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
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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
3
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
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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