Celtic Music: The Poozies & Sileas

The group's lineup has had other changes over the years. Barker left in 1996 and her lead singer position was filled by Kate Rusby. When Rusby's solo career took off, she was replaced by Eilidh Shaw, who also plays fiddle. Sally Barker rejoined the Poozies in 2006, as a fifth member. When Tweed left in 2007, she was replaced by Mairearad Green. The current makeup of the Poozies is:

* Sally Barker (guitar, vocals)
* Mary Macmaster - electro-harp, metal-strung harp, percussion, vocals
* Patsy Seddon - electro-harp, gut-strung harp, fiddle, percussion, vocals
* Eilidh Shaw - guitar, fiddle, vocals
* Mairearad Green - piano accordion, pipes, vocals

Throughout the years and changes, the Poozies have always been noted for the spirit of joy in their performances. Barker's influence gave the group a rock element, while Rusby brought in a more traditional feeling. Shaw brought her experience playing with her parents' widely reknowned Scottish country dance band. Recent addition Green has been weaving her own talents into the Poozies' vibrant mix.

While the Poozies have remained together since 1990, members have also taken time for various other recording projects, as solo performers and with other artists.

Patsy Seddon (gut-strung harp) and Mary MacMaster (wire-strung harp) get away with calling Sileas "Scotland's best harp duo" without being pretentious because they are Scotland's only harp duo. On their fourth album Play on Light, they introduced the Camac electro-harp. The two women have also been singing since they were young, and most of their songs are in Scots Gaelic.

Their first album, Delighted with Harps, was released in 1986, followed by Beating Harps in 1987. They joined with Sally Barker and Karen Tweed in 1990 to form The Poozies. Two more albums from Sileas followed in the '90s.