Foot Stompin' Celtic Music send their best wishes to you all for a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
1. New at Foot Stompin': includes Transatlantic Sessions 3, Karine Polwart
2. Scotland's Music with Phil Cunningham
3. Very Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
4. Reviews
5. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: includes: Marketing our Music, Christmas Presents
6. Foot Stompin' December Radio Programme
7. Events
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
1. New arrivals at Foot Stompin' Celtic Music (10% discount on all sales after first purchase.)
HOT OF THE PRESSES!! Transatlantic Sessions 3 DVD: This double DVD is the complete series of the latest (2007) televised BBC programmes "Transatlantic Sessions 3" with Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain. Set against a backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, the music brings together the best of Nashville, Ireland and Scotland to perform what has been called "the greatest backporch shows ever" Featuring: Joan Osborne, Iris Dement, Karen Matheson, Darrell Scott, Eddie Reader, Tim O'Brien, Julie Fowlis, Paul Brady, Cara Dillon, Same Lakeman, Bruce Molsky, Sharon Shannon, Catriona Mackay, Jim Murray, Fred Morrison, Jenna Reid and a fantastic house band Jerry Douglas - dobro, steel guitar; Aly Bain - fiddle, viola; Russ Barenberg - guitar, mandolin; Phil Cunningham - accordion, piano, mandola; Donal Lunny - bouzouki; Donald Shaw - accordion, piano, harmonium; Todd Parks - bass; Michael McGoldrick - Irish pipes, whistle, flutes; James Mackintosh - percussion; Donald Hay - percussion; Ronan Browne - Irish pipes, whistles.. . .. £17.10 (£18.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/dvd/transatlantic_sessions_three_dvd
Also newly available: Transatlantic Sessions Three Volume One (audio CD): The music on this CD comes from the latest (2007) televised series of Transatlantic Sessions. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/transatlantic_sessions_three_volume_one_cd
BLOOMIN' BONNIE!! Fairest Floo'er - Karine Polwart: Karine is one of Scotland's finest singers and here we have her thoughtful and lovely versions of some of the great traditional songs. The performances showcase her warm and earthy vocals and assured storytelling. £8.10 (£8.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/fairest_flooer
ISLAND MUSIC!! Taransay Live 2007: Each year Fidlearein Eilean an Fhraoich (Fiddlers of the Heather Isles) run the seven day long fiddle based music camp each year on the wonderfully relaxed and beautifully stunning island of Taransay. The uninhabited six thousand acre island which was the setting for BBC Castaway project is home normally to only Red Deer and Sheep. This CD represents the fruits of the Fiddle Camp labours and is a must for anyone who likes down to earth honest music - presented and performed in the format of fun, friendship and great "crack". Artists include Charlie McKerron, Alasdair White, Iain MacFarlane, Patsy Reid, Catrional Watt and Bridgette Laws. £10.35 (£11.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/fiddle/taransay_live_2007
A WEE BEAUTY!! A Gaelic Gem - George Clavey: George Clavey was one of the most loved of all Gaelic singers. He recorded only one vinyl LP titled Gaelic Gems. It is the tracks from this LP which have been re-mastered to make this lovely CD and given us, who were not fortunate enough to hear George Clavey when he was alive, the chance to enjoy his beautiful mellow voice in all its glory. A lovely selection of songs with instrumental accompaniment. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/george_clavey__a_gaelic_gem
THE MOOTHIE MAN!! Keil Road - Donald Black: A lovely album of slow reflective melodies mostly drawn from the West of Scotland Gaelic tradition, played on harmonica. For this recording Donald has surrounded himself with some very fine guest musicians in the shape of Aly Bain, Duncan Chisholm, Alex Dalglish, Fraser Fifield, Allan Henderson, Neil Johnstone, Catriona Laird, Duncan Lyall, Iain MacDonald, Maggie MacInees, Donnie Mackenzie, Donald Shaw. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/keil_road
More 'new arrivals' at foot Stompin': http://www.footstompin.com/collections/new
2. Scotland's Music with Phil Cunningham
This excellent series, which aired on BBC Television in Scotland a few weeks ago, is now finished. The programmes attracted great reviews and happily, for those who were unable to see them, there are over 40 pieces of video content still available for viewing on the BBC website. These include tracks and interviews from artists such as Dick Gaughan, Barbara Dickson, Findlay Napier, John Martyn, Eddi Reader, Karine Polwart, Capercaillie, Old Blind Dogs, Aly Bain, Catriona McKay and Rona Lightfoot amongst many others. The majority of the footage is extended edits, not previously shown on the programme. You can check out the clips here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/music/tv/
3. Very Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
Clyde Valley Stompers - The Reunion Sessions (CD): Everybody loved the Clyde Valley Stompers! They first came to the fore in the 1950s and 60s when there was a great revival for traditional jazz. Scotland produced many excellent musicians during this period and a significant number of them passed through this much loved band! This CD presents a selection of favourites from the reunion sessions which took place during 1982 and 1983 in Strathaven. Many of the original band members returned including trumpeter Malcolm Higgins, Clarinettist Forrie Cairns and vocalists Mary McGowan and Fionna Duncan. This CD is an absolutely brilliant blast from the past! £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_reunion_sessions
Black Water (CD) - Kris Drever. This is quite simply a wonderful album from a hugely talented singer musician. It was Album of the Week (Sunday Times), BBC Folk Awards Winner 2007, Album of the Year nominated Scots Trad Music Awards. We have some as Limited Edition CD which includes a bonus track and 2 singles. Not to be missed! £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/black_water
'The Scottish Whistle': A fine wee 'Feadag Brass 'D' instrument which has a blue mouthpiece and is packaged in tartan. There are playing instructions in 5 languages with a fingering chart and a small selection of tunes. £4.50 (£4.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/whistle__instrument
The Joy of Sets: (vols 1-3). Each wee book has sets of tunes suitable for sessions or ensembles which should please learners and experienced musicians alike. The book is small enough to fit into a fiddle or mandolin case, and has a useful index on the back. Clear standard notation for any instrument, with guitar chords for every selection. Each book is £4.50 (£4.99 for first time customers)
Vol 1: http://www.footstompin.com/products/books/the_joy_of_sets_volume_1_book
Vol 2: http://www.footstompin.com/products/books/the_joy_of_sets_volume_2_book
Vol 3: http://www.footstompin.com/products/books/the_joy_of_sets_volume_3_book
An Ayepod tuition course: These courses make for a unique and special Christmas gift idea. Check out our selection of reasonably priced downloadable instrumental courses from our top notch tutors Anna Wendy Stevenson, Jenna Reid, Lori Watson, Alasdair White (fiddles), Corrina Hewat, (Scottish Harp) Jennifer McGlone (beg. whistle), Christine Kydd (Scots song) and Simon Thoumire (concertina) . If you have someone who would like to learn how to play an instrument why not buy them an Ayepod course?
