Scottish Folk News

A big hello from Foot Stompin? bringing you more news reviews and events from the great trad music scene here in Scotland. It is election time here and there's a definite air of excitement all around! The times they are a changin' perhaps.
1. New at Foot Stompin': Includes new CD from the Finlay MacDonald Band 2. Snippets: includes Scotland the What? Name change for Skye
3 Focus on Gaelic singers - Kenna Campbell 4. Foot Stompin' Internet Radio: includes Chris Armstrong & Tony McManus 5. Reviews: Keep It Up, Alison McMorland & Geordie McIntyre 6. Books: Brenda Stubbert Collection 7. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: includes 'How early can children start enjoying music?'
8. May Events
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
1. New arrivals at Foot Stompin' Celtic Music (10% discount on all sales after first
purchase.)
RESOUNDINGLY GOOD!! Re-Echo - The Finlay MacDonald Band: One of our very favourite outfits! Bringing together blistering traditional and contemporary tunes on pipes and fiddle with the tightest of jazz, funk grooves, this is a band that can really rock! In its current line up for about three years, alongside Finlay on bagpipes & whistles, the band features Chris Stout (Fiddle), Kevin MacKenzie (Guitar), John Speirs(Bass) and Fergus MacKenzie(Drums). £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers) http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/re_echo
MUSICAL SHADES!! Celtic Colours Volume X (double CD): This exciting double album is made up entirely of tracks recorded live during performances at Nova Scotia's world-renowned Celtic Colours Festival during the period 1997-2005. There are lots of spirited performances here from both local and international musicians. A brilliant compilation which delightfully captures the verve of live performance! Includes Capercaillie, Sharon Shannon, Brenda Stubbert, The Barra MacNeils, The Black Family, Anna Massie & Troy MacGillivray, Phil Cunningham and many more. £12.59 (£13.99 for first time customers) http://www.footstompin.com/music/compilation/celtic_colours_x
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?!! Once Upon A Time In Scotland - a nostalgic selection of recordings of 24 Scottish artistes from the post-war years. They are mostly from the famous Beltona label but a few are from the ?Ace of Clubs? label. Enthusiasts for Scottish music of that era will surely remember such stars as Anne & Laura Brand, Bill McCue, Rhona MacLeod, Robin Hall & Jimmie MacGregor, Angus Fitchet, Arthur Spink, Calum Kennedy, Alasdair Gillies and many more... Photographs of some are on the front cover but if you are still stumped, the names of the faces can be found within the booklet. A fine compilation of what was enjoyed ?Once upon a time in Scotland.? £10.35 (£11.50 for first time customers) http://www.footstompin.com/music/compilation/once_upon_a_time_in_scotland
THE WATER OF LIFE!! One For the Road - Robin Laing: For his third CD of songs about whisky Robin has unearthed some real gems, as well as writing many great ones himself. Robin has made a particular study of songs and poems on the subject of Scottish whisky and has performed his show on this national drink both at home and abroad. Eight of the 14 tracks are his own compositions, the rest are from great writers such as Karine Polwart, Mark Wise and Amy Allison. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers) http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/one_for_the_road
2. Snippets
Scotland The What?
Congratulations to North-east comedy legends Buff Hardie, Steve Robertson and George Donald also known as Scotland the What? on being given the accolade of the "Freedom of the City of Aberdeen".
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=81825
Change of Name for the Island of Skye
We hear that the beautiful Island of Skye, one of the most celebrated and romantic place names in the world, is to have a change of name. Eilean a' Cheò, meaning Isle of Mist will be used in all official Highland Council correspondence. Highland Council's controversial decision comes into force on Thursday.   http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=81984
Edinburgh Folk Club Songwriting Competition Budding songwriters please note, the Club's annual competition will take place on June 13th at Pleasance Cabaret Bar. All entries to be submitted no later than 6th June 2007. Previous winners have included Karine Polwart, Robin Laing, Nancy Nicolson, and Jim Malcolm. More details:
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=80762
Sorley MacLean Online
Just launched is a website dedicated to the acclaimed Scottish Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean (1911-1996). Sorley MacLean Online aims to provide a comprehensive range of information which will introduce his work to new audiences across the world.
http://www.sorleymaclean.org/english/index.htm
3. Focus on Gaelic singers - Kenna Campbell As a singer, teacher, tradition bearer, song source and advocate for the language, Kenna Campbell has made an invaluable contribution to Gaelic song.
Her individual successes, including the Gold Medal at the 1959 National Mod and her acclaimed CD Guth a Shnìomhas, have been matched by her nurturing of natural talents, including her daughters, Wilma and Mary Ann Kennedy.
