Fiddle
41st Year No. 02 Oct 2017
£3.00
BOX& The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts
Lairg
Festival
Lifetime Achievement Awards We talk to Rab Stark THE NAAFC AGM PLUS
NEWS, REVIEWS, CLUB & DANCE DIARIES AND MUCH MORE...
Welcome
B&F • EDITORIAL
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...to the October 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 Georgie Maclennan ©Alex Kennedy 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
And as some of you don’t open until October, welcome back to all clubs. I hope the year will be a good one for you all. I am still looking for dates for the diary. Your dates are advertising for your club. If I don’t get them, I can’t show them. Incidentally, it is only clubs that are part of the NAAFC that are mentioned in the Box & Pia Walker, Editor Fiddle Diary and Club News, get a page on the B&F/NAAFC website, and get to take part in the annual BAFFI Awards - and much, much more. So if you read this and your club is not part of the NAAFC, please persuade it to join. Another benefit is that you get to belong to and support a great network of fellow enthusiasts. I had an interesting conversation with the owners of a music shop the other day. They were saying that they are only rarely approached by musicians wanting them to stock their CDs and that it happens quite often that customers come in to ask for CDs that they don’t have in stock. So musicians, don’t put all your eggs in one (online/direct) basket - there are still many people out there who prefer to shop in a real shop and not online. A little while ago Tynedale kindly invited a representative from the Exec. to visit them and I was delighted that I was available in August to be that representative. Thank you for your kind reception, which was totally unnecessary as it is the music that counts. It was, however, great to meet you all. I think you should all come to the NAAFC festival on 17 March 2018. In fact, why don’t all clubs try and get a bus organised for their members to come down and make a night or weekend of it. Finally, I hope all clubs will help to promote the magazine at their meetings. We try to have something for everyone in the magazine the whole year round. It is YOUR magazine - use it or lose it! Do remember to think 2-3 months ahead if you want to highlight an event in your club – don’t wait until the month when it is happening. I hope to see you all at the various October festivals. Shetland AND Perth, if I can I’ll be there.
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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B&F • CONTENTS
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News Lifetime Achievement Award Iain MacPhail & Brian Griffin
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A man with a liking for drums
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Centre Stage
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Festivals
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The NAAFC AGM in brief
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Club News
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Club Diary
35
Dance Diary
37
Reviews
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Music
Rab Stark
Sandra Burt
Lairg’s got talent!
Huntingtower Hotel, Perth
The latest news from our clubs
You are never too old to go clubbing!
Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs
Matt Tighe, celebrating 20 Years Falkirk Fiddle Workshop 1997-2017
Elegant Esther Gray - Reel By Lindsay 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.
Roy Hendrie Roy Hendrie will be on tour in October showing off new sound modules and a new Midi Controller and FISMEN accordions. Roy has been working with V3 and LAB4 to develop these products for the accordion and is sure the end result will impress everyone. The Squeezebox shop will also be joining Roy and have Alessandrini and Delicia accordions on display. The 2 sound modules come from V3 Sound as new triangle shaped hardware. They comprise a piano module and an updated GM module with 100 accordions (20 new French accordions, Bandoneon and Accordina), Hammond organs and more. For bass midi players the piano module is an ideal choice and includes Bosendorfer and Steinway classic pianos, E pianos, Hammond organs, new strings and more. The piano modelling is the latest designed by V3 and the replication of the full sound of a real piano is created using
The Scots Fiddle Festival
string resonance, sympathetic resonance, note off samples and note grabbing. The SIPARIO Midi Controller can be used with any sound module and includes many presets for standard GM modules. Roy Hendrie has created these with more presets to control both new V3 Sound modules. New functionality for midi systems with bellow sensors means you can make it sound like a real piano when playing normally. Check out the demos online at www.royhendriemusic.co.uk
The Scots Fiddle Festival was launched in 1996 with the aim to promote and sustain traditional fiddle music, and 21 years on this is still our aim. Over the years, the number of events at the festival has tripled with concerts, sessions, recitals, stalls, festival clubs and talks taking place throughout the weekend at The Queen’s Hall and Summerhall in Edinburgh. It brings people together from all over the world, both performers and audience, and continues to inspire thousands of people to enjoy and take part in traditional music, as players, learners, listeners or dancers. For more information, please visit www. scotsfiddlefestival.com
Renfrew Important Note: for reasons outwith the club’s control, our club night changes from second Tuesday to second Wednesday of the month from and including November’s meeting. The venue remains the Broadloan Masonic Lodge.
