Box & Fiddle March 2015 by Box & Fiddle

Fiddle

38th Year No. 07 Mar 2015

The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

David Ross GUEST OF HONOUR

20th Shand Morino Day My Dream System Achieved

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Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

...to the March 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 Cover Image © 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 • Charlie Todd 63 Station Road, Thankerton Biggar, ML12 6NZ Tel: 01899 308 327 charlie@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: Charlie Kirkpatrick David Cunningham Margo Maclennan Richard Ross Tom Orr Willie Johnstone

March! Already! Time seem to fly by right now. This issue is packed with information important to your clubs; the summer subscription form, the voting slips for the Baafi awards, information with regard to the AGM and Celebrity Luncheon and much more. We also have an article on one of Pia Walker, Editor the Guests of Honours. All the Guests of Honours will be featured in the next couple of issues. A new feature this month is the radio reviews. You may be aware that a number of local radio shows have been axed lately. MFR 2, Tay AM, Northsound 2, Clyde 2, Forth 2 and Westsound no longer broadcast Scottish music programmes and we have therefore lost some great programmes and broadcasters dedicated to our music. Ian Simpson will from this issue start reviewing the broadcasts where we can still hear our music. This month we have a review of a programme, which took over when Andy Ross retired. It is called ‘On the Radio’, if you have a snappier title, do let me know and we can rename it. In the previous issue, I asked if you could please ensure that names etc. were correct when you sent in your reports and articles, as some people do comment on this. I have been having some lovely phone conversations with Mr Eric R Glanville, Rosyth, as a result. He was mentioned in the January issue as Alex Granville. He is a prolific composer, and the music on the back page is one of his compositions. Not only that, but he also sent me a waltz he composed for me, I am so touched, thank you so much Eric. If you have any festivals coming up, do let me know and do advertise them in the magazine. After the Inchyra Festival, we have Dumfries on the 28th of March and Newtongrange on the 12th of April. Please do let me know of any other in plenty of time. Finally, please use the voting slips to vote for the Baafi awards. Put the date of the AGM in your diary, if it is not already there and do sign up for the luncheon as soon as possible. I look forward to meeting you there and of course at the Inchyra Festival on the 7th.

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.

B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

NEWS

News

Send in your story, it will be of interest to others. If you have a photo that tells a story, send it in with an explanation.

Celtic Connections

anuary means Celtic Connections and this year was no different. It is still an extremely popular festival, with audience and performers from all over the world. Yes, in some acts you wonder where the ‘Celtic’ is present, but I suppose that is where ‘Connections’ come into play. Well over 100.000 people attended according to the official figures with ticket sales above £ 1 million, 2000 artists performed during 300 concerts, ceilidhs, free events, late night sessions and workshops in over 20 venues across Glasgow for 18 days. Many of these shows were sell-outs. For those who do not value FaceBook as a marketing tool, the CC site reached 26,500 likes, so perhaps a rethink on using FB for your club may be a good idea. Margo Maclennan from Inverness here tells of just one of the many bands performing:

Campsie Haggis & Neeps Dance

Fiddle Forte were part of over 100 young performers aged between 10 and 21 years representing Fèisean from all over Scotland on stage at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow as part of Celtic Connection. Fiddle Forte is made up of students who attend weekly Traditional Music Classes promoted and organised by High Life Highland in Inverness. The 5 young students were chosen from the ten fiddlers who make up the Fiddle Forte performance group. Their lead tutor is Irene Fraser and they were accompanied on piano by Blair Teska. Due to the success of their previous performances at the Tartan Heart, Blas Festivals and the Scots Trad Music Awards, the group was invited by Fèis a Bhaile to jointly represent both High Life Highland/TMC and Fèis a’ Bhaile, the local Inverness-based fèis at the Ceòl nam Fèis Concert.

