More summer news from the vibrant Foot Stompin' Scottish music scene!
1. New at Foot Stompin': includes Peatbog Faeries, Archie McAllister, Allan
MacDonald
2. The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail 
3. Snippets: Garvie Bagpipe Concerto
4. Reviews: includes Fiddlers Rock & Don't Sing Love Songs
5. Trad Music at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
6. Foot Stompin' Internet Radio
7. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: Are You lost?
8. July Events
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
1. Many new arrivals at Foot Stompin' Celtic Music (10% discount on all
sales after first
purchase.)
THE MIGHTY PEATBOGS!! What Men Deserve To Lose - The Peatbog Faeries: High
energy dance-floor friendly music from the ever-inventive Peatbog Faeries.
Laid-back rhythms, contemporary grooves, and yet still a strongly
identifiable Scottish accent. Pipes and whistles, fiddles, mandolin and
guitar, keyboard, percussion and brass. Their fifth album, it is a beaut and
we love it!! £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/what_men_dererve_to_lose
FIDDLING MAESTRO!! Fiddlers Rock - Archie McAllister: Archie's fiddling,
steeped in west coast dance tradition, carries a frankness of tone that is
extremely effective on slow airs and down right exhilarating at full tilt.
Here we have a grand display encompassing everything from driving to
delicate, a lovely selection of tunes all held together by Archie
McAllister's masterly fiddle playing supported by a very fine band of
musical friends. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/fiddle_music/fiddlers_rock
THREE CHEERS!! Dastirum - Allan MacDonald: 'Dastirum' is a word of
encouragement meaning three cheers! be proud!  bravo! Allan MacDonald sings
and plays 17th & 18th century Highland bagpipe music. The most exciting
player of his generation, Allan is stimulating the renaissance of one of
Europe's most soulful and majestic musical traditions. Considered the
highest form of piping (known in Gaelic as ceol mor, the big music)
Piobaireachd carries a bouquet of superiority, dignity, mystery, and
romance. The CD which comes with an extensive illustrated hardback booklet
of 69 pages showcases his stylistic approach to Piobaireachd. £14.40 (£15.99
for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/bagpipe_music/dastirum
COOL MUSIC!! An t-ionnsachadh Og - Fionnar: Fionnar (Gaelic for cool) are a
group of talented young Gaelic singers and musicians from all over Scotland.
This collection of songs is the end result of a research project undertaken
by the group in 2007, which saw the girls collect and research songs from
their own home areas. The songs are presented in both traditional and
contemporary styles, designed to show what Fionnar is really about ? the
fresh, young face of Gaelic Song today and  for the future.  £9.00 (£9.99
for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/gaelic_song/fionnar_cd
A FITTING TRIBUTE!! The Moarfield Waltz - A Tribute to the Music of Gordon
Jamieson: The late Gordon Jamieson from Yell was one of Shetland's finest
and best loved musicians. Gordon's talent both as a musician and composer,
in the Shetland, Scottish and Norwegian modes, was extensive and much
admired. Contributions from the Cullivoe Dance Band, Da Fustra, the Alan
Nicolson Dance Band, James Leask, David Halcrow and Violet Tulloch turn this
album into a veritable who's who of Shetland Dance Music. Appropriately the
first dance on the CD is a Boston two-step and played by Gordon's own
Cullivoe Band, now led by Ivor Scollay. This driving dance band sets the
tone and highlights Gordon's natural skill as a composer. The opening tune
reflects the happy-go-lucky, irrepressible nature of both the band and the
composer. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/compilation/moarfield_waltz
ON THE EDGE!! The Outside Track: The debut CD from a five-piece combo of the
same name featuring a lively mixture of instruments plus fourteen tunes and
songs draws from both traditional and contemporary sources. The band who
between them, come from Scotland, Canada, Ireland and England will be
touring the UK between July and September. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time
customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/the_outside_track_cd
ISLAND GIRL!! Barra - Chrissie MacDonald: Gaelic singer Chrissie MacDonald
from the Island of Barra has a beautiful voice and this 26 track CD is made
from two cassettes which she recorded in 1990 and 1993 (Cruinneag na Buaile
& Mo Roghainn Fhein). A singer of faith, real integrity and warmth. On some
tracks there is accordion and piano accompaniment. £11.25 (£12.50 for first
time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/gaelic_song/barra_cd
2. Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail
The world famous Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness is the backdrop to the opening
event of the month long Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail that runs from 16th
July to 10th August. The Ceilidh Trail increases in popularity each year and
is a great idea to support traditional music.
