Scottish Folk News

It's March already! Greetings from Foot Stompin' with more news reviews and events from the great trad music scene in Scotland.
1. Congratulations to The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
2. New at Foot Stompin': Includes Lau, Stevie Lawrence
3. Mothers Day Cards in Scots & Gaelic
4. 'Flower of Scotland' 40th Anniversary
5. Foot Stompin's latest Radio programme. includes Jim Malcolm & Five Hand Reel
6. Scottish Whistle
7. Reviews: includes Stuart Cassells, Shooglenifty
8. New Books: Songs of Gaelic Scotland; Kidnappit
9. New courses Available at Ayepod.Net: Mairi Campbell; Alasdair White
10. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: Stage presentation for musicians.
11. March Events.
1. Congratulations to The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
YIPPEE!!!! Scotland's 'Red Hot Chilli Pipers' led by the 2005 Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Stuart Cassells were voted "The Winners" by an appreciative public after they gave a storming performance on the 'When Will I Be Famous?' talent show on BBC Television last weekend . Dressed in grey 21st century kilts and sporting red bagpipes and sporrans, their performance was simply fabulous! The boys' phone has never stopped ringing since! You can see their winning performance on 'Youtube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mqeFab4zLvw
Red Hot Chilli Pipers: http://www.footstompin.com/music/bagpipe_music/the_red_hot_chilli_pipers
2. New arrivals at Foot Stompin' Celtic Music (10% discount on all sales after first
purchase.)
FOR ALL YOU HEAVYWEIGHTS!! Lightweights & Gentlemen - Lau: Lau is the most exciting band to emerge on the folk scene in recent times. Bursting with energy and inventiveness, all three musicians are at the top of their game exhibiting musical pyrotechnics and wizardry aplenty with tune ? writing and arranging skills, great harmonies and sheer exuberance. Kris Drever?s singing, particularly on The Unquiet Grave, is quite beautiful. Highly original repertoire and some super takes on traditional song. A CD destined to be looked on as something really special. £9.90 (£10.99 for first time customers) http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/lightweights_and_gentlemen
GETTIN TAE KEN YE!! Acquaintance - Jim Malcolm. The latest album from this fine Scots singer and ex Old Blind Dog is a lovely collection of songs by Robert Burns. - including Ae Fond Kiss, My Luve is like a Red, Red Rose, A Man's A Man. Jim's rich voice is so well-suited to these gorgeous songs! Listen to Jim singing Auld Lang Syne on this weeks Foot Stompin' Radio programme. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers).
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/acquaintance
A WEE SPARKLER!! The Hidden Gem - Stevie Lawrence: The debut ?solo? album from one of the hardest ?working musicians (from Iron Horse to Shane MacGowan, Donnie Munro to Lena Martell) on the Scottish scene is an all-instrumental, carefully arranged and beautifully performed offering by nine top-class musicians who share Lawrence?s creative vision. The tracks could easily work as film soundtracks or beguiling background music but their immediate easy on the ear quality opens up through repeated listening to reveal hidden gems within. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers).
http://www.footstompin.com/music/guitarmusic/the_hidden_gem
WAULKIN' MUSIC!! The West Highland Way Connection: A Celebration of Scottish Music vol 2: - The West Highland Way is one of the most popular long distance walking routes in Britain and so it is appropriate that a CD featuring the very best music from the west coast of Scotland celebrates its success. Featuring many stars from the Scottish traditional music scene . Including Daimh, Vatersay Boys, Skipinnish, Cliar, Rachel Walker and more... £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers).
http://www.footstompin.com/music/compilation/the_west_highland_way_cd
3. Mothers Day Cards in Scots and Gaelic
We are sure you will agree that Mothers are very special people. Mother's Day will be celebrated on March 18th and 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
4. 'Flower of Scotland' 40th Anniversary
It is 40 years since the late Roy Williamson of the ever-popular Scots folk duo The Corries penned the song 'Flower of Scotland'. Over the years, for many, it has attained anthem status. On 24th March, millions will hear and see Ronnie Browne, the surviving member of The Corries leading the crowd singing Flower of Scotland when our National football team plays Georgia at Hampden Park Glasgow.
Here's what Ronnie Browne who continues to sing Flower of Scotland has to say:
"The Corries are undoubtedly most famous for having written the song "Flower of Scotland". The song was written by Roy in the mid sixties. Its first showing to the public was in a BBC Corries filmed television series, recorded in 1967 in black and white with Roy playing the bouzouki and myself the bodhran, in front of Ruthven barracks in the north of Scotland. We gave it a somewhat archaic treatment, perhaps to make a new song sound a bit more ancient. The arrangement underwent a few changes during the following years. The Corries large concert audiences seeming to take to it like a duck to water.
In 1974, Billy Steele, the then Scottish rugby international winger and in that year member of the British Lions, took the song with him on their famous, victorious tour of South Africa. It would appear that he had persuaded people like Gordon "Broon fae Troon" Brown to sing it with him and they, and the other Scots in the party were joined, perhaps surprisingly, by their Irish, Welsh and even English team mates. Upon their return they were voted the BBC Television Team of The Year and sang "Flower of Scotland" on national television as their team song.
