Box and Fiddle
Year 26 No 01
September 2002
Price £2.00
36 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £24 + p&p £7.20
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Welcome back to those of you who buy your magazines at the Clubs. Most of the clubs start again in September, and I think we have almost all the syllabuses now. Remember the Club Diary is also available on the Website.
This month we will be distributing the B&F from here. Trusty typist Heather McLean has volunteered for this job. It’s quite an undertaking to parcel up and post out 2000 magazines, so thanks again Heather.
Our lead article this month is, of course, the AGM. What a great day we had! Again check out the website for more photos. The entertainment in the afternoon is the best that one could find anywhere. Nicol will be presenting Dave Barclay with his bowl shortly, so we should have photos of that next month.
We’re always looking for articles for the magazine, so please get in touch if you think you can help. Thanks to Mo Rutherford for a super article about the musicians’ course at the RSCDS Summer School at St Andrews. We have had a lot of positive feedback from dancers saying how much they enjoy our magazine, and the dance articles in particular. As we’ve said before, without dancers the musicians would have no-one to play for, and without musicians the dancers would have nothing to dance to.
I’ve been doing quite a bit of dancing over the summer – I particularly enjoyed the Scotch Hop sessions at Linlithgow. These sessions are what prompted Jude, Nicol and I to set up a Scottish Dance Group in the Burgh Halls in Linlithgow. We start on Wednesday, 2nd October and would love to see you there.
We’re still looking for photographs for our calendar. Please send them to Charlie Todd.
Next month we’re going to do a feature on Dance Callers so if you or anyone you know calls for dancing, please let us know. The aim is to provide a directory of callers so that bands can contact them if necessary – so often musicians are asked to bring along a caller for a wedding or a conference, and don’t know where to start looking!
Thanks again to all at Culross the Printers, to proof reader Alison Riddell and to ‘Jill of all Trades’ Heather McLean.
Karin Ingram
AGM Ceilidh 2002
by Robin Ellis
Unlike past years, the weather on this occasion was definitely not on our side and it was a grey and wet day that greeted those attending the Association meeting of 2002. The AGM was over in some ninety minutes, giving ample time to renew old acquaintances before the luncheon. I must admit, I do miss the Archive photographs, which have been a feature of this interlude for many years. I can only hope that their absence is just a temporary one and that they will be back with us before too long.
The guests being honoured this year were John Crawford, David Cunningham, Gus Millar, Jimmy Yeaman and Dave Barclay.
John Crawford is probably best known to most of us as a tuner and repairer of accordions. Over the years his influence has reached almost every well-known band and the sound of a ‘Crawford’ tuned accordion is instantly recognised. Mind you, John has other talents too; he is a well-known adjudicator at competitions and no mean player. He was Scottish Champion some half a century ago and is still a master of the pipe march.
David Cunningham will be remembered as a member of The Olympians band and as leader of his own trio, broadcasting regularly in the 60s and 70s. In recent years he has handed over much of the playing to David Jnr whilst he has moved on to play a sound-mixing desk, which he admits is somewhat easier! His company ‘Thane’ has produced some superb new recordings and has done wonders with re-mastering old recordings. How you can re-mix a 3x32 bar recording to an 8x32 and not hear the joins is beyond me – but it can be done.
Gus Millar has played drums with many of the well-known bands in Scotland such as Hamish Menzies, Ian Holmes, Andrew Rankine and Colin Dewar to name but a few. His tight, neat style is instantly recognizable and will enhance he sound of any group of musicians. I gather that these days he is also ‘General Postmaster’ of Kingskettle.
Jimmy Yeaman as a fiddler is well-known to many of us but it is only after a little investigation one realizes just how great his contribution has been. As a Dundonian he first came to prominence with The Olympians for a number of years before moving down to Drymen, near Loch Lomond, where he met and played with a very young Fergie Macdonald before joining Bob Lillie in the Kelvin Ceilidh Band. He also became Leader of the Glasgow Strathspey and Reel Society and over the years has adjudicated several times at the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition at Blair Atholl. We are told that his greatest influence was the late Ron Gonella. His two main hates seem to be playing The Swedish Masquerade and sound engineers who ignore the fiddle. I think many of us would agree with both of these last two sentiments.
Dave Barclay, unfortunately, was unable to be present due to a business commitment. I think most of us remember him as the bass player in Ian Powrie’s Band. Although he started out playing jazz and modern music in Dundee he then went on to play with Lindsay Ross, Jack Forsyth, Bobby Crowe and Jim Lindsay. Bass players are often underrated but take one out of a band and you will immediately notice the difference.
As well as the presentations there is, of course, ‘the ceilidh’. I realise that I say this every year but this must be the biggest and best gathering of musicians from the Scottish Dance music world – ever. We had just about every imaginable combination of players that could be thought of – from trios and quartets up to the full six piece. On accordion we had Nicol McLaren, Jim Johnstone, David Cunningham Snr & Jnr, John Crawford, Ian McCallum, Ian Holmes, Morag Robertson, John Carmichael, Bill Black, Duncan Black, Mickie Ainsworth and Dochie McCallum.
On fiddle Judith Linton and Christine Legge.
On keyboard Pam Brough, Mabel Gray, Neil McMillan, Joan Blue and Duncan Black and
On drums Billy Thom, Gus Millar, Charlie Todd, Jack Cooper and Ian Adamson. This year had the additional pleasure of some songs from Wilma Kennedy. There were also a number of well-known faces that turn up every year but decide just to sit back and enjoy the proceedings.
John Carmichael, who kept us all amused with stories and anecdotes, most ably compered the afternoon. I think John Carmichael and Jim Johnstone must be two of the best storytellers around these days and should they ever give up playing, heaven forbid, there will be an assured alternative career for both of them. The afternoon ended with an all too brief stramash when we managed to muster eight accordions and two fiddles as well as piano and drums.
The day finally came to an end somewhat later than usual at 6.30pm with the farewell greeting of, “See you next year”. There is just a whisper that the idea of returning ro a weekend meeting may be possible – what could be better?
Thank You
From Jim Balneaves
It does not seem like a year since I wrote something similar to this regarding the luncheon to honour a number of luminaries in our music.
We all gathered at The Invercarse Hotel, Dundee on 30th June for what tuned out to be an excellent meal and an afternoon of splendid entertainment.
The persons to whom we paid credit were Dave Barclay, John Crawford, David Cunningham Snr, Gus Millar and Jimmy Yeaman. Dave was unable to attend due to a long-standing engagement. Chairman Nicol MCLaren, presented inscribed Caithness Glass ‘Mastermind’ bowls to John, David, Gus and Jimmy. Dave, you will have your bowl very soon.
