Box and Fiddle
Year 29 No 03
November 2005
Price £2.20
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £24.20 + p&p £7.50 (UK)
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
We’ve been very disappointed in the lack of orders from Clubs for next year’s Calendar. Not only does the calendar have photographs of well-known players, past and present, it also reminds us when our Clubs meet. In other words it’s a free advertisement for your Club!
We lead this month with the 18th Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival. Nicol McLaren, who took all the photographs, describes it as ‘a distillery set to music’ – and he should know! If you were there you’ll have had a great time!
Box and Fiddle Assistant, Heather McLean, gives us a report about the Button-Box Gathering at Aviemore, which seems to have gone very well, despite its temporary move from its usual venue in Inverness.
Remember, we’re always looking for articles for the B&F. Keep in touch!
Karin Ingram
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 2005
by
Thursday, 6th October ……….
Who was Kate Dalrymple?
by Finlay Forbes
A few years ago, Radio Scotland floated the idea of changing ‘Take the Floor’s’ familiar signature tune of Kate Dalrymple to something that our broadcasting gurus and guardians of public taste considered more appropriate to the spirit of the age. Clearly that well-known but all too often ignored piece of consultant’s wisdom, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, had yet to reach Radio Scotland’s corridors of power. (Or perhaps those who inhabited the corridors subscribed to the normally plausible view that consultant’s wisdom was an oxymoron).
A flood of protests, including threats of a mass listened boycott followed and all thoughts of change were quickly and very publicly abandoned or at least put on hold pending a more opportune moment (such as when the Grim Reaper finally claims the last of the current generation of listeners).
But who was this Kate Dalrymple who over the years has managed to inspire so much loyalty and affection in the hearts of those of us who love Scottish Dance music?
One theory cited in two seemingly separate sources (although it could be the same source in two different places) is that the lady in question was a famous eighteenth century beauty who among other things, was the subject of a portrait by the great English artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
One rather large fly in the theoretical ointment is that no authoritative list of Thomas Gainsborough’s works includes a painting of anyone called ‘Kate Dalrymple’. I have no doubt that the proponents of the theory are not going to allow such a minor detail to stand in the way of a good story especially when the more sordid reality emerges. After all, she could have been a famous eighteenth century beauty whom Gainsborough never quite got around to painting.
In reality, what we have here is a serious case of mistaken identity. Gainborough’s subject was not our beloved Kate Dalrymple the notorious and beautiful royal courtesan Grace Dalrymple (Born Edinburgh 1758?, died Ville d’Avray France 1823). The lady, whose conquests included the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Orleans and Napoleon Bonaparte, led a life sufficiently remarkable for it to have been made the subject of a book or a film but which somehow managed to escape the attentions of the Scottish musicians of the period. Perhaps the lady’s time was taken up with weightier matters than the frivolities of ‘Scotch Dancing’.
To set the record straight, Gainsborough made two paintings of Grace Dalrymple. The first, dating from 1778, is a full-length, life-size rendition of her under her short-lived married name of Mrs Grace Dalrymple Elliot. In this case, the choice of name is slightly odd given that her brief marriage to the Scots physician Sir John Elliot had effectively been terminated by an earlier elopement with Lord Valentia in 1774. (She was a bit of a gal was our Grace!)
This painting, which now hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was commissioned by yet another of her lovers, The First Marquis of Cholmondely. It is a superb piece of work and one that show’s Gainborough’s almost impressionistic handling of paint to excellent effect, particularly in the dress fabric.
Gainsborough’s second depiction of Grace Dalrymple is an oval portrait dated about 1782. Apart from being a fine example of the artiste’s late style, the painting is interesting in that the subject looks considerably older than 24, which would have been her age at the time if her official birth date is accurate.
Fascinating though all this may be, there is no historical evidence to link this fine, if not particularly virtuous lady to the signature tune of ‘Take the Floor’ other than the possibility that she may have danced to it or heard it under a different title.
There is no doubt that the tune existed at the time when Grace Dalrymple’s fame was at its height. It appears in a number of 18th century collections and may even have its origins in a 17th century lute tune.