There was a request from the Scottish rugby international squad, through the Scottish Rugby Union at the start of the 1990 international season, for the song to be sung as the unofficial anthem at the start of the games of the 5 Nations tournament of that year. In the first game against the French it proved very popular and successful. Scotland went on to win that momentous 1990 Grand Slam. Roy, a fervent rugby man himself, lived long enough to experience intense pride before he finally died in August 1990, from the ravages of cancer brought on from a malignant brain tumour.
Since Roy's death, I have continued to sing on my own and I have had the honour to lead the fans in the singing of the anthem all over the world. The sports of rugby, boxing, and curling have been using it to herald their endeavours. On August 31st 1996, I sang it for the first time officially for the Scottish Football Association in Vienna before Scotland's world cup qualifying match against Austria. Judging by the way the fans sang it at Hampden and Wembley versus England in 1999, I am certain the song is here to stay."

Check out our Corries products including new arrivals:
Those Wild Corries/Kishmul's Galley (1966 & 1968) 2 albums on 1 CD:
In Concert / Scottish Love Songs (1969 & 1970) 2 albums on 1 CD
Bonnet, Belt And Sword: (1967)
http://www.footstompin.com/artists/the_corries_biog
5. Foot Stompin' Internet Radio Programme
More magic music from Scotland! The track list for this week features artists - The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Jim Malcolm, Margaret Scollay, Julie Fowlis, Margaret Stewart & Allan MacDonald, and Five Hand Reel.
http://www.footstompin.com/radio
6. Scottish Whistle
In response to customer requests we have, this month, begun to add a range of instruments to our available products. First up is 'The Scottish Whistle'. A fine wee 'Feadag Brass 'D' instrument which has a blue mouthpiece and is packaged in tartan (it would make a nice gift!) .There are playing instructions in 5 languages with a fingering chart and a small selection of tunes. £4.49 (£4.99 for first time customers).
http://www.footstompin.com/music/whistle/whistle_instrument
You might think about combining the whistle with a one of the available whistle courses such as Jennifer McGlone's "Beginners Whistle available to download at our sister site: http://www.ayepod.net/webcasts/teaching/teaching.htm
Or, Instant Tin Whistle -Scottish (book) http://www.footstompin.com/books/obj60367/instant_tin_whistle
Instant Tin Whistle -Scottish (CD): http://www.footstompin.com/music/whistle/instant_tin_whistle_cd
7. Reviews
CD 'Blown Away' - Stuart Cassells: reviewed for the March 2007 issue of The Scots Magazine.
Piper Stuart Cassells can surely lay truthful claim to be Blown Away, as can his audience, in a piping display that makes you think you can see the sparks crackling round him. No less a luminary than Phil Collins (yes that one!) introduces the CD with enthusiastic sleeve notes as befits a Young Traditional Musician of the Year (Stuart not Phil). Stuart has played with the Vale and Scottish Power and has even done a season by invitation with the 78th Fraser Highlanders ? Premier league or what? And just for good measure his band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers guest on one track. But that?s hardly a surprise when you learn that Stuart has played for Harry Potter at the Hogwarts Yule Ball, and on stage with The Darkness at events like T in the Park.
Here he offers tunes by himself, Fred Morrison and ?traditional? with a lift and sparkle that take them outside the category of ?just piping?. There is also a very poignant set in memory of Gordon Duncan, played with just the sort of gusto and pizzazz that the much-missed Gordon would have liked. www.scotsmagazine.com
http://www.footstompin.com/music/bagpipe_music/blown_away
CD 'Troots' - Shooglenifty: Customer Review. 5 stars
They continue to amaze and inspire. Masters of musicianship and creativity. Extending the boundaries, fantastic fusing, pure genius. Deserve the title of "Original and Best". The music stays with you for days. Lynda Hansson
http://www.footstompin.com/music/celtic_bands/troots_cd
CD 'Acquaintance' - Jim Malcolm: Customer Review. 5 stars
Jim's latest offering is a lovely collection of Burns songs, some very well-known such as "Auld Lang Syne" (the old melody) to less often heard songs like "Highland Mary". It's beautifully done from start to finish, with lots of contribution from wife Susie-"The Shepherd's Wife" is a delight. My favourite track is "Logan Braes"; haunting, atmospheric, full of longing. As always, gorgeous vocals, stellar musicianship. Rabbie would be proud. Buy it right away.
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/acquaintance
Concert. Kris Drever Live - Customer Review. 5 stars
Having seen Kris supporting Eddi Reader I just had to buy his CD immediately. His voice wraps round you like a warm blanket. Don't miss this one!... Geoff McC.
http://www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/black_water
8. New Books
Kidnappit: A superb Scots language edition of the Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story "Kidnapped" - a tale of adventure in 18th-century Scotland.