The club had a very successful Haggis and Neeps Dance on 31st January. The band was The Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio. Charlie had Gordon Young playing drums, and Derek Hamilton playing piano. They treated us to a wide variety of ceilidh dances and some country dances too. Charlie was led in by our piper Tony Macin whilst John Gray carried in the haggis, which Charlie very ably addressed. The haggis, neeps and tatties was followed by trifle or gateau then tea, coffee and biscuits, before continuing to dance away the night. Thanks to everyone who came along, to our band, and to all those who brought along raffle prizes. Sylvia Lockhart

B&F • NEWS

Shetland

Pottinger, Duncan Findlay.

♪♪Grand

Old Viking Centuries, Up Helly A’ has come... ♪♪ Compere Jimmy Burgess opened the evening and introduced the first band on stage, the Craig Paton Scottish Dance Band. The incredible total of 42 visiting and local musicians who played during the evening were: (fiddles) Andy Kain, Gemma Donald, Gordon Howe, Bryan Gear, Alan Gifford, Willie Johnstone, Andrew Knight; (accordions) Craig Paton, Wayne Robertson, Steven Carcary, Alan Small, Neil Caul, Hamish Smith, Ivor Scollay, John Burns, Colin

Brown,

Iain

MacPhail,

Bruce

Peebles, Gary Sutherland, Nicol McLaren, Michael Philip, Ricky Ross, Jimmy Burgess; (piano) Tom Orr, Gill Simpson, Isobelle Hodgson, Martin Henderson, Derek Hendry, Jim Nichol, Colin Garvin; (drums) Duncan Christie, Graham Sherrit, Nicky McMichan, Davie Bell, Alan Irvine, Kevin Gifford, Alan Sutherland, Douglas Knight, John Leask; (bass guitar) Cecil Hughson; (guitar) Martin

To the delight of all, Jimmy Burgess led the stramash and played the obligatory Up Helly A’ Song and The Galley Song. The fabulous entertainment finished with the great sound of the West Telferton Caledonian Dance Band. With friendships made and renewed the crowd meandered out into the night with anticipation of the big day itself only a few hours away. The Committee wish to thank all musicians who came along to play during what is a hectic few says; thanks also to those who support the club, it really is appreciated and we hope to see you all again next year.

The Christmas Truce (1914) Remembered

he Steven Carcary Ceilidh band (Steven Carcary, Graham Bell, Issy Hodgson and Alex Hodgson) were invited by Des Brogan of Mercat Tours International to Ypres celebrating 100 years since the ‘Harmonious Truce Football Match’ in World War 1. It was the most emotional and memorable trip we have ever attended. We left on 23rd December taking the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge with a sing-along onboard lead by George Darling which went on till the ‘wee sma’ heurs’. We carried on the next morning (Christmas Eve) arriving in Ypres where four bus loads of enthusiastic supporters were allocated their hotels. After a freshen up and a meal we headed to the Menin Gate for the nightly last post ceremony, we then travelled to Messines for a candle-lit walk, where locals came out of their houses to exchange Christmas Greetings. We reached ‘Prowse Point Cemetery’ still holding our candles, and thinking of home we sang as the soldiers had done 100 years ago. The poignancy of this experience is hard to describe in writing. On Christmas Day we watched the re-enactment

Steven, Graham and Issy

football match, where the participants were in the uniform of soldiers and nurses from the war. We exchanged small gifts in a field in Belgium with people from all nationalities to remember the sacrifices made during this time. The final event was a concert on Boxing Day in the Ypres Theatre. Musicians were Michael Brogan, Alex Hodgson, Fiona J. Mackenzie, Pattsy Seddon, David Manderson and a Belgian orchestra. It was rounded off in the Cloth Hall with a magnificent Ceilidh led by Steven Carcary with an audience of over 200 people dancing and enjoying Scotland’s contribution to the remembrance and celebrations. Issy Hodgson

