Box & Fiddle - September 2017

Fiddle

41st Year No. 01 Sep 2017

£3.00

BOX& The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

The Fiddler of Strathspey Festival PLUS

GRETNA OPEN DAY We say farewell to Ian Holmes ELISABETH MORRISON IS CENTRE STAGE

NEWS, REVIEWS, CLUB & DANCE DIARIES AND MUCH MORE...

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

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...to the September 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 Section icons by: FlatIcon

Cover Image The Fiddler of Strathspey 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 • Lorna Mair 7 Lathro Lane, Kinross KY13 8RX lorna@boxandfiddle.com Treasurer • Willie Johnstone treasurer@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: David Cunningham Charlie Kirkpatrick Susan MacFadyen Tom Orr Richard Ross

A new season! Where did the summer go?

Perhaps the word ‘season’ is a misnomer: after all, the only difference between winter and summer is that in summer the rain is a bit warmer.

Recently I have spoken to several readers, musicians and users of music and one of the topics has been smiling or really the lack Pia Walker, Editor thereof. Therefore this season, let us smile a bit more. Audiences, please practise turning up the sides of your mouths when sitting listening to the people on stage. It won’t affect your hearing at all! Several musicians have said that when they are playing at clubs, it is difficult to gauge if the audience likes the music or not, and one recently said, “I sometimes wonder if I have sent them all to sleep!” Another feels as if he is at an exam.

So please show your appreciation more. I personally look forward to receiving photos of a smiling audience. ☺ The more you smile and clap the better they play!

Musicians, you are the entertainers! So try and look happy to be playing. Concentrate by all means, but do look at the audience from time to time and acknowledge that they are there. As a dancer, I know how much difference there is when a band interacts with us mere mortals on the floor, compared to when a band just sits there and plays. The latter is knuckle-draggingly boring.

Rant over. Mode of dress and presentation is another topic frequently discussed. I’ll leave that for another time! ☺ Hands up for Trad will soon start looking for nominations. It is important that our scene is recognised and therefore you should all start thinking about which of our bands and musicians you would like to see nominated. Then of course, there’s the voting itself – we need you to vote. Our musicians deserve to be recognised for the work they do in our genre.

Have a great start to the season and don’t forget to SMILE.

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

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News Gretna Open Day The Fiddler of Strathspey Grantown competition

11

Club News

19

The Traditional Music

The latest news from our clubs

Forum

The Howat Family

An invitation from the TMF

9

30 Deadlines:

B&F • CONTENTS

21

Club Diary

26

Dance Diary

28

Centre Stage

30

Ian Johnstone Holmes

34

Reviews

36

Music

You are never too old to go clubbing!

Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs

Elisabeth Morrison

We say farewell

Ten Years On, Brandon McPhee

Eileen Milne M.B.E.

by Graham Ross

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.

Orkney Orkney club held a charity concert recently as reported in a previous Box & Fiddle.

As a result £750 was shared between six different groups. The photo shows members of the club along with representatives from the different groups: Dounby Guides, Scouts and BBs, Smiddybrae Care Home, Milestone Centre, the venue of the concert and lastly Longhope Lifeboat.

We at the Orkney club were saddened to hear of the death recently of possibly our most senior member, Jimmy Alexander. Jimmy and his Excelsior have been part and parcel of our music scene for as long as I can remember.

Jimmy was a quiet man, not a leading light, but dependable as a background player in our Accordion & Fiddle Club, as well as in the Orkney Strathspey & Reel Society, and in the 80’s a member of the Egilsay Band which became well known locally. Though health problems stopped his playing a few years ago, Jimmy and his wife Peggy seldom missed any of our concerts and he always had a smile and a cheery word for anyone who stopped to chat. Jimmy is missed by many, and we send our deepest condolences to Peggy and all the family from all at the club. BB

Hi Pia, The picture (B&F Aug 2017 issue) was taken around 1978/79 and is of Lindsay Ross having an informal tune on a Cordovox CG6 loaned to him by his good friend Willie Crowe of Woodville, Arbroath. An earlier one (his third Cordovox) was lost in a hotel fire. These USA-made instruments were his main accordions from 1966. His Hohner Gola was used mainly for recordings from 1960 onwards, although he also used a Ranco Supervox, belonging to local policeman Brian Ogilvy, and a Crucianelli a couple of times. The Cordovoxes could be unreliable. I recall playing at Turrif show dance as a trio with a guitarist/vocalist in front of 800+ people and the whole electronics went out a quarter tone, which then sounds like Indian restaurant music. Today’s MIDI instruments were invented just after my father passed away in 1980.