The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is a highly successful collaboration
between the Highland Council?s traditional music programme and British
Waterways Scotland, who have been the main sponsor since the inception six
years ago.
Five highly talented young musicians and one or more established
professionals make up the team who will perform traditional music, song and
dance along the Caledonian Canal and around Loch Ness for the benefit of
locals and visitors alike. The band will be also be taking part in the
Tulloch?s Traditional Music Tent at the Inverness Highland Games, the Tartan
Heart Festival and the Blas Festival.
The programme is a varied mixture of ceilidhs and concerts, informal evening
music session and afternoon outdoor events, to which everyone is invited.
The ?trail? from Drumnadrochit down to Invergarry offers afternoon informal
music sessions from 4-5pm on Village Greens and the Locks at Fort Augustus.
There are also evening ceilidhs taking place mainly from 8 to 10pm. Many of
the events are free of charge.  Audience participation will be encouraged at
the afternoon sessions and the Ceilidh Dances will be called (the dance
instructions given) at the evening events.
The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles along the Great Glen from Corpach
near Fort William in the South West to Inverness in the North East.
Further information and to check out the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail
programme:
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/july/caledonian_canal_ceilidh_
trail
3. Snippets
Peerie Willie Johnston on CD
We hear that Greentrax Recordings will be releasing a CD compilation of
tracks featuring the much-acclaimed Shetland guitarist Peerie Willie
Johnson. Peerie Willie died in May this year at the age of 86.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=86504
Garvie Bagpipe Concerto
The 'Garvie Bagpipe Concerto' is a new piece of music in three movements by
composer Simon Thoumire written to demonstrate the range and beauty of the
Garvie Scottish Smallpipes with their newly developed fully chromatic
chanter. The premier of the piece, with soloist Dr Simon McKerrell, will
take place at The National Piping Centre in Glasgow on 9th August as part of
the Piping Live! Festival.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=86864
Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop
Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop is the only representatives of Traditional
music in this year?s National Lottery Awards.  The Workshop, only
established in 2003, raises money for regular traditional fiddle tuition in
local primary schools in five local schools, and also puts on free schools
concerts and ?come and try? sessions. They also subsidise classes for adults
and children at three local community venues and arrange regular top quality
concerts. One of only 10 short-listed out of 640 projects, you can vote your
support for them here: http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/category/7
More info: http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=86853
 
4. Reviews
CD: Don't Sing Love Songs - Maeve Mackinnon: Reviewed for Scotland on Sunday
by Norman Chalmers
From the crunchy opening string chords and cross-rhythmic tension, you know
an unusual musical intelligence is at work. The title comes from the
Stateside favourite 'Silver Dagger', and while the Scots 'Cruel Brither'
makes an appearance, most of the songs are in Gaelic. Striking arrangements
might on occasion overshadow a song, but this is one of the most absorbing
albums to be released in Scotland for a long time. Five Stars
http://www.footstompin.com/music/footstompin_music/dont_sing_love_songs
CD Fiddlers Rock - Archie McAllister: Reviewed for Scotland on Sunday by
Norman Chalmers
From one of Scotland's most characterful traditional fiddlers, whose refined
technique, salty style and swing easily span the short crossing from his
Kintyre home to Ireland and across the Atlantic, McAllister's album brings a
rake of good tunes, and a rakish band of top instrumentalists, including
Iain MacDonald in the producer's chair. Compositions by Cape Breton's Jerry
Holland, Dublin's Donal Lunny and the ubiquitous Trad Arr include swaggering
pipe marches, reels and village-hall waltzes. It's all played for real with
no studio blandness - tasty. Four Stars
http://www.footstompin.com/music/fiddle_music/fiddlers_rock
CD/Book: Donald MacPherson - A Living Legend :  Customer Review 5 Stars
It is just a wee book that fits intae the palm o yer hand.But it speaks
"Volumes" about the Man and the Music!. You can tell by some of the quotes
that Donald, as a person is admired on the same par as his playing of the
Great Highland Bagpipe.!! ..Dave C.