John Carmichael compered the afternoon in a most superb manner – thanks John for your contribution.
Thanks also to Nicol for getting all the players organised and ready throughout the afternoon. We hald a raffle in aid of the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project, and the proceeds were presented to Dr Sandy Tulloch, Chairman of the Project, Thanks to Karin, Evelyn, Judith and Charlie for helping with the raffle.
Thanks must also go out to all who helped to make the day – the Guests of Honour, Past Recipients of Honours, the Chairman and members of the NAAFC Executive Committee, my wife Helen, but principally all of you who attended.
The AGM is dictated constitutionally to be on the last full weekend in June. The next AGM and Luncheon will therefore be on 29th June, 2003, but unfortunately not in The Invercarse Hotel. I went to pencil in the function for the aforementioned date, after this year’s event ended, (pencil in only, as the Executive Committee was of a mind to perhaps move). The decision has been made for us, as The Invercarse has a Governor of Rotary Clubs changeover luncheon booked for that date.
The next AGM and luncheon will be in the Central Belt, also as per the Constitution, and I shall advise you of the venue as soon as premises that meet our criteria are found.
Thank you all for making the afternoon of 30th June such a memorable one.
As usual Jim made no mention of the months of hard work on his part that always makes the NAAFC AGM and Luncheon the highlight of the year. On behalf of everyone who attended and had such a wonderful time – thank you Jim!
Addie Harper (20/10/1927 – 17/04/2002) - Obituary
An Innovative Musician
by Noel Donaldson
Musicians will be among the mourners who gather at Wick tomorrow (Saturday) to say farewell to one of the best-known Scottish danceband leaders, Addie Harper.
Mr Harper, who lived at ‘La Coruna’, Thurso Road, Wick, passed away at Caithness General Hospital on Wednesday at the age of 74.
Tributes were paid yesterday to the multi-instrumentalist who carved a niche in the traditional culture that spanned more than half a century.
Musician, teacher and composer, Mr Harper’s career with The Wick Scottish Dance Band took him all over Scotland, rubbing shoulders with the top outfits of the day, including Ian Powrie and Jimmy Shand. It was Mr Harper’s father, melodeon player Robbie Harper, who first awakened the youngster’s talent for traditional music at their home in Stirkoke. But with four children in the family, competition for a ‘shot on the boxie’ frequently proved a problem.
Mr Harper got his break at the age of five when he was gifted a fiddle and was given the chance of formal lessons paid for by a benefactor.
Private tuition was viewed as ‘sissy’ in those days. He chuckled when interviewed as a nominee in the first Caithness Civic Awards last year, recalling his days as a most unwilling pupil – making his way through the streets and glancing furtively aroud for fear of being spotted by some of his classmates. Mr Harper’s musical ability was nurtured by teacher Margaret Henderson and it wasn’t long before he was playing in public. His first group was The Bilbister Dance Band and later he played in The Milton Trio and The Wick Scottish.
Their success led to a BBC audition which they passed with flying colours. The band never looked back and began traveling all over the country. Records were a natural progression to keep pace with public demand for the individual Wick Scottish sound.
Their first disc was recorded in Jimmy Johnstone’s Grampian studio in Wick in 1964. It was the first of several recordings, many of them containing Addie’s own compositions.
Commenting on Mr Harper’s death, fellow Caithness danceband leader Bobby coghill said it was a ‘very, very sad day’ for the Scottish music scene.
Both had been neighbours in Milton for many years and Mr Coghill said, “Addie was one of those people you always expected to be around. He was a very accomplished player and a prolific composer – an indication of their standard was that his tunes were performed all over the world by champion pipe bands”.
Mr Coghill, who was also Pipe Major of the Wick RBLS Pipe Band, paid tribute to Mr Harper as a true musician who could turn his talents to a variety of instruments – fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin and Hawaiian guitar which he played with a distinctive whisky glass, and button accordion”.
“As a tutor he did much to bring on young players and, although he hadn’t been playing band-wise for a while, he was still teaching up until a short time ago. You could always learn something from him – I think most players in Caithness did. “I used to run my selections for the accordion competitions past him and he would give me wee tips which stood me in good stead”.
Mr Coghill will give a pipe rendering at the graveside at Wick Cemetery following the funeral service at Pulteneytown Parish Church at 1.30pm on Saturday.
Ken Mutch, the Producer of Radio Scotland’s popular traditional programme ‘Take the Floor’, described Mr Harper as “one of the most innovative musicians on the Scottish dance music scene” and “a gifted composer”.
He said eyebrows had been raised when Mr Harper introduced the ground breaking Hawaiian guitar to broadcasting but had proved that the instrument had a place.
Mr Mutch also praised the professionalism of The Wick Scottish, saying that they were always well prepared for their recording sessions and broadcasts, some of which came from Wick itself.
The Producer said that preparations were being made for a tribute programme for Mr Harper, featuring his music and interviews with fellow musicians.
Mr Harper is survived by his wife, Isobel, and son Addie, both of whom will continue his proud musical tradition.
By Jim Collie
The Committee of the Wick Accordion and Fiddle Club is most grateful to Mr Clive Richards of the John O’Groats Journal and to Mrs Janet MacDonald, photographer, for permission to reproduce Noel Donaldson’s Tribute and photograph.
The funeral service in Pultneytown Parish Church was attended by a large turnout of mourners, including fellow musicians, former pupils, dancers and friends from far and wide including Robbie Shepherd of BBC Radio Scotland. Taped music with that distinctive ‘Addie Sound’ was playing before and after the service, which was conducted by the Rev. Bill Wallace.
Lifelong friend David Topping read a very fitting tribute.
The cortege was led to the graveside by Pipe Major Bobby Coghill playing a favourite march composed by Addie and again after the committal.
Many friends joined the family in Mackays Hotel (the place where Addie had played so many times) for tea afterwards. Addie’s music will live on through so many sources.
Collectors’ Pieces
by Charlie Gore
Charlie Gore edited and published ‘The Scottish Fiddle Music Index’ in 1994. This was the first attempt ever made to index the titles of the 12,000 or so traditional tunes, songs, airs and miscellaneous music published in the printed collections of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The chief value of the Index to researchers, musicians and students of the tradition is that it has made it possible to locate any tune listed and to identify an accessible source for the music (mostly based on collections held at the National Library of Scotland).