B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

David Ross By Derek Hamilton

David with his Shan d

Morino

avid Ross was born in the week that the Queen Mary ocean liner was launched on the Clyde. This was just over 80 years ago in September 1934. Davie was born in Mauchline, Ayrshire at Auchenfail estate where his father worked. Davie started primary school at Riccarton, Kilmarnock and completed his early education during the Second World War years. He left school having achieved the highest accolade at Glencairn Junior Secondary, that of Joint Dux Boy. On leaving school he served a 5 year apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, which stood him in good stead for the rest of his working life. He stayed in the motor trade for the next 50 years

and retired from the daily grind at age 65. He did have a 2 year sabbatical from 1955 to 1957 when he served in the Royal Navy doing his National Service. This took him to Malta and he was involved in the Suez Crisis. Following National Service he went back to the motor trade and worked his way up to Service Manager at one of Kilmarnock’s big dealers before moving to Ayr and then back to Kilmarnock. Shortly after his stint in the Navy Davie met and courted Margaret, a staff nurse at Kilmarnock Infirmary, whom he married in 1963. Lindsay, their only daughter, was born in 1965 and, as if by magic, she has been involved in a Motor Trade associated business all her life.

Davie is a Kilmarnock man through and through, which is often displayed on a Saturday afternoon at Rugby Park where he supports his local team Killie FC. Music always played the major part in Davie’s social life. His father played the melodion and Davie took to playing tunes on this at an early age. His dad bought him a 3-row when he was 12 years old. He spent all of the next 12 years working out the intricacies of the instrument all by himself without any formal music lessons whatsoever. He is totally a ‘lug’ player and proud of it. In 1959 Davie bought his trusty Hohner Shand Morino and considers it, as many do, to be the Rolls Royce of buttonkey accordions. Margaret and Davie were good friends of Sir

B&F • MARCH 2015

Above: 30th Anniversary Galston Accordion Club David Ross, Jim Johnstone, Billy Stewart, Robbie Shepherd, Derek Hamilton. Right top: David in 1956 his Navy days. Middle: back row: Archie Brown, Bill Rodie, Billy Stewart, front row: David Ross and Richie Holland Bottom: David in Ireland with Dermot O’Brien. Jimmy Shand and his wife Anne and Davie acknowledges that Sir Jimmy was a great influence on his playing. The David Ross Scottish Country Dance Band was born in 1965 and for the last 50 years has played for the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society dances, classes, day schools and balls all over Scotland, England, Wales, Germany and many other places. He played for 25 years at Culzean Castle near Girvan in Ayrshire, the one time summer residence of the American President Dwight Eisenhower. He also played for the first 32 years of the Islay Branch of the RSCDS at their annual weekend in May each year. He did summer seasons with top Scottish stars of the variety theatre and played for RSCDS demonstration teams both here and abroad on a regular basis. In 1968 he and two of his best pals, the late Bill Rodie who was pianist in the band and drummer Billy Stewart, started

Galston Accordion Club. He was Chairman of that club for 38 years before closing it in 2006. He was also one of the team of founder members of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and was national treasurer of the Association for the first 14 years of its existence. Davie was instrumental in bringing the great Dermot O’Brien to the accordion club scene of Scotland and Tom Alexander played his first accordion club guest spot at Galston Accordion Club thanks to Davie. His contribution to our heritage music is immense. Davie’s wealth of knowledge and ability is legendary, for a man who could not, and still cannot, read music. At the age of 80 he still enjoys playing all through the winter for Scottish Dance classes in Glasgow. He still plays for the Ayr branch demonstration teams as well as others throughout Scotland. He must carry around anything upwards of 500 tunes in his head, and at the touch of

a button he can bring them to his fingers and play them like a youngster. He is a living legend and it is very befitting that the Association he helped set up and served as a senior office bearer for all these years has bestowed their highest honour on him. Long may he continue to bring the pleasure of his button-box playing to the world at large. l

B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

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? If you don’t have a report to write, then mention someone from your club or a special event and send in a relevant photo. Information in Club News helps attract visitors to your club, so make sure your club sounds like the place we want to go to.

