Reviews

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The Grove Collection - Volume 1 by Ewan Galloway

review by Margaret Lambourne, International Branch

This is the first Scottish country dance CD by Ewan as his others have been mainly ceilidh music together with his band. In 2019 Ewan made his very successful debut playing at the RSCDS summer school which encouraged him to record this CD. All of the instruments are played by Ewan himself. Ewan is a very accomplished and talented musician, which is amply demonstrated in the quality of this CD. The sets are well balanced with a good selection of well-chosen tunes and original music played at a good tempo for dancing in a toetapping, uplifting style. This makes this CD a great resource for dances as well as being enjoyable to listen to in its own right. The CD has 17 tracks, comprising both familiar and new dances. There are 6 jigs, 6 reels and 5 strathspeys. Three of these dances were devised at Summer School 2019 and Ewan composed the tunes. Two were in honour of Jim Stott, the outgoing Summer School Director. The new dances are Jim’s Tangents (8x32 bar reel for 3 couples), Director Jim (4x32 bar strathspey), both devised by Gordon Porter from Oban, Stephen’s Found Baggage (4x32 bar reel) devised by Anne Scobie from Brussels, and the last one, Law Society of Scotland 70th Anniversary(8x32 bar jig for 2 couples), devised by Patricia Wilson from North Berwick. The instructions for these dances are included in the CD notes.

I have taught two of these dances with Ewan playing for my class at the Nunspeet weekend in The Netherlands last February. They are fun dances with great music by Ewan. I am looking forward to using this CD as well as teaching the other two new dances with my classes when we are able to get back to dancing. I also intend to use the other favourites: Tribute to the Borders, Culla Bay, Mrs Stewart’s Jig, Autumn in Appin and John Cass just to mention a few. This CD is a welcome addition to any teacher’s collection. It will also appeal to those dancers who enjoy listening to Scottish dance music.

(CD available direct from Ewan, £13 including UK postage, at e_galloway@hotmail.co.uk)

Short and Sweet The Dewhurst Trio

Review by Dorothy Wilson, New Zealand Branch

A possible sub-title for this recording of 21 tracks could well be ‘The CD with a Difference’! As a teacher dependent on recorded music, I have sometimes had to search hard for a recording to suit a dance I particularly wanted to teach but for which there was no specific recorded music and the recommendation was ‘any good tune’. It was, therefore, with much interest I awaited this recent and latest recording by the Dewhurst family, as I knew this CD was planned with teachers in mind, to solve their problem when faced with such a situation and, indeed, was in response to many requests from teachers for such a disc. I am sure they will not be disappointed. A lot of thought has gone into the compilation of this CD and the result is 20 tracks of lively jigs and reels, strathspeys and, yes, if it is a slow air (and there are two), it is described as a slow air and not a strathspey. The final track is a delightful 4 x 32 waltz Endearing Young Charms.

The focus is not on the customary 8 x 32 format – the longest track on this CD is a 6 x 32 strathspey – these tracks are predominantly 3 x 32 or 4 x 32 arrangements, with a few 40 and 48 bar dances. It includes a 2 x 32S + 2 x 32R medley, using four much-loved Scott Skinner tunes.

Another feature of this recording is that, almost without exception, the music played uses a different tune for each repeat, and it does not return to the lead tune for that final ‘turn’. Even the 6 x 32S track, Shetland Fiddlers’ Society, gives the dancers six different, wonderful Scott Skinner tunes!

The tunes used throughout are all in a Scottish idiom. As well as many well-loved, traditional melodies, there is a good selection from other composers, including some delightful compositions from Chris Dewhurst himself. Chris and his wife, Julie, are the two accordionists producing that ‘full’ sound, with their son, Nick, on drums, providing a good strong beat. The result is very pleasant to the ear, making for easy listening but also making you want to get up and dance. The high standard of these three talented musicians is maintained throughout each of the 21 tracks and I feel it is a ‘must have’ for every teacher. These shorter tracks will be ideal, too, when called upon to give demonstrations or general entertainment. As the title of the CD says it is ‘Short and Sweet’. Two other adjectives that come to my mind are ‘Bright and Breezy’. Dorothy Wilson, New Zealand Branch

(The Dewhurst family live in Lichfield on North Island, New Zealand. This is their third CD. It is available direct from Chris (chrisdewhurst2@btinternet.com) or from Leeds Branch Shop, the Sunday Class Shop, TACSound, and the New Zealand Branch Shop)