Central Scotland Fiddlers
In a round-up of the principal characters among the fiddler-composers who typify the Golden Age of Scotland’s fiddling tradition, it would be easy to leave out some key figures. I deliberately omitted direct coverage of the main Gow collections, William Marshall, Captain Simon Fraser and Skinner because most people seem to know a bit about their history. I never intended to make this a comprehensive survey; more an exploration of the less known. There are plenty more, their beautifully produced collections – most of them never republished – still gathering the dust of ages, waiting to be rediscovered!
From Perth, John Bowie (1759-1815) and his brother Peter (1763-1846) are remembered by gravestones in the old kirkyard at Tibbermore (just south of Perth off the A9) and by a small volume of music apiece. John’s music is fairly widely known, because Glen wrote him up, alluding particularly to some harp pieces which he published. Miss Murray Lintrose is a well-known dance tune, but the slow strathspey Orchill House (not to be confused with Nathaniel Gow’s tune) has never been republished. He published tunes by Miss Magdalina Stirling of Ardoch (composer of The Perthshire Hunt and other good tunes) and John MacDonald (1760-1831) a dancing-master in Dundee. Peter achieved a first (and last?) with Miss Hope…in imitation of Portuguese music! Still in Perth, John Clark (of whom Glen says memorably, “We have been unable to discover anything about this musician, further than he published his collection in Perth….”) dedicated his collection of 44 of his own dance tunes (1795) to The Musical Society of Perth and adds this cautionary note, “NB. Such copies who are not signed and numbered by the Cpmposer’s own hand write, are a Forgery and will be strictly Looked after.”
Daniel McLaren published a small edition in 1794 in Edinburgh, but he is somewhere described as ‘of Taymouth’, so he qualifies as a Perthshire chiel, with a light, inventive touch. Moving east to Dundee, Charles Duff (1760-1822) was a music-seller and teacher who published (c1790) a collection of his own and more of the dancing –master, John MacDonald’s music. He stayed ten years in Montrose from whence a namesake, Archibald Duff (born c1770) issued a collection in 1794 and another in 1812, titled ‘First Part of a choice Selection…..’ but the second part never appeared. Alexander Leburn (1767-1836) lived in Auchtermuchty and published a small, now rare, collection of his own and other music. An obituary in The Fifeshire Journal could have been written for a distinguished 20th century inhabitant of the town, “….unostentatious, his heart kind, his integrity incorruptible…. Much respected by all ranks…” He was also a mathematician and a magistrate of the burgh. In the Royal Burgh of Dysert, by Kirkcaldy, James Walker (1760-1840) was a fiddle player and personality, son of a Dysert shoemaker, who published two collections (1795 & 1799) now severely neglected but containing a wealth of good music of his own and others. The slow strathspey Dunnikeer House and Gooden Well or Mr Buist’s Frolic (published two years later by Malcolm MacDonald as Mrs. Robertson of Lawers Reel) are just a couple of examples. Duncan McKerracher (1796-1873) was born at Inver, by Dunkeld actually acquired and lived in Niel Gow’s cottage there in later life. Here, accordion to contemporary accounts, any similarity between ‘Famous Niel’ and his successor, the so-called ‘Dunkeld Paganini’ (as Emmerson described him) ends, but notoriety continues to surround his memory. When he performed at concerts (which he did right up to the year of his death) he sometimes donned Masonic regalia to play his favourite encore (guess what?) The Mason’s Apron! He published two collections, their quality clearly enhanced by compositions of one Captain Daniel Menzies. Some authorities would have it that ‘most’ of the work was not McKerracher’s, but Menzies’.
The National Library of Scotland has originals of all of these. Other information from Charlie Gore.
ALP Scots Music Group
by
The accordion and fiddle are vital to the programme of ALP Scots Music Group. ALP has been promoting Scots music, song and dance to the guid folk of Edinburgh for more than a decade. Starting in 1989 with 4 classes, the Group will start the 02/03 session with more than 40!
APL Scots Music Group, is part of the Adult Learning Project, which is a Registered Charity and City of Edinburgh Council Community Education organisation based in the city’s Dalry area. ALP itself is rooted in the local community and regularly conducts community surveys to investigate the concerns of the community. The Scots Music Group was set up in direct response to an acknowledgement by folk in Dalry that they would like more opportunity to get involved in the music and dance of Scotland.
ALP Scots Music Group encourages students and tutors to play an active role in running the organisation, including deciding the format and composition of their classes. Alp plays an active role in promoting the traditional arts in Edinburgh and beyond. Run by a volubtary committee and part-funded by the Scottish Arts Council, the group employs a part-time Administrator and Music Development Worker.
The Scots Music Group encourages teaching and learning by ear, supported by written music. Learning by ear is a valuable skill and many people who come to classes later in life were put off learning an instrument at school because of having to read music.
Numbers of people joining the piano accordion classes have risen significantly in recent years and the Group now teaches at three levels. Tutors Keith Dickson, Andrew Warren and Neva Burns take learners of all ages from absolute beginners through improving beginners to intermediate level.
As well as ALP Scots Music Group and private pupils, Keith teaches accordion in Edinburgh schools and his pupiuls include the 2001 Junior Scottish Traditional Accordion Champion, the Under 16 UK Classical Accordion champion and the Under 18 National Mod Accordion
Champion. Andrew Warren started his teaching days with ALP SMG as our Bagpipe Tutor, later Small-pipes Tutor and under Keith’s teaching, an accordion tutor – good things come to those who are patient! In the late 1990s Andrew won a Gold Medal at the Mod in the Senior Open Accordion Section and has also won the Senior Accordion March, Strathspey and Reel (Pipe Music) at the All Scotland Championships at Perth. Neva too is a pupil of Keith’s and is in KODA of which Keith is Musical Director. ‘KODA’ is a group consisting of several accordion students as well as other talented young musicians. KODA were finalists in the 2000 Danny’s at Celtic connections.
If you thought the accordion was popular it’s nothing compared with the fiddle. Last session we ran 11 classes over 5 levels – including 3 absolute beginners’ classes which were over subscribed yet again. Having a broad range of levels for learners to move through is important as some are casual learners who only have time to play the fiddle for a couple of hours each week during the class and there are others who devote hours to playing and visiting sessions! Generally people can learn at their own pace.
