Box and Fiddle
Year 05 No 03
November 1981
Price 25p
12 pages
8 month subscription £2.88
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
At an Executive meeting at Dunfermline recently there were three items of note.
1) The Musselburgh Festival’s new Sub-Committee have got things well under way.
2) In the friendly atmosphere Mr Jimmy Blue presented to Miss Christine Hunter and Mr Alex Little a gold watch each in recognition and appreciation of their devotion and dedication to the Musselburgh Festival. On behalf of Christine and himself Alex thanked the Association for their kind thought. It was totally unexpected and he thanked the Festival for the pleasure and satisfaction of doing something successfully.
3) The new Guest Artiste List is being prepared. Will those Guest artistes whose names are on the list but have changed their address or phone numbers please let our Secretary, Andrew Nairn, know as soon as possible. It is in your own interest to do so. If there are any potential new Guest Artistes please apply to Andrew Nairn asap.
Two new Clubs to welcome this month. Arniston Club who meet in the Rangers F.C. Social Club, Gorebridge on the 2nd Friday. Then we have to introduce you to Drumpellier Club who meet on the third Monday at Dalrymple House, Orma Road, Clelland. Welcome to the Association, have fun.
The Association’s AGM and social weekend date is 26-27th June, 1982. More details later. The AGM will take place on the Sunday, the venue – Dunblane Hydro, provisionally.
Angus Park, well-known in A&F Clubs has been in hospital for quite some time now and I’m sure I speak for all of you when I say to Angus “You are in our thoughts and we wish you a speedy recovery to full health and may it not be too long before we see you on the scene once again”.
Richard Ross – Two in a Row at Perth
By Ian Smith
All day the ding-dong battle went on in various venues in Perth as the 32nd All-Scotland Championships were fought over. This was the keenest competition ever. With an increase of 77 competitors over last year, every section was fought out to the last note.
This Festival incorporates the N.A.O. North and East Scotland Area, and it is organized by Bill Wilkie. Bill is famous throughout the accordion scene, both home and abroad. With 600 players to cope with, Bill hadn’t much time to himself, as he hustled and bustled here, there and everywhere, making sure that everything went as close to plan as possible.
Yet he did find time to pass a few moments with some old friend or help a stranger on his way (How many miles did you cover Bill?)
Some well-known names fell by the wayside with new ones taking their place ; yet occasionally some do seem to go on and on.
Richard Ross did the double by winning the Senior Accordion for the second year running. Well done Richard.
New Sections
There were three new sections this time. They were the Junior and Senior Accordion Solos for Pipe Music. These were introduced as many people felt we were getting away from the true traditional scene. Also introduced was a Junior Fiddle Section for the Under-16s, a magnificent trophy, being presented by the Langholm Club in memory of the late Albie Tedham – one of the most loveable characters you could have hoped to meet.
All day in the main foyer was the display of accordions and two brilliant demonstrators showing what can be done with the newest machines. Gone indeed are the ‘milking machines’ of yesteryear. In those days for £10 you could get an accordion that would fit into any dance band. Now the one machine does the whole band. It was around here that accents were heard from the South of England to the soft lilt of the Irish. A truly international gathering, all with a common interest – music.
Her are all of the results to hand :
Junior Scottish Under 12
1) John M. Simpson
2) Tracy Aitken
3) Lynne Mathieson
Junior Scottish Under 14
1) Diane Armstrong (Armadale)
2) Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
3) Una Bryson (Strathaven)
Junior Scottish Under 16
1) Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
2) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
3) Duncan Black (Stanley)
Junior Girls Scottish Traditional
1) Jennifer Forrest (Airdie)
2) Diane Armstrong (Armadale)
3) Margo Taylor
Junior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Edward Galley (Forfar)
2) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
3) Duncan Black (Stanley)
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) Richard Ross
2) George Carmichael
3) Robert Black
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Stuart McKeown
2) George Carmichael
3) Alistair Henderson
Senior Ladies Scottish Traditional
1) Jacqueline Dick
2) Jennifer Brown
3) Carol Faulds
Area Junior Championship
1) James R. Craib
2) Alex Munnoch
3) Gyda W. Crawford
Higher Intermediate Solo
1) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
2) Shona Leitch (Ayr)
3) Monica Ferguson
Advanced Area Championship
1) Martin Dobbin (Oakley)
2) Karen Hendren
3) Iain W. M. Watt
Elementary Solo
1) Margo Taylor
2) Grant Leslie
3) Cameron Clark
Intermediate Solo
1) May Taylor
2) Karen Leitch (Ayr)
3) Karen Higgins (Harthill)
Intermediate Duet
1) Sandy Legget & Ian Hutson
2) Carol Faulds & Elizabeth Blackie
3) James Penrice & Jane Battison
Advanced Duet
1) Roy Hendrie & Richard Ross
2) Neil & Allan Copland
3) Scott Leslie & James Grant
Bell Trophy
1) George McPherson
2) Martha A. Wilson
3) Mark D. Kenneth
Junior Fiddle
1) Mark Winchester
2) Isla Purdie
3) Alison Smith
Senior Fiddle
1) Jane Smith
2) Kathleen Smith
3) Jane Rayworth (Fort William)
Own Composition
1) Marian Wilson (Berwick)
2) Ian Henderson
3) Gary Mair
Trios
1) Robert Black (Stanley)
2) Maureen Rutherford (Keith)
3) Duncan Black (Stanley)
The Reel Radio
by Derek Hamilton
The latest local radio station – West Sound – based in Ayr, came on the air officially on Friday, 16th October 1981 at 5pm – ahead of schedule. Having listened intently to their early output, I suddenly realised how much local radio can mean to a community. There’s an air of real hope buzzing around Ayrshire at the moment even though day-by-day the political blows are dished out to the area with a vengeance.
The entertainment value of local radio is immense. Local news has much more impact because it is immediate and, on the independent stations, even the adverts are meaningful because they are local.
The adverts of West Sound got me thinking that this column has tended to forsake the local stations perhaps with the exception of Radio Forth.
Local radio falls into two categories. Independent Local Radio (ILR) and the BBC’s local services.
On the air in Scotland at this time there are five ILR stations and four BBC stations. Soon the ILR compliment will be increased to six when Moray Firth comes on stream.
So what do each of these radio stations do in the way of programmes of interest to ‘B&F’ readers? I rang each of them and her are the answers –
West Sound………..
North Sound………..
BBC Radio Aberdeen………
BBC Radio Highland………
Radio Tay………
Radio Orkney……….
Radio Shetland………
Radio Clyde………
Radio Forth………
Last month’s Reel Radio column certainly got you talking and writing – some in favour – some not.
The new series of ‘TTF’ under the production of Freeland Barbour, got under way on 3rd October with a session from Andrew Rankine. Andrew provided a balanced programme of music and attempted some fairly difficult stuff like ‘Lady Harriet Hope’s Reel’. Everything was well played with the usual Rankine ‘stoat’, although at times I felt Andrew was struggling a wee bit with some of the tunes.
It was a clean sound that the BBC boys gave the band. The stereo image was lacking, but balance was good.