http://www.footstompin.com/books/bagpipemusic/a_living_legend
CD The Little Beauty - Ingrid Henderson: Customer Review 4 Stars
Really worth the buy. Love all the tracks on the CD, all individual and
unique. Well Done...Mairi Jo
http://www.footstompin.com/music/harp/the_little_beauty
5. Foot Stompin's Guide to Trad Music at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The world's largest celebration of the arts, the annual Edinburgh
International Festival Fringe, is a massive explosion of cultural and
artistic expression centred around the official festival. There are many
thousands of individual performances taking place during August and
Scotland's wonderful traditional music and song gets the chance to blossom
during this fantastic and exciting time.  Foot Stompin' have made their
annual trawl through all the available info including the official Fringe
Programme to make up a guide to what's available in the city by way of
traditional, folk, world music. There are events happening all over
Edinburgh but the main place for nightly folk and acoustic music is The
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride's which is a five minute walk from
Haymarket rail station/road junction along Dalry Road. The venue contains
two performance spaces; 'The Big Room' and 'The Back Room'.  There is also a
nightly programme at The Royal Oak in Infirmary Street. The Of
 ficial Fringe runs from 5th - 27th August but we have included some earlier
and later gigs! Our 'Guide to trad music at the Fringe' is arranged in date
order.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/august/edinburghfringe
6. Foot Stompin' Internet Radio
Our playlist for July 2007 features tracks from the CDs The Devil's Advocate
(Chris Stout Quintet), Handful of Earth (Dick Gaughan), A Dancing Master
Remebered (Jennifer Wilson), Best of Ossian (Ossian), Fiddlers rock (Archie
McAllister), What Men Deserve to Lose (Peatbog Faeries).
http://www.footstompin.com/radio 
7. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum:
Here are some of the topics under discussion at the moment on our Foot
Stompin' Celtic Music Forum. Feel free to join in!
Are you lost?
Went to my first Sandy Bell's session recently and was disappointed to find
most of the tunes to be Irish. I do like Irish tunes but prefer Scottish in
general and was under the impression that Bell's was a Scottish session. Was
I just unlucky or have those in the east got an identity crisis?
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=86693
Desert Island Discs revisited.
Well, not so much "island" as "continent", and not so much "desert", really.
I'm off to teach English overseas in a month or so (but I've still not
picked a destination!) and I'm trying to put together a potted-Scotland CD
collection to let my students know a bit more about where I'm from, but I
don't actually have that much yet, so I need to get a few extra discs and
was hoping for some recommendations.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=86049
8. Events
11th - 14th July: Hebridean Celtic Festival, Island of Lewis. Features a
truly cultural programme where world famous music duo The Proclaimers will
be joined by artists from Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Canada and even Turkey
on the bill for this year?s event. The festival kicks off with a specially
commissioned project celebrating the work of Lewis bard Murdo MacFarlane
with Gaelic greats Ishbel MacAskill, Christine Primrose amongst a strong
cast of traditional and contemporary musicians. The Festival centres on the
main venue, a large marquee, capable of accommodating up to 5000, which is
set in the scenic grounds of Lews Castle, Stornoway.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/july/obj12367
13th -27th July: The Skye Festival (Feis An Eilein): Billed as ?the biggest
small festival in Scotland? it means that, once again, Skye is the place to
spend the last fortnight of July in this year that Scotland celebrates
Highland Culture. A wonderful 10-day feast of music, song, dance,
storytelling, sessions, theatre and film from the best in Gaelic traditions
and beyond. The main venue, one of the most spectacular in Scotland, with
its soaring glass wall overlooking the Sound of Sleat and the hills of
Knoydart, and is part of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland's only Gaelic College.
Full programme details:
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/july/obj13503
20 - 22nd July:  Cullerlie Singing Weekend. The Festival is a unique
celebration, bringing together outstanding traditional singers from
Scotland, England, and Ireland. The event is especially for those who like
to hear, enjoy, and join in traditional singing. Essentially informal,
friendly and non-competitive.The weekend includes ceilidhs featuring the
guest singers, singarounds for everyone who wants to join in, workshops, and
a talk.Cullerlie sits 6 miles northeast of Banchory and 12 miles west of
Aberdeen.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=85149
28th - 29th July: Dunstaffnage Music Festival. The festival sits on the
shore by Dunstaffnage Castle facing west across the water toward the Islands
of Lismore & Mull. Situated 1.5 miles outside the town of Oban, the festival
provides a stunning destination at the end of a journey that will take you
through some of Scotland?s most dramatic landscapes. Roots Stage includes
Tannahill Weavers, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Dick Gaughan and Harem Scarem.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/july/obj58504
29th July - 5th August: Speyfest, the 12th annual festival of the best in
traditional and contemporary celtic music. Takes place in the picturesque
Moray village of Fochabers in the north-east of Scotland. The festival site
is at the playing fields on East Street, at the eastern end of the village.
Guests include the Donnie Munro Band, Blazin' Fiddles, Tiller'sFolly,
Peatbog Faeries, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/august/obj13577