Fiddle tutors include Derek Hoy (Jock Tamson’s Bairns), Mairi Campbell (The Cast), Sarah-Jane Fifield (Bella McNab’s Ceilidh Band), Amy Geddes (Maysha), Greg Borland (a Henry Williamson Trophy winner (Inverness) and former Hector McAndrew pupil) and Sarah Northcott who plays in the Robert Fish Ceilidh Band and is now an Alp tutor having started as a pupil herself. With all these fiddles around a natural progression was to host a fiddle festival and in 1996 the imaginatively named Fiddle 96 came in into being. Since then it has developed from a Steering Group into an independent registered company in 2001. Each year a theme is chosen – sometimes an area, sometimes a link (Ireland, for example) but the festival always stays firmly rooted in the Scots tradition. This year, Fiddle 2002 takes place in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms from 22-24 November. The theme is ‘the carrying stream’ ; the handing down of the tradition – parent to child and teacher to pupil. On Friday night the Heat the Hoose cabaret will feature ‘A Highland Fiddler’ – a conversational celebration of the music of Donald Riddell. Saturday night’s Grand Concert brings together Brian McNeill, founder member of The Battlefield Band, now Head of Music on the RSAMD’s Scottish Music Course and Aonghas Grant, a renowned teacher from the West Highlands. At Sunday’s late afternoon grand finale, Jock Tamson’s Bairns will bring the festival to a rousing conclusion.
The theme of the carrying stream emerged after last year’s festival was much praised in the press for having so many young folk – it had become ‘hip’ to be carrying a fiddle case. Part of the reason for this was the inclusion of fiddle classes run for 8 – 18 year olds by Edinburgh’s Youth Gaitherin. The Gaitherin too was nurtured to fruition by ALP Scots Music Group after a group of learners suggested classes for their children. The group is now a charity and is run by a voluntary committee of parents, friends and young people. Each Easter, during the Edinburgh school holidays, the Gaitherin hosts four days of traditional music-making for up to 100 children. In past year two fiddle groups, two mixed instrument groups and a song group have inspired the children of Edinburgh to investigate their heritage further.
Another of the reasons for ALP SMG’s success is its strong social side. At the end of each term, all the classes get together for a ‘stramash’ with classes form absolute beginners to the most experienced entertaining with a party piece – the highlight this year was the new Absolute Beginners’ Moothie class! Classes are encouraged to visit the many traditional music sessions in Edinburgh. A Slow Session class has been introduced to encourage folk to learn session tunes and the group now has three tunes books of popular Edinburgh session tunes. To compliment our philosophy of playing by ear, books 1 and 2 have been recorded onto CD, with plans for a third. These are extremely popular with learners and members of the public.
If you are interested in supporting the work of ALP SMG you might like to consider becoming a Friend of ALP SMG. For more information on this and also our classes, weekend workshops, tune books, CDs etc contact ALP SMG, 184 Dalry Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2EP 0131-337-5442 www.alpscotsmusic.org
ALP’s Aims
1) To create a positive and critical relationship of respect and status to Scots music, song and dance that it may live in the heart of the local community and beyond.
2) To build a repertoire in the Scots idiom, with reference to the past, present and into the future.
3) To maintain a democratic and participative style of voluntary organisation.
4) To give students the skills and opportunities to perform together in the community.
5) To bring the best practitioners of Scots music, song and dance into the life of the organisation as performers and as tutors to inspire and encourage students.
6) To encourage and maintain the oral and aural transmission of the Scots tradition.
7) To create opportunities to foster connections with, and explore the traditions of, the music, song and dance of other cultures.
Music at St Andrews
by Mo Rutherford
The third annual Musicians’ Course,
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
This weekend was the 50th Jubilee Ball of the Adelaide Branch……
Greeting from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
Hello folks, this has been a busy summer ……………..
CD Reviews
Music for the Fiddle Vol 1 – Ross Records – CDTHIS001
+ Vol 4 & Vol 5
Book Review
Doon the Gait – Traditional Shetland Tunes – David Alan Hall
Take the Floor – Saturdays with Robbie Shepherd
Repeats
7th Sept 02 – Jim Johnstone SDB + Robert Black Quartet – Studio 1 BBC Edinburgh on 24th December 1994
14th Sept 02 – Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose Ceilidh Band – Riverside Club, Glasgow on 7th December 1966 + Stramash & Mairi Coutts.
21st Dec 02 – Craig McCallum SDB – Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen on 25th Oct 1997 + Isla St Clair & Carmen Higgins
28th Sept 02 – Alan Gardiner SDB – Hamilton Town Hall on 30th Dec 1995 + Tony McManus, Mairi McInnes & Billy Jackson
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) – 24th Sept 02 – Black Rose CB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 11th Sept 02 – Tom Orr
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th Sept 02 – Jimmy McQuire & the Lochside SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 1st Sept 02 – Bill Black SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 15th Sept 02 – Bill Black SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 30th Sept 02 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 25th Sept 02 – The Tartan Lads
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 16th Sept 02 – Wayne Robertson & Davie Stewart
Belford (Community Centre) – 26th Sept 02 – Scott Leslie SDB
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 10th Sept 02 – Deirdre Adamson
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 12th Sept 02 – George Wilson & Friends
Campbeltown (The Royal Hotel) -
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 3rd Sept 02 – Alan Ross SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) - 5th Sept 02 – South of the Border
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 19th Sept 02 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 5th Sept 02 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 5th Sept 02 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 4th Sept 02 – Deirdre Adamson
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 18th Sept 02 – Glencraig SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (The Village Inn) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 17th Sept 02 – Alistair Heron SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 29th Sept 02 – Tom Alexander
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 11th Sept 02 – David Cunningham Jnr SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) – 19th Sept 02 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 4th Sept 02 – Bruce Lindsay SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 24th Sept 02 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 16th Sept 02 -
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 25th Sept 02 – John Crawford Band
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 4th Sept 02 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 23rd Sept 02 – Liam Stewart Duo
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 11th Sept 02 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 12th Sept 02 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 5th Sept 02 – Archie MacAllister
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 17th Sept 02 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 24th Sept 02 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 4th Sept 02 – Jim Lindsay Duo
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 8th Sept 02 – Open Day
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30th Sept 02 – Jimmy Cassidy
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 17th Sept 02 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) - 10th Sept 02 – Colin Garvin Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 5th Sept 02 – Ian H. Cruickshanks Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 19th Sept 02 – Judith Linton Trio
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick & District
2. Banchory
3. Blairgowrie
4. Carlisle
5. Ellon
6. Fintry
7. Glendale
8. Glenrothes & District
9. Lesmahagow
10. Lewis & Harris
11. Montrose
12. Newtongrange
13. Thornhill
14. Thurso
15. Turriff
16. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2002
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. West Barnes ( - present)
76. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
77. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – )
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84. Callander A&F Club (
85. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87. Club Accord
88. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
103. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
109. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
110. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
111. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
112. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
113. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
114. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
115. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
116. Tranent A&F Club
117. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
118. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £120
Half Page - £60
Quarter Page - £30
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Welcome back to those of you who buy your magazines at the Clubs. Most of the clubs start again in September, and I think we have almost all the syllabuses now. Remember the Club Diary is also available on the Website.
