Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 40

Michael Marra - Silence

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 40

Wayhay we’ve made it to 40 podcasts! Actually there are more podcasts than this kicking around as I seem to have been doing this for years now. I must find them all – surely I must have them backed up…

Anyway here is the podcast playlist.

People And Songs Of The Sea by Compilation

Track – Farewell Tae The Haven (Davy Steele and Ceolbeg)

It was great hear Davy’s voice again when I first put on this track. Davy died in 2001 and I think his voice as been missed in the scene. I very nearly formed a band with Davy years ago with Gregor Borland but just as it happened he got the unmissable opportunity to join the Battlefield Band. He was so excited when this came along and the band definitely helped him gain the recoginition he deserved. This is a lovely arrangement by Ceolbeg as well.

Leaving Mingulay (A Fagail Mhuighalaigh) by Maggie MacInnes

Track – Beinn A’cheathaich

Maggie is the daughter of the legendary Flora McNeil and in this album you can really hear her class. The recording also sounds fantastic – it is really clear.

The Collection by The Iron Horse

Track – The Iron Horse Medley

During the ninties this band were working all over the place. It’s amazing how a band stops playing and the memories fade. They made quite a few CDs plus music for a documentary called ‘The Gamekeeper’ that was very popular. This CD captures all their past glories.

The Collection by Tannas

Track – Mairead Nan Cuiread – The Bob Parson’s Strathspey

I watched this band start and end. They started off as Fire in the Glen playing in the bars and evolved into Tannas doing concerts. For their 2nd album (they made three in all) they got Donald Shaw into produce and you can really hear his influence in the sound of the track.

This Feeling Inside by Mairi MacInnes

Track – Follow the Light

I have to admit to not knowing a lot about this album. I purely picked it because of the quality of Mairi’s vocal – it is beautiful! I’ve only met Mairi a few times but it is a joy to hear her sing here.

Silence by Michael Marra

Track – Silence

As I said in the podcast Michael is a real master. His voice on this track is brilliant. I don’t think he receives the proper recognition of his talents. Most of his records are not easily available which is a travesty. Not only is Mick a great singer songwriter he is also a painter and recently just had his first exhibition.

Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 39

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 39

Foot Stompin' Free Scottish Music Podcast No 39

It’s been a busy few weeks. The major thing that has happened is THE SUN IS SHINING! When the sun shines I notice the number of work emails slow down as people head outside! In fact I’ve just been sitting in a deckchair and felt guilty about not getting on with my work…

2009 seems to be year of babies for folk musicians and congratulations go to piper Finlay MacDonald and his wife Jo on the birth of their first son Elliot.

Finlay works at The National Piping Centre and yesterday I attended their 10th annniversary lunch which Prince Charles was attending. The music provided was top notch. There were performances from Gillian Chalmers, Tia Files, Marrisa Vachon, Norrie MacIver (4th year RSAMD Scottish Music course), TNT, 1st year RSAMD Scottish Music course, 3 very young pipers, The current highland dancing world champion accompanied by Chris Armstrong who also performed an amazing solo. The last act finished off with all the tutors playing ‘dueling bagpipes’ which was great fun. The finale was all the pipers who played during the show plus board members and Phil Cunningham. It was a real tribute to the work of the National Piping Centre. The Prince wasn’t in for long but heard quite a few of the performances. I would have liked to have heard him say a few words on the merits of the Piping Centre to the many budding donars who were present.

Podcast playlist:

The Missing Gift by Anna Massie Band

Track – The Badger

The Anna Massie Band have announced their ‘dissolution’ and are currently on their farewell tour. This band have been very popular for the last few years. Anna is in high demand as a session musician and has just joined Blazin’ Fiddles.

Strewn with Ribbons by Lauren MacColl

Track – The Profit

This Lauren’s 2nd CD and is much of the music is collected from book The Highland Collections. I used this book alot when putting together – with Dave Milligan – our Third Flight Home CD. Lauren’s playing is really beautiful and the backing thoughtful.