Regards, Malcolm Ross

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

n e D p O a y a n t e r G

Allan Walker

Deryn Waitt

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ur first season in our new venue, The Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna, was very successful, with great guest artists and loyal support from our local musicians. The enthusiastic committee decided to hold an Open Day to promote the coming season, and provide an enjoyable musical afternoon for the listeners. We were delighted to welcome a full house, with all our local players to the fore. On accordion were Robin Waitt, Les Hurst, Norman Swainson, Dennis Ewin, Newby Park, Roger Dobson and Deryn Waitt. On fiddle we had Robert Dalgliesh and Ian Woods. On drums were Graham Woods, Jock Thompson and Keith Lauder. The club provides a quality sound system and piano for all the players. We are so grateful to Rosalind for backing the players. Deryn and Robin shared the MC duties.

This works well as any mistakes are blamed on the other one!

Along with our regular players, we were privileged to welcome the effervescent and energetic Claire Gullan from Glasgow, young and talented Frazer Murray from Lesmahagow and the ever-popular

Rosalind Snaith, Claire Gullan and Keith Lauder

Roddy Matthews and Roger Dobson

Roddy Matthews from Northumberland on fiddles.

Visiting accordion players were Alan Smith from Lanark, Andy Philip from Kilwinning and the Wullie Macfarlane Band from Armadale. All the musicians provided an entertaining and varied programme of music.

Keith Lauder, Claire Gullan and Allan Smith

The last hour was made up of far travelled musicians making up bands – which went down really well. One fiddle player and an accordion player quipped, “We hope this goes well – we only met 5 minutes ago.” Robin pointed out that Rosalind on piano hadn’t met them at all!

A very special mention must go to Susan Power, who had been playing for 8 weeks. She fought her nerves and gave us a lovely couple of tunes while Alan Walker, whom we persuaded to play in our play-around at Dumfries Ceilidh, also played for the first time. We’re proud of you both – very well done!

The afternoon was a feast of music, thoroughly enjoyable and in a very friendly atmosphere. Thanks to everyone there. l Deryn and Robin

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.

Stramash with Colin Dewar, Arbroath

ANNAN ST ANDREWS Compere Jack Murdoch welcomed everyone to the July meeting. There was no guest band as it was members’ night. Jack announced that Ian Holmes had passed away. He will be sadly missed.

Kenny White on accordion accompanied by Bill Porter on drums and Ian Wilson on keyboard began the music. Bill McMinn followed. Newby Park then played for an Old Time Waltz and Les Hurst entertained in his excellent style. A change of instrument to a button-key accordion was next with James Johnstone playing for a St Bernard’s Waltz. Richard Brown played tunes such as Bunch of Thyme and The Fields of Athenry. Norman Swainson, with Ian Riddett on drums, played in his usual easy style for a Pride of Erin Waltz and

a Square Tango. A change of instrument to fiddle brought Ian Woods on stage, accompanied

by John Waugh on accordion playing the lovely tune Castle Kennedy composed by Ian Holmes.

After the break Jim Fraser, accompanied by John Douglas on second box, played for an Edinburgh Mixture. Marshall Harkness played for a White Heather Foxtrot. First timer Reg White played a lovely tune called The Red Rose Café.

Bill Porter was back on drums when John Waugh and John Douglas played a couple of two steps keeping the dancers on the floor. William Little on the whistle played a selection including Ian Holmes’ lovely tune Shand Marino Day at Windygates. Next on the accordion was David Bell who played for an Alpine Stroll and a Jazz Twinkle. Barbara Fisher

accompanied by John Douglas played Babyface and My Old Man. John Douglas brought the evening to a close by playing for a Postie’s Jig and a St Bernard’s Waltz.

Jack thanked all for a great night’s entertainment and wished everyone a safe journey home.