Kenna was born into a crofting family in the Skye township of Greepe on July 21, 1937. The whole family were, in Kenna?s word, 'songaholics'. Her father was a great singer and Gaelic song was a feature of everyday life, being especially useful in accompanying chores such as churning butter. A good-going reel helped to turn the handle until the arm tired and the reel became more of a slow air.
Kenna?s earliest memory of singing to an audience is as a four-year-old, hiding behind the kitchen curtains. Later, aged six, she sang for Dame Flora Macleod at Dunvegan Hall, and growing up, she enjoyed ceilidhing with neighbours, absorbing songs and the stories behind them.
On leaving school, Kenna took her diploma in primary school teaching at Jordanhill College in Glasgow and made this her career, latterly becoming head teacher of Newhills School in Easterhouse for children with special needs.
Song remained her passion, however. She took classical singing lessons privately and sang with her older sister Mary, appearing on the BBC and Scottish Television?s Jigtime. She also formed a group, Na h-Eilthirich ? or The Exiles ? with her brother Seumas, sister Ann, and guitarist Ian Young from Kintail, visiting Ireland and France as well as performing throughout Scotland, broadcasting regularly and releasing an LP.
As Glasgow's European City of Culture year in 1990 approached, Kenna was determined that Gaelic would feature in the celebrations. She formed Bannal, a septet of women specialising in waulking songs. Despite busy lives, the group continues and in 2006, they entered the DVD age by including, with their second CD, Bho Dhòrn gu Dòrn, a film of them pitting themselves and the process of shrinking the cloth by hand against modern machines. Bannal won.
Read more about Kenna Campbell: http://www.tradmusichall.com/kennacampbell.htm
Check out Kenna's CD Guth a Shnìomhas: http://www.footstompin.com/music/gaelic_song/guth_a_shniomhas
Bannal CDs:
http://www.footstompin.com/music/obj52878/bannal_waulking_songs
http://www.footstompin.com/music/obj52878/bannal_cd_dvd

4. Foot Stompin Internet Radio
Simon Thoumire hosts this week's programme which features tracks from Chris Armstrong, The Ian Powrie Band, Tom Spiers, Tony McManus and Alain Genty, Eilidh Shaw with Ross Martin and Leo McCann http://www.footstompin.com/radio
5. Reviews
CD 'On Safari' - Keep It Up@ Reviewed for The Scottish Fiddlers' Calendar May 2007 Keep It Up (presumably named after the driving reel in the Knockie Collection) consists of Eilidh Shaw (fiddle), Simon Thoumire (concertina), Malcolm Stitt (bouzouki) and Kevin MacKenzie (guitar). It?s good to hear a contemporary group with no bongos or heavy electrics. The playing is accomplished and tasteful and the choice of tunes goes all the way from the Bremner Collection via Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Cape Breton and the pipe repertoire to contemporary compositions. It?s not noisy, weird or too fast, and you can hear every note. What more could you ask for?
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/on_safari
CD 'White Wings' - Alison McMorland & Geordie McIntyre: Customer Review 5 Stars In true folkloric tradition, ?White Wings? is a tribute to song carriers that preserve material from earlier days. Song-by-song notes document sources, and they come from both oral and printed tradition. Scottish singer and folklorist Alison McMorland spent some years in England before returning to Scotland and forming a highly-acclaimed duo with Geordie McIntyre, a well respected singer and songwriter. Alison McMorland grew up around music, and she has built a reputation as a singer, collector, broadcaster, author and tutor. She was nominated for the ?Singer of the Year? Award at the 2005 Scots Trad Awards. Similarly, Geordie McIntyre has spent a lifetime involved in song, balladry and poetry. Although both are solo performers, Alison and Geordie have developed a joint collaborative repertoire based on their common interests and mellifluous blend ?White Wings? includes solo a cappella renditions by both singers, duets, and others with lean instrumental accompaniment of guita r, fiddle, concertina, viola, whistle, jaw harp, banjo, and/or mouth organ. The instrumental work is kept sparse to not detract from the lyrics. Duets like ?Here?s A Health To All True Lovers? are sung in unison. I especially enjoyed those selections that partnered their lyrical vocalizing with the bouncy interplay of just fiddle and concertina (White Wings, The Shoreheid Boat, Time Wears Awa, John Barleycorn). Norman Chalmers is the talented concertina player who is as fluid and tricky as he needs to be with his buttons and bellows. Derek Hoy has a sweetness and purity of tone on his fiddle. Both musicians are members of Jock Tamson?s Bairns. A drama teacher, Kristy Potts (Alison?s daughter) adds her clarion singing part to three numbers. Her involvement is a comforting affirmation that the songs are being passed down to the next generation?s song carriers. It is very much appreciated that the 24-page CD jacket also includes lyrics for all the songs. Both McMorland and McIn tyre provide engaging interpretations of ballad and song. Their voices emerge as irresistible forces of clarity and emotion in the finest Scottish singing tradition. They are strong, controlled, and genial as the pair sings songs full of lament, hope and humor.....Joe Ross.