On week two Bill Douglas got his second broadcast and I must say I enjoyed it. This band has improved dramatically since its first broadcast last year. It was bouncy and crisp and unlike Andrew Rankine the stereo image was well defined with the lead-box well to the right hand side and second box on the left. Bill Douglas’s fiddle seemed a bit lost at times but came to the fore in his solo.
The band had obviously rehearsed hard for the broadcast, and it paid off handsomely.
I don’t , however, think the drummer did justice to himself playing brushes in everything. I would guess from the recording that the drum being used was less than crisp. Perhaps something to be borne in mind in future broadcasts by this up-and-coming band.
Unfortunately, because of other commitments I missed the Rob Gordon broadcast, bet I hope to get a tape before next month.
I was a bit disappointed in The Olympians broadcast. They were always one of my favourite bands. They play catchy music and were always jumpy, but this latest session, I’m afraid, was staid. It never really got into the swing of things despite the fact that the tunes were well played. They also produced nothing very new either – almost all the sets had been broadcast , exactly as they were – before. The Olympians are a great dance band, but this broadcast turned out pretty average.
I like the new format with the full dance music session taking the first 45 minutes and Robbie’s excellent features following on.
I particularly enjoyed the Ronnie Aimes interview and the playing of Ronnie’s ‘Heroes of Longhope’ by John Mason’s fiddlers was superb. A beautiful tune indeed.
Look out for The Lothian Scottish Dance Band on Saturday, 14th November, with The Tain Band on the 21st November and George Bell on the 28th. Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDB are doing a session and John Huband and John Ellis will feature sometime in December.
You may remember last month when taking about an earlier Alex MacArthur broadcast, I mentioned the tune ‘The Darvel Toll’ or ‘Darvel Dam’. I’ve had a very nice letter from Mr A. G. Fraser from Alness in Ross-shire. He tells me that the words and music of the ‘Darvel Dam’ were given to him away back in January, 1941, by a Galston man, John Smith. Mr Fraser has sent me the words and music. It certainly would appear that the song refer to the Dam on the River Irvine at Darvel in Ayrshire.
‘I daunert on an’ daunert on, till Darvel Dam I did pass’ is the third line of the first verse.
Many thanks to Mr Fraser of Alness for the information. Sandy, amend your records please.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
The Sparkling Sound of Scotland – David Silver and the Band – Bluebell BBR/LP 141
Jimmy Blair (Obituary)
by Ian Smith
The accordion world in Scotland and far beyond has sustained another blow with the death of bandleader, teacher, recording artist, broadcaster and family man Jimmy Blair. Jimmy had been ill for some time and it had been hoped he was getting getter. He had been home for the weekend when he had a relapse. He passed away in hospital on 9th November.
I am sure you will all join with me and extend to Mrs Lorretta Blair and family our deepest sympathy.
It is only now that Jimmy has departed that we will begin to realise just how much he meant to the accordion world.
Jimmy was a quiet man and remained much of the time out of the limelight. Yet he got through a tremendous amount of work.
In his own way he had as nuch influence in the progress of accordion music as any giant before him.
Jimmy’s life was music and through his devotion to this he taught innumerable children to play and enjoy the music. He formed Accordion Orchestras and with them took honours all over the world. He was a Scottish Dance Band leader. He made broadcasts, he made records, which will now become standards of his time.
Yes, we will miss Jimmy Blair.
Next month there will be a report on the last tour that Jimmy and the Orchestra made to Normandy. It will give a much better idea of how much he was esteemed in Europe.
Family Combination Makes Life Easy
by Jimmy Clinkscale
Addie Harper is a lucky man. Unlike many of his calling, who spend endless nights away from home, separated from friends and family for days or even weeks, Addie just takes them with hi. He has to. They are part of the band.
With 17-year-old son Addie Jnr on accordion and wife Isobel on keyboard, Addie Harper and the Wick Band are about as tight a family combination as you can find on the current scene.
The band itself has gone through a few changes over the years, but Addie has known most of them for a long time.
Button accordionist Bobby Coghill, for example, has been associated with the top Scottish fiddler for nigh on 25 years, while Isobel has sat on the piano stool since 1962.
The rest of the band, understandably, are close friends.
Alistair MacDonald (15), a school-friend of Addie Jnr, is third accordion, John gunn, the regular drummer, is a research worker at the Dounreay atomic power station and bassist Hamish Auld works on Drumalbin farm at Carmichael in Lanarkshire.
Very Flexible
That makes up the seven-piece band, but Murdo McLean, an employee of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, and Adam Polson, fill in for John Gun from time to time.
What would appear to be a gargantuan monster to go on tour, is, in fact, very flexible. It is only occasionally that all seven members play together, the size of the Wick Band fluctuating between three and seven players depending on the engagement. One thing is certain however, their audience is always assured of a first-class performance.
Addie himself is not particularly interested in fame and fortune. His quiet, unassuming nature is typical of the Wick countryside he was born into. A special breed of man unaffected by the frills of life.
“Times have certainly been hard from time to time” he says in that marvelously wispy accent. “I wouldn’t have changed it for anything though”.
“I get an enormous amount of pleasure from music, and the pleasure that music gives to other people”.
“We often play in hospital when we have the time. There you meet a lot of handicapped people and old folk. It’s playing to the likes of them that makes it all worthwhile. It’s worth a lot more than money.”
Like the pure Wick air, Addie’s attitude is pure and refreshing. He’s one of the old school, believing that nothing can beat a good old melody and a bit of feeling and emotion in a song”.
And he should know. He’s written well over 60 tunes in his lifetime, half of them appearing in Volume 1 of ‘Music for Scottish Dance Bands’.
“Writing? It is something that comes at all odd times and places” he says. “Especially in the early mornings!” butts in Isobel, obviously accustomed to her husband’s dawn raids on a score sheet.
Great Fan
His own three favourite compositions are ‘The Garden of Skye’, ‘Requerdos De La Coruna’ and ‘A Tune for Sheila Hunter’.
The last was composed for a great fan of the band, Sheila Hunter from Broughton in Peeblesshire. “She used to come to all our dances” says Addie. “I took her to one side when we were playing at the Kestral in Balerno a few years ago and played her a tune I’d written. Someone asked what it was and I said Oh!¬ It’s just a tune for Sheila Hunter. That’s how it got its name”.
The story has a tailpiece, however, for Sheila soon became friendly with bassist Hamish Auld – Isobel’s brother – one thing led to another and soon they were wed. There’s devotion for you!
Another favourite tune of Addie’s is ‘Robbie the Sheep Shearer’, named after his father who worked for a few years in Patagonia in South America before returning home to Wick. Robbie could shear a sheep0 in under two minutes and could use his left hand equally as well as his right.
Robbie was also a good fiddler and like any good father, he encouraged his son to play.
Addie remembers the first fiddle brought into the house in Wick.
“We had a famous Evangelist preacher living next door to us called Jock Troup” recalls Addie “and he gave the fiddle to my sister and brothers and me as a present.
“There was so little to do as we were growing up that we just sat around and tried to teach ourselves to play. We all could play something. I eventually branched out on to the banjo as well as it had the same tuning”.