ARBROATH A superb evening of music was had at our August meeting with our guest artists Colin Dewar and Gus Millar. The venue was packed and extra chairs and tables had to be brought in. As usual the music was started with our local players. On accordion were Rhoda Legge, John Davidson, Cora Wilson, John Hart, Dave Fairbairn, Eric Davidson, Margaret Smith, Alan Petrie, Janet Graham and Tony Simpson who, along

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B&F • CLUB DIARY

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Club Diary September 2017 DATE

CLUB

GUEST ARTIST

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

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Arbroath

Adin Graham SDB

Arbroath Artisan Golf Club, Elliot,

By Arbroath DD11 2PE

7.30 pm

Tony Simpson 01241 875 326

3

Clydesdale

The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience

St Mary’s Club Rooms, 70 Bannatyne Street, Lanark ML11 7JS

2.00 pm

Shirley Cathcart 01555 661 017

3

Gretna

Tony Kearney

The Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna DG16 5DN

7.00 pm

Robin Waitt 01387 371 423

4

Thurso

Seamus O’Sullivan

Pentland Hotel, Thurso KW14 7AA

7.30 pm

Ian Wright 01847 892 050

5

Campsie

The Allan Smith Quartet

Glazert Country House Hotel, Lennoxtown G66 7DJ

7.30 pm

Billy Hutton 07889 021 972

5

Islesteps

Andrew Knight SDB

Locharbriggs Social Club, Locharbriggs DG1 1XS

7.30 pm

Ian Gray 01387 760 276

5

Seghill

Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

6

Dingwall

Matthew Maclennan Band

National Hotel, Dingwall IV15 9HA

7.30 pm

Elspeth Weir 01349 877 675

6

Glenfarg

Alastair McCulloch

Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NU

7.30 pm

Russell Robertson 01577 830 642

6

Montrose

Tony Kearney

Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ

7.30 pm

Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487

6

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

7

Crieff

Tony Kearney

Crieff Hotel, Crieff PH7 3HY

7.30 pm

Irene Anderson 01764 654 298

7

Lewis and Harris

Nicol McLaren & Glencraig

Caladh Inn, Stornoway HS1 2QN

8.00 pm

Janette MacIver 01851 704 870

7

Rothbury

Iain Anderson Trio

Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury NE65 7SR

7.30 pm

Mary Davidson 01668 281 307

7

Turriff

Steven Carcary

Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown AB53 5WJ

7.30 pm

Pat Steele 01888 562 486

11

Glasgow

Iain Powrie 6-Piece Tribute Band

Scotstounhill Bowling Club, 633 Anniesland Rd, Glasgow G14 9AD

7.30 pm

Claire Gullan 07759950404

12

Blairgowrie

Alasdair Wood SDB

Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL

7.45 pm

Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302

12

Dunfermline

Adam Gibb Trio

Sportsman Bar, Rosyth KY11 2NX

7.30 pm

Mr Bob Adam 01383 306 142

12

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

13

Alnwick

Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay Trio

The Northumberland Hall, Alnwick NE66 1TN

7.30 pm

Leonard Brown 07758 723 355

13

Forres

Roddy Matthews SDB

Victoria Hotel, Forres IV36 1EL

7.30 pm

Mrs Ann Sharp 01309 672 672

13

Langholm

Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band

Langholm Social Club, Langholm DG13 0DN

7.30 pm

Adam Grant 01387 371 423 / 01387 381 305

13

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

14

Button-Key (Windygates)

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Greig Institute, Windygates KY8 5DG

7.00 pm

Mary Cook 01592 713 687

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B&F • BWWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM &F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Dance Diary

View the Scottish Country Dances online at www.dancediary.info/index.html 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

Mondays

Kirkwall

St Magnus Centre

Live Music

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£4/£2

Door - All Welcome 01856 873 534

Orkney Dance Assoc.

Wednesdays

Glasgow

St Andrews in Square

Live Music

7.15 pm - 9.30 pm

£5.50 Bar

Door (Tricia Matthews) 01324 716 855

Ceilidh & Old Time Class

Garelochhead

Parish Church

-

2pm-4pm

£2 (tea)

01436 671 089

Social Club

Stornoway

Primary School

-

7pm-9pm

Janette Maciver 01851 704 870

Ceilidh & Old Term time only

Thursdays (from 14th)

Dumfries

Kirkton Village Hall

Live Music

7.30pm -10pm

£3

John Caskie 07711 573 071

Old Tyme Dance Class with Tuition

Most Sundays

East Kilbride

Girl Guide Hall, Dundas Place

-

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£2 (tea)

Door or tel : - 01355 230 134 or 245 052

Ceilidh & Old Time Club

Ceilidh & Old Time Dances

September 2017

DATE

TOWN

HALL

BAND

TIME

COST

CONTACT

COMMENTS

8

Foulden

Village Hall

Dave Husband

8pm-12mn

£6 No Bar

01289 386 400

Supper Dance Tonight

8

Bridge of Earn

The Institute

Scott Band

8pm-11pm

£5 [No Bar]

07952 026 633

Pay at Door

9

Largoward

Village Hall

Steven & Malcolm

8pm-11pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

9

North Kessock

Marine Park Hall

Glencraig

8pm-12mn

£5 B.Y.O.B.