Iain MacPhail, Leonard Brown and Brian
Griffin
Iain MacPhail & Brian Griffin
Lifetime Achievement Award By Bobby Stewart, Galston
O
n Sunday 27th August 2017, 250 people from all over the UK packed into the function suite of the Salutation Hotel in Perth to witness two giants of the Scottish Dance Band scene receiving lifetime achievement awards, in recognition of their contribution to our music for over forty years. The afternoon began with organiser Leonard Brown welcoming the crowd and introducing the ‘men of the moment,’ Iain MacPhail and Brian Griffin. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric, as compere John Caskie welcomed Leonard and his All-Star Band to the stage. They captivated the audience with a varied and entertaining programme, which included many of Iain MacPhail’s compositions and arrangements. Leonard displayed his amazing skills, as did his talented band members, showing
us exactly why they continue to impress audiences all over Scotland and beyond! Leonard, a former All Scotland Accordion Champion, showed great control, technique, attention to musical detail, competent melodic playing and often harmonising at the same time, all done with the greatest professionalism and showmanship. He stood centre stage and performed the material flawlessly whilst very ably supported by his band consisting of Liam Stewart (piano), John Sinton (bass), Malcolm Ross (drums) and Duncan Finlay (banjo & guitar). Leonard paid tribute to Iain and Brian. He also praised the numerous musicians who had worked with them on many and varied projects over the years. Both Iain and Brian received a beautiful lifetime achievement award, suitably inscribed to mark this
B&F • OCTOBER 2017
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As many of you know, I am a wanna-be drummer and yes I have heard all the jokes, so no I don’t want to be a wanna-be musician! And yes a drummer is like a packet of paper hankies – always good to have at the ready in case you have a need for them. There you see – I never miss a beat! Boom! Boom! Collectors and collections fascinate me: what, who and, as my daughter asked, why? Therefore, over the next two issues, I will be talking to two people who have some amazing collections. By Pia Walker
A man with a liking for DRUMS T
his month I’m talking to Rab Stark, originally from Falkland but now living in Newburgh. Rab collects drum kits! Yes the full kit and caboodle and I was lucky enough to to meet them all. I have met Rab several times in the last couple of years as he has played with bands at accordion clubs and strathspey & reel societies. Sitting down over a cup of coffee, I took the time to learning a little bit more about him. His dad Bert Stark was a drummer in the original Lomond Dance Band and Rab has been messing with drums since he was 9 and played with bands since he was 15 - “You’d be lucky then to get 10 bob for a gig, but you did it for the love of playing.” He has played with many a band and is still playing 61 years later. Another way of measuring the length of time he has been working as a drummer is to count how many times he has played at events for the same person: “Take Norman Myles - you know Norman who helps run the Largoward dances and goes to Windygates? Well I played for his 18th and 21st birthdays, at his wedding and at his 21st wedding anniversary.” Rab is a busy drummer and likes local gigs in local halls where people know each other. Rab plays at several accordion & fiddle clubs and drums for Dundee, Fife, Perth and Dunkeld
Strathspey and Reel Societies plus The Windygates Buttons & Bows. Stories and names kept coming up in conversation, names such as Rob Gordon, Ian Henderson, Bobby Moore, Bill Nicol, Young Jimmy Shand, Billy Anderson, Colin Dewar, Jim Cleland and Bert Pozie with whom he has played since 1978. So what did he do before he started collecting kits? “Cars”, he says – he used to have 14, but is now down to 4! He ran a wedding car business until about 8 years ago, which kind of explains it. The household must have been a busy place as Rab who is a joiner to trade and his wife, whom he lost 6 years ago, also ran the Tay View Pub in Newburgh and on top of that have fostered 21 children over the years. He also used to have a wide selection of parrots, but is now down to one African Grey. But back to the drums, which is what this is really about. Why on earth does he collect drum kits? “It’s a hobby - I like repairing them and I have been known to get home from a gig and start tinkering with a faulty drum.” He, for example, gets hold of bigger kits and makes them into smaller ones. Rab got his first kit as a 14 year old – but not from a friend of the family, from his dad or anyone else. No, he built his own from hardboard and old skins and made the stands at metalwork at his school in Auchtermuchty.