Addie was taken to music lessons with local teacher, Margaret Henderson ; the same woman, it would turn out, who would teach Addie Jnr.
Like many lovers of Scottish music at the time Addie was a great fan of Jimmy Shand and often listened to him on radio.
Own Band
“My great hero was the one and only Syd Chalmers” says Addie. “He inspired me the most”.
Stimulated by Shand’s success, Addie soon formed his own band.
“It was something I had always wanted to do” he says. “Myself and three others gave Caithness its first taste of a real Scottish Dance Band. We had the proper line-up”.
The members of that first band were, beside Addie on fiddle – Billy Dowler (accordion), local barber Jimmy Bain (drums) and Sandy Meiklejohn (piano).
“It was Shand who set the pattern and the style for everyone” says Addie. “Musicians of the present dayare fortunate because Shand had no-one to follow”.
The seeds of the present Wick Band were planted when Addie was twenty but bears little resemblance to the present line-up.
Since then, Addie and the Band have gone on to great things, the highlight undoubtedly being the performance of a composition Addie wrote especially for the Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday.
Called, not unnaturally ‘Tune for a Queen’ this piece was performed in the presence of Her Royal Highness at Castle Mey in Caithness the day after Addie wrote it.
It was also an important day for Addie Jnr and his school-friend, fiddler Gordon Gunn, who actually played the piece and afterwards presented The Queen Mother with a copy of the sheet music.
In August of this year the entire band played at The Royal Gala Concert at the Assembly Rooms, Wick, in the presence of Her Majesty. “She was sitting smiling, hands clapping” recalls Addie. “She put us all at ease”. Another memorable occasion was in 1979 at the Tiffany Ballroom, Glasgow, when the band was presented with the Scots-Star Award for Scottish Band of the Year.
The band have recorded three LPs since 1978. The last ‘Head North’ is “selling great” according to Addie.
Their latest, due to be released shortly is called ‘Pride of the North’.
That’s just about the most fitting way to end an article on Addie Harper and the Wick Band that I could possibly think of!
Bill Black – Knight of Stanley
by Ian Smith
“Arise, Sir William, Knight of the Ceilidh”. That;s how it should be after Bill Black’s Ceilidh in the Tayside Hotel, Stanley on 16th October. Imagine it………
Langholm Festival Results
The Langholm Festival was held in the Buccleuch Hall on 3rd October.
Didn’t the Donald Brothers from Doonfoot, Ayr, do well?
Junior Accordion
1) Fiona Stewart
2=) Heather Plunkett & Ewan Donald
Senior Accordion
1) Hugh Donald
2) John Donald
3) Ewan Donald
Open
1) John Donald
2) Graham Jacques
3) Hugh Donald
Letters to the Editor
Dear Sir – I read with great disgust Derek Hamilton’s Reel Radio in the October issue of the ‘B&F’.
How can he dare write such articles about players that he terms ‘Old Master’s’?
To my mind the only sensible thing he wrote was to say he was guilty of being nostalgic, like most people are, as for the rest of his article about Bobby MacLeod and Jimmy Shand’ it’s just trash.
The public know good music when they hear it and will stamp their feet and applaud for more, given the chance to hear these magnificent musicians, and that’s what counts, not Derek Hamilton’s comparisons of these two men to sunshine during his school holidays.
However, I regularly hear Bobby MacLeod play in public. I had the pleasure of being at the Mishnish when he was arranging his ‘TTF’ programme and then listening to the recording from the Corran Halls.
I have also been to several A&F Clubs he has played at on the mainland quite recently and the long queues at the doors before opening time speaks for itself.
I also had the pleasure of him playing at our A&F Club supper dance as recently as Tuesday, 20th October, and the demand for tickets was staggering. In fact, my phone has hardly stopped ringing since, wondering when he was coming back.
I’m the first to admit the other bands of the present time are all good and that today’s youngsters are excellent in every way, but no way can I accept that these two fine musicians should be ridiculed by D.H. and I’m sure they are – “professional enough to recognise and applaud the playing standards of today”’
They were good then, they are good now, and I’m sure will remain so for many years to come. I only hope D.H. is ‘professional enough to apologise to these two fine gentlemen who have given their life-time to music and so much pleasure to thousands of people.
Margaret Smith
Newtongrange
Dear Sir – I have just finished reading the October issue of the ‘B&F’ and compliment you on the extra size and news. All the features etc are well balanced, but this would appear to be the opposite with regard to your critic (???) on the Reel Radio.
I take exception, as I’m sure many other thousands will of his article entitled ‘The Old Masters’ that MacLeod, Shand, Rennie AND WHOEVER were allegedly good in their day, but they were not all that they are now cracked up to have been. What verbal Diarrhoea….!!
This sometime (according to him) pianist/drummer/accordionist/music producer of no note (OR ONE) goes on to launch a scurrilous attack on the Bobby MacLeod Band (Bobby, Ian Holmes, Billy Thom, Dave Flockhart, Alastair MacLeod and Jim Ritchie) after their Corran Halls performance at Oban. It seems to me that Hamilton would appear to have been the only one out of step with the audience that night.
This man who has the gall to attack men of the stature of MacLeod and Shand, on his own admission admits he had to go on an accordion in a German pub while someone else went round with a hat. WAS THIS TO MAKE SURE HE MADE HIS FARE HOME? THE GERMANS ARE NAE DAFT LADDIE!!! (See B&F Sept 1979).
He complains the BBC are old hat and that ‘nostalgia’ was out. (Read the ‘B&F’ April, 1980 – your critic suggested that the BBC should reintroduce ‘Music While You Work’…..)
This Acolyte of the Prosaic thereafter launches another attack on the musicians at the Caird Hall, again mentioning MacLeod and Shand, suggesting they should have a dual with accordions at High Noon and then further compounds his inanity by saying that in an attempt to retrieve the goodwill he has lost he will resort to an attack on John Huband and Cally McLean. (I just cannot understand this passage at all).
We than get a dissertation on the fact that he has a living stereo reproduction and a non-musical wife with untrained ears, presumably listening to two midget accordionists in his right and left speakers…? THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CRITICS COLUMN????
He then goes on to slate Cally McLean and John Huband – John of the Flying Fingers and the immaculate artistry of Cally McLean who demolished more artists when winning the Coup de Europe than your critic is likely to meet in the short time he has left as an alleged critic. The cross-talk between him and his wife reproduced in the ‘B&F’ was absolutely facetious and inane. I bet they think an Appegio is something that runs in the Derby.
He then suggests to someone called Robin……(Christopher)??? That MacLeod, Shand, McLean and Huband should get together for a tune…..Man! NOW WOULDN’T THAT BE SOMETHING……….BOOK ME A TICKET NOW….
He mentions Bobby Colgan as being the best drummer in Scottish music and pays Bobby the dubious compliment by stating that he (Hamilton) emulates his style and that this is the best compliment Hamilton can pay him…. Memo to Hamilton….”You’ll never be in Bobby’s class friend – but tell me, haven’t I heard of a guy call Billy Thom somewhere…?
