Fiddle
42nd Year No. 12 Aug 2019
£3.00
BOX& The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts
y t i r b Cele uncheon L
SKYE ACCORDION & FIDDLE FESTIVAL PLUS
ACCORDION VISIT TO CASTELFIDARDO
GILLIAN STEVENSON is Centre Stage
NEWS, CLUB & DANCE DIARIES, REVIEWS AND MUCH MORE...
Welcome
B&F • EDITORIAL
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...to the August issue of Box & Fiddle The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts
Editor • Pia Walker 7 Tarvit Gardens Cupar, Fife, KY15 5BT Tel: 01334 657 850 Mob: 07715 115 489 editor@boxandfiddle.com Designer • Marie Martin mamidesigns@hotmail.com Cover: NAAFC Guests of Honour Photo by Pia Walker Printer • Ivanhoe Caledonian Printing Company Ltd Eskmills, Musselburgh, EH21 7PE
NAAFC Chairman Nicol McLaren The Shian, Woodlands Road Blairgowrie, PH10 6LD Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary Shona MacFadyen secretary@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: Scott Band Charlie Kirkpatrick Susan MacFadyen Richard Ross Liam Stewart
We are heading for the new NAAFC season, and in this issue you will be able to hear about the celebrity luncheon. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you all. August also means getting everything in place for a new season – my 6th! As I mentioned at the AGM, I have tried to streamline various processes to ensure Pia Walker, Editor that I work for you as efficiently as possible. Thank you, all clubs, for helping me to do this by sending content in well before the deadline and telling me your requirements. Thank you, readers, for sending in stories, music etc. Keep sending music, articles, suggestions for Centre Stage etc., so that the team and I can produce what really is a unique monthly magazine. Thank you also go to our regular writers: I very much appreciate your input and hard work. To all of you, if you have any ideas for content at all, let me know. This will prevent the magazine content from getting stale. Marie is still the driving force behind the design of the magazine. She still manages to make it look fresh and inviting. She is a star. Shirley Young works very hard selling advertising space. We have some extremely loyal advertisers who all know that this magazine is really the only one of its kind and therefore a unique place to advertise. Thank you so much for your continued support. I would also like to thank Denis Shepherd who is still trying to teach me correct grammar. Don’t give up on me yet, Denis . Our printer contact, Kevin, is an angel when it comes to patience when Marie and I are trying to deliver on time. Without you all and the whole B&F team this would be an impossible task. The magazine is the means by which the NAAFC provides a method of communication between the Association, clubs and readers, so please do encourage your audiences to buy it regularly. I look forward to the next season, and am sure that if we all pull together and in the same direction, it will be an even better season than last year. Let music bring sunshine to your summer.
Keep up with the latest news at
www.boxandfiddle.com Box & Fiddle (NAAFC)
Pia
The editorial team reserves the right to refuse or edit all copy. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. Use of material and advertising from this publication is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the editor. While every care has been taken in compiling Box & Fiddle to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press, Box & Fiddle assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.
Contents
8
16
6 News & Letters 8 Celebrity Luncheon 15 Tom Gold
In conversation with Joan Gold
16 Festivals
2019; Keith TMSA
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35
You are never too old to go clubbing!
38
Centre Stage
41 41
Accordion visit to Castelfidardo, Italy
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Club News The latest news from our clubs
In Memory Christine Mair
We talk to Gillian Stevenson
Deadlines:
Dance Diary Find the nearest dances
Take the Floor BBC Radio Scotland
Reviews Around The World With You
Peter Le Geyt tells us about the trip
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Club Diary
and ceilidhs
Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival
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B&F • CONTENTS
44
Music The Shoogly-Wully Polka
All articles, adverts, club reports and text for the magazine must be e-mailed to the editor by the 5th of every month midday at the latest. Copy received after this date cannot be guaranteed to feature in the next issue.