Farrar by Duncan Chisholm

Track – Nuair Bhios Mi Leam Fhin

This CD won Album of the Year at the 2008 Scots Trad Music Awards. Duncan has a beautiful tone to his playing and really carries this opening track off when others would think twice about starting with a slow air. Congratulations also to Duncan and Jo who also had a baby boy at the end of April

The Gathering Storms by Archie McAllister and Ross Kennedy

Track – The Milltimber Jig / Priscillas / Donald MacLean

Archie is probably one of Scotland’s most gifted fiddlers with a real dazzling technique. You can watch him in action on the Foot Stompin’ YouTube channel (you’ll also catch Lauren MacColl here as well)

The Strathspey King by James Scott Skinner

Track – Allegory: The Miller O’ Hirn/Mackenzie Frazer/The Auld Wheel

James Scott Skinner is the man! We are so lucky in Scotland to have so many great composers. I love Scott Skinner’s tunes and play them regularly.

Laughing Girl by Jenna Reid

Track – The Laughing Girl

This is a great track and a brilliant opening to a record.

Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 38

Peatbog Faeries Live

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 38

Hi Everybody – not been as regular as I would like apologies. Is anybody else busy but can’t remember what they’ve been doing? That’s me! Anyway the podcast is still coming every two weeks and over the last two weeks I’ve been experimenting with Ustream. Foot Stompin’ are planning an online Folk club which anybody can watch and join in. I’ll keep you updated as we go along.

Podcast Playlist:
The Automatic Eye by David Heavenor
Track – Between the Eyes
I’ve know David for a few years now and have always enjoyed his songs. The reason I picked this to start of the podcast is that it does exactly what it says on the tin – hits you right between the eyes. This is from David’s third album.

Shouts by Gary Innes and Ewan Robertson
Track – “Can’t sing tonight I’ve left my teeth at home”
You can’t beat a great tune title! I’ve been listening to this album a few times lately as I love this track. The accordion is played brilliantly. Gary is an amazing guy. Apart from being a top accordion player he is also a shinty player of the first order and regularly appears on TV and radio with his sport. If you like this you’ll like his first album How’s the Craic?. You can also download a ringtone from the Shouts album in the Foot Stompin’ Free ringtones section.

Fama Clamosa by Mackenzie
Track – Fama Clamosa
This an oldie CD but sounds really refreshing. I really like the way the girls get the African grouve behind the Gaelic.

Live by Peatbog Faeries
Track – The Anthropologist
I’m sure you’ll all be bored of me going on about the Peatbog Faeries in the podcast however here is their new Live album. I still prefer to listen to this band actually live however it was great to hear this version of The Anthropologist with Nigel Hitchcock on sax. This guy is amazing!

Hinterlands by Wendy Stewart & Gary West
Track – Full Moon Down Under
This is an interesting track. Both musicians do great work in their own right and they work together really well as a duo. This track reminds me of a landscape. What does it remind you of?

Anthem For The Common Man by Battlefield Band
Track – The Four Minute Warning
To finish off I’ve returned to one of my favourite all-time bands. This album was a real groundbreaker when it came out. It divided peoples opinions across the board. One side like the band experimenting and the other thought drum machines were blasphemy in folk music! I was with the former and while it doesn’t always work the band were very brave to move in the direction. Interestingly I think they’ve gone in the other direction now and are very traditional sounding in terms of their arrangements – with an electric keyboard!

See you the next time.