This month we will be distributing the B&F from here. Trusty typist Heather McLean has volunteered for this job. It’s quite an undertaking to parcel up and post out 2000 magazines, so thanks again Heather.
Our lead article this month is, of course, the AGM. What a great day we had! Again check out the website for more photos. The entertainment in the afternoon is the best that one could find anywhere. Nicol will be presenting Dave Barclay with his bowl shortly, so we should have photos of that next month.
We’re always looking for articles for the magazine, so please get in touch if you think you can help. Thanks to Mo Rutherford for a super article about the musicians’ course at the RSCDS Summer School at St Andrews. We have had a lot of positive feedback from dancers saying how much they enjoy our magazine, and the dance articles in particular. As we’ve said before, without dancers the musicians would have no-one to play for, and without musicians the dancers would have nothing to dance to.
I’ve been doing quite a bit of dancing over the summer – I particularly enjoyed the Scotch Hop sessions at Linlithgow. These sessions are what prompted Jude, Nicol and I to set up a Scottish Dance Group in the Burgh Halls in Linlithgow. We start on Wednesday, 2nd October and would love to see you there.
We’re still looking for photographs for our calendar. Please send them to Charlie Todd.
Next month we’re going to do a feature on Dance Callers so if you or anyone you know calls for dancing, please let us know. The aim is to provide a directory of callers so that bands can contact them if necessary – so often musicians are asked to bring along a caller for a wedding or a conference, and don’t know where to start looking!
Thanks again to all at Culross the Printers, to proof reader Alison Riddell and to ‘Jill of all Trades’ Heather McLean.
Karin Ingram
AGM Ceilidh 2002
by Robin Ellis
Unlike past years, the weather on this occasion was definitely not on our side and it was a grey and wet day that greeted those attending the Association meeting of 2002. The AGM was over in some ninety minutes, giving ample time to renew old acquaintances before the luncheon. I must admit, I do miss the Archive photographs, which have been a feature of this interlude for many years. I can only hope that their absence is just a temporary one and that they will be back with us before too long.
The guests being honoured this year were John Crawford, David Cunningham, Gus Millar, Jimmy Yeaman and Dave Barclay.
John Crawford is probably best known to most of us as a tuner and repairer of accordions. Over the years his influence has reached almost every well-known band and the sound of a ‘Crawford’ tuned accordion is instantly recognised. Mind you, John has other talents too; he is a well-known adjudicator at competitions and no mean player. He was Scottish Champion some half a century ago and is still a master of the pipe march.
David Cunningham will be remembered as a member of The Olympians band and as leader of his own trio, broadcasting regularly in the 60s and 70s. In recent years he has handed over much of the playing to David Jnr whilst he has moved on to play a sound-mixing desk, which he admits is somewhat easier! His company ‘Thane’ has produced some superb new recordings and has done wonders with re-mastering old recordings. How you can re-mix a 3x32 bar recording to an 8x32 and not hear the joins is beyond me – but it can be done.
Gus Millar has played drums with many of the well-known bands in Scotland such as Hamish Menzies, Ian Holmes, Andrew Rankine and Colin Dewar to name but a few. His tight, neat style is instantly recognizable and will enhance he sound of any group of musicians. I gather that these days he is also ‘General Postmaster’ of Kingskettle.
Jimmy Yeaman as a fiddler is well-known to many of us but it is only after a little investigation one realizes just how great his contribution has been. As a Dundonian he first came to prominence with The Olympians for a number of years before moving down to Drymen, near Loch Lomond, where he met and played with a very young Fergie Macdonald before joining Bob Lillie in the Kelvin Ceilidh Band. He also became Leader of the Glasgow Strathspey and Reel Society and over the years has adjudicated several times at the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition at Blair Atholl. We are told that his greatest influence was the late Ron Gonella. His two main hates seem to be playing The Swedish Masquerade and sound engineers who ignore the fiddle. I think many of us would agree with both of these last two sentiments.
Dave Barclay, unfortunately, was unable to be present due to a business commitment. I think most of us remember him as the bass player in Ian Powrie’s Band. Although he started out playing jazz and modern music in Dundee he then went on to play with Lindsay Ross, Jack Forsyth, Bobby Crowe and Jim Lindsay. Bass players are often underrated but take one out of a band and you will immediately notice the difference.
As well as the presentations there is, of course, ‘the ceilidh’. I realise that I say this every year but this must be the biggest and best gathering of musicians from the Scottish Dance music world – ever. We had just about every imaginable combination of players that could be thought of – from trios and quartets up to the full six piece. On accordion we had Nicol McLaren, Jim Johnstone, David Cunningham Snr & Jnr, John Crawford, Ian McCallum, Ian Holmes, Morag Robertson, John Carmichael, Bill Black, Duncan Black, Mickie Ainsworth and Dochie McCallum.
On fiddle Judith Linton and Christine Legge.
On keyboard Pam Brough, Mabel Gray, Neil McMillan, Joan Blue and Duncan Black and
On drums Billy Thom, Gus Millar, Charlie Todd, Jack Cooper and Ian Adamson. This year had the additional pleasure of some songs from Wilma Kennedy. There were also a number of well-known faces that turn up every year but decide just to sit back and enjoy the proceedings.
John Carmichael, who kept us all amused with stories and anecdotes, most ably compered the afternoon. I think John Carmichael and Jim Johnstone must be two of the best storytellers around these days and should they ever give up playing, heaven forbid, there will be an assured alternative career for both of them. The afternoon ended with an all too brief stramash when we managed to muster eight accordions and two fiddles as well as piano and drums.
The day finally came to an end somewhat later than usual at 6.30pm with the farewell greeting of, “See you next year”. There is just a whisper that the idea of returning ro a weekend meeting may be possible – what could be better?
Thank You
From Jim Balneaves
It does not seem like a year since I wrote something similar to this regarding the luncheon to honour a number of luminaries in our music.
We all gathered at The Invercarse Hotel, Dundee on 30th June for what tuned out to be an excellent meal and an afternoon of splendid entertainment.
The persons to whom we paid credit were Dave Barclay, John Crawford, David Cunningham Snr, Gus Millar and Jimmy Yeaman. Dave was unable to attend due to a long-standing engagement. Chairman Nicol MCLaren, presented inscribed Caithness Glass ‘Mastermind’ bowls to John, David, Gus and Jimmy. Dave, you will have your bowl very soon.