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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM
By Charlie Kirkpatrick
Guest of Honours with chairman Nicol McLaren
N
ow that the dust has settled after another action packed AGM and celebrity luncheon which was held this year at the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee, it is time to relax and reflect on an eventful afternoon. By all accounts, the celebrity luncheon seems to have been an outstanding success with many positive comments and feedback. In my view, a major reason for this was the venue of Invercarse Hotel which excelled in both facilities and location. The function was held in the ballroom and although we had a large crowd of 187, there was ample room for everyone to be able to move around the tables. Our thanks go to Martina Whiting and her staff at the hotel for an excellent meal served in a helpful, friendly manner. We had the largest attendance ever, with guests coming from all over Scotland including Mick and Trisha Rawlings, keen Scottish Country dancers from Oxford, who were attending for the first time and who assured me as they left that they had enjoyed the day so much that they would be back next year. Despite the large crowd everything seemed to work
like clockwork with everyone seated and fed on time and the après meal musicians expertly marshalled by our compere John Carmichael, who regaled the audience with jokes and anecdotes from his lengthy career in the Scottish dance music scene. Our BAAFI awards followed the meal and they were won and presented as follows: Guest Artist of the Year: Leonard Brown CD of the Year: Leonard Brown Club Supporter of the Year: Billy Hutton Club of the Year: The Button Key Club (Windygates). It is worthy of mention that to accept this final award we had Bruce Lindsay who has recently retired after many years as chairman of the club and also Tommy Birrell who is the new club programmer. We wish Bruce well in his retirement. Of course, no celebrity luncheon would be complete without our celebrities, namely our four worthy guests of honour: Billy Craib, Margaret Smith, Dochie McCallum and Davie Stewart. All four gave heartfelt acceptance speeches with wit
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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM
Festivals Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2019
By John Grundy
Clappy Doo Ceilidh Band of North Berwick
fries
Susan Power Band of Dum
F
or the 15th successive year many from throughout Scotland and beyond chose the final weekend of May to travel to Portree to enjoy a few days of great music and friendship at the annual Skye Accordion and Fiddle Festival based in the town’s Royal Hotel. To mark the start on Thursday evening, festival compere Jim Campbell welcomed a capacity audience and requested popular pianist Jimmy MacDonald (Tighnabruaich) to open the Festival. For the past 15 years, Jimmy and multi instrumentalist Derek Hamilton (Galston) and drummer Richard Hughes (Tobermory) have formed a volunteer backing band providing support for numerous visiting players. It is a truly Herculean service from three great musicians totally dedicated
to the promotion of traditional music. Sounding the first notes of the festival on accordion was Janet Graham, popular bandleader from Cumbernauld, with her distinctive style. Iain Johnstone (Miami) was next to entertain on accordion during his annual visit from ‘across the pond.’ The backing musicians had a short break when Hamish MacDougall (Muir of Ord) on his familiar two-row button-box was accompanied by Skye musicians John Cameron on keyboard and drummer Donald John Campbell. The piano accordion of Caley MacLean (also Muir of Ord) was next in company with the backing band. A young lady from Dumfries, Susan Power, who is a comparative newcomer to the accordion world, gave several fine sets, demonstrating how
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Centre Stage
Gillian Stevenson Fiddler and teacher from Tain originally, but now Culbokie. Part of the Susie Simpson Trio, but can be seen smiling with a fiddle in her hand at many an event. When was the first time you performed in public? 11 years old, I played fiddle in a school concert. What do you appreciate most in life? Being healthy - I took my health for granted until I fell seriously ill . What is your most cherished childhood memory? Family caravan holidays with my mum and dad, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. Who was a big influence in your life and /or your music? Ali MacGregor from the Tain Scottish Dance Band. He gave me and Hughie Morrison weekly band lessons and let us join Tain Scottish for gigs. What was your first job? Counting the money for a cigarette vending company at the age of 12. What is your greatest indulgence? Long lies in the morning! What is your abiding musical memory? Playing the opening ceilidh at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival with the celtic rock band Rhythm n Reel. Ten thousand people jumping up and down to Scottish rock music – amazing! What are your worst fears? Something serious happening to my children.