Just back from the Scottish fleadh

Just back from the Scottish fleadh in Motherwell. What an amazing amount of talent from our young musicians. Hosted by Taylor High School (surely the ugliest high school ever built – closer to a nuclear bunker than a school), there were hundreds of young people playing amazing tunes. I really enjoyed just entering the place. As you walked through the doors the music just hits you and as we walked the corridors to my son Charlie’s whistle competition, the quality of the musicianship in some of youngsters was breathtaking. The Ceoltas in Glasgow must be providing the majority of Scotland’s best young musicians. St Rochs school on a Tuesday night (where we go) is home to the Irish Ministrels branch. There are at least 120 young people from the age 5 to 20 there every Tuesday all playing the music. They all enjoy it but the thing I’ve noticed over the years of knowing these guys is that the kids all listen to traditional music. So many of the young folks I’ve taught over the years don’t listen to the music in their spare time which completely misses the point of playing traditional music. You’ll never be any good if you don’t listen it. You’ll never understand the nuances of what makes a great reel, song etc.

At St Rochs all the tutors are volunteers and they all work very hard for the kids. The main man is Frank McArdle. What a guy! He has given his life to teaching the kids music (and maths) for 30+ years. But more than that he has created and nurtured a generation of great musicians and invested in them a love and understanding of music. On a Tuesday night many of his original students are back with their own children and it all starts again with Frank leading the way. He needs an Award!

On another note Tinto Summer School is nearly full which is fantastic. If you would like more information check out www.tintosummerschool.com.

I heard an amazing piece of music yesterday by Arvo part. It was his setting of the Robert Burns poem My heart’s in the highlands. Check it out http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=478930

Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 35

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 35.

Oringinal Transatlantic Sessions

Hi Folks,

We’ve had a busy few weeks with our Distil project. We had our annual residential weekend in New Lanark with tutors Ken Hyder, Stephen Deasley and Carina Normanssen and had a great time. You can read more at the link. On that weekend I also managed to video top Scottish fiddler Lauren MacColl and you can see the videos of her playing at Foot Stompin’ YouTube channel. You can hear and watch lots of amazing Scottish players.

Yesterday – also with Distil we hosted a Writing for Film workshop in Stirling Tolbooth. This is a project we’ve started to give Scottish traditional musicians the opportunity to learn from film composer Jim Sutherland. The musicians learn as they go and the process ends with them writing music to a film that is shown as part of the Scots Trad Music Awards weekend on November 28th. The workshop yesterday looked at the group trying to write a score to a Tom and Jerry movie. It wasn’t easy and the thought that came out of the lesson was the as writer you have to find the personality of the character(s) to make a good score. I’m looking forward to the next one in May.

I enjoyed making the podcast today. The first CD featured lots of musicians including Aly Bain and Jay Unger. The opening track (which I’m on!) has so much energy to it – I wish I remembered more about it! It was great to be on this TV show with so many amazing musicians. One of the things I do remember about it was beating virtuoso fiddler Marc O’Connor at snooker…

The Original Transatlantic Sessions Volume One (audio CD) by Compilation

Track – Far from Home

http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_original_transatlantic_sessions__volume_one_audio_cd

I think Jim Malcolm has one of the best voices in Scottish music. He is also one of the hardest working musicians. This is his first CD for a couple of years and I love the opening track Balley of Strathmore. This song by Andy M Stewart takes me right back to my childhood and listening to Silly Wizard. I remember the LP ‘So Many Partings’ so well and sitting to learn all the tunes from Phil and Johnny Cunningham.

The First Cold Day by Jim Malcolm

Track – The Valley of Strathmore

http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_first_cold_day

It good to see Alyth finally releasing a new CD. Her debut An Iomall was ground breaking in its arrangements and production. Alyth has been touring with the Chieftains lately and worth getting along to hear.

People Like Me by Alyth McCormack

Track – Nuair Bha Mi Og

http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/people_like_me

I’ve known for Rachel Hair for a long time and it is great to see her moving to the top. Her harp playing is very distinctive and I like the sound she is making with her band. When I taught for the Edinburgh Feis on a Wednesday night – seems so long ago – we all used to go for pizza on the final night of term. There was often 10-15 of us in the restaurant trying to get discounts with (the kids) Young Scot cards and deciding whether to have the ice cream factory or not. Great days!

