Author: Jack Taylor

Review: ‘Names & Places’ Concert, Celtic Connections

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Awa’ tae yer neeps. So said Ian Duncan after thanking everyone involved in this electrifying concert, thus evoking his Aberdeenshire roots and his family’s quiet brilliance as entertainers across the generations, writes Jack Taylor. The occasion was a Celtic Connections celebration of P/M Ian’s, and Vale of Atholl Pipe Band’s, groundbreaking album of 1990, ‘Names and Places’. The youngsters started proceedings. The National Youth Band of Scotland played selections reflecting…

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Piobaireachd by the Sea/ New P/M Post for Canadian Piper

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Piobaireachd enthusiasts from Brittany and beyond (Holland, California) met for the 16th Pibroch en Bord de la Mer – Pibroch on the Seaside – held at Cancale on the beautiful Brittany coast. Brainchild of Jakez Pincet who came to Scotland in the 1960s to learn from R U Brown, it has successfully brought pibroch into the public eye, as well as giving players the chance to meet, to play and…

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The View from the Bench: A Review of the Northern Meeting Gold Clasp 2022

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At just after 08.30 on day two of the Northern Meeting, Greg Wilson stepped on to the stage of the Eden Court Theatre, tuned calmly and played the ‘Big Nameless tune’ – Cherede Darievea smoothly and softly on a sweet pipe with just minor technical imperfections. The judges settled, ears agog. The audience sank into their seats, eyes half-closing already. Business as usual. Then Roderick MacLeod gave us Donald Ban….

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Aboyne Games Results

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There was a bumper crowd of about 12,000 at Aboyne today, writes Jack Taylor. Calum Brown from Cults, Aberdeen, was overall champion with firsts in March, Strathspey and Reel, Hornpipe and Jig and fifth in Piobaireachd. Calum also piped for the dancing and is due to play a solo at Inveraray Pipe Band’s concert on Wednesday in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. Under 18 Piobaireachd 1 Alistair Williams, Massacre of Glencoe2 Craig…

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Tomintoul Games Results

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It was a good day for playing at yesterday’s games – warm with light cloud cover. Twelve adults played, with eight in the Junior Piobaireachd, reports Dr Jack Taylor.  There was a touching tribute paid to Patricia Grant who died last year. She had been Games Secretary at Tomintoul for many years and also organised the Grampian Piping League based on the results of the Grampian games. Overall prizes: 1….

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