What are the best places in the world you have visited? Toronto and Niagara Falls in Canada. Rome, Italy for the culture, old and new buildings and fab food! What is your favourite musical venue? Eden Court Theatre in Inverness - it never loses its magic. How would you like to be remembered? A fun loving, kind person who always had time to listen. What makes you angry, annoyed or short tempered? Greed and unfairness. What is your favourite location in Scotland? Elie in Fife for its beaches, coastline walks and the Ship Inn beer garden looking on to the beach. If you had to leave, what would you miss and what would you be glad to see the back of? I would miss the music scene and friends within the scene. I would be glad to see the back of the current political unrest. If your house was on fire, what item would you save? After my children, my fiddle. Who are your heroes and why? My dad and mum. They have supported me through my biggest challenges and are always there helping me, even
at 2am in the morning when I am lost in Perthshire coming home from a gig in Germany! The Scottish dance music scene - your thoughts and hopes? I hope that the scene continues to grow with more young ones continuing to play and dance. I worry about the future of accordion and fiddle clubs as there don’t seem to be many young folk coming along to listen or play which is a shame. I think that a duty lies with music teachers especially those who teach traditional music to try and get their students to come along at least once to a local A&F club – they might be pleasantly surprised! What 5 people would you invite to your dream dinner party? Audrey Hepburn, Sarah Addison Allen (author), Andy Murray, Lee Mack (comedian), Aly Bain. Your 1, 2, 3 of favourite tunes/ songs: 1. Tennessee Waltz 2. John MacFadyen of Melfort (2/4, John McColl) 3. The Westcoaster (hornpipe, Angus Grant) Today I will Eat: Vegetable fajhitas Drink: Banana smoothie Read: My kindle Visit: Ross County FC to drop twins at football Watch: Daughter trampolining at Inverness Trampoline Club
B&F • CLUB NEWS
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Club News Just remember to seek permission to publish the photos and tell us the name of the photographers.
To ensure a more readable section, please only send in max 250-300 words. A photo tells a better story, so add one or two of those too. Why not of your audience? Information in Club News helps attract visitors to your club, so make sure your club sounds like the place we want to go to.
BANFF The Banff Springs Hotel was certainly the place to be on this fine sunny evening. Andy Coutts welcomed the excellent turnout to our last monthly meeting before the start of our weekly dances in July and August. Andy joined Graham Wilson on accordion, Callum MacAskill on guitar, Susie Elrick on keyboard and John Cook on washboard to start with a set of waltzes and they continued with some great tunes including some sing-alongs. Graham stepped down and Rob McCombie on accordion joined the group to continue with more waltzes and jigs, and finally Tom Cruickshank on accordion joined the players with a lively set of tunes before finishing with The Dark Island. Our guest was the Derek Edmond Scottish Dance Band with Derek on accordion, Fraser Murray on fiddle, Matthew Maclennan on keyboard and Keith Lauder on drums. The musicians could not fail to delight the audience with their varied programme of pipe marches, reels, polkas and a beautiful selection of waltzes including Waltz for Tracey.
After the break, our seven floor players took the stage again with some lovely music before the guests returned. Derek and his band started with a set of marches and continued with an excellent mixture of tunes, keeping the audience enthralled with their quality playing, varied tempo and easy to listen to music, finishing with a set of Shetland reels. It was great to see and hear our players join the band to finish the evening with a rousing stramash. Thank you to all our members, visitors, players and guests who support the club and contribute to some excellent evenings of entertainment. Janet BLAIRGOWRIE We were slightly disappointed with the turnout for our June meeting, but the regulars heard Scott Band introduce accompanists Gerry Boxall (drums) and Joan Blue (piano). Scott started the music with three lively sets on a borrowed accordion. Local players following him were accordionists Gordon Reid, Dave Matthew, Janet Graham and Fred Davidson with Gordon Walker
John Morgan, Blairgowrie
