Year 18 No 3 - November 1994
Ellon Club has always remained active throughout the summer and this year was no exception.
In March the A.G.M. saw a change of Committee. David Hoskins remained as Chairman but new Committee member Eric Reid, a real stalwart of the Club, was voted Secretary and Donna MacLeod, one of the founding Committee members, returned as Treasurer. Wattie Gill and Lynne Elrick stayed on. Other new members voted on were Bob MacLeod who along with the late David Sutherland founded the Club, Isobel Aitken and John Hind.
May 94
The summer season’s first meeting was on 24th May with Dick Black and his Band. This very popular outfit benefits greatly from the excellent musical rapport between Dick and Bobby Abbott on second box. The entertainment value was very high ; and excellent (and rather unusual) repertoire, a smart outfit on stage and a large an enthusiastic audience. David Hoskins started the proceedings with some lively numbers, and there were a hearting number of musicians present and willing to play, all ably backed by Frank Stephen on keyboard and Colin burgess on drums.
June 94
The June Club night, on the 21st, saw the next Black Band, Bill this time. Considering the travel time (from Edinburgh for one member) and the hustle to get on stage, the band were bang on the mark from the first chord. This was a more traditional repertoire than the previous Black and as usual Bill’s presentation and arrangements were flawless. The balance was excellent and the whole band produced a tight and exciting sound which was most appreciated by the large audience present. Solos by Kathryn Nicholl on fiddle and Mabel Gray (who played a lively set of reels on keyboard, not easy) were masterly and this added to the general enjoyment. Bob MacLeod started off the proceedings with some magical West Coast tunes. Several pipe solos by Pipe Major George Thom and excellent fiddle playing by Susan Simpson and Lesley Cruickshank rounded off another enjoyable evening.
Considering the success of the May and June meetings the Committee felt that Club members and guests should be reminded of the dedication of stalwarts such as Dick and Bill Black and many other musicians on the Club front ; musicians many of them household names to the enthusiasts, musicians who traveled hundreds of miles to bring their music to their fans and whose reward could hardly be measured in financial terms considering the fees levied. The members of the Ellon Club remain most appreciative of the willingness of these dedicated people who make such an effort to bring their music live on stage, to the public.
July 94
July 19th saw a different night as it was intended as support to the Ythan Fiddlers prior to their tour of Canada. Their well chosen selections, led by Susan Simpson provided much enjoyment. This was interwoven with dancing to the music of David Hoskins, Bob MacLeod, Stan Flett, Dennis Morrison, Colin Burgess, Frank Stephen and Bill Edwards in various combinations, so jigs, waltzes and quicksteps were interspersed with the Fiddler’s lively new and traditional pieces. Songs by Bill Christie and beautiful fiddle solos by Bill Edwards and Lesley Cruickshank rounded it all off.
August 94
August 23rd saw the welcome return of one of the Club’s great favourites, the indomitable Fraser McGlynn, accompanied by son Kevin, the latter a chip off the old block if ever there was one! Fraser disappointed no one. The great man was in excellent spirits despite the marathon drive from Lochgilphead and his repartee with the audience, the sheer brilliance of his playing, the wide selection of music and the harmonies (just how many fingers does he have anyway?) were truly up to his best. Again, good local musicians provided enjoyable listening.
September 94
The Club has seen many virtuoso performances in it’s 10 year history but the visit of Jim Lindsay from Perth on 20th September, accompanied by Malcolm Ross on drums and Edward Galley on keyboard, provided one of the best evening’s worth of musical entertainment that we have ever seen. Jim’s superb arrangements, his broad portfolio of works from all over the world, the complete understanding between the three musicians all served as a connoisseur’s delight. Jim is to be congratulated on the technique, the mastery displayed and the sheer hard work which goes to give such professionalism. In support David Hoskins and recently returned Lynne Elrick (from a summer working in Austria), accompanied by Colin Burgess and Frankie Stephen provided the balance of an excellent evening’s entertainment. Pipe Major George Thom gave several superb renditions of his pipe music arrangements.