http://www.ayepod.net/webcasts/teaching/teaching.htm
4. Reviews
CD: Westringing - Ian Hardie. Reviewed for The Scotsman by Kenny Mathieson
IAN Hardie is best known as a member of Jock Tamson's Bairns, The Occasionals and The Ghillies, but this solo album features the excellent Nairn-based fiddler in a much less familiar setting. The tongue-twisting title is explained more clearly in the album's subtitle, Scotland meets Appalachia. He has chosen to explore the musical ideas inspired by performing at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC, in 2003, and subsequent research trips to Appalachia to study the music of the region and its historic Scots-Irish connections. It is his first entirely solo album, and he employs a range of altered tunings to splendid effect on both fiddle and viola. Other than a smattering of arrangements of traditional material, the compositions are all his own, and include a Pibroch for fiddle, The Highlands of Nairnshire, as well as a range of tunes inspired by old-time Appalachian, Scottish and Shetland fiddle styles.
http://living.scotsman.com/music/CD-reviews.3590448.jp
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/fiddle/westringing
CD: The Pearl - Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham: Customer Review 5 stars
I bought this after having 'discovered' Phil through his TV Series, Scotland's Music'. There is not a track on this album that I don't like, it's that good..Jim McLaren
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_pearl
DVD: Dancing with the Shands, Customer Review
A homely insight into the world of Scottish Dance. 58 minutes in the traditional format shot in the somewhat overcrowded 'Village Hall at Letham' 'Robbie McRadioscotland' as MC is his ever erudite self charming the audience with such phrases as 'been on the go' (when were ever not?) Robbie's contribution to the evening is sadly overlooked on the cover write up!! I usually put this on about 11.30pm to share some Scottish culture with overstaying dinner guests with consistent results. My toes are happily tapping, in bed, by midnight... Mupsuit
http://www.footstompin.com/products/dvd/dancing_with_the_shands_dvd
5. 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! http://www.footstompin.com/forum?forumid=3
Marketing our music
The reason I am writing this is more about the genres that are not doing this and the parallels with their lack of publicity/success. The areas that jumped out at me were Scots Song, Scottish Dance Bands and to a lesser extent Strathspey and Reel Societies. In my opinion these 3 genres are struggling to make any headway in encouraging folks to come out and listen, join in, buy CDs etc and while the web is not the be and end all, it is definitely a very good start to raising public profile.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=82408
Christmas presents
Anyone asked Santa for a musical Christmas present this year - CD, gadget, instrument? I've asked for a usb turntable (although I might not get it...) as I want to digitise my HOOTZ! LP I made with Ian Carr in 1990.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=82252
6. Foot Stompin' December Internet Radio Programme
Playlist 19th December 2007
Bagrock to the Masses by Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Don't Sing Love Songs by Maeve MacKinnon, Laebrack - Catriona McKay, Sgiath Airgid by Mary Smith, Lightweights & Gentlemen by Lau, Live from Scotland Volumes 1 & 2 by The Corries
http://www.footstompin.com/radio
7. Events
20th December: Ian Bruce at The Rolling Hills Folk Club. Fab singer guitarist. The Kings Arms, Melrose, Roxburghshire at 8.30pm Tel 01896 822143
31st December: Hogmanay Ceilidh Dance. Mod 2008 Falkirk will hold a Hogmanay Ceilidh Dance from 9pm. in the Archibald Russell Hall, Head of Muir, By Dennyloanhead. Entertainment by the Lochaber Ceilidh Band. Tickets cost £15 (inc buffet). Further info:
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=82206
7th January: Singaround /Session. The Glenfarg Village Folk Club. Come and share some songs and tunes in the relaxed and friendly Terrace Bar of the Glenfarg Hotel, Glenfarg Perthshire. £3.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=82240
8, 9, 10 January 2008: Scots Music Group "Absolute Beginners" classes in Edinburgh. Song, Bodhran, Chanter, Ceilidh Dance, Fiddle, Highland Bagpipes, Melodeon, Moothie, Percussion, Scots Small-pipes, Scots step dance. Further information, enrolment:
http://www.alpscotsmusic.org/classes/subjects/absolute-beginners/
9th January: Dick Gaughan at Edinburgh Folk Club. Dick has been at the cutting edge of Scottish music for over 3 decades. Guitarist, singer, songwriter and more. The Pleasance Cabaret Bar. 8:00pm Admission: £7.00 (£6.00 concession)
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=69754
|