A GREENOCK Burnsian is putting a new twist on 'auld' songs by setting classic Burns poems to modern accompaniments.

As Burns Night this evening sees a glass raised to Rabbie, Alan Beck has been lending Glasgow-based composer Alan Craig his voice to record brand new arrangements of some of the Bard's best known works, including a 'world first' musical version of a classic poem.

Mr Beck recorded five songs arranged by Mr Craig for male voices, while Aimee Toshney, a singer, performed five written for female performers.

Among the arrangements is a setting of 'Address To The Haggis' to music, which Mr Beck believes to be a world first.

The pair also recorded male voice versions of 'Ae Fond Kiss', 'A Man's A Man For A' That', 'Green Grow The Rashes, O' and 'Scots, Wha Hae'.

Once the finishing touches have been put on the recordings, they will be posted online.

The pair, who have collaborated at Burns Suppers in the past, are hoping that they can perform the songs for Burns Clubs across the country in the coming months.

The songs may take on an even grander tone as Mr Craig has plans to record an orchestral arrangement in the future.

Mr Beck, who is senior vice president of the Robert Burns World Federation, told the Tele that when he was first approached about the project in October of last year he was instantly taken by the idea.

He said: "Alan had decided to try and make the piano accompaniments a bit more interesting.

"When he showed me the songs, I thought it was a great idea.

"We recorded them in Glasgow recently and I'm really pleased with how they've turned out.

"The recording of 'Address To The Haggis is quite special.

"Alan, to my knowledge, is the first person to do that.

"The songs Alan has written are fantastic and I'm pleased to have been a part of recording them."