As we press on with our website spruce up make sure you visit www.footstompin.com to hear a brilliant welcome audio clip from the great Calum Kennedy. Just press the big play icon and he'll sing to you! In the meantime, we bring you more news, reviews, great CDs and books from the the home of Scottish bagpipes, fiddles, song and much, much more.
1. Spotlight of the week: The Island Tapes
2. Brand New CD releases: includes Lau Live; The Vatersay Boys
3. Books we think you might like!..includes The Sleekit Mr Tod
4. Snippets
5. CD Reviews: includes Lau Live and Lauren MacColl
6. Foot Stompin' Radio Programme and Podcast
7. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: includes Where are ye from?
8. Events
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New arrivals at Foot Stompin' Celtic Music (10% discount on all sales after first purchase.)
1. ‘Spotlight’ OF THE WEEK: The Island Tapes
“The Island Tapes” is a CD & DVD featuring original live music to silent films recording life on St Kilda, Harris, Skye, Orkney and Shetland in the 1920s and 30s, plus a sixth film exploring Scottish emigration to North America. Alongside Scottish guitarist David Allison is Scotland’s foremost classical guitarist Allan Neave, the Berlin-based fingerstyle maestro Ian Melrose and the superb Gaelic singer Alyth McCormack.
Using silent black and white films from the Scottish Screen Archive as a backdrop to a live film music score, "The Island Tapes" is a fusion of Celtic Guitar playing and Gaelic song. The Island Tapes features the full soundtrack as an audio CD and all six "Island Tapes" films with soundtrack on the DVD, plus extra features including interviews, live concert footage and tour blog. 'The Island Tapes' was premiered at Celtic Connections Festival in January 2006
Since then "The Island Tapes" has toured Germany, played at film festivals in Estonia and Inverness, as well as performances in the United States, France and across the UK. "The Island Tapes" with recorded soundtrack has played as a feature in cinemas including the Glasgow Film Theatre and the project is now available as a combined CD-DVD release.
The films are: Crofting In Skye, 1939; Holidaying In Harris 1938; Handba' At Kirkwall, Orkney,1939; St. Kilda - Britain's Loneliest Isle 1923/1928; Da Makkin O' A Keshie 1932; A New Way To A New World Date: 1936.
£18.00 (£19.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_island_tapes
2.Brand New CD Releases
RATTLIN’ GOOD!!The Sound of Vatersay – The Vatersay Boys: The Vatersay boys bring a 'feel good' factor to all their music. There's a raw energy to the playing and, listening to them on CD it's not hard to imagine hordes of dancers having a whale of a time at their much-sought-after ceilidhs whether it's the local village hall or the cavernous Barrowlands in Glasgow. To get a wee taste of them, tune into this week’s Foot Stompin’ radio programme – they are the first track you will hear! £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_sound_of_vatersay
LIVE FORCE!!Lau Live – Lau: This band is a formidable union of three of the finest and most innovative exponents of modern traditional music in Scotland today; Kris Drever (guitar and vocal), Martin Green (piano accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle). They took "Best Group" at the BBC Folk Awards and their amazing musicianship is recognised in a string of other award nominations. They are known for their high-powered, energetic live shows and this CD was recorded at a concert in Edinburgh's Bongo Club in December 2007. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/lau_live
A GAELIC CLASSIC: 'An Leabhar Mòr – Na h-Òrain/The Songs’. A CD of classic Irish and Scottish Gaelic songs. The songs all come from the hugely successful Leabhar Mòr, or Great Book of Gaelic, and are sung by some of the greatest tradition bearers and singers in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland. The Scottish singers include Flora MacNeill, Ishbel MacAskill, Christine Primrose, Anne Lorne Gillies, Margaret Stewart, Rachel Walker, Mary Smith, Finlay MacNeill, Arthur Cormack and Donnie Murdo Macleod. This latest evolution of the Leabhar Mòr project vividly brings to life, in another medium, the deep cultural and linguistic links between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland. £11.70 (£12.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/an_leabhar_m%C3%B2r_%E2%80%93_na_h%C3%B2rainthe_songs
GOIN’ COURTIN’!! - Wooed and Married and Aa (Scottish Tradition Series): Volume 23 in this classic series of recordings from the archives of The School of Scottish Studies draws together a selection of songs, tunes and customs from across Scotland, connected with marriage. Items from both the Scots and Gaelic are included, as are items from different occupational groups including fishers, farmers and factory workers. There are excellent sleevenotes for this fascinating 41 track CD. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/scottish_tradition_23__wooed_and_married_and_aa
THREE CHEERS!! Aye? – Skelpaig: The debut Cd from Skelpaig, an energetic trio of musicians from across the Highland and Islands. Their music is full of variety ranging from beautiful slow airs to driving jigs and reels. CD. £11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/skelpaig__aye
A REAL TROUPER!! Just The Three of Us - Bill Black: It’s a nightmare situation when a musician has an accident to his hands. Bill Black lost a finger last year but you can’t keep a good man down and Bill, a stalwart of the Scottish dance music scene, is back with another fine Cd. Based in Perth in Central Scotland, button box accordionist Bill has been playing Scottish dance music for more than fifty years. On this CD he is again joined by pianist Mabel Gray. The fiddler for this occasion is Judi Nicolson.£11.25 (£12.50 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/bill_black__just_the_three_of_us
