Scottish Folk News

Greetings from Foot Stompin' with more news reviews and events from the great trad music scene in Scotland.
1. New at Foot Stompin': Includes Wolfstone
2. Snippets: Includes Unusual Suspects - top gig of all time
3 Mothers Day - 18th March
4. Edinburgh's Ceilidh Culture
5. Reviews: includes Lauren MacColl, Phil & Aly
6. Book: Scottish Lifestyle 300 Years Ago
7. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: includes Grumpy Old Folkies!
8. March Events.
1. New arrivals at Foot Stompin' Celtic Music (10% discount on all sales after first
purchase.)
ON THE GROUND RUNNING!! - Terra Firma - Wolfstone: The rockers who play fiddles and pipes are back with another smashing CD. Famous for their energy-filled live shows they use drums, bass, electric guitar and programming to give Duncan Chisholm's silky fiddle and Stevie Saint's pipes & whistle a very contemporary twist. £12.60 (£13.99 for first time customers) http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/lightweights_and_gentlemen
KING JIMMY!! King of the Button Box (Two CD Pack) - Jimmy Shand: King of the Button Box? is a double CD of tracks recorded by our most popular accordionist during his golden period of 1945 to 1956. There are 18 tracks on each CD all originally released by EMI?s prestigious Parlophone label. A splendid opportunity to enhance your collection of recorded performances by the legendary Jimmy Shand. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/accordion/king_of_the_button_box
SIMPLY THE BEST!! Songs from the Bottom Drawer - Rod Paterson: We have just added this 1996 album to our back catalogue; Rod Paterson is undoubtedly one of Scotland's finest singers and a celebrated interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns. Here we have Rod's special selection with some old favourites and some surprises. While there's "Parcel of Rogues", "Green Grow the Rashes, O" and "A Man's a Man", he also gives his special treatment to "Guidwife Coont the Lawin" and "Gloomy December". Lovely! There is also a stellar list of musical guests including Tony McManus on acoustic guitar. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/songs_from_the_bottom_drawer
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC!! By Yon Castle Wa': Heather Heywood is a beautiful traditional singer and this CD is gorgeous! Musicians: Heather Heywood (voice), Brian McNeill (fiddle), Dougie Pincock (Highland pipes and whistle), Colin Matheson (piano), Iain Goodwin (guitar) and Ron Shaw (cello).
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/by_yon_castle_wa
2. Snippets
Unusual Suspects
The very first Unusual Suspects gig (26th January 2003 at Celtic Connections Festival) has made it into the lists of "The Top 20... Scottish Gigs Of All Time". Music Journalist Sue Wilson writing in the Scotsman on 8th March said: "Nothing quite like it had ever been seen on a Scottish stage - nor, very probably, on any other stage. The debut performance by what was instantly dubbed the "Scottish national folk orchestra" featured no fewer than 32 musicians, including fiddlers, singers, pipers, harpists and accordionists, plus a heavyweight rhythm section and four crack jazzers on brass...... The massed potency of this much contemporary roots talent delivered a near-seismic impact, both sonically and in terms of sheer spectacle"
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=77938
Unusual Suspects: http://www.footstompin.com/artists/alphabet/uz/unusual_suspects
Scots Trad Music Awards make it to Parliament!!: In the Scottish Parliament
today, Rob Gibson MSP will lead the Members' Business debate on the success
of Scots Trad Music Awards 2006. The motion congratulates the winners of a
wide range of awards, voted on by thousands, which gives significant
recognition to the excellence within Scotland's thriving contemporary
traditional music scene. The whole debate can be seen on
http://www.holyrood.tv
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=69142
Job Opportunity
An opportunity has arisen for the exciting new post of National Director of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA). Deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 19 March 2007. Interviews will be held on Friday 30 March 2007 in Edinburgh. Further information, job description and application pack at the TMSA website:
http://www.tmsa.org.uk/news/tmsa-news.asp?newsID=125
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Hot from their win on the TV show 'When Will I Be Famous?' the band earned their Blue Peter badges with an appearance on the popular children's show last Thursday. In time-honoured style the show's presenter joined the band for a tune on the bagpipes! You can catch them 'live' at The Lang Spoon Festival in Glenrothes 24th March
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=78877
FREE Lau CD launch concert
Join them for the official launch of Lightweights and Gentlemen. Monday 19th March at The Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh. Doors 8pm Lau onstage 8.45pm ends 9.30pm. Admission FREE
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/lightweights_and_gentlemen
3. Mothers Day : 18th March
Music makes a lovely gift at any time. Here are some suggestions your Mum might like!