(violin). Closing the first half we had Willie Macfarlane with Jim Dow (drums). 2nd accordion was played mainly by Scott, with contributions by Gordon Reid and Dave Matthew. After refreshments and raffle, local players were Anne Hendry, Eric Davidson and Peter Bruce, and we were delighted to welcome back Morag Robertson and Tom Moffat. Our guest was the incomparable John Morgan. With a full MIDI set-up, he stunned everyone with the variety of sounds his accordion was able to produce. I counted 12 foot-pedals in front of him – how does he remember which one to use? Da Tushkar introduced us to a set of reels
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F • AUGUST B&FB•&CLUB DIARY 2019
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Club Diary August 2019 DATE
CLUB
GUEST ARTIST
VENUE
TIME
CONTACT
1
Crieff
Steven Carcary Duo
The British Legion, Crieff PH7 3EB
7.30 pm
Irene Anderson 01764 654 298
1
Lewis and Harris
David Bowen (25th Anniversary)
Caladh Inn, Stornoway HS1 2QN
8.00 pm
Janette MacIver 01851 704 870
1
Rothbury
Liam Stewart - supported by Colin Bradford and Friends
Armstrong Hall, Jubilee Institute, Rothbury NE65 7SD
7.30 pm
Mary Davidson 01668 281 307
1
Turriff
Claire Telford & Wayne Robertson
Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown AB53 5WJ
7.30 pm
Pat Steele 01888 562 486
4
Arbroath
Ewan Galloway Trio
Arbroath Artisan Golf Club, Elliot, By Arbroath DD11 2PE
7.30pm
Tony Simpson 01241 875 326
4
Peebles
Summer Open Day
Rugby Social Club, Peebles EH45 8AD
1.30 pm
Dorothy Lawson 07760 197 301
6
Seghill
Sounds Instrumental (Buffet Night)
Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ
7.00 pm
James Youngson 01670 356 410
7
Banff & District
Iain J Macdonald Highland Ceilidh Band
Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE
7.30 pm
Alison Coutts 01346 518 754
7
Glenfarg
John Stuart Band
Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NU
7.30 pm
Stewart Smith 01577 830 296
7
Montrose
Janet Graham Band
Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ
7.30 pm
Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487
7
Orkney
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD
7.30 pm
Jim Marwick 01856 874 474
8
Button-Key (Windygates)
The Cruickshanks Family Band
The Greig Institute, Windygates KY8 5DG
7.00 pm
Mary Cook 01592 713 687
8
Carlisle
Steven Carcary Duo
St Margaret Mary’s Social Club, Carlisle CA2 4JX
7.30 pm
Alison Davies 01228 675 505
13
Blairgowrie
Robert Whitehead SDB
Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL
7.30 pm
Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302
13
Seghill
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ
7.00 pm
James Youngson 01670 356 410
14
Banff & District
McBains Dance Band
Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE
7.30 pm
Alison Coutts 01346 518 754
14
Orkney
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD
7.30 pm
Jim Marwick 01856 874 474
15
Tynedale
John Caskie, James Coutts & Iain Cathcart
Tynedale Farmers Function Suite, Hexham Auction Mart, Hexham NE46 3SG
7.00 pm
Roddy Matthews 01434 672 424 / 07801 951 965
18
Annan St Andrew
Richard Smith
St Andrew Social Club, Annan DG12 5JW
7.30 pm
Mrs N Taylor 01461 204 604
20
Ellon
Leonard Brown
Station Hotel, Ellon AB41 9BD
7.30 pm
Tom Jamieson 07864 824583
20
Seghill
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ
7.00 pm
James Youngson 01670 356 410
21
Banff & District
Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE
7.30 pm
Alison Coutts 01346 518 754
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&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM B&F • BWWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM
Dance Diary
Contact: ceilidh@dancediary.info Tel: 01389 767718 or send your entry to: Alasdair Graham, 1 First Avenue, Dumbarton G82 2PU
Ceilidh & Old Time Dances
Regular Weekly Events
DATE
TOWN
HALL
BAND
TIME
COST
CONTACT
COMMENTS
Monday
Kirkwall
St Magnus Centre
Live Music
7.30 pm - 10.00 pm
£5/£2
Door - All Welcome 01856 873 534
Orkney Dance Assoc.
Wednesday
Coupar Angus
St Anne’s Church Hall, Forfar Road
-
7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
£2.50
Tracy Thom 01828 628 747
Ceilidh Class.
Ceilidh & Old Time Dances
August 2019
DATE
TOWN
HALL
BAND
TIME
COST
CONTACT
COMMENTS
2-24
Edinburgh
Lauriston Hall
Various + Piper
Not Stated
£8
0131 339 5374
edinburghceilidhs. net
3
Largoward
Village Hall
Willie MacFarlane
8.00 pm - 11.00 pm
£5 Tea
07961 437 615
Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ
3
Daviot
Strathnairn Hall
Steven Carcary
8.00 pm - 12.00 mn
£6 Tea
01540 651 377
Cairngorm Dancers IV2 5XL
7
Banff
Springs Hotel
Iain j Macdonald
7.30 pm - 10.30 pm
£4 Bar
01346 518 754
Acc & Fiddle Club Summer Dancing
7
Linlithgow
Palace Grounds
Ian Smith
7.30 pm - 10.30 pm
£10/£8
0131 331 1528
Indoors if wet.