ABERDEEN Scott Gordon welcomed a smaller-than-usual crowd to our January meeting. Frank Burnett (accordion) started off the evening. Then we had Keith Duncan on accordion, both accompanied by Esma Shepherd. Next came Sandy McAllan on button-box. Sandy always tries something different and this month it was a Minuet by Mozart. Mozart on the button-box? Was this a first? In contrast, he then played a nice set of Gaelic waltzes. Guest artist time and this month we had the Neil Dawson Scottish Dance Band with Neil leading on fiddle, Graeme Mitchell on accordion, Dennis Morrison on keyboard and Scott Gordon on drums. They played a good selection of Scottish, Shetland and American tunes. It was nice to have a fiddle leading the band for a change. In second half we had a wee group with Lynn Christie (accordion), Susan Gordon (fiddle), Dennis Morrison (piano) and Scott Gordon (drums). As usual, Lynn chose some pipe tunes. She has a great liking for the pipe music and it went down well as usual.

Neil Dawson SDB

Dennis Shepherd (mouth organ) was on his second performance of the night, having come from entertaining at another venue. After tea and the raffle, Neil Dawson SDB played another collection of lively tunes from different parts of the world, Neil even breaking into French at one point. A good night of music all round. Esma Shepherd ALNWICK Our January 2015 meeting was as always dedicated to celebrating our National Bard, Robert Burns. Our guest speaker was Alan Crowe who addressed the haggis and gave us grace for the meal. Judith Whithead and her very able team of volunteer helpers provided a superb

3-course Burns Supper for the company of over 70 people who attended, a huge thanks to them all. Our guest musicians were Leonard Brown on accordion, Maggie Adamson on fiddle and Malcom Ross on drums. A great programme of music and humour was provided from all the band members. Their solo spots were fabulous. A most enjoyable night, good company, food and music, Burns would have approved. Mungo Riddell ANNAN ST ANDREW The January meeting welcomed back Jack Murdoch as MC, who thanked John Watret for his kind assistance during his absence. The guest band for the evening was the Gold Brothers Scottish Dance Band,

B&F • CLUB NEWS

comprising of Jim Gold on accordion, Tom Gold on fiddle and Ross Anderson on drums. They commenced by playing for a number of popular dances. The local players then took to the stage, each playing twice accompanied by Ian Wilson on keyboard and Billy Porter on drums. Kenny White from Rigg played a number of popular Scottish tunes on piano accordion. Jim Fraser from Dumfries played for a Gay Gordon two step and a Quickstep with superb timing. Newbie Park from Carlisle has the ability to play piano accordion, three- and fiverow button-key accordions, melodeon and concertina. This time he played piano accordion. Norman Swainson from Wigton played his small piano accordion of equal size to a melodeon. John Waugh from Carlisle played piano accordion and is very talented, being a dance band leader in his own right. The guest band then returned and played for further dancing. At the end of the evening, Jack Murdoch thanked the band and the local players, who had travelled to the club. ARBROATH A lovely evening of music was enjoyed by all at our first meeting of the the year. Avril Abbott wasted no time in getting the first group of musicians, ’the usual suspects’ (Three Club Committee members), onto the floor. The local players were, Tony Simpson, Alan Petrie, Eric Davidson, John White, along with frequent visitor, Fred

Gordon Brown Stramash

Davidson and David Stokes, all on accordions. Avril drummed for several groups, while Tony Simpson, Margaret Smith and Bill Ford shared piano accompaniments. Liz Arthur was the only fiddler. Our guest The Neil Caul Dance Band captivated the audience from the beginning with a superb sound. Neil, playing accordion, hails from Dundee and on fiddle was Jane Davidson with Duncan Black on keyboard completing the lineup. They treated us to a great variety of mostly traditional music. After the stramash Neil thanked the Arbroath club for our invitation and hospitality. Avril gave the vote of thanks to the band for their excellent music, to all the floor players and to all who donated raffles and helped out in any way. She wished a safe journey home to all and looked forward to seeing everyone again. FEBRUARY Chairman Tony Simpson opened with a warm welcome to a large audience and to our guest artistes, the Gordon Brown Scottish Dance Band. The local players were, Tony Simpson, Alan Petrie, Eric Davidson, John White, Arthur Wood, Cora Nicol and first timer to our club, David Fairbairn,