Mother?s Day Cards: Foot Stompin' have original cards for the occasion with a message in either the Scots (Hae a Guid Day Mither) or Gaelic language (Latha na màthraichean sona dhut! (Happy Mother's Day)). £2.25 (£2.50 for first time customers).
Scots Mother's Day Card: http://www.footstompin.com/books/mothersdaycards/scotsmothersday
Gaelic Mother's Day Card: http://www.footstompin.com/books/mothersdaycards/gaelicmothersday
See, When You Look Back (book with CD): Folklorist Dr Margaret Bennett collected these reminicences of life in Clydeside at the time of the second World War. Those sharing their memories and (songs) are the good ladies of the Kinning Park Over Sixties Club. Gripping, touching, funny, their stories are an important insight into what it was like to be on the Home Front in wartime Scotland.
http://www.footstompin.com/books/scottish/see_when_you_look_back
Craobh nan Ubhal - Flora MacNeil: Flora is described in the CD booklet as "The Queen of Gaelic singers". Heiress to a great tradition - she is also a superb interpreter and performer of Gaelic song. The songs are all unaccompanied, with the exception of a chorus on some of the waulking songs and two tracks on which Alison Kinnaird provides clarsach accompaniment. A truly wonderful singer.
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/craobh_nan_ubhal
Roads Not Travelled: Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham: An absolutely delightful CD from the masters of fiddle and accordion. Cracking tunes and melting airs (including The Gentle Light That Wakes Me), this is one of our most requested albums. A Foot Stompin' favourite.
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/roads_not_travelled
Colin Campbell - The Collected Songs (Double DVD): Fun and games galore in this double edition featuring over 2 hours of song going back over the years and including some new, never released. Recorded on location in Caithness, Moray and many other locations around Scotland. A fine mixture of fun and nostalgia Colin's songs reveal a true insight into Highland life. You will laugh at his Road Rage Cowboy ambling along on his tractor with a look of wicked glee on his face, knowing that no-one can pass him! Some of the songs are shot with live action to illustrate the story. £18.00 (£19.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/dvds/scottish_dvds/colin_campbell_doubledvd

4. Edinburgh's Ceilidh Culture: 24th March - 15th April 2007
Ceilidh Culture is Edinburgh's annual showcase of traditional arts, held in the spring of each year. It showcases the best of home-grown talent alongside acts from across the world, with local performers as well as international stars from all sectors of the traditional arts. 2007 sees around 30 organisations in over 30 venues across the city, with 154 individual performances, concerts, workshops and classes in traditional song, music, dance and storytelling.
There is a splendid '2 for 1" offer on tickets for the opening concert at the Queen's Hall on 24th March. "Auld Reekie's Roses" will be in the format of a traditional cèilidh, opening the floor to different performers in turn each combining to recreate the lively atmosphere of a traditional cèilidh. Hosted by D. U. Stiùbhart and featuring Gaelic singers Kenna Campbell and Rachel Walker, Scots singers Gordeanna McCulloch and Fiona Hunter(Malinky), along with acclaimed traditional musicians Mary McMaster, Simon Thoumire, Gavin Marwick, John Sikorski and storyteller David Campbell, the event will showcase Scots and Gaelic song and followed by storytelling and dance to an original musical score. Following the Concert is a late night of craic and ceòl as the Cèilidh House takes over the Queen's Hall bar to extend the partying into the wee small hours. To take advantage of the ticket offer please quote "2 for 1 offer" at the Cèilidh Culture Box Office or at the Venue Box Office at the Queen's Hall. This offer can also be redeemed over the phone by calling 0131 228 1155.
Ceilidh Culture is the fruit of the efforts of Edinburgh's many traditional arts organisations, promoters and venues - voluntary and professional - who have come together under the Ceilidh Culture banner to provide a high quality programme celebrating Edinburgh's vibrant traditional arts scene, which continues throughout the year.
For further information: http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/april/obj12689
5. Reviews
CD 'When Leaves Fall' - Lauren MacColl: reviewed for Scotland on Sunday by Norman Chalmers.