John Carmichael compered the afternoon in a most superb manner – thanks John for your contribution.
Thanks also to Nicol for getting all the players organised and ready throughout the afternoon. We hald a raffle in aid of the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project, and the proceeds were presented to Dr Sandy Tulloch, Chairman of the Project, Thanks to Karin, Evelyn, Judith and Charlie for helping with the raffle.
Thanks must also go out to all who helped to make the day – the Guests of Honour, Past Recipients of Honours, the Chairman and members of the NAAFC Executive Committee, my wife Helen, but principally all of you who attended.
The AGM is dictated constitutionally to be on the last full weekend in June. The next AGM and Luncheon will therefore be on 29th June, 2003, but unfortunately not in The Invercarse Hotel. I went to pencil in the function for the aforementioned date, after this year’s event ended, (pencil in only, as the Executive Committee was of a mind to perhaps move). The decision has been made for us, as The Invercarse has a Governor of Rotary Clubs changeover luncheon booked for that date.
The next AGM and luncheon will be in the Central Belt, also as per the Constitution, and I shall advise you of the venue as soon as premises that meet our criteria are found.
Thank you all for making the afternoon of 30th June such a memorable one.
As usual Jim made no mention of the months of hard work on his part that always makes the NAAFC AGM and Luncheon the highlight of the year. On behalf of everyone who attended and had such a wonderful time – thank you Jim!
Addie Harper (20/10/1927 – 17/04/2002) - Obituary
An Innovative Musician
by Noel Donaldson
Musicians will be among the mourners who gather at Wick tomorrow (Saturday) to say farewell to one of the best-known Scottish danceband leaders, Addie Harper.
Mr Harper, who lived at ‘La Coruna’, Thurso Road, Wick, passed away at Caithness General Hospital on Wednesday at the age of 74.
Tributes were paid yesterday to the multi-instrumentalist who carved a niche in the traditional culture that spanned more than half a century.
Musician, teacher and composer, Mr Harper’s career with The Wick Scottish Dance Band took him all over Scotland, rubbing shoulders with the top outfits of the day, including Ian Powrie and Jimmy Shand. It was Mr Harper’s father, melodeon player Robbie Harper, who first awakened the youngster’s talent for traditional music at their home in Stirkoke. But with four children in the family, competition for a ‘shot on the boxie’ frequently proved a problem.
Mr Harper got his break at the age of five when he was gifted a fiddle and was given the chance of formal lessons paid for by a benefactor.
Private tuition was viewed as ‘sissy’ in those days. He chuckled when interviewed as a nominee in the first Caithness Civic Awards last year, recalling his days as a most unwilling pupil – making his way through the streets and glancing furtively aroud for fear of being spotted by some of his classmates. Mr Harper’s musical ability was nurtured by teacher Margaret Henderson and it wasn’t long before he was playing in public. His first group was The Bilbister Dance Band and later he played in The Milton Trio and The Wick Scottish.
Their success led to a BBC audition which they passed with flying colours. The band never looked back and began traveling all over the country. Records were a natural progression to keep pace with public demand for the individual Wick Scottish sound.
Their first disc was recorded in Jimmy Johnstone’s Grampian studio in Wick in 1964. It was the first of several recordings, many of them containing Addie’s own compositions.
Commenting on Mr Harper’s death, fellow Caithness danceband leader Bobby coghill said it was a ‘very, very sad day’ for the Scottish music scene.
Both had been neighbours in Milton for many years and Mr Coghill said, “Addie was one of those people you always expected to be around. He was a very accomplished player and a prolific composer – an indication of their standard was that his tunes were performed all over the world by champion pipe bands”.
Mr Coghill, who was also Pipe Major of the Wick RBLS Pipe Band, paid tribute to Mr Harper as a true musician who could turn his talents to a variety of instruments – fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin and Hawaiian guitar which he played with a distinctive whisky glass, and button accordion”.
“As a tutor he did much to bring on young players and, although he hadn’t been playing band-wise for a while, he was still teaching up until a short time ago. You could always learn something from him – I think most players in Caithness did. “I used to run my selections for the accordion competitions past him and he would give me wee tips which stood me in good stead”.
Mr Coghill will give a pipe rendering at the graveside at Wick Cemetery following the funeral service at Pulteneytown Parish Church at 1.30pm on Saturday.
Ken Mutch, the Producer of Radio Scotland’s popular traditional programme ‘Take the Floor’, described Mr Harper as “one of the most innovative musicians on the Scottish dance music scene” and “a gifted composer”.
He said eyebrows had been raised when Mr Harper introduced the ground breaking Hawaiian guitar to broadcasting but had proved that the instrument had a place.
Mr Mutch also praised the professionalism of The Wick Scottish, saying that they were always well prepared for their recording sessions and broadcasts, some of which came from Wick itself.
The Producer said that preparations were being made for a tribute programme for Mr Harper, featuring his music and interviews with fellow musicians.
Mr Harper is survived by his wife, Isobel, and son Addie, both of whom will continue his proud musical tradition.
By Jim Collie
The Committee of the Wick Accordion and Fiddle Club is most grateful to Mr Clive Richards of the John O’Groats Journal and to Mrs Janet MacDonald, photographer, for permission to reproduce Noel Donaldson’s Tribute and photograph.
The funeral service in Pultneytown Parish Church was attended by a large turnout of mourners, including fellow musicians, former pupils, dancers and friends from far and wide including Robbie Shepherd of BBC Radio Scotland. Taped music with that distinctive ‘Addie Sound’ was playing before and after the service, which was conducted by the Rev. Bill Wallace.
Lifelong friend David Topping read a very fitting tribute.
The cortege was led to the graveside by Pipe Major Bobby Coghill playing a favourite march composed by Addie and again after the committal.
Many friends joined the family in Mackays Hotel (the place where Addie had played so many times) for tea afterwards. Addie’s music will live on through so many sources.
Collectors’ Pieces
by Charlie Gore
Charlie Gore edited and published ‘The Scottish Fiddle Music Index’ in 1994. This was the first attempt ever made to index the titles of the 12,000 or so traditional tunes, songs, airs and miscellaneous music published in the printed collections of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The chief value of the Index to researchers, musicians and students of the tradition is that it has made it possible to locate any tune listed and to identify an accessible source for the music (mostly based on collections held at the National Library of Scotland).