Centre Stage
B&F • OCTOBER 2017
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Sandra Burt Sandra is a keen listener of Scottish Dance Music and a co-presenter of the Highland Fling internet radio show with John ‘The Prof ’ Matheson. What is your most cherished childhood memory? Impromptu sails to Mull with my mum and numerous family picnics on Sundays all over Argyll. Who was a big influence in your life and /or your music? Mainly my parents, but my history teacher shaped my politics! What was your first job? Banking - first and only! When was the first time you performed in public? My first singing performance was in the Sunday School Hall in Oban and I’ve been trying to forget about it for 50 years! What do you appreciate most in life? Good health. What is your greatest indulgence? Rings!
What are the best places in the world you have visited? I love all things Italian; also France, and London too. What is your favourite musical venue? Highland Fling Studio! I so much enjoy all the preparation that goes into making these programmes. We get to listen to so much good Scottish music, both old and new, and a we have lot of fun besides. How would you like to be remembered? “She was good fun!” What makes you angry, annoyed or short tempered? I don’t tolerate bad customer service! What is your favourite location in Scotland? Glasgow.
What is your abiding musical memory? Listening to Gaelic choirs singing on the ferry crossing the Sound of Mull at the end of a Mod.
If you had to leave, what would you miss and what would you be glad to see the back of? I would miss Nairn beach, but I would be glad to see the back of present day Scottish politics.
What are your worst fears? The thought of causing an accident and injuring innocent people scares me.
If your house was on fire what item would you save? My dog Bragail. She’s a cairn terrier and irreplaceable!
Who are your heroes and why? I think volunteers are worth their weight in gold: mountain rescue teams and lifeboat crews who risk their own lives to save others. Amazing! The Scottish dance music scene - your thoughts and hopes? We need to introduce ‘Strictly Come Scottish Country Dancing’ to get more people up on the floor to keep fit and have fun! What 5 people would you invite to your dream dinner party? Brendan Rodgers, Claudia Winkleman, Robert Robertson, Vince Cable and if only Rabbie had been alive today…! Your 1, 2, 3 of favourite tunes/ songs: Flower of Portencross (played by SFO), The Rose (Bette Midler) and Highland Girl (Tidelines). Today I will: Eat: Too much chocolate Drink: Coffee Read: Ludovic Kennedy’s In Bed with an Elephant Visit: My mum Watch: The News (and Made in Chelsea is my guilty pleasure!)
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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM
Lairg’s got talent! By Lindsay Weir. Photos by Alex Kennedy.
Three Musikteers
By-Lairg
T
he 2017 Lairg Music Festival was a tremendous success in so many ways. Over 80 entries from the local area was an outstanding achievement in its own right, and Willie Johnstone, Colin Garvin and I certainly had our work cut out adjudicating the very high standards. In the morning, we individually adjudicated the fiddle, piano, tin whistle and accordion sections and had the pleasure to listen to playing of the highest calibre. My first section was the under 9 accordion solo, and I began to realise we were in for a special day even before the first note was played. The delightful Roxy Lewis very confidently introduced herself and the tunes she was going to play: an impressive precedent maintained by all the subsequent competitors. Throughout the sections, it was very pleasing to hear strong technical performances in both the ‘traditional competition’ and ‘modern innovative’ styles. Each co-existed happily, and as adjudicators, we were open-minded, carefully listening for the performances that gave the best overall impression.
In the afternoon, we joined forces to adjudicate the group sections: an impressive 14 entries across three sections. The groups were diverse (ranging from 2-8 players) and included a wide range of instruments such as saxophone and xylophone alongside accordions, fiddles and piano. We decided to enter into the spirit of things and Willie, Lindsay and Colin became Simon, Amanda and David for the afternoon! The only thing that was missing was the ‘golden buzzer’… we could have used it on a couple of occasions! Across all sections, the preparation, guidance
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.