The Lucky Smile by Rachel Hair

Track – Back Home

http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_lucky_smile

I’ve probably mentioned this before but I’ll never forget my appearance on stage with Runrig to induct them into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. It was the simply the best experience ever. I’ve never had a crowd cheer like that, it was like a drug. In my next like I’m going to be a rock ‘n’ roll star!

10 – The Long Journey, Isles FM by Compilation

Track – Faieas Air an airigh – Runrig

http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/10__the_long_journey_isles_fm

I play this band often as I think they’re great. I love the rawness of their sound. I heard them last at Celtic Connections at the Old Fruitmarket. They were rocking with some interesting dancing on the stage. They’re about to have a major lineup change and looking forward to hearing their next sound.

Magnificent Seven by Blazin’ Fiddles

Track – Miss Johnstone

http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/blazin_fiddles__magnificent_seven

Listening

Ear

I mentioned briefly in my last post that I’ve been trying to listen more. I used to spend a lot of time sitting, staring and listening. I’ve always thought that whilst sitting in a room or on a park bench you can hear the most beautiful music all around you. Sometimes it might be abstract and others there might be some kind of natural rhythm running through it. Whilst holding workshops I sometimes ask the classes to put down their instruments and just sit and listen to the sounds. Simple things like air conditioning can become very interesting when combined with other sounds. The other week I was teaching at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and I ask the class to sit and listen to what was going on. We heard a duet between an opera singer (in one room) and a sax in another. This combined with chairs scraping along the floor in the building and the sound of the outside world made it very interesting.

Of late though I’ve found I’ve stopped doing this (children, work, etc etc etc) and I want to start again. That is listening to everything. I want to sit on the parch bench but also on the couch listening to CDs.

Lately with CDs I have time to listen once and then move on. This is not fair to the artist. This is defeating the process of a musician making a CD. There is no way I can understand what the musician was thinking when collecting the tracks, rehearsing and putting them into the final track order on the CD. Listening to a music should be an experience. This is one of the reasons I’m not really into downloads. They breakup the artist process. Surely track 5 on an album is that for a reason. I don’t like ’shuffle play’ either as you can imagine.

Are downloads killing the artistic process of the album or are musicians having to work harder to provide perfect one-off tracks? A question for another time…

Wish me luck. I’m now off to savour the sounds of the local indian restaurant…

Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 33

Dual - Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 33

A quick blog today! I’m just checking out Spotify – very interesting. For me the best thing about this new piece of software is that you can post playlists to the web and using this I hope to get some Scottish music out there to Spotify community. The ads are a bit of a pain though (they appear inbetween tracks) and I’m sure they’re not contextulised ie folk ads for folk music. I’ll keep you all updated.

Have you all seen our Foot Stompin’ Scottish Music Facebook page? I’ve been trying to get more into Facebook but it very slow! I keep it updated as much as possible and have just uploaded our new Lori Watson and Rule of Three ringtone. You can download the free ringtone here.

Here is the playlist from our latest podcast.

Dual by Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Track – Da Bhfaigheann Mo Rogha De Thriur Acu/Dhannsamaid Le Ailean/Cairistion’ Nigh’n Eoghainn
Julie’s doing great at the moment and is fast becoming the face of Scottish music. She is multi-talented and alongside her musicianship she fits in well to TV and radio roles as well.

Pleasure’s Coin by Lori Watson & Rule of Three (ringtone)
Track – Nell
I really like this CD. I’ve been spending more time listening lately and trying not to judge music on first listen (because it fits into my time better). There are lots of great tracks on this including the secret track which is a reworking of another track on the album.

Oran Ur do Mhuile by Compilation
Track – Gheibhinn Cadal Math – Angus MacKechnie/Allan MacDonald
On the podcast I usually have great problems reading some of the Gaelic titles. When recording the voice over for this track I bottled out of saying the title before we played it but gave it a shot post track. I should buy the Foot Stompin’ Gaelic dictionary!