The ‘Oldies’ referred to could AND STILL CAN take the notes and wring their necks till the last breath of life is wrung out of them and get that beautiful sound that is our music. This is why I cannot understand this KAMEKAZE ATTACK on the men who brought a thrill to Scotland with their music and their interpretation to the faithful both at home and abroad and who are still the YARDSTICK by which most of our very young talented players aspire to. THEY and other of their ilk have done more to perpetuate our music than anyone will ever know.
I could go on ad infinitum (the ad nauseum I leave to you critic) but will close with the suggestion that you resurrect the letter from one ‘Yehudi Craw’ – your Readers’ Letter of October ,1980 refers. ‘This burd says it a’… ‘
On reading through previous issues I find that your critic would appear to have a fantastic ear (reading between the lines and spaces, if you will excuse the pun) which can tell when the balance is perfect, the fiddle out of tune, the front line ragged, the bass constipated and the pianist sleeping. He appears to have something great to offer us all.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HEAR THIS FANTASTIC ‘MELANGE’ OF TALENT?
Could I suggest you suspend your critic’s (?) column for the November issue as I am sure you will have many more letters in a similar vein?
John McIntee
Mull Music Festival Society
Dear Sir – May I, through your readers letters column, express my disgust at your critic Derek Hamilton? His comments on the Caird Hall broadcast were offensive in the extreme.
Here we have a person whose collective talents of pianist, accordionist, drummer, sound engineer and goodness knows what else, would not, if advertised, have the ability to fill a telephone box, actually having the nerve to say that MacLeod and Shand are a couple of has-beens. Even if his statement is correct (which it isn’t), at least they have been, which is certainly not true of Mr Hamilton.
Regarding his criticism of myself, I can only say that for years I have gone searching for great musicians to listen to play and learn from. Their promptings, corrections and advice were vital to my own development, because their advice was practical and not, as in Mr Hamilton’s case, merely the use of a pen, to write a load of garbage on a subject, of which he clearly knows nothing about.
Finally, Jimmy and Bobby in the Caird Hall that night thrilled 3,000 of the most discerning accordion public in the country (i.e. Dundee and the surrounding area) giving them a feast of sentiment and nostalgia and I can assure you that all present hoped they would continue to do so for years to come, despite Mr Hamilton’s advice for them to pack it in.
On the contrary, I would suggest that the powers who put together this paper, enforce Mr Hamilton’s retirement, and if they still believe a critical page is necessary, which I doubt, at least employ someone who has the respect of the musicians and not a musical zero with an overworked ball-point.
John Huband
Dear Sir – I wholeheartedly agree with Derek Hamilton’s comments on the ‘stodgy dirges’ which are continually chosen by the RSCDS to be original tunes for country dances.
In my opinion Book 30 contains the biggest load of rubbish that was ever put together in one volume. With the exception of ‘A Man’s a Man for A’ That’, there is not one tune in that Book I would be prepared to play (unless specifically requested).
Occasionally good tunes do appear in RSCDS Books but after they receive the ‘treatment’ they are as uninteresting as any of the others – surely nobody plays ‘Muirland Willie’ as it appears in the ‘Graded’ book. Or the ‘East Neuk of Fife’ as it appear in ‘Four Scottish Country Dances, 1978’?
Finally, why, when there are so many good tunes in existence, do the RSCDS use the same tune as the original for more than one dance? Examples of this are the aforementioned ‘Muirland Willie’ and the ‘East Neuk of Fife’, the ‘De’il Amang the Tailors’ and ‘Gin I were where the Gadie runs’.
Kenny Thomson
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Rob Roy Inn) – 25 Nov 81 Currie Brothers
Arniston (Rangers FC Social Club, Gorebridge) – 11 Dec 81
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 20 Dec 81 Richard Ross
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) – 21 Dec 81 Annual Junior Competition
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Argyll Arms) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff (Arduthie Hotel) – 3 Dec 81 John Crawford (accordion) & Willie Simpson (fiddle)
Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) – 17 Dec 81 Ron Gonella
Cumnock (Tup Inn) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Denny & Dunipace (Dunipace Junior Social Club) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) – 26 Nov 81 50-50 Dance Robert Whitehead Band
Dingwall ( ) – Iain MacPhail SDB
Drumpellier (Dal;rymple House, Clelland) – 21 Dec 81
Dumfries (Oughton’s)
Dunblane (Hydro) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) –
Dunfermline (Unitas Hall) –
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 20 Nov 81 David Morris and Maureen Riutherford
Edinburgh (99 Slateford Road) – 17 Nov 81 Jack Emblow Trio
Falkirk (Plough Hotel, Stenhousemuir) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 23 Nov 81 Dunblane Club visit
Forres (Brig Motel) – 9 Dec 81 Ian Kennedy (fiddle)
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 15 Dec 81 Bobby MacLeod
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) -
Kelso (Cross Key’s Hotel) – 25 Nov 81 Bill Douglas SDB
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 2 Dec 81 Jim Rennie (fiddle)
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Craignethan Hotel) – 3 Dec 81 Jacky Kerr (5 row chromatic) 22 Dec 81 Lothianaires
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) –
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) – 24 Nov 81 George Stirrat & Jimmy Yeaman
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Monkland (Eastercroft Hotel, Caldercruix, Airdrie) – 7 Dec 81 Jim Clelland 19 Dec 81 Tartan Lads
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30 Nov 81 George Purvis Trio, Alnwick
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) -
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( ) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) – 19 Nov 81 The Lothianaires
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15 Dec 81 John Huband and the Tayside Sound
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?)
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) –
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Armadale
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Banff
6. Beith & District
7. Castle Douglas
8. Crieff
9. Cumnock & District
10. Dalriada
11. Denny & Dunipace
12. Derwentside
13. Dunblane
14. East Kilbride
15. Fintry
16. Fort William
17. Forres
18. Galston
19. Highland
20. Islesteps
21. Kelso
22. Lesmahagow
23. Livingston
24. Lockerbie
25. Monkland
26. Newtongrange
27. North East
28. Ormiston
29. Perth & District
30. Stranraer
31. Thurso
32. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1981 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Arniston A&F Club (cNov 1981)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
10. Buchan A&F Club
11. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
12. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
13. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
14. Cumnock A&F Club
15. Dalriada A&F Club (cMar 1981)
16. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (c Nov 1980)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
19. Drumpellier A&F Club (cNov 1981)
20. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
22. Dundee & District A&F Club
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
24. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
25. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
26. Falkirk A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
29. Galston A&F Club (1969)
30. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
31. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
35. Kintore A&F Club
36. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Oct 1980)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A.
42. Monkland A&F Club
43. Newcastleton Accordion Club
44. Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
45. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
46. North Cumbria A&F Club
47. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
49. Orkney A&F Club
50. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
52. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
55. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
56. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
57. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
58. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
59. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
60. Club Accord
61. Coquetdale
62. Coupar Angus A&F Club
63. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
64. Fintry A&F Club
65. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
66. New Cumnock A&F Club
67. Renfrew A&F Club
68. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
69. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
70. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £70
Half Page - £35
Quarter Page - £17.50
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
At an Executive meeting at Dunfermline recently there were three items of note.
