instrument Williamson had played since the early days of the Corrie Folk Trio. Originally conceived as a way to combine several of the many instruments they carried around on tour the combolins in fact became an additional two instruments for the tour van. Most often, Browne played the guitar/mandolin instrument with bass strings, and Williamson the other, which also had 13 sympathetic strings designed to resonate like the Indian sitar. The wood for the instruments was obtained from antique hardwood furniture as well as premium grade Tyrolean spruce, and featured Williamson's embellishments in silver and mother of pearl. The Corries' album, Strings and Things (1970), was specifically designed to showcase these instruments and featured detailed descriptions of them on the rear sleeve. Usually the combolins were played to accompany long ballads such as "The Silkie of Sule Skerry" and "The Gartan Mother's Lullaby", as well as a number of the compositions of Peebles baker George Weir, including "Lord Yester" and "Weep ye Weel by Atholl". Legacy Gotye cites The Corries as the inspiration behind his music. The Scottish Traditional Hall of Music describes the Corries as “the godfathers of the modern folk-music scene in Scotland.” Discography Many of The Corries recordings have now been re-issued on CD by Moidart Music, a company set up originally to release Williamson's posthumous Long Journey South solo album. The recordings are now overseen by Browne's son Gavin, who runs the official Corries website along with original recording engineer, Allan Spence, and David Sinton. References External links The Official Corries Merchandise Outlet theBalladeers Scotland The Corries online Museum by Moray Council Scottish folk singers Scottish folk music groups 20th-century Scottish male singers 20th-century Scottish musicians