Legend of The Scots Fiddle by Hector MacAndrew
Track – Eugene Stratton
Very nice playing here from one of the heroes of the Scottish music scene. It’s amazing to think that this was recorded 60 years ago and had been living unheard in the Aberdeen archives.

Keepin’ it Reel by Koda
Track – The Bee in the Knickers
This young band have been going for quite a while and Award winning musicians like Emily Smith and Give Way have all come up through it. It is all down to their leader Keith Dickson who like many musicians on the Scottish scene have given so much of their time (for not very much money) to making these things happen.

Craigie Dhu by Dougie Maclean
Track – Gin I were a Barons Heir
I first heard this track sung by Hamish Napier in Back of the Moon. The tune to this is beautiful. Dougie has been a real saleman for Scottish music with his constant touring. I wonder how many people Dougie has played to over the years?

Arnish Light by Tannahill Weavers
Track – Arnish Light Set
Another amazing band. There are so many great stories about these guys from their touring! There should be a book!

Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 32

Breabach - The Big Spree

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 32.

We’re starting off this programme with Breabach. I’ve loved this band ever since I heard their (very attractive) demo. In fact I think the tune we play on the podcast – Chloe’s passion was on it. Also each member of the band has entered the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award starting with Patsy Reid in the inaugural Award in 2000 up to Ewan Robertson winning in 2008. Band members Patsy and Calum MacCrimmon both came back this year to help judge the Finals. I enjoy the way they play as an ensemble all listening to each other while still leaving room to breathe for each of their solo talents. Look out for them in Scotland and England throughout March.

Another inaugural Young Trad Awardee (and winner) was Gillian Frame and she features with Findlay Napier (another finalist) in the Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers. Their CD Out All Night has just come out in the last months and has enjoyed critical success. I noticed the other day they are doing some touring around Scotland in April with the Peatbog Faeries. Definitely worth checking out.

Our next track is from guitar maestro Tony McManus. Tony is one of the hardest working musicians I know. He seems to go non stop! This new record of his is an unusual album because the recording of each track features a different guitar, from the collection of North Carolina’s Dream Guitars founder Paul Heumiller and each hand-picked by Tony and Paul. Amazingly on the last track he manages to play them all – I love to see that! I spent some time with Tony on the German Folk Festival tour a few years back and I invented the Wooden CD prize for the person who sold the least CDs on the tour. Unfortunately I went on to win it – typical…

I mentioned Ruairidh Macmillan in the last blog who won this years BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award. Well he is playing and touring with the Paul McKenna Band, a young singer who people are talking about favouritely. I don’t know much about this band but their record sounds great!

I’ve known about the Gaelic Psalm singing for a while but when I was thinking what track to play next I came apon the Salm and Soul CD. I listened to the first track and when I checked out the second I was surprised to hear a gospel number! The CD was recorded at Celtic Connections and the concert arose from the theory that the call-and-response structures of African-American gospel music derived in large part from traditional Gaelic psalm singing, brought over by Scottish immigrants to the American South. Whatever you think both tracks sound great.

We finish up with Box Club, a troup of 4 accordionists. Watch out for them on tour in Scotland this March.

How to get a head

Aly Bain

….in Scottish music? Looking at our high profile musicians like Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain, Dick Gaughan, Jean Redpath (and more) how have they ‘made it’? The answer is they have worked non-stop for years now touring and performing constantly. If I was to decide today that I wanted their profile and fan base how would I do it? Would I buy the latest Living Tradition magazine, start phoning the folk clubs listed in the mag, offer them my services plus a garland of publicity materials, and then tour constantly throughout the world playing festivals, clubs etc (if I am lucky)? NO I don’t think I have the will to do this. I would have to give up my cosy family life, Foot Stompin’ Scottish Music, Scots Trad Music Awards and all the other projects.