01463 870 508

Social Dancers

9

Canonbie

Village Hall

Lindsay Weir

7.30-11.30

£6 B.Y.O.B.

07704 727 463

(own food) DG14 0UX

9

Isle of Lewis

Borve House Hotel

Live Music

8.30pm

Free

01851 704 870

Monthly – Donations welcome

9

Tranent

Rannoch House

James Coutts

7.30-11.30

£5 Bar

01875 615 138

Pay at Door

10

Glencarse

Village Hall

George Rennie

7.30-10pm

£3.50

01738 552 688

Set & Couples Dances-No Bar

10

Aberdeen

Ashdale Hall

Steven Carcary

7.30-10pm

£4 No Bar

01569 731 465

Blackburn ClubLocal Charities

16

Largoward

Village Hall

Jimmy Lindsay

8pm-11pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

16

East Kilbride

Calderwood Hall

Johnny Duncan

7.30-11.30

£6 tea/bisc.

01355 230 134

Highlanders Dance - BYOB

17

Montrose

Park Hotel

Scott Carnegie

2pm-5pm

£?

01241 879 487

A & F Club Sunday Ceilidh

22

Aberdeen

Ashdale Hall

George Rennie

8pm-12mn

T £7.50

01224 743 645

Charity Ticket

23

Largoward

Village Hall

Dave Husband S.

8pm-11pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

23

North Kessock

Marine Park Hall

Graeme Mitchell

8pm-12mn

£5 B.Y.O.B.

01463 870 508

Social Dancers

Reserve

28

Centre Stage Elisabeth Morrison Always smiling accordionist From North Lanarkshire and a well-known ‘clubber’. Elisabeth can also be spotted in the line-up of the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra.

What is your most cherished childhood memory?

My parents both died when I was very young, so I don’t remember my mum at all, but I do remember my dad always whistling lovely tunes, such as The Isle of Innisfree.

tears, as I adored them!

Who was a big influence in your life and / or your music?

The Alexander Brothers and Frank (my husband).

What is your favourite musical venue?

Any of the A&F clubs we visit regularly.

What was your first job?

Working in the local clothing factory.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a decent, kind and friendly person.

When was the first time you performed in public?

When I was 17 I played accordion at a concert in the local village Welfare Hall.

What do you appreciate most in life?

My health, my family and close friends.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Tea and chocolate.

What is your abiding musical memory?

I was aged 12 and went to ‘The Pride of the Clyde’ concert in Motherwell Civic Centre, where The Alexander Brothers were in concert. When they came on stage and performed, I was in

What are your worst fears?

Losing my fingers or hands.

What are the best places in the world you have visited?

Cyprus.

What makes you angry, annoyed or short tempered?

People who have no respect or consideration for others, and lazy people who would rather not work, but live off benefits instead.

What is your favourite location in Scotland?

The Clyde Valley.

If you had to leave, what would you miss and what would you be glad to see the back of?

I’d miss the Accordion & Fiddle Clubs and playing my box. I’d be glad to see the back of TV, as I don’t watch it.

If your house was on fire what item would you save?

Obviously I’d save Frank and

Bethany (my daughter), but the item would be my accordion! Oh! And my phone as I have a million cherished photos and videos on it!

Who are your heroes and why?

My hero is Frank. He loves me unconditionally, gives me encouragement and confidence in all that I do.

The Scottish Dance Music scene - your thoughts and hopes?

I would hope that more people, especially young ones, would be interested, so that the brilliant Scottish music never dies.

What 5 people would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Peter Cushing, Peter Falk, Julie Andrews, Frank and Bethany.

Your 1, 2, 3 of favourite tunes/ songs: Landler (The Sound Of Music), Pure Scotch Two Step and The Grace Renwick Polka Today I will: Eat: everything!

Drink: tea Read: my emails and text messages Visit: My favourite aunt (who looked after my sister and I when our mum died) in the care home.

Watch: The music videos I recorded!

Sheet Music

Eileen Milne M.B.E. ©

Graham Ross