Box & Fiddle - July 2016

Fiddle The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

Shand Morino

DAY

THE NAAFC GOLF DAY

Guest Artist DIRECTORY

CLUB REPORTS PLUS

News, Club & Dance

Diaries and much more...

39th Year No. 11 July 2016

£2.70

BOX&

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

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...to the July 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 Irvine mamidesigns@hotmail.com Section icons by: FlatIcon

Cover Image Shand Morino Day © Norman Myles Printer • Meigle Colour Printers www.meigleprint.co.uk

NAAFC Chairman • Nicol McLaren 9 Sheila Road, Blairgowrie Perthshire, PH10 6RP Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman • Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary • Susan MacFadyen Carlung Farm, West Kilbride Ayrshire, KA23 9PU Tel: 01294 823 865 susan@boxandfiddle.com Treasurer • Willie Johnstone treasurer@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: Charlie Kirkpatrick David Cunningham Margo Maclennan Richard Ross Tom Orr

Hope you will enjoy the content in this issue – lots of photos from recent events such as the Shand Morino day and the golf day oot.

I have been out and about a lot in June as well, but more about that in the August issue.

I visited the Falkirk Fiddle Workshop’s AGM trying to encourage them to visit the clubs around them, and of course there was our Pia Walker, Editor AGM too.

July will be busy too as I have to start working on the August and September issues as soon as July is at the printers. Marie is going on a much needed holiday (probably to get rest from me!), so I need everything in before or on the deadline date of 5 JULY. I need your meeting dates in NOW, even if you haven’t confirmed the guest artists for the coming season. The dates can go on the website and we can slot in the guest artists when you get them. The important thing is that people know you are open for business so they can plan future visits. Advertising your club is your responsibility, so do ensure that this is done. The deadline for all information is the 5th of the month. If you want your September meeting to be advertised in the diary in August, I need it by 5th July.

Telling me medio-late August won’t be any good. And before you phone up/e-mail me/facebook it, this was also mentioned in the May issue. I assume that committee members have arranged to get their magazines elsewhere even though their club is closed!

(And that they read said magazines ☺).

In this issue you will also find the guest artist directory, it is shorter than normal, as there was a distinct lack of replies from the 3 e-mails I sent out to guest artists, and those who did not respond did not get on. They can still get on the website list throughout the year, but I really did need to tidy up the hard copy list. The website list has been updated too – have a look online, it looks brilliant.

It won’t be long before the new season starts, so until then have a great 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

B&F • CONTENTS

5 © PHOTO: NORMAN MYLES

11 14 17

6 7 8 9 11 14 17

30

30 31

Guest Artist Directory

38

Club Diary

40

Dance Diary

42

Reviews

The latest news

Brandon McPhee; Rockfield Polka

from our clubs

44

Sheet Music

News Leonard Brown’s CD Launch

Magazine Stockists Centre Stage We chat to Ewan Galloway

Jack Emblow We look back over his career

The NAAFC Golf Day Shand Morino Day Club News

In Memory Gordon Simpson

Deadlines:

Take The Floor Your essential directory to bands and artists

You are never too old to go Clubbing!

Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs

Ronnie Watt’s 9th Dan

by Charlie Abel

All articles, adverts, club reports and text for the magazine must be e-mailed to the editor by the 5th of every month 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

NEWS

News

Send in your story. If you have a photo that tells a story, send it in with an explanation.

Leonard Brown’s CD Launch

Leonard Brown, his band and Maggie Adamson played for a superb concert at the Salutation Hotel in Perth on 22 May. The humour and quality of play were unbeatable. Liam Stewart accompanied superbly on piano, Davie Stewart played harmony accordion and a great tune as lead accordion.

John Sinton played double bass and Malcolm Ross drums and percussion. They both played superbly adding hugely to the general excitement of the event. Maggie Adamson played fiddle to

incredible effect with excellent timing, feeling and some really fast pizzicato playing. This was also the occasion of the CD launch. If you missed the event there are several more concerts coming up and listed The Box & Fiddle’s and on Leonard’s website where you can also buy the new CD: www.leonardbrownaccordion.co.uk. Leonard also played some sets on his superb new Scandalli tone chamber compact accordion Colin, Scotlandaccordions.co.uk

Thank You

Chairman H Maclennan presenting a cheque to Rae Wilby from Dundonnell Mountain Rescue in memory of two of our club’s supporters Alex Brett and David Ritchie.

ROBBIE SHEPHERD wishes to thank all musicians, friends and all listeners over the years, who sent cards and emails on my 80th Birthday. It’s you who have kept me going.