The most common but by no means the only name for it back then was The New Highland Laddie. Burns perversely called it The Old Highland Laddie when he used it in 1792 for his song Bonnie Laddie, Highland Laddie. (Burns wrote a second version of the same song for the Scots Musical Museum. The tune he used, which he called simply Highland Laddie was neither an earlier incarnation of Kate Dalrymple nor the tune that we now know as Highland Laddie.) There was an epedimic of musical Highland Laddies back then so it is probably just as well that one of them did the decent thing and changed its name.
Somewhere in the first quarter of the 19th century, our tune picked up the alternative title of Jinglin’ Johnnie under which name it was later to resurface in The Atholl Collection of 1884. As far as we know, Jingling Johnnie was not a person but a percussion instrument also known as the Turkish Crescent used in military bands and in some classical 18th century scores such as Mozart’s Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail to add a Turkish flavour to the music.
So here we are, well into the 19th century with a well-established tune that has been called variously The New Highland Laddie, The Old Highland Laddie, The Highland Laddie of indeterminate vintage and Jinglin’ Johnnie but never in all that time Kate Dalrymple. So how did Kate Dalrymple make her highly successful bid for the title?
Enter William Watt, handloom weaver of East Kilbride (b 1792 d 1859). Besides plying his trade as a weaver, Watt was something of a poet who achieved particular fame in his day as author of the broadside ballad Bob o’ the Bent (published complete with an advert for boot polish at the bottom of the page!) His fame was of little advantage. Like so many poets who lacked independent means, William Watt died in poverty.
Watt had two poetry collections published during his lifetime and another titled ‘Poems on Sacred and Other Subjects, and Songs Humorous and Sentimental’ published posthumously in 1860. His output included an ironically humorous song Kate Dalrymple written to fit a tune he knew as Jinglin’ Johnnie.
Unless the ravages of time were particularly unkind, Watt’s description of Kate puts paid to any theory that she may have been a paragon of pulchritude.
“Her face had a smack o’ the gruesome and grim,
That did frae the fash o’ a wooers defend her,
Her lang Roman nose nearly met wi’ her chin,
And brang folk in mind o’ the Auld Witch o’ Endor”.
Readers who know the song will be aware that Kate’s fortunes change when she becomes heiress to a rich friend’s estate and finds herself courted by suitors who previously would have given her a very wide berth.
In the song, Kate falls eventually for Willie Speedyspool the sarkin’ weaver, a man whose comeliness matches her own and whose physical defects have the added advantage of allowing Watt to indulge in a brilliant piece of assonant rhyming.
“Tho’ his richt e’e doth skellie, an his left leg doth limp ill,
He’s won the heart and got the hand o’ Kate Dalrymple”.
It sounds like the perfect match.
There seems little doubt that the melody owes its current popularity as a dance tune to James S. Kerr, the famous Glasgow music publisher who included it under the name Kate Dalrymple in his second collection of ‘Merry Melodies’ somewhere around 1875. Oddly enough, neither Kerr nor J. S. Robertson (Atholl Collection) classifies it as a reel. Both include it in the ‘Country Dance’ sections of their collections, presumably on the grounds that it did not have the melodic characteristics that distinguished the genuine reels of the time.
When all the pieces fall into place, it appears that far from being an 18th century beauty, Kate Dalrymple was an imaginary 19th century being with a face that made the Medusa look like Helen of Troy.
For all that, there seems little doubt that the strains of this famous and familiar air will continue to herald programme after programme of magnificent dance music for many years to come Here’s hoping that it does.
Aviemore Button-Box Gathering
by Heather McLean
This event is now in its 5th year………….
“It Is Not Traditional Music”
by Mark Morpurgo
The Inveraray Fiddle and Accordion Club …….