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/white_wings
6. Books
Brenda Stubbert - The Second Collection: The name Brenda Stubbert is known everywhere Celtic music is played. Brenda is a gifted fiddler and composer, a natural musician who learned from her father, her extended family and their musical friends. Whether at home in Cape Breton or touring abroad, her workshops, recordings, dances and concerts never fail to delight ;listeners, dancers and musicians alike. This long awaited book contains 161 tunes, a mix of traditional and original material. In addition to 60 new tunes composed by Brenda herself this totally new book contains her settings of both classic and recent tunes from the Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton traditions. Complete with piano chords. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/books/fiddle_music/brenda_stubbert_2
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!
How early can children start enjoying music?
There was a much-publicised theory that classical music played to infants would make them cleverer. More recently that's been shown to be a load of codswallop, though it doesn't seem to do them actual harm and may help parents chill a bit.
Singing lullabies, particularly traditional ones, has more to recommend it. Tiptoeing round the house never did it for me. There's only so much stress a body needs.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=81986
What are your views on heckling?
I am sure there must be a wealth of " put down " lines out there as sharp witted performers get a trifle annoyed by the heckling and retaliate eg Ronnie Drew "Last time I saw a mouth like that it had a hook in it " delivered in that unique voice http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=80882
10. May Events
4th May: Edinburgh Argyll Association: 'Final Fling'. With Gold Medallists Norman MacKinnon and Jenna Cumming, The Southsiders ceilidh band and more.. 7.30pm St Mark?s Church Hall Castle Terrace Edinburgh. Members £4; Guests £5
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=81869
4th - 6th May: Girvan Folk Festival - The folk festival takes place around the harbour and upper area of the town, the venues all within easy strolling distance of one another, in some cases just a matter of yards. Girvan is a small Scottish fishing town in South Ayrshire 60 miles south of Glasgow. It nestles snugly in the hills around the mouth of the river Girvan commanding a view of Ailsa Craig, Arran, and the Mull of Kintyre. Concerts,workshops sessions, competitions, ceilidh dance, open stage.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/may/obj13278
5th - 6th May: The Border Gaitherin' is a weekend of traditional music teaching workshops held in the beautiful and historic borders town of Coldstream. A mix of workshops, ceilidh, large and small concerts, sessions and good craic.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/may/obj13297
5th - 7th May 2007: Fèis Rois Inbhich (Adult Fèis Rois) - Ullapool High School. Fèis Rois is the only Fèis to offer an adult tuition event making it a very significant and unique event. Participants attend the Adult Fèis to receive extremely high quality tuition from a pool of expert, highly renowned tutors of the highest calibre. Daily classes are offered in accordion, beginners, fiddle, flute, Gaelic language, Gaelic song, guitar, harmony singing, harp; wire harp, piano accompaniment, pipes, Shetland fiddle, step dancing and reels, songwriting, the scope, tin whistle and groupwork. Lively evening classes are available in a choice of subjects. More info:
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/may/obj13460
11th - 13th May: Fife Traditional Singing Weekend held at the Fife Animal Park, Birnie, Collessie. A celebration of traditional singing, the songs and the bothy ballads - for singers and enthusiasts! bringing together some of Scotland's finest exponents of traditional singing for a weekend of old songs and bothy ballads in concerts, singarounds and workshops/talks on topics related to traditional song and culture. More info:
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=82021&postid=72529&action=post
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24th May: Piping Live! Glasgow?s International Piping Festival will stage a special launch concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and Breabach. Tickets are available now by calling the Piping hotline number on 0141 564 4242 or the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall box office on 0141 353 8000. More info:
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=81832
24th - 27th May 2007: Orkney Folk Festival - This Festival has been contributing to the musical and cultural life of Orkney since 1982 and has established itself as an important event in both the Orkney and Scottish folk calendars. This gem of a festival manages to continually delight packed audiences all over Orkney in schools, community centres, theatres, concert halls and pub sessions. Visitors come from all around the world, homing in on Stromness, where the Festival is based. As it's the 25th Anniversary they are planning one or two special features! Guests: Blazin fiddles, North Cregg, Hom Bru, Rod Paterson, The Occasionals, Angus Lyon & Ruaridh Campbell, Stravaig and many more....
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/may/obj13329