AYE KNYPIN ON!

B&F • JULY 2016

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Jack Emblow has finally retired after a long and successful career.

Above: Art Van Damme and Jack Emblow Caister 2006.

Left: Jack Emblow & Tony Compton.

M

any have heard the music of Jack Emblow, due to his contribution to popular culture in TV, cinema, radio, recordings and in sound tracks such as BBC’s ‘’Allo,’Allo!’, ‘Bergerac’ and ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, in ITV’s ‘Maigret’ and ‘French Fields’. His film credits include: ‘Whistle Down The Wind’ and Cliff Richard’s ‘Summer Holiday’.

Jack, born in 1930, began piano lessons at the age of 9, but two years later switched to the accordion.

By the end of WW2 Jack played professionally as a member of the Al Podesta Accordion Band. Around the same time he also played regularly in a trio led by the blind jazz pianist Eddie Thompson. In the 1950s he was playing dance music and jazz gigs and in 1956 the Jack Emblow Sextet made the first of many broadcasts for ‘Music While You Work’ on the BBC Light Programme.

In the mid-1950s Jack moved into the world of London recording studios as a session musician, playing for singers as diverse as Alma Cogan, Michael Holliday, Tom Jones, Sandie Shaw, Bernard Cribbins, Donovan, Elton John, Grace Jones, The Strawbs and even the Beatles. During the filming of ‘All you need is love’ in 1967, John Lennon borrowed Jack’s accordion, and a photo taken led to the myth that Lennon was an accordionist. Jack played on

Peter Sarstedt’s No 1 hit Where do you go to my lovely’. He also featured on the recordings of other accordionists, including Jimmy Shand and Dermot O’Brien. Of the latter, he recalls playing second accordion when O’Brien was recording a version of The Carnival of Venice with his backing band The Clubmen. The rehearsal was not going well. The players spent a while practising, but decided to have a break and go to the nearest pub. An hour later, suitably refreshed, they went back and straight away produced a spot-on version of the tune – the last track on the LP ‘The Laughing Accordion’.

In 1959 Jack was signed up by Cliff Adams as the accompanist for a new radio programme called ‘Sing Something Simple’, which lasted for a recordbreaking 42 years.

In 1973, the BBC recruited Jack Emblow, Ernie Shear (banjo), Roy Davey (vibes), Pete Collins (bass) and Geoff Lofts (drums) to form a session band, ‘The French Collection’ and a series of ‘French Collection’ albums followed. Early publicity stated that: “This all too depressing world needs cheering up from time to time, and nobody is better qualified for that none too easy task than the French Collection.”

In 1987 Jack and fellow accordionist Tony Compton formed a duo. In 1987 they recorded an LP ‘Flying High’ (both were model aeroplane enthusiasts!),

☛

B&F • JULY 2016

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THE NAAFC

Golf Day Photos by Pia Walker

James Hamilton, Nicol McLaren, Graham Hamilton, John Sinton and Caroline Hamilton

T

he big day where musicians from all over the country compete for the Billy Thom Memorial Trophy arrived with beautiful sunshine. In total 23 golfers (I’ll try not to say in all shapes and sizes!), 4 caddies and spectators gathered in the New Golf Club in Dunblane to enjoy the golf and the music.

After the bacon rolls it was time to get changed, find the gear and have a few practise swings before the first team set off down the perfectly groomed course.

They were then followed by the 5 other teams closely in pursuit. I followed, jumping from team to team, hoping to take a few interesting photos, after which I came back and sensibly stayed on the terrace overlooking the 18th hole, joined by Pat McLeod from Oban, to await the return of the combatants. A little over 4 hours later the teams started coming back, looking for suitable refreshments after an extremely hot round. The teams then went off to have some supper and enjoy the presentations of prizes yet again kindly presented by Jenny Stewart, daughter

How far did it go?

It’s rough work, but someone’s got to do it.

☛

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Shand W Morino Day

ell it was more like a long weekend, as a coach-load of people from the Cork Button & Bows led by Ireland’s Jimmy Shand, the well-known Donal Ring was in Scotland for the Shand Morino day on the Sunday. They planned it so they could join not only the Thursday meeting, but the dancing in Largoward on the Saturday and a session in Markinch on the Friday and there were people there from all over with the same idea as the Irish i.e. take a long weekend in Fife and have as many tunes and as little sleep as possible.

I joined them at the dancing in Largoward (thanks for the Quickstep, Bruce Lindsay – most enjoyable) and it was great to see the Irish visitors throw themselves into the various dances with a few of us ‘locals’ trying our hands (or feet) with a Kerry Polka.