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
Alternative Frequency – KODA – SHIELCD023 – Shielburn Associates
A Celebration of Traditional Music – Tribute – TRIBCD01 – Independent
DVD Review
A Slockit Light – His Days Remembered – Tom Anderson – Shetland Television
Book Review
Alex J. Lawson’s Waltzes
We’re A’ Connected – Published by Taigh Na Teud Music Publishers – ISBN 1871931835
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
5th Nov 05 – Ron Kerr SDB (Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships)
12th Nov 05 – Neil Barron SDB (G.F.C. Part 2)
19th Nov 05 – Ryan McGlynn SDB
26th Nov 05 – Duncan Black SDB (OB from The Younger Hall, St Andrews. Guests Marie Fielding and Robin Laing)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) – 29th Nov 05 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 9th Nov 05 – Andrew Knight & the West Telferton CB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Nov 05 – Simon Howie SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th Nov 05 - Simon Howie SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 3rd Nov 05 – Morag Robertson Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Nov 05 – Niall Kirkpatrick
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Nov 05 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Nov 05 – David Bowen
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 21st Nov 05 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Belford (Community Centre) – 24th Nov 05 – Rob Thorn
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th Nov 05 – Leo McCann & Friends
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Nov 05 – Burns Brothers
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 8th Nov 05 – Karl Sandeman
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th Nov 05 - tbc
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st Nov 05 – Simon Howie SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th Nov 05 – Ian Anderson
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Nov 05 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd Nov 05 – Colin Dewar Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 9th Nov 05 – Wayne Robertson
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Nov 05 – Michael Philip SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Nov 05 – Archie McVicar Trio
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th Nov 05 – Marian Anderson SDB
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Masonic Lodge, Newtown St) 21st Nov 05 - Scott Leslie Trio
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Nov 05 – Jock Fraser Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Nov 05 – Lismore CB with Malcolm Gillies
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Nov 05 – Orwell CB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Nov 05 – Nicol McLAren SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 3rd Nov 05 – Scott Nichol SDB
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 14th Nov 05 – Alan Helm & Paul Ruane
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) – 17th Nov 05 – David Vernon
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd Nov 05 – Maureen Turnbull
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th Nov 05 – Andrew Knight & the West Telferton CB
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 6th Nov 05 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 20th Nov 05 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th Nov 05 – Donnie & Diane
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd Nov 05 – Iain Angus MacLeod Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 1st Nov 05 – Duncan McCallum Quartet
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 30th Nov 05 – William Marshall Trio
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 2nd Nov 05 – Bon Accords
Ladybank (Railway Tavern) - 17th Nov 05 – Lomond CB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 28th Nov 05 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 9th Nov 05 – John Renton SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd Nov 05 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Nov 05 – Jim Clelland Band
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Nov 05 – Roy Hendrie SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Nov 05 – Graham Lawrie Accordion Orchestra
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Nov 05 - tbc
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 24th Nov 05 – The Occasionals
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 2nd Nov 05 – John Stuart SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Nov 05 – Ian hutson Trio
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Nov 05 – Robin Waitt
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 3rd Nov 05 – David Bowen, Billy Thom & Dennis Morrison
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Club) – 24th Nov 05 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Nov 05 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Phoenix (Argyll Arms hotel, Ardrishaig) 2nd Nov 05 - tbc
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 1st Nov 05 – The Heather Trio
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 05 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 3rd Nov 05 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 13th Nov 05 – All Musicians Welcome
Selkirk (Cricket Club) - 10th Nov 05 – Blair Gardiner SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Bowling Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 26th Nov 05 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 8th Nov 05 – Neil Hardie SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th Nov 05 – Jock Fraser Trio
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 3rd Nov 05 – Ian McDonald Duo / West Highland CB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Nov 05 – 25th Anniversary with Robert Whitehead SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 10th Nov 05 – Andy Kain Trio
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Nov 05 – Roya MacLean
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Banchory
6. Blairgowrie
7. Campsie
8. Castle Douglas
9. Coalburn
10. Crieff
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Duns
15. Fintry
16. Forres
17. Galashiels
18. Galston
19. Glendale
20. Glenrothes
21. Gretna
22. Haddington
23. Highland
24. Inveraray
25. Kintore
26. Lanark
27. Langholm
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Livingston
30. Lockerbie
31. Montrose
32. Newburgh
33. Newmill
34. Newtongrange
35. North East
36. Oban
37. Peebles
38. Premier
39. Phoenix (Ardrishaig)
40. Rothbury
41. Stonehouse
42. Sutherland
43. Thornhill
44. Thurso
45. Turriff
46. Tynedale
47. West Barnes
48. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2004
(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 early 08-09
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. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key 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. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
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. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
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. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
105. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
106. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
107. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
108. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
109. Mull A&F Club
110. Newcastleton Accordion Club
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
115. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
116. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
117. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
118. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
119. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
120. Tranent A&F Club
121. Vancouver
122. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
123. Wellbank A&F Club
124. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
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
We’ve been very disappointed in the lack of orders from Clubs for next year’s Calendar. Not only does the calendar have photographs of well-known players, past and present, it also reminds us when our Clubs meet. In other words it’s a free advertisement for your Club!
