If I ever got round to writing up a full entry for Ran Tan, it would be a full blown eulogy. They would have my vote as the band which defined 'English Ceilidh' as distinct from English Folk or Country dance... This was well after the shake up that bands like the Albion Dance and Old Swan Bands introduced with their approach in the times of 'Folk Rock'. Ran Tan were different in that they played, as far as I remember, virtually all schottisches and played them with a considerable swing. Sadly and sorely missed...
Folk Roots did a review of them back in 19?? which included the enigmatic denial that they could be compared to Filarfolket. Sufficiently enigmatic to make it worth looking up Scandinavian music if the Ran Tan style attracts.
(The Stocai pages shows that there are still some Ran Tan members playing English Ceilidh)
Ran Tan Band, 1988, HUM001, Cassette only.
Ran Tan Band, 1991, HUM002, Cassette only.