"Wi his mither an faither deid, an wioot a bawbee tae his name, David Balfour sets oot for Embra an the hame o his sleekit auld Uncle Ebenezer. But Ebenezer is no pleased when his young nevoy chaps his door. Efter narrowly joukin death at the Hoose o Shaws, David is swicked intae gaun aboard the brig Covenant whaur he finds himsel KIDNAPPIT an aboot tae be sellt intae slavery...... £8.09 (£8.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/books/scots_language/kidnappit
Songs of Gaelic Scotland - Anne Lorne Gillies: The Hebrides and Gaelic Highlands are one of the world?s great treasure-houses of song. In this new anthology, world-renowned singer Anne Lorne Gillies has gathered together 175 of her favourite Gaelic songs. The songs included here span hundreds of years. Many date back to at least the fifteenth century, but reflect a culture far older still. As well as a general introduction to the Gaelic musical and poetic tradition, she includes notes on the background of each song plus full references to other sources, notes on the technical aspects of the music, and a full discography. Everything about this book is designed to make the nuances of the songs accessible to musicians and general readers alike. £27.00 (£29.99 for first time customers).
http://www.footstompin.com/books/obj26855/obj77424
9. New courses Available at Ayepod.Net: Marie Campbell; Alasdair White
1. Alasdair White Intermediate West Highland Fiddle Teaching Course
Now up is Alasdair's fantastic course - a series of six 30 minute lessons on playing West Highland Fiddle. He teaches a march, 2 strathspeys, 2 reels and a jig and puts them all together in a set. Alasdair is a natural teacher and lets the learner feel relaxed. Remember the beauty of these courses is that you can watch them as many times as you want and you do not have to move to the next lesson until you feel comfortable. The course costs $72 (approx £38). Check it out here where you can hear a free sample (http://www.ayepod.net/webcasts/teaching/awfiddle_west.htm)
Read more about Alasdair White: http://www.footstompin.com/artists/alasdair_white
2. Mairi Campbell Intermediate Fiddle Teaching Course
This Scottish fiddle course in six 30 minute lessons has the power to truly transform your fiddle playing. It offers you loads of practical advice, with exercises on how to let go of tension, achieve a better tone and improve your technique. Develop your style in Scottish music through the learning of these six traditional and contemporary Scottish tunes. The course costs $72 (approx Â£38). Check it out here where you can hear a free sample (http://www.ayepod.net/webcasts/teaching/mcfiddle.htm)
Read more about Mairi Campbell: http://www.footstompin.com/artists/alphabet/pv/the_cast
There are now eight courses available at Ayepod (Fiddle (5), Scottish Harp, Whistle and Concertina). You can also buy all the CDs from Foot Stompin's 'own label' catalogue as single track or full album downloads.
http://www.ayepod.net
10. 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!
Stage presentation for musicians
Just wondering if anyone can recommend any good books/dvds on presentation. I've been looking on the web and there are several workshops to be had.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=77126
What Is Lurking In The Loft?
Been up in my loft ? where hidden treasures lie. Found some Videos from the 1980s & 1990s....
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=76128
11. Events
3rd March: Musselburgh Accordion and Fiddle Championships takes place at the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh a few miles from the outskirts of Edinburgh on the first Saturday of March each year from 10am onwards. This large-scale festival is organised by the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs, and includes a wide range of competition categories for Scottish traditional and classical music for both accordion and fiddle. In the evening, there is a concert (6.15pm to 8.15pm) followed by a dance (9pm to 12pm), The concert features the winners of the various sections plus play-off contests for the senior accordion and fiddle sections.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/march/obj28519
8th March: The Sangsters - one of Scotland's best harmony bands. 8pm at the Acoustic Music Club (The Polish Club) Forth Park Drive, Kirkcaldy. Tckets £6 at the door All Welcome.
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/folk_clubs/thursday/obj13350
9th - 11th March: Milnathort Folk Festival. This festival with it's 'Crackin Ceilidh' is a local festival firmly rooted in the community. Concerts, ceilidhs and informal pub sessions in the Town Hall, The Jolly Beggars, The Village Inn, The Royal Oak Hotel and various other locations. More info;
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/march/milnathort_folk_festival
10th March: A day of events to commemorate Peter Milne "The Tarland Minstrel" (1824-1908) is to be held in the village of Tarland in Aberdeenshire. A traditional concert in the MacRobert Hall in The Square featuring The Pentland Ceilidh Band, George Donald (Of Scotland the What?), Douglas Lawrence (Fiddle), Pandy Arthur (Voice), Paul Anderson (Fiddle) and Dave Sinton (Combolin). Beer festival and traditional music session will be held in the Aberdeen Arms from 1pm - late. Open to all!!
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=77287
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. This year sees the festival journeying to find musical treats from Asturias in Spain, Denmark and Louisiana. Also this year, the festival is reaching out with an exciting new development, Rural Blend with concerts taking place out with the Tolbooth in a few of the villages around Stirling. More details:
http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/march/obj28863
16th - 18th March: Niel Gow Festival: A lovely festival of music dedicated to fiddler composer Niel Gow, held in Dunkeld and Birnam in the heart of Perthshire. The organisers have lined up a fantastic guest list! More info: http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/march/obj23233
19th March: Official launch of the Lau album Lightweights & Gentlemen at the Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road Edinburgh.
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=76234