Central Scotland Fiddlers
In a round-up of the principal characters among the fiddler-composers who typify the Golden Age of Scotland’s fiddling tradition, it would be easy to leave out some key figures. I deliberately omitted direct coverage of the main Gow collections, William Marshall, Captain Simon Fraser and Skinner because most people seem to know a bit about their history. I never intended to make this a comprehensive survey; more an exploration of the less known. There are plenty more, their beautifully produced collections – most of them never republished – still gathering the dust of ages, waiting to be rediscovered!
From Perth, John Bowie (1759-1815) and his brother Peter (1763-1846) are remembered by gravestones in the old kirkyard at Tibbermore (just south of Perth off the A9) and by a small volume of music apiece. John’s music is fairly widely known, because Glen wrote him up, alluding particularly to some harp pieces which he published. Miss Murray Lintrose is a well-known dance tune, but the slow strathspey Orchill House (not to be confused with Nathaniel Gow’s tune) has never been republished. He published tunes by Miss Magdalina Stirling of Ardoch (composer of The Perthshire Hunt and other good tunes) and John MacDonald (1760-1831) a dancing-master in Dundee. Peter achieved a first (and last?) with Miss Hope…in imitation of Portuguese music! Still in Perth, John Clark (of whom Glen says memorably, “We have been unable to discover anything about this musician, further than he published his collection in Perth….”) dedicated his collection of 44 of his own dance tunes (1795) to The Musical Society of Perth and adds this cautionary note, “NB. Such copies who are not signed and numbered by the Cpmposer’s own hand write, are a Forgery and will be strictly Looked after.”
Daniel McLaren published a small edition in 1794 in Edinburgh, but he is somewhere described as ‘of Taymouth’, so he qualifies as a Perthshire chiel, with a light, inventive touch. Moving east to Dundee, Charles Duff (1760-1822) was a music-seller and teacher who published (c1790) a collection of his own and more of the dancing –master, John MacDonald’s music. He stayed ten years in Montrose from whence a namesake, Archibald Duff (born c1770) issued a collection in 1794 and another in 1812, titled ‘First Part of a choice Selection…..’ but the second part never appeared. Alexander Leburn (1767-1836) lived in Auchtermuchty and published a small, now rare, collection of his own and other music. An obituary in The Fifeshire Journal could have been written for a distinguished 20th century inhabitant of the town, “….unostentatious, his heart kind, his integrity incorruptible…. Much respected by all ranks…” He was also a mathematician and a magistrate of the burgh. In the Royal Burgh of Dysert, by Kirkcaldy, James Walker (1760-1840) was a fiddle player and personality, son of a Dysert shoemaker, who published two collections (1795 & 1799) now severely neglected but containing a wealth of good music of his own and others. The slow strathspey Dunnikeer House and Gooden Well or Mr Buist’s Frolic (published two years later by Malcolm MacDonald as Mrs. Robertson of Lawers Reel) are just a couple of examples. Duncan McKerracher (1796-1873) was born at Inver, by Dunkeld actually acquired and lived in Niel Gow’s cottage there in later life. Here, accordion to contemporary accounts, any similarity between ‘Famous Niel’ and his successor, the so-called ‘Dunkeld Paganini’ (as Emmerson described him) ends, but notoriety continues to surround his memory. When he performed at concerts (which he did right up to the year of his death) he sometimes donned Masonic regalia to play his favourite encore (guess what?) The Mason’s Apron! He published two collections, their quality clearly enhanced by compositions of one Captain Daniel Menzies. Some authorities would have it that ‘most’ of the work was not McKerracher’s, but Menzies’.
The National Library of Scotland has originals of all of these. Other information from Charlie Gore.
ALP Scots Music Group
by
The accordion and fiddle are vital to the programme of ALP Scots Music Group. ALP has been promoting Scots music, song and dance to the guid folk of Edinburgh for more than a decade. Starting in 1989 with 4 classes, the Group will start the 02/03 session with more than 40!
APL Scots Music Group, is part of the Adult Learning Project, which is a Registered Charity and City of Edinburgh Council Community Education organisation based in the city’s Dalry area. ALP itself is rooted in the local community and regularly conducts community surveys to investigate the concerns of the community. The Scots Music Group was set up in direct response to an acknowledgement by folk in Dalry that they would like more opportunity to get involved in the music and dance of Scotland.
ALP Scots Music Group encourages students and tutors to play an active role in running the organisation, including deciding the format and composition of their classes. Alp plays an active role in promoting the traditional arts in Edinburgh and beyond. Run by a volubtary committee and part-funded by the Scottish Arts Council, the group employs a part-time Administrator and Music Development Worker.
The Scots Music Group encourages teaching and learning by ear, supported by written music. Learning by ear is a valuable skill and many people who come to classes later in life were put off learning an instrument at school because of having to read music.
Numbers of people joining the piano accordion classes have risen significantly in recent years and the Group now teaches at three levels. Tutors Keith Dickson, Andrew Warren and Neva Burns take learners of all ages from absolute beginners through improving beginners to intermediate level.
As well as ALP Scots Music Group and private pupils, Keith teaches accordion in Edinburgh schools and his pupiuls include the 2001 Junior Scottish Traditional Accordion Champion, the Under 16 UK Classical Accordion champion and the Under 18 National Mod Accordion
Champion. Andrew Warren started his teaching days with ALP SMG as our Bagpipe Tutor, later Small-pipes Tutor and under Keith’s teaching, an accordion tutor – good things come to those who are patient! In the late 1990s Andrew won a Gold Medal at the Mod in the Senior Open Accordion Section and has also won the Senior Accordion March, Strathspey and Reel (Pipe Music) at the All Scotland Championships at Perth. Neva too is a pupil of Keith’s and is in KODA of which Keith is Musical Director. ‘KODA’ is a group consisting of several accordion students as well as other talented young musicians. KODA were finalists in the 2000 Danny’s at Celtic connections.
If you thought the accordion was popular it’s nothing compared with the fiddle. Last session we ran 11 classes over 5 levels – including 3 absolute beginners’ classes which were over subscribed yet again. Having a broad range of levels for learners to move through is important as some are casual learners who only have time to play the fiddle for a couple of hours each week during the class and there are others who devote hours to playing and visiting sessions! Generally people can learn at their own pace.