1) The Musselburgh Festival’s new Sub-Committee have got things well under way.
2) In the friendly atmosphere Mr Jimmy Blue presented to Miss Christine Hunter and Mr Alex Little a gold watch each in recognition and appreciation of their devotion and dedication to the Musselburgh Festival. On behalf of Christine and himself Alex thanked the Association for their kind thought. It was totally unexpected and he thanked the Festival for the pleasure and satisfaction of doing something successfully.
3) The new Guest Artiste List is being prepared. Will those Guest artistes whose names are on the list but have changed their address or phone numbers please let our Secretary, Andrew Nairn, know as soon as possible. It is in your own interest to do so. If there are any potential new Guest Artistes please apply to Andrew Nairn asap.
Two new Clubs to welcome this month. Arniston Club who meet in the Rangers F.C. Social Club, Gorebridge on the 2nd Friday. Then we have to introduce you to Drumpellier Club who meet on the third Monday at Dalrymple House, Orma Road, Clelland. Welcome to the Association, have fun.
The Association’s AGM and social weekend date is 26-27th June, 1982. More details later. The AGM will take place on the Sunday, the venue – Dunblane Hydro, provisionally.
Angus Park, well-known in A&F Clubs has been in hospital for quite some time now and I’m sure I speak for all of you when I say to Angus “You are in our thoughts and we wish you a speedy recovery to full health and may it not be too long before we see you on the scene once again”.
Richard Ross – Two in a Row at Perth
By Ian Smith
All day the ding-dong battle went on in various venues in Perth as the 32nd All-Scotland Championships were fought over. This was the keenest competition ever. With an increase of 77 competitors over last year, every section was fought out to the last note.
This Festival incorporates the N.A.O. North and East Scotland Area, and it is organized by Bill Wilkie. Bill is famous throughout the accordion scene, both home and abroad. With 600 players to cope with, Bill hadn’t much time to himself, as he hustled and bustled here, there and everywhere, making sure that everything went as close to plan as possible.
Yet he did find time to pass a few moments with some old friend or help a stranger on his way (How many miles did you cover Bill?)
Some well-known names fell by the wayside with new ones taking their place ; yet occasionally some do seem to go on and on.
Richard Ross did the double by winning the Senior Accordion for the second year running. Well done Richard.
New Sections
There were three new sections this time. They were the Junior and Senior Accordion Solos for Pipe Music. These were introduced as many people felt we were getting away from the true traditional scene. Also introduced was a Junior Fiddle Section for the Under-16s, a magnificent trophy, being presented by the Langholm Club in memory of the late Albie Tedham – one of the most loveable characters you could have hoped to meet.
All day in the main foyer was the display of accordions and two brilliant demonstrators showing what can be done with the newest machines. Gone indeed are the ‘milking machines’ of yesteryear. In those days for £10 you could get an accordion that would fit into any dance band. Now the one machine does the whole band. It was around here that accents were heard from the South of England to the soft lilt of the Irish. A truly international gathering, all with a common interest – music.
Her are all of the results to hand :
Junior Scottish Under 12
1) John M. Simpson
2) Tracy Aitken
3) Lynne Mathieson
Junior Scottish Under 14
1) Diane Armstrong (Armadale)
2) Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
3) Una Bryson (Strathaven)
Junior Scottish Under 16
1) Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
2) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
3) Duncan Black (Stanley)
Junior Girls Scottish Traditional
1) Jennifer Forrest (Airdie)
2) Diane Armstrong (Armadale)
3) Margo Taylor
Junior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Edward Galley (Forfar)
2) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
3) Duncan Black (Stanley)
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) Richard Ross
2) George Carmichael
3) Robert Black
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Stuart McKeown
2) George Carmichael
3) Alistair Henderson
Senior Ladies Scottish Traditional
1) Jacqueline Dick
2) Jennifer Brown
3) Carol Faulds
Area Junior Championship
1) James R. Craib
2) Alex Munnoch
3) Gyda W. Crawford
Higher Intermediate Solo
1) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
2) Shona Leitch (Ayr)
3) Monica Ferguson
Advanced Area Championship
1) Martin Dobbin (Oakley)
2) Karen Hendren
3) Iain W. M. Watt
Elementary Solo
1) Margo Taylor
2) Grant Leslie
3) Cameron Clark
Intermediate Solo
1) May Taylor
2) Karen Leitch (Ayr)
3) Karen Higgins (Harthill)
Intermediate Duet
1) Sandy Legget & Ian Hutson
2) Carol Faulds & Elizabeth Blackie
3) James Penrice & Jane Battison
Advanced Duet
1) Roy Hendrie & Richard Ross
2) Neil & Allan Copland
3) Scott Leslie & James Grant
Bell Trophy
1) George McPherson
2) Martha A. Wilson
3) Mark D. Kenneth
Junior Fiddle
1) Mark Winchester
2) Isla Purdie
3) Alison Smith
Senior Fiddle
1) Jane Smith
2) Kathleen Smith
3) Jane Rayworth (Fort William)
Own Composition
1) Marian Wilson (Berwick)
2) Ian Henderson
3) Gary Mair
Trios
1) Robert Black (Stanley)
2) Maureen Rutherford (Keith)
3) Duncan Black (Stanley)
The Reel Radio
by Derek Hamilton
The latest local radio station – West Sound – based in Ayr, came on the air officially on Friday, 16th October 1981 at 5pm – ahead of schedule. Having listened intently to their early output, I suddenly realised how much local radio can mean to a community. There’s an air of real hope buzzing around Ayrshire at the moment even though day-by-day the political blows are dished out to the area with a vengeance.
The entertainment value of local radio is immense. Local news has much more impact because it is immediate and, on the independent stations, even the adverts are meaningful because they are local.
The adverts of West Sound got me thinking that this column has tended to forsake the local stations perhaps with the exception of Radio Forth.
Local radio falls into two categories. Independent Local Radio (ILR) and the BBC’s local services.
On the air in Scotland at this time there are five ILR stations and four BBC stations. Soon the ILR compliment will be increased to six when Moray Firth comes on stream.
So what do each of these radio stations do in the way of programmes of interest to ‘B&F’ readers? I rang each of them and her are the answers –
West Sound………..
North Sound………..
BBC Radio Aberdeen………
BBC Radio Highland………
Radio Tay………
Radio Orkney……….
Radio Shetland………
Radio Clyde………
Radio Forth………
Last month’s Reel Radio column certainly got you talking and writing – some in favour – some not.
The new series of ‘TTF’ under the production of Freeland Barbour, got under way on 3rd October with a session from Andrew Rankine. Andrew provided a balanced programme of music and attempted some fairly difficult stuff like ‘Lady Harriet Hope’s Reel’. Everything was well played with the usual Rankine ‘stoat’, although at times I felt Andrew was struggling a wee bit with some of the tunes.
It was a clean sound that the BBC boys gave the band. The stereo image was lacking, but balance was good.