This debut from another Young Folk Award winner reveals a Scottish fiddler rich beyond her years with a huge technique and a style already richly individualistic. A singing tone is married to adventurous rhythmic exploration, to take her Highland-rooted repertoire up musical glens and straths rarely travelled. If her 'Lochaber Dance' invites terpsichorean trouble by setting the reel in a tricky 5/4, the air 'Tha Mi Tinn Leis a'Ghaol' will bring a smile to the folk police. Sparklingly produced by Chris Stout, the CD boasts pianist James Ross, Barry Reid on guitar and celebrated accordionist Luke Daniels.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com
http://www.footstompin.com/music/fiddle_music/when_leaves_fall
CD: '5 Hand Reel' - Five Hand Reel: Customer Review. 5 stars
'Mesmerizing'. Missed this inexplicably first time round - more into acid rock at the time! Absolutely amazing blending of folk traditions and excellent musicanship. Lets have some more. Am absolutely ' reeled in? Louise Mitchell
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/5_hand_reel_cd
CD: 'Roads Not Travelled' - Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham: Customer Review. 5 stars
Brilliant haunting airs....exquisite..........two masters.. rmcg http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/roads_not_travelled
Book: Katie's Coo - Customer Review. 5 stars
This is a perfect book for pre-school bairns. Bright, witty illustrations with rhymes and song words that can be a prompt for singing and actions - such as running your finger round the child's hand in "Roon aboot, roon aboot," and getting them to grab your finger on "CATCH! a wee moose". Great fun! I've been using this with toddler groups at the end of song sessions and my own 7-year old is a big fan too. Can't fault it, hard to beat it... Christina Stewart
http://www.footstompin.com/books/scots_language/katies_coo
6. Books: Scottish Lifestyle 300 Years Ago:
We found this irresistible! Helen & Keith Kelsall's book extends to 272 pages and, as Rennie McOwan writes "'Living history' might be a cliché, but it is an accurate description of this absorbing book."
Only four household account books kept by women during the seventeenth century have survived in Britain to the present day, and this book provides a unique insight into three of them. 'Scottish Lifestyle 300 Years Ago' describes what people ate, how they got from place to place, what they wore, what illnesses they had and how they were treated, what games they played and what songs they sung, what they read, what weddings and funerals were like, what things cost - in short absolutely everything that was talked about or experienced in the houses, ale-houses, inns and coffee-houses of Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. £9.00 (£9.99 for first time customers).
http://www.footstompin.com/books/scottish/scottish_lifestyle
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!
Grumpy Old Folkies
So, if the BBC commissioned a series of Grumpy Old Folkies could they find some takers here?
What would be your pet hates that you might want to get off your chest? People who stand at the bar and talk through a gig, any one?
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=78191
Folk Club Acts - What makes people go to a gig?
Obviously there are many motivational factors, but perhaps these can be discussed..
Some to start off:
1. Habitual folk club / concert goers - attend no matter what the act.
2. Admirer's of a particular act - visit club only because this group is playing. http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=78662
8. Events
15th - 18th March: The Blend Festival. Now in its fifth year Stirling's annual roots music festival continues to mix up the traditions exploring Scotland's wealth of musical manners and connecting with musical roots from around the world.Festival guests include Aidan O'Rourke, Anna Massie Band, Tejedor, Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe + Kris Drever, Davey Graham, Alison McMorland, Zydeco maestro CJ Chenier + his Red Hot Louisiana Band. More details:
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/march/obj28863
17th - 18th March 2007: Spring Fling!: A great two day event in February at the Gaelic College on the Island of Skye which combines some of Scotland's finest tutors with a group of highly enthusiastic participants- the result is a fabulous weekend of instruction and cèilidhs. Great fun for participants and tutors alike.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/march/obj76214
22nd - 25th March: The Lang Spoon Festival: A brilliant festival based at The Rothes Halls, Glenrothes in Fife. A whole weekend of great music in a superb venue with a cafe serving quality food, booze and all with free parking in the Town Centre. Festival guests are Eddi Reader, Julie Fowlis, Po' Girls, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Back of the Moon, Aberfeldy, Boo Hewerdine, Subverbo, Tom Morton's Heiland Fling, Archie Fisher, Wendy Weatherby, James Graham, Mike and Ali Vass, Adam McNaughtan, Scalded Cats, Singarounds and more....For full programme and ticket info:
http://www.langspoonfestival.com/MainMenu.html
28th March: Fiddle Tree concert 8pm at the Baronial Hall, Birnam House Hotel, Perth Road, Birnam with Edinburgh-based band "Fribo" who combine the Scandinavian and Scottish traditions with an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms plus Danny Award winning acoustic duo "Wingin' It". More info:
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=78877
31st March: 'Passing on the Tradition' : 2007 National Conference on Traditional Music. 9.45am ? 4.30pm at The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh. The Conference is for anyone who has an opinion about traditional music and its increasingly central place at the cultural heart of Scotland. This is your opportunity to bring your questions and suggestions to the table as we work to influence our country?s policy makers. Speakers include Karine Polwart, Alistair Anderson, Dave Francis. Further information:
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=77965