On 20 October 2023 Cherry Red Records released "Reaching For The Sun: The Major Minor Anthology 1967–1969"

Disc One:

1–16: Singing Songs By David McWilliams (UK Major Minor MMLP 2, June 1967, mono)
17–28: Volume 2 (UK Major Minor SMLP 10, October 1967)

Disc Two:

1–12: Volume 3 (UK Major Minor SMLP 11, February 1968)
13–14: Single, UK Major Minor MM 561, May 1968
15–16: Single, UK Major Minor MM 592, January 1969
17–18: Single, UK Major Minor MM 616, June 1969
19: Single, US Kapp K 929, July 1968
20–21: Single, Italian CBS 3583, June 1968
22–23: Single, Italian CBS 4087, March 1969
24–25: Single, UK Major Minor MM 533, October 1967

front sleeve

• First complete anthology of late 60s recordings by highly-regarded Irish singer/songwriter.

• Includes his best-known song, the huge European hit 'Days Of Pearly Spencer', as well as more than a dozen tracks making their CD debut.

At the height of the protest singer boom that spawned the likes of Dylan and Donovan, Irish-born music industry heavyweight Phil Solomon received a demo tape from a young Ballymena-based singer/songwriter by the name of David McWilliams. Sensing the possibilities, the entrepreneur added McWilliams to his Irish-based roster of acts (The Bachelors, The Dubliners, Van Morrison's Them, etc) and placed the youngster on his fledgling record label Major Minor.

Launched in a blaze of publicity in mid-1967, McWilliams coupled voguish songs about social deprivation with lighter, more romantic material, with producer and occasional Beatles/Rolling Stones associate Mike Leander providing the striking string arrangements. Success was immediate: three charting albums were released in the space of eight months, with 'Days Of Pearly Spencer' — a swirling, cinematic slice of psychedelic pop/folk — becoming a huge hit single across Europe.

However, that punishing schedule and a puzzling lack of financial reward saw a disillusioned McWilliams turn his back on the music industry in 1969, although he would return after a three-year sabbatical to resume his career elsewhere.

A 2-CD set, 'Reaching For The Sun' is the first-ever complete anthology of David's Major Minor recordings. It includes mono and stereo versions of his signature tune 'Days Of Pearly Spencer' alongside more than a dozen tracks making their CD debut, including 'Who Killed Ezra Brymay', only released at the time in America.

BGO Records released a 2CD digitally remastered edition of Lord Offaly / The Beggar And The Priest / Livin's Just A State Of Mind, including 3 bonus tracks.

On October 6 2017, exactly 50 years to the day since this classic song was first broadcast, Belfast singer-songwriter Mandy Bingham paid tribute to her late father David McWilliams by releasing her own version.

Mandy enlisted the inimitable Michael Mormecha of Millbank Studios, Lisburn as producer. Also featured are the Arco String Quartet, Graham Bingham on lap steel guitar, Edelle McMahon on electric guitar, and Mormecha himself on drums. Mandy and Graham's daughter Lola adds a striking contribution to the backing vocals, making this a unique three-generational offering.

Days of Pearly Spencer, 50th Anniversary — YouTube

Esoteric Recordings released a digitally remastered edition of Lord Offaly.

In an extraordinary night at the Ulster Hall for BBC Radio Ulster's Great Northern Songbook, Ash's 2001 hit single 'Shining Light' was named the best Northern Irish song of all time, performed live by The Answer and the Ulster Orchestra. The night also featured And So I Watch You From Afar, General Fiasco, Boxcutter and Bronagh Gallagher — 10 artists each covering a song from listeners' top 10, each backed by the Ulster Orchestra.

Another highlight was 20-year-old singer-songwriter Katharine Philippa. Her performance of David McWilliams's 'Days Of Pearly Spencer' marked the coming of a very special young talent.

The Great Northern Songbook

10 Year Tribute night at the Braid in Ballymena, starting 20.00 hours. Five of Northern Ireland's most talented singer songwriters performed in celebration of the life of David McWilliams: Tara Hoy, Bap Kennedy, Gordy McAllister, Bob Spears and Errol Walsh.

'Can I Get There By Candlelight? An Irish Tribute to David McWilliams' was released worldwide. This double CD set is the same as the one released in March 2008, but now available outside Northern Ireland.

A list of artists and the songs they recorded:

'A Tribute To David McWilliams' — Press Release

The David McWilliams Appreciation Society released its limited edition CD "A Tribute To David McWilliams" (Flamingo Street Productions) on Friday 21st March at Ballymena Arts Festival. The evening featured Henry McCullough and Brian Houston with their bands in concert, at the Braid Arts Centre, Bridge Street, starting at 8.00pm. David's daughters Meghan and Hannah opened the concert singing "God And My Country".

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE CHANNELLED INTO A BURSARY FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS AND SONGWRITERS.