On week two Bill Douglas got his second broadcast and I must say I enjoyed it. This band has improved dramatically since its first broadcast last year. It was bouncy and crisp and unlike Andrew Rankine the stereo image was well defined with the lead-box well to the right hand side and second box on the left. Bill Douglas’s fiddle seemed a bit lost at times but came to the fore in his solo.
The band had obviously rehearsed hard for the broadcast, and it paid off handsomely.
I don’t , however, think the drummer did justice to himself playing brushes in everything. I would guess from the recording that the drum being used was less than crisp. Perhaps something to be borne in mind in future broadcasts by this up-and-coming band.
Unfortunately, because of other commitments I missed the Rob Gordon broadcast, bet I hope to get a tape before next month.
I was a bit disappointed in The Olympians broadcast. They were always one of my favourite bands. They play catchy music and were always jumpy, but this latest session, I’m afraid, was staid. It never really got into the swing of things despite the fact that the tunes were well played. They also produced nothing very new either – almost all the sets had been broadcast , exactly as they were – before. The Olympians are a great dance band, but this broadcast turned out pretty average.
I like the new format with the full dance music session taking the first 45 minutes and Robbie’s excellent features following on.
I particularly enjoyed the Ronnie Aimes interview and the playing of Ronnie’s ‘Heroes of Longhope’ by John Mason’s fiddlers was superb. A beautiful tune indeed.
Look out for The Lothian Scottish Dance Band on Saturday, 14th November, with The Tain Band on the 21st November and George Bell on the 28th. Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDB are doing a session and John Huband and John Ellis will feature sometime in December.
You may remember last month when taking about an earlier Alex MacArthur broadcast, I mentioned the tune ‘The Darvel Toll’ or ‘Darvel Dam’. I’ve had a very nice letter from Mr A. G. Fraser from Alness in Ross-shire. He tells me that the words and music of the ‘Darvel Dam’ were given to him away back in January, 1941, by a Galston man, John Smith. Mr Fraser has sent me the words and music. It certainly would appear that the song refer to the Dam on the River Irvine at Darvel in Ayrshire.
‘I daunert on an’ daunert on, till Darvel Dam I did pass’ is the third line of the first verse.
Many thanks to Mr Fraser of Alness for the information. Sandy, amend your records please.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
The Sparkling Sound of Scotland – David Silver and the Band – Bluebell BBR/LP 141
Jimmy Blair (Obituary)
by Ian Smith
The accordion world in Scotland and far beyond has sustained another blow with the death of bandleader, teacher, recording artist, broadcaster and family man Jimmy Blair. Jimmy had been ill for some time and it had been hoped he was getting getter. He had been home for the weekend when he had a relapse. He passed away in hospital on 9th November.
I am sure you will all join with me and extend to Mrs Lorretta Blair and family our deepest sympathy.
It is only now that Jimmy has departed that we will begin to realise just how much he meant to the accordion world.
Jimmy was a quiet man and remained much of the time out of the limelight. Yet he got through a tremendous amount of work.
In his own way he had as nuch influence in the progress of accordion music as any giant before him.
Jimmy’s life was music and through his devotion to this he taught innumerable children to play and enjoy the music. He formed Accordion Orchestras and with them took honours all over the world. He was a Scottish Dance Band leader. He made broadcasts, he made records, which will now become standards of his time.
Yes, we will miss Jimmy Blair.
Next month there will be a report on the last tour that Jimmy and the Orchestra made to Normandy. It will give a much better idea of how much he was esteemed in Europe.
Family Combination Makes Life Easy
by Jimmy Clinkscale
Addie Harper is a lucky man. Unlike many of his calling, who spend endless nights away from home, separated from friends and family for days or even weeks, Addie just takes them with hi. He has to. They are part of the band.
With 17-year-old son Addie Jnr on accordion and wife Isobel on keyboard, Addie Harper and the Wick Band are about as tight a family combination as you can find on the current scene.
The band itself has gone through a few changes over the years, but Addie has known most of them for a long time.
Button accordionist Bobby Coghill, for example, has been associated with the top Scottish fiddler for nigh on 25 years, while Isobel has sat on the piano stool since 1962.
The rest of the band, understandably, are close friends.
Alistair MacDonald (15), a school-friend of Addie Jnr, is third accordion, John gunn, the regular drummer, is a research worker at the Dounreay atomic power station and bassist Hamish Auld works on Drumalbin farm at Carmichael in Lanarkshire.
Very Flexible
That makes up the seven-piece band, but Murdo McLean, an employee of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, and Adam Polson, fill in for John Gun from time to time.
What would appear to be a gargantuan monster to go on tour, is, in fact, very flexible. It is only occasionally that all seven members play together, the size of the Wick Band fluctuating between three and seven players depending on the engagement. One thing is certain however, their audience is always assured of a first-class performance.
Addie himself is not particularly interested in fame and fortune. His quiet, unassuming nature is typical of the Wick countryside he was born into. A special breed of man unaffected by the frills of life.
“Times have certainly been hard from time to time” he says in that marvelously wispy accent. “I wouldn’t have changed it for anything though”.
“I get an enormous amount of pleasure from music, and the pleasure that music gives to other people”.
“We often play in hospital when we have the time. There you meet a lot of handicapped people and old folk. It’s playing to the likes of them that makes it all worthwhile. It’s worth a lot more than money.”
Like the pure Wick air, Addie’s attitude is pure and refreshing. He’s one of the old school, believing that nothing can beat a good old melody and a bit of feeling and emotion in a song”.
And he should know. He’s written well over 60 tunes in his lifetime, half of them appearing in Volume 1 of ‘Music for Scottish Dance Bands’.
“Writing? It is something that comes at all odd times and places” he says. “Especially in the early mornings!” butts in Isobel, obviously accustomed to her husband’s dawn raids on a score sheet.
Great Fan
His own three favourite compositions are ‘The Garden of Skye’, ‘Requerdos De La Coruna’ and ‘A Tune for Sheila Hunter’.
The last was composed for a great fan of the band, Sheila Hunter from Broughton in Peeblesshire. “She used to come to all our dances” says Addie. “I took her to one side when we were playing at the Kestral in Balerno a few years ago and played her a tune I’d written. Someone asked what it was and I said Oh!¬ It’s just a tune for Sheila Hunter. That’s how it got its name”.
The story has a tailpiece, however, for Sheila soon became friendly with bassist Hamish Auld – Isobel’s brother – one thing led to another and soon they were wed. There’s devotion for you!
Another favourite tune of Addie’s is ‘Robbie the Sheep Shearer’, named after his father who worked for a few years in Patagonia in South America before returning home to Wick. Robbie could shear a sheep0 in under two minutes and could use his left hand equally as well as his right.
Robbie was also a good fiddler and like any good father, he encouraged his son to play.
Addie remembers the first fiddle brought into the house in Wick.
“We had a famous Evangelist preacher living next door to us called Jock Troup” recalls Addie “and he gave the fiddle to my sister and brothers and me as a present.
“There was so little to do as we were growing up that we just sat around and tried to teach ourselves to play. We all could play something. I eventually branched out on to the banjo as well as it had the same tuning”.
