Vice President Hugh Anderson reports from Saturday’s SPA Knock Out: ‘We had a really good night despite high winds and heavy rain all day. You could hear the wind gusting in the hall fortunately it was at the back so did not affect the players or the sixty-odd audience. Chris [Armstrong] won the toss and played first and played really well then after the break it was Stuart’s [Liddell] turn…
Many thanks to John Don MacKenzie, Dornie, for alerting us to this possibility regarding the John MacDonald recordings highlighted last week: ‘Hi Rab, I have been listening to Alan Lomax’s recordings; really good stuff and interesting indeed both in Scotland and abroad. It’ll keep me going for some time along with http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/ which has loads of John D. Burgess ceol mor on it. Willie Ross and John D are sparkling indeed…
This concert gets many cheers. For the repertoire an imaginative mix of old and new. For the piping – what talent, musicianship, dexterity and dedication. For the backing – enhancing, not overpowering. For the playing – exciting, but not hysterical. For the sound – bright and solid. No wonder a packed Eden Court enthused. Pipe Major Sandy Spence by Gordon Duncan started the show. Compere Alasdair McLaren observed that…
Gail Laird of the Ross & Cromarty Pipes and Drums School has sent this: ‘The Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drums School rounded off their successful competing season by a three-night mini tour of Ross-shire. ‘The concerts were an outstanding success. The band was delighted at the level of community support at every venue. The main band was outstanding, showcasing their talent under the brilliant tutelage of Niall Matheson (Pipe Major)…
To Dumfries the other night for a recital by Gordon McCready at the Hole in the Wa’ pub. The crowd enjoy a full evening of quality piping on a very good instrument. Gordon was supported by 86-year-old Hamish Thow – clearly a player of note in his day, Alan Clement, and a very promising, clean fingered 11-year-girl, May Cranmer. Alan is, I think, Stuart Liddell’s cousin, and like the maestro, taught by his…
Recent Comments