For more information: Colin Agnew 07920832216 or James Hughes 07931334228.

The album features twenty two local artists and includes a 20 page booklet with rare photographs and biographical notes.

Available from Monday 24th March at:
NO ALIBIS BOOKSTORE — 83 Botanic Avenue, Belfast
TREVOR KEYS MUSIC — 3 Wellington Street, Ballymena & 157 Spencer Rd., Londonderry
BERT McCORMICKS — 44 Main Street, Ballyclare
SOLSTICE — 1 Society Street, Coleraine

Or send a cheque for £12 (incl. p&p) payable to "David McWilliams Bursary Scheme":
Flamingo Street Productions, 14 Woodgrove, Woodtown Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT43 5JQ

The David McWilliams Appreciation Society announced plans to release its limited edition CD 'A Tribute To David McWilliams' on Friday 21st March at Ballymena Arts Festival.

Local Northern Ireland artist Brian Houston re-recorded "Days of Pearly Spencer" with David's grandchildren Covey (aged 12), Lily and Lola (aged 10 and 8) on backing vocals. Release date: 3rd July. Pre-order by texting Pearly to 82822 (£1.50).

Pre-order: townsend-records.co.uk  |  hmv.co.uk

More about Brian: brianhouston.com  |  Preview: myspace.com/brianhouston

— Helen McWilliams

Almond Greenway released:
— Single: 'Too Young Too Young' (a David McWilliams song for Princess Diana), download via almondgreenway.com
— Album: 'The Extraordinary Songs of David McWilliams' (01.08.07). Samples at indiestore.com/almondgreenway | Previews at myspace.com/almondgreenway

Almond and David shared management in the 1970s. Almond's first 'Big Time' record, 'Didn't it Rain', was written by David McWilliams.

Tracklist — 'The Extraordinary Songs of David McWilliams':

Brian Houston's version of "Days of Pearly Spencer" was released 23rd July, available for download from iTunes from 3rd July. The single was re-mixed by Jeremy Wheatley (who also mixed Corinne Bailey Rae). The song features three of David's grandchildren on backing vocals.

The video received an exclusive pre-release airing on Belfast channel NVTV in early June. Preview: myspace.com/brianhouston

At the Ballymena Arts Festival, the David McWilliams Tribute Stage featured Anthony Toner, Bob Speers, Errol Walsh, Brian Houston, and Ursula Burns — 'In the Round', Friday 6th October 2006. Each artist performed original material and covered a favourite David McWilliams composition.

— Colin Agnew

Despite his early success, David never forgot where he came from and was immensely proud of his Ballymena roots. Colin Agnew was trying to fund a tribute CD featuring his best loved recordings, sung by musicians who knew him and share enthusiasm and admiration for his talent as a songwriter.

— Colin Agnew

A "Days Of Pearly Spencer" mobile ring tone was found at: mobiilisivut.com

If everything goes according to plan, a new album from David will be released on the 8th September. More information can be found at CDs button, CD nr 6.

If everything goes according to plan, a new album from David will be released this month. More information can be found at CDs button, CD nr. 5.

The David McWilliams compilation from RPM is called "Reflections of David McWilliams" RPM 257.

The David McWilliams compilation from RPM is scheduled for April release. The working title is 'Farewell To Harlem — Reflections of David McWilliams'. A track listing with approximately 25 songs is scheduled.

Tribute night for David McWilliams, Friday 3rd January from 8.30 pm at the Errigle Inn, Ormeau Road, Belfast. Michael Robinson, who lives in Holland and was a long term music friend of David's, is flying in for the tribute night. He will perform a range of David's songs including Pearly Spencer.

— Graham Slane

Friday 3rd January from 8.30 pm at the Errigle Inn, Ormeau Road, Belfast.

Artists confirmed: Tony McCauley (Compere), Gil and Nanno McWilliams, Ken Haddock, Henry McCullough, Patsy Melarkey and Colin Higgins, Hugh Jordan, 3 Old Men (ex Blackthorn, includes Graham Slane), Bobby Spears.

Tickets at: Knights Records, Botanic Avenue — The Errigle & John Higgins in Ballycastle — Saks at David Lloyd — or reserve: grahamslane@yahoo.com
Price £10. All proceeds to Drake (charity for access to music for disabled people).

— Graham Slane / causewaymusic.co.uk

A tribute to David McWilliams (unplugged) will be held at the Errigle Inn, Belfast, Friday 3rd January, commencing 8.30 pm. It will feature numerous artists who knew David singing various examples of his compositions. Tony McAuley, BBC Television producer and broadcaster, will act as compere.

— causewaymusic.co.uk

Friday: David McWilliams memorial concert — Central Bar, Ann Street, Ballycastle. A whole host of musical friends of the late great David McWilliams put on a night to remember him. All money collected went to a children's charity.

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it's because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." — Thoreau

Fair play David.

— Geoff Harden / causewaymusic.co.uk