Addie was taken to music lessons with local teacher, Margaret Henderson ; the same woman, it would turn out, who would teach Addie Jnr.
Like many lovers of Scottish music at the time Addie was a great fan of Jimmy Shand and often listened to him on radio.
Own Band
“My great hero was the one and only Syd Chalmers” says Addie. “He inspired me the most”.
Stimulated by Shand’s success, Addie soon formed his own band.
“It was something I had always wanted to do” he says. “Myself and three others gave Caithness its first taste of a real Scottish Dance Band. We had the proper line-up”.
The members of that first band were, beside Addie on fiddle – Billy Dowler (accordion), local barber Jimmy Bain (drums) and Sandy Meiklejohn (piano).
“It was Shand who set the pattern and the style for everyone” says Addie. “Musicians of the present dayare fortunate because Shand had no-one to follow”.
The seeds of the present Wick Band were planted when Addie was twenty but bears little resemblance to the present line-up.
Since then, Addie and the Band have gone on to great things, the highlight undoubtedly being the performance of a composition Addie wrote especially for the Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday.
Called, not unnaturally ‘Tune for a Queen’ this piece was performed in the presence of Her Royal Highness at Castle Mey in Caithness the day after Addie wrote it.
It was also an important day for Addie Jnr and his school-friend, fiddler Gordon Gunn, who actually played the piece and afterwards presented The Queen Mother with a copy of the sheet music.
In August of this year the entire band played at The Royal Gala Concert at the Assembly Rooms, Wick, in the presence of Her Majesty. “She was sitting smiling, hands clapping” recalls Addie. “She put us all at ease”. Another memorable occasion was in 1979 at the Tiffany Ballroom, Glasgow, when the band was presented with the Scots-Star Award for Scottish Band of the Year.
The band have recorded three LPs since 1978. The last ‘Head North’ is “selling great” according to Addie.
Their latest, due to be released shortly is called ‘Pride of the North’.
That’s just about the most fitting way to end an article on Addie Harper and the Wick Band that I could possibly think of!
Bill Black – Knight of Stanley
by Ian Smith
“Arise, Sir William, Knight of the Ceilidh”. That;s how it should be after Bill Black’s Ceilidh in the Tayside Hotel, Stanley on 16th October. Imagine it………
Langholm Festival Results
The Langholm Festival was held in the Buccleuch Hall on 3rd October.
Didn’t the Donald Brothers from Doonfoot, Ayr, do well?
Junior Accordion
1) Fiona Stewart
2=) Heather Plunkett & Ewan Donald
Senior Accordion
1) Hugh Donald
2) John Donald
3) Ewan Donald
Open
1) John Donald
2) Graham Jacques
3) Hugh Donald
Letters to the Editor
Dear Sir – I read with great disgust Derek Hamilton’s Reel Radio in the October issue of the ‘B&F’.
How can he dare write such articles about players that he terms ‘Old Master’s’?
To my mind the only sensible thing he wrote was to say he was guilty of being nostalgic, like most people are, as for the rest of his article about Bobby MacLeod and Jimmy Shand’ it’s just trash.
The public know good music when they hear it and will stamp their feet and applaud for more, given the chance to hear these magnificent musicians, and that’s what counts, not Derek Hamilton’s comparisons of these two men to sunshine during his school holidays.
However, I regularly hear Bobby MacLeod play in public. I had the pleasure of being at the Mishnish when he was arranging his ‘TTF’ programme and then listening to the recording from the Corran Halls.
I have also been to several A&F Clubs he has played at on the mainland quite recently and the long queues at the doors before opening time speaks for itself.
I also had the pleasure of him playing at our A&F Club supper dance as recently as Tuesday, 20th October, and the demand for tickets was staggering. In fact, my phone has hardly stopped ringing since, wondering when he was coming back.
I’m the first to admit the other bands of the present time are all good and that today’s youngsters are excellent in every way, but no way can I accept that these two fine musicians should be ridiculed by D.H. and I’m sure they are – “professional enough to recognise and applaud the playing standards of today”’
They were good then, they are good now, and I’m sure will remain so for many years to come. I only hope D.H. is ‘professional enough to apologise to these two fine gentlemen who have given their life-time to music and so much pleasure to thousands of people.
Margaret Smith
Newtongrange
Dear Sir – I have just finished reading the October issue of the ‘B&F’ and compliment you on the extra size and news. All the features etc are well balanced, but this would appear to be the opposite with regard to your critic (???) on the Reel Radio.
I take exception, as I’m sure many other thousands will of his article entitled ‘The Old Masters’ that MacLeod, Shand, Rennie AND WHOEVER were allegedly good in their day, but they were not all that they are now cracked up to have been. What verbal Diarrhoea….!!
This sometime (according to him) pianist/drummer/accordionist/music producer of no note (OR ONE) goes on to launch a scurrilous attack on the Bobby MacLeod Band (Bobby, Ian Holmes, Billy Thom, Dave Flockhart, Alastair MacLeod and Jim Ritchie) after their Corran Halls performance at Oban. It seems to me that Hamilton would appear to have been the only one out of step with the audience that night.
This man who has the gall to attack men of the stature of MacLeod and Shand, on his own admission admits he had to go on an accordion in a German pub while someone else went round with a hat. WAS THIS TO MAKE SURE HE MADE HIS FARE HOME? THE GERMANS ARE NAE DAFT LADDIE!!! (See B&F Sept 1979).
He complains the BBC are old hat and that ‘nostalgia’ was out. (Read the ‘B&F’ April, 1980 – your critic suggested that the BBC should reintroduce ‘Music While You Work’…..)
This Acolyte of the Prosaic thereafter launches another attack on the musicians at the Caird Hall, again mentioning MacLeod and Shand, suggesting they should have a dual with accordions at High Noon and then further compounds his inanity by saying that in an attempt to retrieve the goodwill he has lost he will resort to an attack on John Huband and Cally McLean. (I just cannot understand this passage at all).
We than get a dissertation on the fact that he has a living stereo reproduction and a non-musical wife with untrained ears, presumably listening to two midget accordionists in his right and left speakers…? THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CRITICS COLUMN????
He then goes on to slate Cally McLean and John Huband – John of the Flying Fingers and the immaculate artistry of Cally McLean who demolished more artists when winning the Coup de Europe than your critic is likely to meet in the short time he has left as an alleged critic. The cross-talk between him and his wife reproduced in the ‘B&F’ was absolutely facetious and inane. I bet they think an Appegio is something that runs in the Derby.
He then suggests to someone called Robin……(Christopher)??? That MacLeod, Shand, McLean and Huband should get together for a tune…..Man! NOW WOULDN’T THAT BE SOMETHING……….BOOK ME A TICKET NOW….
He mentions Bobby Colgan as being the best drummer in Scottish music and pays Bobby the dubious compliment by stating that he (Hamilton) emulates his style and that this is the best compliment Hamilton can pay him…. Memo to Hamilton….”You’ll never be in Bobby’s class friend – but tell me, haven’t I heard of a guy call Billy Thom somewhere…?