The Dickson family at Arbroath
ANNAN ST ANDREWS The August meeting took place in Newington Social Club. Compere Jack Murdoch welcomed and introduced the guest artists Dick Black and his Scottish Dance Band. The band comprised Dick on accordion, Jim Cleland on second box, Ian Wilson on keyboard and Jack McLeish on drums. The band soon had the dancers on the floor with a Lomond Waltz and an Eva Three Step followed by a Flirtation Two Step. The Silver Wedding Waltz, Joe McDairmid’s Jig and the White Heather Foxtrot ended their first set. Kenny White then played The Dark Isle and another local player Bill McMinn on melodion played Scotland the Brave, both accompanied by Ian Riddick on drums and Rosalind Snaith on keyboard.
Kenny Jackson played lovely Autumn Dreams and Jim Fraser had the dancers on the floor for a Pride of Erin Waltz. After the break for tea and the raffle Bill Porter went on drums and Rosalind accompanied William Little playing Road to Dundee on whistle. A change of players saw Willie Macfarlane on accordion with Jim Dow on drums playing for a New Killarney Waltz. Jessie Bailey joined them singing This is my Homeland and going on to tell a few stories which had the audience laughing. David Bell then played for a foxtrot and an Edinburgh Mixture. David was celebrating his 70th birthday and we all joined in singing Happy Birthday. Last local player was Barbara Fisher who had everyone singing along to Daisy Daisy and Silver Threads among the Gold. The band returned to play
for the dancers finishing with an Edinburgh Mixture. Jack thanked the band and all the local players and everyone who brought raffle prizes and bought tickets. He then wished everyone a safe journey home. ARBROATH It was another very busy night at Arbroath, which started with our MC Avril Abbott announcing the sad passing of two of the club’s members. A minute’s silence was held in respect of Ken Scott, the founder chairman of the club who chaired the organisation for 19 years, and we also respected the passing of local player and ex committee member John Hart. The audience were treated to spots from Arthur Wood, Cora Wilson, Alan Petrie, Eric Davidson and David Fairbairn on accordions. On
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B&F • CLUB DIARY
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Club Diary October 2017 DATE
CLUB
GUEST ARTIST
VENUE
TIME
CONTACT
1
Arbroath
Club Open Day with Club Afternoon
The Meadowbank Inn, Arbroath DD1 5RA
2-5 pm
Tony Simpson 01241 875 326
1
Arbroath
Scott Band SDB (Club Open Day Dance)
The Meadowbank Inn, Arbroath DD1 5RA
7.30 pm
Tony Simpson 01241 875 326
1
Clydesdale
Ian Smith Band
St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark ML11 7JS
2.00 pm
Shirley Cathcart 01555 661 017
1
Gretna
Seamus O’Sullivan
The Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna DG16 5DN
7.00 pm
Robin Waitt 01387 371 423
2
Thurso
Iain Cruickshank
Pentland Hotel, Thurso KW14 7AA
7.30 pm
Ian Wright 01847 892 050
3
Campsie
Scott Band SDB
Glazert Country House Hotel, Lennoxtown G66 7DJ
7.30 pm
Billy Hutton 07889 021 972
3
Islesteps
Lindsay Weir Trio
Locharbriggs Social Club, Locharbriggs DG1 1XS
7.30 pm
Ian Gray 01387 760 276
3
North East
Leonard Brown
Royal British Legion, Keith AB55 5EN
7.30 pm
Rory Smith 07769 801 996
3
Seghill
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ
7.00 pm
James Youngson 01670 356 410
4
Dingwall
Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
National Hotel, Dingwall IV15 9HA
7.30 pm
Elspeth Weir 01349 877675
4
Glenfarg
Muriel Johnstone
Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NU
7.30 pm
Russell Robertson 01577 830 642
4
Montrose
Callum Cruickshank Band
Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ
7.30 pm
Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487
4
Orkney
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD
7.30 pm
Jim Marwick 01856 874 474
5
Crieff
Matthew Maclennan & his band
The British Legion, Crieff PH7 3EB
7.30 pm
Irene Anderson 01764 654 298
5
Isle of Skye
Colin Garvin Duo
The Royal Hotel, Portree IV51 9BU
7.30 pm
Linda Shaw 01478 611 122
5
Lewis and Harris
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
Caladh Inn, Stornoway HS1 2QN
8.00 pm
Janette MacIver 01851 704 870
5
Oban
Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