all on accordions. Avril Abbott drummed for various groups. Liz Arthur was the only fiddler. Bill Ford and John White shared piano duties. The guest band performed with a good variety of steady playing much enjoyed by all. Gordon Brown was on lead accordion with Gordon Clark on 2nd box. Sandy Redpath was on drums and on piano, Issy Hodgson. The evening closed with a great rousing stramash and Gordon thanking the club for their invitation and for their hospitality. Our next meeting takes place on 1st March with our AGM followed by the Marian Anderson Scottish Dance Band. EA BEITH We were treated to a feast of music from the guest artist, Alasdair MacLeod, at the first meeting of 2015. Alasdair brought along a five piece band to entertain us, a rare treat these days. Alasdair was on lead accordion, Mark Cummine on 2nd accordion, Iain Anderson playing piano, Neil McMillan on double bass and Findlay Robertson on drums. They played a variety of music from rousing pipe marches

☛

B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Take The Floor SCOTT BAND SDB

t all started when I received an accordion for my Christmas back in 1996 after inheriting a collection of my granddads LP’s when he passed away earlier that year. I formed my own band around 2005 when I was asked to do the Guest Artiste spot at my local accordion club Blairgowrie, where I am now chairman! The line-up was Bill Ewan (Piano), Joyce Ramsay (2nd Accordion), George Borwick (Drums) and myself on lead.

I mostly performed as a trio over the next few years with Bill and George at accordion clubs and dances etc, until George took unwell and we welcomed the addition of Graham Sherrit on drums. We auditioned for Take the Floor in September 2012, the lineup being Gillian Ramsay (Fiddle), Suzanne Croy (Double Bass), Steven Carcary (2nd Accordion), Bill Ewan (Piano), Graham Sherrit (Drums), and myself on lead, We successfully passed the audition

and our debut broadcast was aired on 9th & 10th November 2013. We have also been invited up to the Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival this year as a band and we are all really looking forward to it! I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire current band for all their hard work and commitment and also to the previous band members and all the other musicians who have occasionally helped us out. l

07/03/15 - Scott Band Scottish Dance Band 14/03/15 - Band Compilation + Inchyra Concert 21/03/15 - Ian Cruickshanks Scottish Dance Band with an invited audience + Inchyra Band Competition 28/03/15 - The Pentlands Ceilidh Band

B&F • MARCH 2015

In Memory Ewan McGowan of Dumfries

(26.4.43 - 10.1.15)

Dumfries and latterly at Gretna Hall Hotel. The highlight of Ewan’s career was the very popular panto in his home village of Lochfoot. Ewan was the Musical Director and entire orchestra with his Hohner Morino VM complete with electronic bass, keyboard and special effect. He played for a variety of very talented cast, including his daughter Julie. Keeping a watchful eye was his good lady Hilda. He will also be remembered for composing the very fine waltz The Boys of the Mhairi L. Ewan lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, 10th January 2015. Aye we’ll miss him. John Douglas

first met Ewan at New Abbey School in the mid 1950’s. He had got hold of an old accordion and was soon able to play a few tunes well enough to play at local concerts. He joined a local band in the late 60’s. I joined Ewan along with drummer/vocalist Sandy McClelland and played at dances locally and did the Clubs in the North of England for a number of years. In 1986 the Elmbank Scottish Dance Band was formed with Ewan and I on accordions, Ian Kirkpatrick on fiddle, James Clark on keyboard and Ian McRobert on drums. Ewan had a great ‘ear’ and was a dab hand backing singers and did a spell at The Hole in the Wa’ for Max Houliston. He then teamed up with William Williamson, the late Stella Harker (singer) and Gavin Maxwell (piper) entertaining bus parties at the Cairndale Hotel in

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