Gavin Piper was playing for this and instructions given to him for the Kerry Polka were … well … !: “It’s a Polka, but it’s a reel, but more like a very quick reel”.

Sunday dawned (for some round midday!), and by now some of the Irish visitors had that ‘well lived

B&F • GUEST ARTISTS

Guest Artist Directory Please contact editor@boxandfiddle.com for any additions, deletions or amendments. Any changes will occur in online-format.

KEY: S = Solo D = Duo T = Trio Q = Quartet B = Band

Designed by Freepik.com

S TIST R A

A

ADAMSON, Deirdre Area: Angus Landline: 01307 464 324 E-mail: buntanne @btinternet.com ADAMSON, Maggie Area: Glasgow/Shetland Band Size: D Mobile: 07796 783 919 E-mail: maggie.adamson @hotmail.co.uk Facebook: maggie and brian ANDERSON, Billy Area: Fife Band Size: T/Q Mobile: 07778 178 716 Landline: 01334 840 469 E-mail: Billyandersonmusic@ gmail.com Web: www.billyanderson. co.uk ANDERSON, Marian Area: Falkirk Band Size: T/Q/5 Mobile: 07905 649 046 Landline: 01324 831 833 E-mail: mariansband@aol.com ANDERSON, Ronald Area: Orkney Landline: 01856 811 220 E-mail: anderson.burnside @tiscali.co.uk ANDERSON, Stuart Area: Scottish Borders Band Size: S/D/T/Q/5/6 Mobile: 07958 225 535 Landline: 01450 880 222 E-mail: sj_anderson@hotmail. co.uk Web: www.bordersceilidh band.co.uk

AUCHNIE, Nicola (fiddle) Area: Aberdeenshire Band Size: S (Fiddle) Mobile: 07779 644 441 E-mail: n.auchnie.05 @aberdeen.ac.uk

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BAND, Scott Area: Angus Mobile: 07845 906 645 Landline: 01828 650 525 E-mail: scottbox@hotmail.co.uk BARBOUR, Freeland Area: Edinburgh Mobile: 07434 959 724 Landline: 0131 662 4295 E-mail: contact@ freelandbarbour.co.uk Web: www.theoccasionals.com BARRON, Neil Area: West Yorkshire Band Size: S/D/T/Q/5/6 Mobile: 07909 906 060 Landline: 01937 588 352 E-mail: neilbarron @hotmail.com BELL, David Area: Cumbria Landline: 01228 523 957 E-mail: davidandirenebell @gmail.com BLACK, Dick Area: West Lothian Band Size: Q Landline: 01501 741 482 BLACK, Duncan Area: Edinburgh Band Size: To suit Mobile: 07795 014 891 E-mail: duncan@duncan black.net

BLACK, Robert Area: Falkirk Band Size: T/Q/5/B Mobile: 07712 890 636 Landline: 01506 204 997 E-mail: robert@rbmusic.biz Web: www.robertblack.co.uk BLUE, Joan Area: Perthshire Landline: 01738 787 842 E-mail: joanna_pianna2010 @btinternet.com BRADY, Luke Area: Tayside Band Size: D/T/Q/5/6 Mobile: 07719 422 047 Landline: 01382 665 722 E-mail: lukesband @googlemail.com Web: www.lukebrady.co.uk Experienced Scottish Dance Band with special rates for Acc and Fiddle clubs!

BROWN, Colin Area: Fife Mobile: 07967 014 986 E-mail: pentlandscb @yahoo.co.uk Web: www.pentlandscb.co.uk BROWN, Gordon Area: Scottish Borders Band Size: To suit Mobile: 07795 596 487 Landline: 01573 226 487 E-mail: spog.gordonbrown @sky.com

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☛

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DS BAN

D Danelaw Dance Band

Please contact: Whitehead, Robert

Adin Graham Band

Please contact: Graham, Adin

A Alan Gardiner SDB

Please contact: Gardiner, Alan

Dave Husband Sound

Please contact: Husband, Dave

David Cunningham SDB

Please contact: Cunningham, David Jnr

Alan Ross SDB

David Oswald SDB

Alan Small & Gemma Donald

Dick Black’s Band

Alistair K Macpherson SDB

Dollarfield Band

Alistair McCulloch Band

Donald Macleod SDB

Please contact: Ross, Alan Please contact: Small, Alan

Please contact: MacPherson, Alistair K Please contact: McCulloch, Alistair

B Billy Anderson Band

Please contact: Anderson, Billy

Blackthorne Ceilidh Band Please contact: Liddle, Bob

Please contact: Oswald, David Please contact: Black, Dick Please contact: Cook, Fiona Please contact: Macleod, Donald