This post is a testament to all these guys who have brought Scottish music to the masses. Of course our music needs folk working behind the scenes but musicians have to get out there and sell it to the public. This takes real commitment, drive and a tirelessness to get out there and play the next gig. We can’t do without them in fact. Apart from giving them lots of money we can only thank them by turning out for their gigs and cheering loudly!

Is there a way to make this passage easier? I don’t know if there is. Whatever way the musician goes s/he is still going to eventually have to get in front of the public and if you’re a popular entertainer more folks want to see you. So for any young musicians out there wanting to replicate their idol’s success get out there playing, start creating your fan base and don’t stop working. Always look out for other opportunities though in writing, tv, radio etc.

As an aside – I was party to a conversation with a well known older jazz musician and lesser known (but great) younger musician. The younger guy was saying that he is worried because his phone doesn’t ring as much any more and he’s worried about his future. The jazzer said that the same had happened to him in his 40’s but his advice was to ride it out because as soon as you get into your 50’s you become a national treasure. Here’s hoping!

Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 31 – Bagpipe feature

Listen to the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 31.

Ruaridh Macmillan - BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2009

Congratulations to Ruaridh Macmillan who won the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2009 on Sunday night. He played a confident and imaginative set of music including a beautiful tune he learnt from the singing of his grandmother. All the finalists were great though and contributed to a fanastic nights entertainment. More information at http://www.handsupfortrad.co.uk.

For the 31st edition of the Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast I decided to concentrate on the bagipes. They’re a great instrument and come in many forms which have been taken on by the ‘young folks’ to new levels of experimentation. We start of the show with a personal favourite of mine – the Finlay MacDonald Band. I loved this CD when it came out. All the tracks are great but The Breton Dance set and the CD title track Pressed for Time (by Gordon Duncan) are amazing. I wish they would do more gigs as they have spearheaded modern bagpipe music.

One of the main perpetrators of modern Scottish piping is Gordon Duncan. Gordon died in December 2005 but his music lives on as strong as ever. The Circular Breadth and Just for Seaumas are my two favourite CDs of all time. I was always very chuffed with Gordon played at the first Scots Trad Music Awards in 2003. He performed one of his usual mighty sets of reels with his son accompaning on djembi. His music is carried on by many younger musicians as he wrote so many classic tunes that have become part of the tradition.

I mention in the podcast of our next track from Alasdair Gillies where I first heard him play. It was really an amazing moment in Blair Castle (Glenfiddich Piping Competition) when Alasdair played his March, Strathspey and Reel. You could feel the hairs on everybody’s necks rising as he played through the set. There was a collective wow factor when he finished and everybody was up on their feet. My Pipe Major Neil MacPherson used to take me up to the competition. The morning was full of pibrochs which I have to admit to struggling my way through (I feel asleep a few times!) and woke up properly for the afternoon session. Neil MacPherson, the Pipe Major of the 65th Boys Brigade, was a great guy who dedicated his life to young people like me. I always thought it funny that when we were playing the Gala’s, none of the boys wanted to travel with him (wanting to go with their friends) and he called his car the leprosy car!

I just spent last weekend at Celtic Connections festival and the musical highlight was undoubtably The Treacherous Orchestra. They played the ABC on Saturday night and left me with my mouth hanging open. They had great presence, well thoughout arrangements and brilliant music. You have to see them! One of the pipers is Ross Ainslie and it is from his CD with Jarlath Henderson that I play the next track.

Next up we have Bobs of Balmoral. This is “An authentic record of the teachings of two men who dedicated their lives to ceol mor and and to promulgating the instructions they received from John MacDonald of Inverness. They are nothing less than an inalienable link with the past and genuine oral tradition.” (Robert Wallace) It’s an amazing recording.

To finish up this podcast we play Fred Morrison’s Up South CD. Fred is one of the world’s top pipers and he has excelled at competition piping as well as the folk variety. He has played in many bands over the years including Capercaillie. I love the way he goes mad when he’s playing and almost falls off his chair! You can see this on YouTube.