I sat through most of Grade 2 on Day 2. Unfortunately I was called away and missed the winners, Ravara. All credit to Samual Connolly and his band. Be interesting to see if they go up to Grade 1 or not. Listening on YouTube they were clearly on form. Judge for yourself here.
Of the others I was impressed by Glasgow Skye and thought they’d be placed higher. Nudging on Grade 1 standard, with a bold, sustaining sound and confident playing throughout. Uddingston also impressed. A good performance with sympathetic drumming and lovely slow air harmonies. North Stratton were strong on the ensemble front with a very integrated sound from bass, tenors and sides. Pipe tone needed a bit more volume.
By Robert Wallace
Coalburn IOR need a radical re-think in the percussion department. Crammed in stick work throughout, the pipers were left out on a limb. Ulster Scots from the US understood the strathspey idiom well, fingered their reels competently and had a smooth break to the jigs.
Muddy soup at the start of Buchan Peterson‘s jigs and dodgy unison elsewhere. Disappointing sound from Annan but a well-controlled band with steady tempi throughout. A sprightly opener from Peel Police but I couldn’t count any doublings; no lift in strathspeys and drones drifting here.
Outstanding drum sound and rhythm from Manorcunningham; the pipers didn’t quite match the expertise of the backline. Pipe Band Club, Australia, played well enough but the content delivery left me cold I’m afraid. Just too many even quavers and not enough expression.
Greater Midwest had a messy transition from a weak opener and the D was suspect in the slow air. Well executed birls in final tune, the intriguingly named Ascent and Descent of Ben More.
A nice balance of sound from the LA Scots. Their medley was not technically challenging but they really went for it and entertained in the process. Portlethan are a musical band with interesting tune changes; some blowing issues hampered the presentation and they need new jigs.
Feet tapping jigs from Kilchoman but they were ragged at the start of the slow air and the thunder from the drums here detracts from the melancholic slow air. Lacking unison later on. A weak opening tune from MacMillan – into seconds early and no wonder. Nicely harmonised slow air. The reels moved well. Was the side drum tone flat? Didn’t work with pipes.
Tullylaggan needed more lilt in their jigs – surprising from an Irish band. Reels well handled. The tone tired towards the end as did the playing.
Result: 1 Ravara, N Ireland 2 North Stratton, Canada 3 Pipe Band Club, Australia 4 Glasgow Skye 5 Uddingston 6 Ulster Scots, USA
Drumming: North Stratton
LA Scots not technically challenging?
Try getting your hands around that opener and the horn pipe and reels at the end of the medley at that tempo!