We lead this month with the 18th Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival. Nicol McLaren, who took all the photographs, describes it as ‘a distillery set to music’ – and he should know! If you were there you’ll have had a great time!
Box and Fiddle Assistant, Heather McLean, gives us a report about the Button-Box Gathering at Aviemore, which seems to have gone very well, despite its temporary move from its usual venue in Inverness.
Remember, we’re always looking for articles for the B&F. Keep in touch!
Karin Ingram
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 2005
by
Thursday, 6th October ……….
Who was Kate Dalrymple?
by Finlay Forbes
A few years ago, Radio Scotland floated the idea of changing ‘Take the Floor’s’ familiar signature tune of Kate Dalrymple to something that our broadcasting gurus and guardians of public taste considered more appropriate to the spirit of the age. Clearly that well-known but all too often ignored piece of consultant’s wisdom, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, had yet to reach Radio Scotland’s corridors of power. (Or perhaps those who inhabited the corridors subscribed to the normally plausible view that consultant’s wisdom was an oxymoron).
A flood of protests, including threats of a mass listened boycott followed and all thoughts of change were quickly and very publicly abandoned or at least put on hold pending a more opportune moment (such as when the Grim Reaper finally claims the last of the current generation of listeners).
But who was this Kate Dalrymple who over the years has managed to inspire so much loyalty and affection in the hearts of those of us who love Scottish Dance music?
One theory cited in two seemingly separate sources (although it could be the same source in two different places) is that the lady in question was a famous eighteenth century beauty who among other things, was the subject of a portrait by the great English artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
One rather large fly in the theoretical ointment is that no authoritative list of Thomas Gainsborough’s works includes a painting of anyone called ‘Kate Dalrymple’. I have no doubt that the proponents of the theory are not going to allow such a minor detail to stand in the way of a good story especially when the more sordid reality emerges. After all, she could have been a famous eighteenth century beauty whom Gainsborough never quite got around to painting.
In reality, what we have here is a serious case of mistaken identity. Gainborough’s subject was not our beloved Kate Dalrymple the notorious and beautiful royal courtesan Grace Dalrymple (Born Edinburgh 1758?, died Ville d’Avray France 1823). The lady, whose conquests included the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Orleans and Napoleon Bonaparte, led a life sufficiently remarkable for it to have been made the subject of a book or a film but which somehow managed to escape the attentions of the Scottish musicians of the period. Perhaps the lady’s time was taken up with weightier matters than the frivolities of ‘Scotch Dancing’.
To set the record straight, Gainsborough made two paintings of Grace Dalrymple. The first, dating from 1778, is a full-length, life-size rendition of her under her short-lived married name of Mrs Grace Dalrymple Elliot. In this case, the choice of name is slightly odd given that her brief marriage to the Scots physician Sir John Elliot had effectively been terminated by an earlier elopement with Lord Valentia in 1774. (She was a bit of a gal was our Grace!)
This painting, which now hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was commissioned by yet another of her lovers, The First Marquis of Cholmondely. It is a superb piece of work and one that show’s Gainborough’s almost impressionistic handling of paint to excellent effect, particularly in the dress fabric.
Gainsborough’s second depiction of Grace Dalrymple is an oval portrait dated about 1782. Apart from being a fine example of the artiste’s late style, the painting is interesting in that the subject looks considerably older than 24, which would have been her age at the time if her official birth date is accurate.
Fascinating though all this may be, there is no historical evidence to link this fine, if not particularly virtuous lady to the signature tune of ‘Take the Floor’ other than the possibility that she may have danced to it or heard it under a different title.
There is no doubt that the tune existed at the time when Grace Dalrymple’s fame was at its height. It appears in a number of 18th century collections and may even have its origins in a 17th century lute tune.