The ‘Oldies’ referred to could AND STILL CAN take the notes and wring their necks till the last breath of life is wrung out of them and get that beautiful sound that is our music. This is why I cannot understand this KAMEKAZE ATTACK on the men who brought a thrill to Scotland with their music and their interpretation to the faithful both at home and abroad and who are still the YARDSTICK by which most of our very young talented players aspire to. THEY and other of their ilk have done more to perpetuate our music than anyone will ever know.
I could go on ad infinitum (the ad nauseum I leave to you critic) but will close with the suggestion that you resurrect the letter from one ‘Yehudi Craw’ – your Readers’ Letter of October ,1980 refers. ‘This burd says it a’… ‘
On reading through previous issues I find that your critic would appear to have a fantastic ear (reading between the lines and spaces, if you will excuse the pun) which can tell when the balance is perfect, the fiddle out of tune, the front line ragged, the bass constipated and the pianist sleeping. He appears to have something great to offer us all.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HEAR THIS FANTASTIC ‘MELANGE’ OF TALENT?
Could I suggest you suspend your critic’s (?) column for the November issue as I am sure you will have many more letters in a similar vein?
John McIntee
Mull Music Festival Society
Dear Sir – May I, through your readers letters column, express my disgust at your critic Derek Hamilton? His comments on the Caird Hall broadcast were offensive in the extreme.
Here we have a person whose collective talents of pianist, accordionist, drummer, sound engineer and goodness knows what else, would not, if advertised, have the ability to fill a telephone box, actually having the nerve to say that MacLeod and Shand are a couple of has-beens. Even if his statement is correct (which it isn’t), at least they have been, which is certainly not true of Mr Hamilton.
Regarding his criticism of myself, I can only say that for years I have gone searching for great musicians to listen to play and learn from. Their promptings, corrections and advice were vital to my own development, because their advice was practical and not, as in Mr Hamilton’s case, merely the use of a pen, to write a load of garbage on a subject, of which he clearly knows nothing about.
Finally, Jimmy and Bobby in the Caird Hall that night thrilled 3,000 of the most discerning accordion public in the country (i.e. Dundee and the surrounding area) giving them a feast of sentiment and nostalgia and I can assure you that all present hoped they would continue to do so for years to come, despite Mr Hamilton’s advice for them to pack it in.
On the contrary, I would suggest that the powers who put together this paper, enforce Mr Hamilton’s retirement, and if they still believe a critical page is necessary, which I doubt, at least employ someone who has the respect of the musicians and not a musical zero with an overworked ball-point.
John Huband
Dear Sir – I wholeheartedly agree with Derek Hamilton’s comments on the ‘stodgy dirges’ which are continually chosen by the RSCDS to be original tunes for country dances.
In my opinion Book 30 contains the biggest load of rubbish that was ever put together in one volume. With the exception of ‘A Man’s a Man for A’ That’, there is not one tune in that Book I would be prepared to play (unless specifically requested).
Occasionally good tunes do appear in RSCDS Books but after they receive the ‘treatment’ they are as uninteresting as any of the others – surely nobody plays ‘Muirland Willie’ as it appears in the ‘Graded’ book. Or the ‘East Neuk of Fife’ as it appear in ‘Four Scottish Country Dances, 1978’?
Finally, why, when there are so many good tunes in existence, do the RSCDS use the same tune as the original for more than one dance? Examples of this are the aforementioned ‘Muirland Willie’ and the ‘East Neuk of Fife’, the ‘De’il Amang the Tailors’ and ‘Gin I were where the Gadie runs’.
Kenny Thomson
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Rob Roy Inn) – 25 Nov 81 Currie Brothers
Arniston (Rangers FC Social Club, Gorebridge) – 11 Dec 81
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 20 Dec 81 Richard Ross
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) – 21 Dec 81 Annual Junior Competition
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Argyll Arms) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff (Arduthie Hotel) – 3 Dec 81 John Crawford (accordion) & Willie Simpson (fiddle)
Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) – 17 Dec 81 Ron Gonella
Cumnock (Tup Inn) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Denny & Dunipace (Dunipace Junior Social Club) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) – 26 Nov 81 50-50 Dance Robert Whitehead Band
Dingwall ( ) – Iain MacPhail SDB
Drumpellier (Dal;rymple House, Clelland) – 21 Dec 81
Dumfries (Oughton’s)
Dunblane (Hydro) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) –
Dunfermline (Unitas Hall) –
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 20 Nov 81 David Morris and Maureen Riutherford
Edinburgh (99 Slateford Road) – 17 Nov 81 Jack Emblow Trio
Falkirk (Plough Hotel, Stenhousemuir) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 23 Nov 81 Dunblane Club visit
Forres (Brig Motel) – 9 Dec 81 Ian Kennedy (fiddle)
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 15 Dec 81 Bobby MacLeod
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) -
Kelso (Cross Key’s Hotel) – 25 Nov 81 Bill Douglas SDB
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 2 Dec 81 Jim Rennie (fiddle)
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Craignethan Hotel) – 3 Dec 81 Jacky Kerr (5 row chromatic) 22 Dec 81 Lothianaires
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) –
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) – 24 Nov 81 George Stirrat & Jimmy Yeaman
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Monkland (Eastercroft Hotel, Caldercruix, Airdrie) – 7 Dec 81 Jim Clelland 19 Dec 81 Tartan Lads
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30 Nov 81 George Purvis Trio, Alnwick
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) -
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( ) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) – 19 Nov 81 The Lothianaires
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15 Dec 81 John Huband and the Tayside Sound
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?)
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) –
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Armadale
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Banff
6. Beith & District
7. Castle Douglas
8. Crieff
9. Cumnock & District
10. Dalriada
11. Denny & Dunipace
12. Derwentside
13. Dunblane
14. East Kilbride
15. Fintry
16. Fort William
17. Forres
18. Galston
19. Highland
20. Islesteps
21. Kelso
22. Lesmahagow
23. Livingston
24. Lockerbie
25. Monkland
26. Newtongrange
27. North East
28. Ormiston
29. Perth & District
30. Stranraer
31. Thurso
32. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1981 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Arniston A&F Club (cNov 1981)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
10. Buchan A&F Club
11. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
12. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
13. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
14. Cumnock A&F Club
15. Dalriada A&F Club (cMar 1981)
16. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (c Nov 1980)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
19. Drumpellier A&F Club (cNov 1981)
20. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
22. Dundee & District A&F Club
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
24. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
25. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
26. Falkirk A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
29. Galston A&F Club (1969)
30. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
31. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
35. Kintore A&F Club
36. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Oct 1980)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A.
42. Monkland A&F Club
43. Newcastleton Accordion Club
44. Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
45. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
46. North Cumbria A&F Club
47. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
49. Orkney A&F Club
50. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
52. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
55. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
56. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
57. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
58. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
59. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
60. Club Accord
61. Coquetdale
62. Coupar Angus A&F Club
63. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
64. Fintry A&F Club
65. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
66. New Cumnock A&F Club
67. Renfrew A&F Club
68. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
69. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
70. Wellbank A&F Club
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