Folk-/Pop-Band from Glasgow, Scotland, published 1969 and 1970 a total of three albums over the years.

History

The band was founded in 1965 by the later comedian and actor Billy Connolly ( vocals, guitar, banjo) and Tam Harvey (guitar, mandolin ). Both musicians were well-known figures in the folk scene of Glasgow and soon the duo went on successfully in small clubs and pubs. At their first gig Connolly introduced himself and his partner as follows:

" My name's Billy Connolly, and I'm humble. This is Tam Harvey, he's a bum. "

While Connolly's love for bluegrass and American pop music of the 30s influenced the quirky, humorous style of the first work still relevant, the majority of the songs came on the second album from the pen Raffertys. Connolly contributed only four pieces that are attributable to the folk or bluegrass; Rafferty's compositions, however, are pieces in the style of Paul McCartney with a slightly psychedelic overtones. During the recordings, among other brass and woodwind instruments were used.

Thanks Rafferty's songwriting and his flair for pop music, the group developed more and more into a successful live act and soon on playing concerts with bands like Atomic Rooster, MC5, Black Sabbath and The Edgar Broughton Band. On February 23, 1970, the Humblebums played a session for the radio broadcast of the famous DJ John Peel at BBC Radio 1 Total Connolly and Rafferty took along with the other musicians Daryl Runswick, Bernie Holland and Mike Travis five songs in the Peel Sessions on, published four of which in 2005 on the compilation Please Sing a song for Us.

A third album was produced, this time a number of session musicians supported the duo. Of course that gave the recordings a fuller sound, thus it was also difficult to restore the sound and feel on stage. Open Up the Door would eventually be the last album the group in June 1970, on the once elements of folk, bluegrass, country and blues were mixed together.

The constantly jokes launched Billy Connolly would soon go in live performance more towards stand-up comedy and bugged his introverted fellow musicians on stage with ever longer monologues and anecdotes between songs. Connolly had found his true calling as a comedian, while Rafferty wanted to create music. The duo fit together now more impossible and so the common musical career amounted to only about one and a half years. In early 1971, soon after the release of the last album to The Humblebums broke up and the two musicians went their separate ways. Billy Connolly later had great success as a comedian and actor, Rafferty focused on his music and was able to record both with his next band Stealers Wheel and as a solo artist a few hits.

Discography

Albums

• Pop band
• Folk Band
• Scottish band