The most common but by no means the only name for it back then was The New Highland Laddie. Burns perversely called it The Old Highland Laddie when he used it in 1792 for his song Bonnie Laddie, Highland Laddie. (Burns wrote a second version of the same song for the Scots Musical Museum. The tune he used, which he called simply Highland Laddie was neither an earlier incarnation of Kate Dalrymple nor the tune that we now know as Highland Laddie.) There was an epedimic of musical Highland Laddies back then so it is probably just as well that one of them did the decent thing and changed its name.
Somewhere in the first quarter of the 19th century, our tune picked up the alternative title of Jinglin’ Johnnie under which name it was later to resurface in The Atholl Collection of 1884. As far as we know, Jingling Johnnie was not a person but a percussion instrument also known as the Turkish Crescent used in military bands and in some classical 18th century scores such as Mozart’s Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail to add a Turkish flavour to the music.
So here we are, well into the 19th century with a well-established tune that has been called variously The New Highland Laddie, The Old Highland Laddie, The Highland Laddie of indeterminate vintage and Jinglin’ Johnnie but never in all that time Kate Dalrymple. So how did Kate Dalrymple make her highly successful bid for the title?
Enter William Watt, handloom weaver of East Kilbride (b 1792 d 1859). Besides plying his trade as a weaver, Watt was something of a poet who achieved particular fame in his day as author of the broadside ballad Bob o’ the Bent (published complete with an advert for boot polish at the bottom of the page!) His fame was of little advantage. Like so many poets who lacked independent means, William Watt died in poverty.
Watt had two poetry collections published during his lifetime and another titled ‘Poems on Sacred and Other Subjects, and Songs Humorous and Sentimental’ published posthumously in 1860. His output included an ironically humorous song Kate Dalrymple written to fit a tune he knew as Jinglin’ Johnnie.
Unless the ravages of time were particularly unkind, Watt’s description of Kate puts paid to any theory that she may have been a paragon of pulchritude.
“Her face had a smack o’ the gruesome and grim,
That did frae the fash o’ a wooers defend her,
Her lang Roman nose nearly met wi’ her chin,
And brang folk in mind o’ the Auld Witch o’ Endor”.
Readers who know the song will be aware that Kate’s fortunes change when she becomes heiress to a rich friend’s estate and finds herself courted by suitors who previously would have given her a very wide berth.
In the song, Kate falls eventually for Willie Speedyspool the sarkin’ weaver, a man whose comeliness matches her own and whose physical defects have the added advantage of allowing Watt to indulge in a brilliant piece of assonant rhyming.
“Tho’ his richt e’e doth skellie, an his left leg doth limp ill,
He’s won the heart and got the hand o’ Kate Dalrymple”.
It sounds like the perfect match.
There seems little doubt that the melody owes its current popularity as a dance tune to James S. Kerr, the famous Glasgow music publisher who included it under the name Kate Dalrymple in his second collection of ‘Merry Melodies’ somewhere around 1875. Oddly enough, neither Kerr nor J. S. Robertson (Atholl Collection) classifies it as a reel. Both include it in the ‘Country Dance’ sections of their collections, presumably on the grounds that it did not have the melodic characteristics that distinguished the genuine reels of the time.
When all the pieces fall into place, it appears that far from being an 18th century beauty, Kate Dalrymple was an imaginary 19th century being with a face that made the Medusa look like Helen of Troy.
For all that, there seems little doubt that the strains of this famous and familiar air will continue to herald programme after programme of magnificent dance music for many years to come Here’s hoping that it does.
Aviemore Button-Box Gathering
by Heather McLean
This event is now in its 5th year………….
“It Is Not Traditional Music”
by Mark Morpurgo
The Inveraray Fiddle and Accordion Club …….
