The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music offers an exciting opportunity for young Scottish traditional musicians to develop their talent to its full potential. It offers top class tuition in pipes, fiddle, accordion, clàrsach, piano, guitar, whistle, flute and both Gaelic and Scots song, as well as professional quality recording experience and high profile performances.
This is the 4th CD to me made at the Centre and again features some of the most talented up and coming traditional musicians in Scotland. The young people are full of ideas, creativity and invention and hats of to Dougie Pincock, the Centre's director for his belief and support in giving them their head and letting the rest of us hear the next generation of fine Scots musicians.
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music (Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd)
Even before putting the CD in the machine, this album warms your heart with yet another witty title. “May the 4t
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music (Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd)
Even before putting the CD in the machine, this album warms your heart with yet another witty title. “May the 4th be with you” doesn’t disappoint when you press PLAY either. A good selection of old Gaelic and Scots song and music, and more modern traditional pieces (and I don’t think that’s a contradiction in terms) make for a superb blend, well-presented and creatively arranged. The arrangements, it might be suggested, may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are what make this album distinctively Plockton ( a new adjective for the vocabulary!). Speaking personally, they amuse rather than irritate – “Sabhal Iain ‘ic Uisdein” in the first set made me laugh out loud. The “Thanks” list runs like a “Who’s Who” of Scottish Traditional Music, and, while their influence is evident, the students have put their own twist to the tunes.
The great thing about this annual CD idea is that there is a continuity through the years as students enter the school and progress within it. It’s lovely to hear voices and playing skills mature from one year to the other and to see new names in the “ingredients” list. A “1st” for the “4th” is the inclusion of an original composition by one of the students, “Anita’s Wedding” by Lynn Calder (The Ball in the Bucket set) – a very nice wee jig.
Looking forward to the fifth album already. Wonder if I can second-guess the title? Hmmm… Doubt it!
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