Fiddle tutors include Derek Hoy (Jock Tamson’s Bairns), Mairi Campbell (The Cast), Sarah-Jane Fifield (Bella McNab’s Ceilidh Band), Amy Geddes (Maysha), Greg Borland (a Henry Williamson Trophy winner (Inverness) and former Hector McAndrew pupil) and Sarah Northcott who plays in the Robert Fish Ceilidh Band and is now an Alp tutor having started as a pupil herself. With all these fiddles around a natural progression was to host a fiddle festival and in 1996 the imaginatively named Fiddle 96 came in into being. Since then it has developed from a Steering Group into an independent registered company in 2001. Each year a theme is chosen – sometimes an area, sometimes a link (Ireland, for example) but the festival always stays firmly rooted in the Scots tradition. This year, Fiddle 2002 takes place in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms from 22-24 November. The theme is ‘the carrying stream’ ; the handing down of the tradition – parent to child and teacher to pupil. On Friday night the Heat the Hoose cabaret will feature ‘A Highland Fiddler’ – a conversational celebration of the music of Donald Riddell. Saturday night’s Grand Concert brings together Brian McNeill, founder member of The Battlefield Band, now Head of Music on the RSAMD’s Scottish Music Course and Aonghas Grant, a renowned teacher from the West Highlands. At Sunday’s late afternoon grand finale, Jock Tamson’s Bairns will bring the festival to a rousing conclusion.
The theme of the carrying stream emerged after last year’s festival was much praised in the press for having so many young folk – it had become ‘hip’ to be carrying a fiddle case. Part of the reason for this was the inclusion of fiddle classes run for 8 – 18 year olds by Edinburgh’s Youth Gaitherin. The Gaitherin too was nurtured to fruition by ALP Scots Music Group after a group of learners suggested classes for their children. The group is now a charity and is run by a voluntary committee of parents, friends and young people. Each Easter, during the Edinburgh school holidays, the Gaitherin hosts four days of traditional music-making for up to 100 children. In past year two fiddle groups, two mixed instrument groups and a song group have inspired the children of Edinburgh to investigate their heritage further.
Another of the reasons for ALP SMG’s success is its strong social side. At the end of each term, all the classes get together for a ‘stramash’ with classes form absolute beginners to the most experienced entertaining with a party piece – the highlight this year was the new Absolute Beginners’ Moothie class! Classes are encouraged to visit the many traditional music sessions in Edinburgh. A Slow Session class has been introduced to encourage folk to learn session tunes and the group now has three tunes books of popular Edinburgh session tunes. To compliment our philosophy of playing by ear, books 1 and 2 have been recorded onto CD, with plans for a third. These are extremely popular with learners and members of the public.
If you are interested in supporting the work of ALP SMG you might like to consider becoming a Friend of ALP SMG. For more information on this and also our classes, weekend workshops, tune books, CDs etc contact ALP SMG, 184 Dalry Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2EP 0131-337-5442 www.alpscotsmusic.org
ALP’s Aims
1) To create a positive and critical relationship of respect and status to Scots music, song and dance that it may live in the heart of the local community and beyond.
2) To build a repertoire in the Scots idiom, with reference to the past, present and into the future.
3) To maintain a democratic and participative style of voluntary organisation.
4) To give students the skills and opportunities to perform together in the community.
5) To bring the best practitioners of Scots music, song and dance into the life of the organisation as performers and as tutors to inspire and encourage students.
6) To encourage and maintain the oral and aural transmission of the Scots tradition.
7) To create opportunities to foster connections with, and explore the traditions of, the music, song and dance of other cultures.
Music at St Andrews
by Mo Rutherford
The third annual Musicians’ Course,
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
This weekend was the 50th Jubilee Ball of the Adelaide Branch……
Greeting from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
Hello folks, this has been a busy summer ……………..
CD Reviews
Music for the Fiddle Vol 1 – Ross Records – CDTHIS001
+ Vol 4 & Vol 5
Book Review
Doon the Gait – Traditional Shetland Tunes – David Alan Hall
Take the Floor – Saturdays with Robbie Shepherd
Repeats
7th Sept 02 – Jim Johnstone SDB + Robert Black Quartet – Studio 1 BBC Edinburgh on 24th December 1994
14th Sept 02 – Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose Ceilidh Band – Riverside Club, Glasgow on 7th December 1966 + Stramash & Mairi Coutts.
21st Dec 02 – Craig McCallum SDB – Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen on 25th Oct 1997 + Isla St Clair & Carmen Higgins
28th Sept 02 – Alan Gardiner SDB – Hamilton Town Hall on 30th Dec 1995 + Tony McManus, Mairi McInnes & Billy Jackson
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) – 24th Sept 02 – Black Rose CB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 11th Sept 02 – Tom Orr
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th Sept 02 – Jimmy McQuire & the Lochside SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 1st Sept 02 – Bill Black SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 15th Sept 02 – Bill Black SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 30th Sept 02 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 25th Sept 02 – The Tartan Lads
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 16th Sept 02 – Wayne Robertson & Davie Stewart
Belford (Community Centre) – 26th Sept 02 – Scott Leslie SDB
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 10th Sept 02 – Deirdre Adamson
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 12th Sept 02 – George Wilson & Friends
Campbeltown (The Royal Hotel) -
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 3rd Sept 02 – Alan Ross SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) - 5th Sept 02 – South of the Border
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 19th Sept 02 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 5th Sept 02 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 5th Sept 02 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 4th Sept 02 – Deirdre Adamson
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 18th Sept 02 – Glencraig SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (The Village Inn) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 17th Sept 02 – Alistair Heron SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 29th Sept 02 – Tom Alexander
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 11th Sept 02 – David Cunningham Jnr SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) – 19th Sept 02 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 4th Sept 02 – Bruce Lindsay SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 24th Sept 02 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 16th Sept 02 -
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 25th Sept 02 – John Crawford Band
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 4th Sept 02 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 23rd Sept 02 – Liam Stewart Duo
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 11th Sept 02 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 12th Sept 02 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 5th Sept 02 – Archie MacAllister
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 17th Sept 02 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 24th Sept 02 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 4th Sept 02 – Jim Lindsay Duo
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 8th Sept 02 – Open Day
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30th Sept 02 – Jimmy Cassidy
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 17th Sept 02 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) - 10th Sept 02 – Colin Garvin Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 5th Sept 02 – Ian H. Cruickshanks Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 19th Sept 02 – Judith Linton Trio
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick & District
2. Banchory
3. Blairgowrie
4. Carlisle
5. Ellon
6. Fintry
7. Glendale
8. Glenrothes & District
9. Lesmahagow
10. Lewis & Harris
11. Montrose
12. Newtongrange
13. Thornhill
14. Thurso
15. Turriff
16. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2002
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. West Barnes ( - present)
76. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
77. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – )
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84. Callander A&F Club (
85. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87. Club Accord
88. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
103. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
109. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
110. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
111. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
112. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
113. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
114. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
115. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
116. Tranent A&F Club
117. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
118. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £120
Half Page - £60
Quarter Page - £30