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
Alternative Frequency – KODA – SHIELCD023 – Shielburn Associates
A Celebration of Traditional Music – Tribute – TRIBCD01 – Independent
DVD Review
A Slockit Light – His Days Remembered – Tom Anderson – Shetland Television
Book Review
Alex J. Lawson’s Waltzes
We’re A’ Connected – Published by Taigh Na Teud Music Publishers – ISBN 1871931835
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
5th Nov 05 – Ron Kerr SDB (Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships)
12th Nov 05 – Neil Barron SDB (G.F.C. Part 2)
19th Nov 05 – Ryan McGlynn SDB
26th Nov 05 – Duncan Black SDB (OB from The Younger Hall, St Andrews. Guests Marie Fielding and Robin Laing)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) – 29th Nov 05 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 9th Nov 05 – Andrew Knight & the West Telferton CB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Nov 05 – Simon Howie SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th Nov 05 - Simon Howie SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 3rd Nov 05 – Morag Robertson Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Nov 05 – Niall Kirkpatrick
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Nov 05 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Nov 05 – David Bowen
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 21st Nov 05 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Belford (Community Centre) – 24th Nov 05 – Rob Thorn
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th Nov 05 – Leo McCann & Friends
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Nov 05 – Burns Brothers
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 8th Nov 05 – Karl Sandeman
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th Nov 05 - tbc
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st Nov 05 – Simon Howie SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th Nov 05 – Ian Anderson
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Nov 05 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd Nov 05 – Colin Dewar Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 9th Nov 05 – Wayne Robertson
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Nov 05 – Michael Philip SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Nov 05 – Archie McVicar Trio
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th Nov 05 – Marian Anderson SDB
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Masonic Lodge, Newtown St) 21st Nov 05 - Scott Leslie Trio
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Nov 05 – Jock Fraser Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Nov 05 – Lismore CB with Malcolm Gillies
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Nov 05 – Orwell CB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Nov 05 – Nicol McLAren SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 3rd Nov 05 – Scott Nichol SDB
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 14th Nov 05 – Alan Helm & Paul Ruane
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) – 17th Nov 05 – David Vernon
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd Nov 05 – Maureen Turnbull
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th Nov 05 – Andrew Knight & the West Telferton CB
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 6th Nov 05 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 20th Nov 05 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th Nov 05 – Donnie & Diane
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd Nov 05 – Iain Angus MacLeod Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 1st Nov 05 – Duncan McCallum Quartet
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 30th Nov 05 – William Marshall Trio
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 2nd Nov 05 – Bon Accords
Ladybank (Railway Tavern) - 17th Nov 05 – Lomond CB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 28th Nov 05 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 9th Nov 05 – John Renton SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd Nov 05 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Nov 05 – Jim Clelland Band
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Nov 05 – Roy Hendrie SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Nov 05 – Graham Lawrie Accordion Orchestra
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Nov 05 - tbc
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 24th Nov 05 – The Occasionals
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 2nd Nov 05 – John Stuart SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Nov 05 – Ian hutson Trio
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Nov 05 – Robin Waitt
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 3rd Nov 05 – David Bowen, Billy Thom & Dennis Morrison
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Club) – 24th Nov 05 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Nov 05 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Phoenix (Argyll Arms hotel, Ardrishaig) 2nd Nov 05 - tbc
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 1st Nov 05 – The Heather Trio
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 05 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 3rd Nov 05 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 13th Nov 05 – All Musicians Welcome
Selkirk (Cricket Club) - 10th Nov 05 – Blair Gardiner SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Bowling Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 26th Nov 05 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 8th Nov 05 – Neil Hardie SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th Nov 05 – Jock Fraser Trio
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 3rd Nov 05 – Ian McDonald Duo / West Highland CB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Nov 05 – 25th Anniversary with Robert Whitehead SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 10th Nov 05 – Andy Kain Trio
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Nov 05 – Roya MacLean
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Banchory
6. Blairgowrie
7. Campsie
8. Castle Douglas
9. Coalburn
10. Crieff
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Duns
15. Fintry
16. Forres
17. Galashiels
18. Galston
19. Glendale
20. Glenrothes
21. Gretna
22. Haddington
23. Highland
24. Inveraray
25. Kintore
26. Lanark
27. Langholm
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Livingston
30. Lockerbie
31. Montrose
32. Newburgh
33. Newmill
34. Newtongrange
35. North East
36. Oban
37. Peebles
38. Premier
39. Phoenix (Ardrishaig)
40. Rothbury
41. Stonehouse
42. Sutherland
43. Thornhill
44. Thurso
45. Turriff
46. Tynedale
47. West Barnes
48. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2004
(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 early 08-09
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. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key 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. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
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. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
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. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
105. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
106. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
107. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
108. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
109. Mull A&F Club
110. Newcastleton Accordion Club
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
115. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
116. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
117. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
118. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
119. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
120. Tranent A&F Club
121. Vancouver
122. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
123. Wellbank A&F Club
124. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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