Donna Macleod
Ellon Club has always remained active throughout the summer and this year was no exception.
In March the A.G.M. saw a change of Committee. David Hoskins remained as Chairman but new Committee member Eric Reid, a real stalwart of the Club, was voted Secretary and Donna MacLeod, one of the founding Committee members, returned as Treasurer. Wattie Gill and Lynne Elrick stayed on. Other new members voted on were Bob MacLeod who along with the late David Sutherland founded the Club, Isobel Aitken and John Hind.
May 94
The summer season’s first meeting was on 24th May with Dick Black and his Band. This very popular outfit benefits greatly from the excellent musical rapport between Dick and Bobby Abbott on second box. The entertainment value was very high ; and excellent (and rather unusual) repertoire, a smart outfit on stage and a large an enthusiastic audience. David Hoskins started the proceedings with some lively numbers, and there were a hearting number of musicians present and willing to play, all ably backed by Frank Stephen on keyboard and Colin burgess on drums.
June 94
The June Club night, on the 21st, saw the next Black Band, Bill this time. Considering the travel time (from Edinburgh for one member) and the hustle to get on stage, the band were bang on the mark from the first chord. This was a more traditional repertoire than the previous Black and as usual Bill’s presentation and arrangements were flawless. The balance was excellent and the whole band produced a tight and exciting sound which was most appreciated by the large audience present. Solos by Kathryn Nicholl on fiddle and Mabel Gray (who played a lively set of reels on keyboard, not easy) were masterly and this added to the general enjoyment. Bob MacLeod started off the proceedings with some magical West Coast tunes. Several pipe solos by Pipe Major George Thom and excellent fiddle playing by Susan Simpson and Lesley Cruickshank rounded off another enjoyable evening.
Considering the success of the May and June meetings the Committee felt that Club members and guests should be reminded of the dedication of stalwarts such as Dick and Bill Black and many other musicians on the Club front ; musicians many of them household names to the enthusiasts, musicians who traveled hundreds of miles to bring their music to their fans and whose reward could hardly be measured in financial terms considering the fees levied. The members of the Ellon Club remain most appreciative of the willingness of these dedicated people who make such an effort to bring their music live on stage, to the public.
July 94
July 19th saw a different night as it was intended as support to the Ythan Fiddlers prior to their tour of Canada. Their well chosen selections, led by Susan Simpson provided much enjoyment. This was interwoven with dancing to the music of David Hoskins, Bob MacLeod, Stan Flett, Dennis Morrison, Colin Burgess, Frank Stephen and Bill Edwards in various combinations, so jigs, waltzes and quicksteps were interspersed with the Fiddler’s lively new and traditional pieces. Songs by Bill Christie and beautiful fiddle solos by Bill Edwards and Lesley Cruickshank rounded it all off.
August 94
August 23rd saw the welcome return of one of the Club’s great favourites, the indomitable Fraser McGlynn, accompanied by son Kevin, the latter a chip off the old block if ever there was one! Fraser disappointed no one. The great man was in excellent spirits despite the marathon drive from Lochgilphead and his repartee with the audience, the sheer brilliance of his playing, the wide selection of music and the harmonies (just how many fingers does he have anyway?) were truly up to his best. Again, good local musicians provided enjoyable listening.
September 94
The Club has seen many virtuoso performances in it’s 10 year history but the visit of Jim Lindsay from Perth on 20th September, accompanied by Malcolm Ross on drums and Edward Galley on keyboard, provided one of the best evening’s worth of musical entertainment that we have ever seen. Jim’s superb arrangements, his broad portfolio of works from all over the world, the complete understanding between the three musicians all served as a connoisseur’s delight. Jim is to be congratulated on the technique, the mastery displayed and the sheer hard work which goes to give such professionalism. In support David Hoskins and recently returned Lynne Elrick (from a summer working in Austria), accompanied by Colin Burgess and Frankie Stephen provided the balance of an excellent evening’s entertainment. Pipe Major George Thom gave several superb renditions of his pipe music arrangements.
Donna Macleod