The Royal Hotel, Oban PA34 4BE
7.30 pm
Anne McFadyen 01631 562 077
5
Rothbury
Derek Hamilton Duo
Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury NE65 7SR
7.30 pm
Mary Davidson 01668 281 307
5
Shetland
Festival Start 5th-9th
Lerwick ZE1 0PW
1.00 pm
Peter Leask 01595 693 162
5
Turriff
Andrew McDonald Trio
Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown AB53 5WJ
7.30 pm
Pat Steele 01888 562 486
6
Coalburn
Willie Macfarlane SDB (Annual Dance)
Coalburn Miners Welfare, Coalburn ML11 0LH
7.30 pm
Wilma Walsh 01555 892 848
9
Carlisle
Club Night (Visitors welcome)
St Margaret Mary’s Social Club, Carlisle CA2 4JX
7.30 pm
Alison Davies 01228 675 505
9
Glasgow
Craig McFadyen SDB
Scotstounhill Bowling Club, 633 Anniesland Rd, Glasgow G14 9AD
7.30 pm
Claire Gullan 07759950404
10
Blairgowrie
Ewan Galloway SDB
Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL
7.45 pm
Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302
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B&F • OCTOBER 2017
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
Matt Tighe CDTRAX395
I had never heard of Matt Tighe so this CD was very much a voyage of discovery for me. I therefore dived onto the internet to do a little digging. (Or should I say detailed research?) Matt was born in South London with an Irish and Trinidadian background. His love of traditional music was influenced by his parents’ album collection, which included the fabulous Chieftains, Tom McConville and Pauline Cato. This exposure to traditional music then drove Matt in the direction of folk festivals. That further spawned Matt’s interest and desire to learn to play folk music. Fast forward eight years and Matt is now an active member of the increasingly popular UK folk scene, playing at festivals, clubs and regular sessions. Matt has also been a finalist at the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections and a semi-finalist at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Matt plays the fiddle in a style very much influenced by the music of Co. Clare in southern Ireland and his teachers Dermot Crehan and Brendan Mulcaire, as well as the Scottish music gathered at the Cambridge Folk Festival and on Matt’s visits to Glasgow. Matt is currently studying classical
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Despite the standard of musicianship, I found the content of the album to be too ‘safe’
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performance with John Crawford at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. The ten-track album on the Greentrax label was recorded at Watercolour Music in Ardgour, Fort William, back in April and was released by Greentrax at the beginning of September. Some outstanding session musicians, namely Tad Sargent (bouzouki, guitar, mandocello, bodhran, piano and harmonium), Chris O’Malley (piano and harmonium), James Lindsay (double bass), Luke Daniels (melodeon) and the legendary Brian McNeill (concertina) who also produced the album, accompanied Matt on
this recording. Let me say straight away that the standard of musicianship is world class and of virtuoso standard. How can it not be if you consider the great names that played on the album and if you review their musical background and pedigree? You’ve probably already detected a ‘but’ coming so let me cut to the chase. Despite the standard of musicianship, I found the content of the album to be too ‘safe’ and therefore lacking innovation, adventure and variety, both in the choice of material and in the musical arrangements, although ironically it got a little livelier and interesting towards the end. If the target audience for this recording is the pure traditional music fans then Matt and his fellow musicians will no doubt have pulled it off, but if the aim is to promote traditional music and give it broader appeal then in my view it hasn’t worked. As I stress so often in my reviews, what I write is purely my personal opinion and I accept others will take a differing view from mine, which is what makes our musical heritage and culture so colourful, rewarding and interesting. Matt is without question an extremely talented musician and his musical career and success isn’t in doubt, but perhaps more attention could be focused on choice and variety of content for any future recordings.