9
Bridge of Earn
Institute
Martin Donaldson
7.30 pm
£5 No Bar
01738 813 997
Tea & Biscuits
10
Canonbie
Village Hall
John Morgan
7.30 pm - 11.30 pm
£6 BYOB
07704 727 463
(own food) DG14 0UX
10
Tranent
Rannoch House
Johnny Duncan
7.30 pm - 11.30 pm
£5 Bar
01875 615 138
Pay at Door
10
Largoward
Village Hall
Ewan Galloway
8.00 pm - 11.00 pm
£5 Tea
07961 437 615
Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ
10
N. Kessock
Village Hall
Graeme Mitchell
8.00 pm - 12.00 mn
£6 Tea
01463 222 393
Social Dancers BYOB.& Food
11
Glencarse
Village Hall
Steven Carcary
7.30 pm - 10.00 pm
£4 No Bar
01738 552 688
Set & Couples Dances
11
Aberdeen
Ashdale Hall
Johnny Duncan
7.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Pay at door
01569 731 465
Blackburn Club Charity Dance
14
Banff
Springs Hotel
McBains
7.30 pm - 10.30 pm
£4
01346 518 754
Acc & Fiddle Club Summer Dancing
14
Linlithgow
Palace Grounds
Adin Graham
7.30 pm - 10.30 pm
£10/£8
0131 331 1528
Indoors if wet.
17
Largoward
Village Hall
Keith Robertson
8.00 pm - 11.00 pm
£5 Tea
07961 437 615
Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ
18
Milnathort
Town Hall
Ewan Galloway
2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
£5 tea
01577 863 244
Proceeds to Charity. Pay at Door
18
Montrose
Park Hotel
George Rennie
2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
£?
01241 879 487
A & F Club Sunday Ceilidh
18
Ayr
Heathfield C.C.
Brian Griffin
7.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Pay at Door
01292 440 037
Monthly Dance Club
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B&F • REVIEWS
Reviews
If you wish your CDs, DVDs or books to be reviewed, please send them to: Bill Brown, 3 Galahad Close, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 9DT
Around The World With You Leonard Brown & His All Star Band Reviewed by Derek Hamilton
This is Leonard’s 10th professional album in 8 years! Quite amazing when you think about it. He’s not even reached the age of 30 yet! This new album conforms admirably to the very high standard Leonard has set on all his CDs. It is a real cracker! It is totally different from any other he’s produced but all the more enjoyable for that fact. He and his highly rated band of excellent musicians take you on a trip around the world, as the title implies, playing medleys from the USA, Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, Cuba, Italy, Germany, GB, Scotland, Brazil, Ireland, Sweden and much more! My favourite track is The Sleeping Warrior played as a modern waltz from the pen of Mike Gill of Kilmarnock. The Sleeping Warrior is the view of the Arran Hills from the Ayrshire coast, which seem to depict a resting person. Leonard’s sympathetic treatment of this simple but very effective tune is superb. Add to that the Glenn Miller medley, André Rieu favourites, Argentinean tangos, Canadian capers, French musette, Bavarian polkas, Austrian waltzes, Cha Chas, wartime marches, sambas, Riverdance and ABBA favourites and you will have a good hour of listening pleasure and, what’s more, you’ll recognise them all. That is a major secret of the Leonard Brown success. He plays music you and I want to hear. He plays for his audience and still gives a virtuoso performance every time. It is so obvious from his choice of material here that he appreciates that it is the listening audiences who keep music alive. Many musicians nowadays play essentially for themselves while trying to educate the audience, if they are even aware of an audience at all. Not Leonard and the
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Around the World with You is inspiring. It is fresh and superbly played with a content to please all listeners
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band; they are firmly in the mould of entertainment, not education. Around the World with You is inspiring. It is fresh and superbly played with a content to please all listeners. Released on 5th July, the CD is available in good record shops or direct from Leonard (07758 723 355) at his gigs, dances, concerts and shows or from his website www.leonardbrownaccordion.co.uk and check out his facebook page. A most enjoyable CD very well played. I, for one, hope it does well. l