Duncan Black SDB

Please contact: Black, Duncan

Dundee Strathspey & Reel Ceilidh Band Please contact: Sutherland, Morag

Bon-Accord

E Ewan Galloway Band

Borders Ceilidh Band

G Gary Sutherland Band

Please contact: Waitt, Deryn & Robin Please contact: Linton, Judith

Please contact: Galloway, Ewan Please contact: Sutherland, Gary

Brandon McPhee Trio

George Rennie

Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band

Glencraig SDB

Please contact: McPhee, Brandon Please contact: Burns, John

C Cairnhill Ceilidh Band

Please contact: Buchanan, Iain

Callum Wallace & The Tay Ceilidh Band Please contact: Wallace, Callum

Please contact: Rennie, George Please contact: McLaren, Nicol

Gordon Brown SDB

Please contact: Brown, Gordon

Cathcart and his Band I Iain Please contact: Cathcart, Iain

Calum Low Duo

Iain MacPhail and his SDB

Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band

Ian Thomson SDB

Please contact: Low, Calum Please contact: Ross, Alex

Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio

Please contact: Kirkpatrick, Charlie

Please contact: MacPhail, Iain Please contact: Thomson, Ian

J Jack Delaney SDB

Please contact: Delaney, Jack

Clappy Doo

James Coutts SDB

Colin Garvin SDB

Jim Mackays Dance Band

Craig McFadyen SDB

John Douglas

Please contact: Munro, Graeme Please contact: Garvin, Colin Please contact: McFadyen, Craig

Please contact: Coutts, James Please contact: Mackay, Jim

Please contact: Douglas, John

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Reviews Brandon McPhee Scottish Champion CDPAN044

I’ve been a great fan and admirer of Brandon McPhee for a number of years and have followed his musical progression with great interest.

Brandon’s talent is in no doubt as this new CD Scottish Champion clearly demonstrates.

I’m therefore going to get my major gripes out of the way first as there are so many positives on this new CD. Firstly, the CD artwork (an important eye-catching marketing tool) is quite simply dull and makes Brandon look old well before his time. If you’re going to release a CD to celebrate the achievements of an outstanding Scottish champion accordion player, which Brandon undoubtedly is, I would expect the same hard work, commitment and effort that Brandon has clearly put in reaching this high standard to be replicated by his record company. Come on Pan Records where is your imagination and creativity? It certainly doesn’t do Brandon any favours and neither does it give the perception that Scottish music has moved forward. I would respectively suggest that a look at the creative CD artwork that Iain Cathcart and his excellent band always produce will point you in the right direction. After all, brand perception and image is absolutely critical in the mass-media market we now live in.

Secondly, as Brandon plays a Shand Morino, all be it exceptionally well (he did become Scottish champion after all) the inevitable comparison will continue to be made with Jimmy Shand, and I personally feel Brandon now needs to move on musically from that comparison by effectively becoming a modern day Jimmy Shand befitting of his own generation.

Having said that, Brandon’s ability and talent is utterly breath-taking and amazing which is why I feel so strongly about the above points I’ve made,

If you wish your CDs, DVDs or books to be reviewed, please send them to: Bill Brown, 3 Galahad Close, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 9DT

because he’s selling himself short and his outstanding talent deserves to be heard by a much broader audience supported by a more modern and contemporary approach.

So now to the positives (and there are many).

Brandon’s playing on this CD is crisp, accurate and precise and I’m going to stick my neck out and say that Brandon, in my view, is a much better player than Jimmy Shand and without question generates a magical sound from his Shand Marino that is deeply infectious.

The album is well recorded and Brandon’s standard of playing throughout is immaculate. The collection of material is a good retrospective, showcasing extremely well the outstanding talent that resulted in Brandon’s name being added to the Jimmy Shand Shield. If I were to highlight a few favourites then The Cuckoo Waltz, Miss Rowan Davies and Happy Hours would be high on the list.

Brandon is an extremely talented young man with immense ability and a very bright future ahead of him. He has achieved so much in his young life.

I’m such a fan of Brandon’s that I would now like to see him go out and create his own musical dynasty, which he is more than capable of doing.

FOR SALE

Davie Scott’s Full Size Shand Morino 120 Bass • 30 years’ old Good Condition • Recently Serviced

ASKING PRICE £3000

although any reasonable offer considered.

Viewing by appointment only Contact Jim Scott ph.: 07554016968