3. Books we think you might like!
The Sleekit Mr Tod
“Doon in the glen there wis three ferms. The men that had these ferms were aboot as scunnersome and grippy as ony men ye could meet. They were cried Fermer Boggin, Fermer Boonce and Fermer Beek.”
Following on from the success of The Eejits and Geordie's Mingin Medicine, Itchy Coo 's third Roald Dahl story in Scots sees Fantastic Mr Fox transformed into The Sleekit Mr Tod. He'll need all his wily wits to escape the fermers' wrath and find a new way to feed his faimlie. But is he sleekit enough to succeed? You can get this at the bargain price of £4.50 (£4.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/books/the_sleekit_mr_tod
The Complete Patter
Anyone who wants a quick and painless introduction to the essential Glasgow should read Michael Munro’s excellent dictionary of Glasgow speech, The Complete Patter. It is the most extensive collection of this rich and expressive language ever made. Often hilarious, sometimes coarse (but never dull), the patter is the key to understanding Glasgow and its inhabitants. £5.40 (£5.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/books/the_complete_patter
Check out the Cd ‘The Patter, The Album’ A fine selection of songs, poems and wit of Glasgow featuring Will Fyffe; Terry Neason; Arthur Johnstone; Ben Gunn; Maureen Carr; Paul Young; Tony Roper; Ronnie Christie; Ann Downie; Annette Staines; Phil McColl; Robert Trotter; Alastair McDonald and Alison & Kirsty McMorland. £9.00 (£9.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_patter_the_album
The Book of the Bagpipe
For generations, its sharp and unmistakable sound has struck fear into Scotland’s enemies, emboldened its troops in battle and helped define its national identity. In a short, readable and highly informative text, Hugh Cheape presents the story of the pipes from their origins in ancient times right up to the present day. The illustrations, many of them not published before, are from his own collection. Hugh Cheape is a leading authority on the history and practice of piping and gives frequent talks and lectures on the subject. £6.30 (£6.99 for first time customers)
http://www.footstompin.com/products/books/the_book_of_the_bagpipe
4. Snippets
The Kilt Walk
A sponsored walk with a difference for all the family where you can proudly wear your kilt, along with hundreds of other kilted walkers, on a 5km route around some of Scotland’s most famous sights. The Rock Trust is a charity which helps homeless and vulnerable young people.(23rdAugust )
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=187376&postid=100485&action=post
The Brand New Skipinnish Ceilidh House!
All the best to Skipinnish (Records) who are taking over the top of what was McTavish's Kitchen in Oban to run as a music and events venue. Grand opening 23rd May with with Skerryvore, Gunna Sound and more.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=187283
Edinburgh Folk Club Songwriting Competition
Get your entries in for this popular competition. Closing date for entries is 4th June. The competition is on 11th June at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar. Notable previous winners have included Karine Polwart, Robin Laing, Nancy Nicolson, Jim Malcolm and many more.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=163031
Crisol de Cuerda Traditional Fiddle Camp – Spain
A new traditional “fiddle camp” to be held in the Pyrenees of northern Spain and directed by Scottish Fiddler Alasdair Fraser. Dates 13th – 19th July 2008
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=187284
New Venue for Living Tradition Summer Schools
The July & August summer schools are being held for the first time in 2008 in the superb setting of Baron’s Craig, Rockcliffe, on the Solway Coast. Accommodation and meals are available for participants, and they also offer camping, caravanning and motorhome options. Info on classes etc: http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=187556 :
5. Reviews
CD: When Leaves Fall – Lauren MacColl. Customer Review 4 stars
An exceptional piece of work for somebody so new and young! If this album is anything to go by, I can't wait to see what the future holds for her and her music….Maeve Lochy
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/when_leaves_fall
CD: Lau Live – Lau. Reviewed for the Guardian by Robin Denselow.
.. It was no surprise that they won best group at this year's Radio 2 Folk awards, but they should have won best live act as well, as this set proves. The Scottish-English trio are unique in the folk scene for their self-written jigs, reels and complex instrumental work, and for the way they can repeatedly switch mood and direction within a song. The interplay between Martin Green on accordion, Aidan O'Rourke on fiddle and Kris Drever on guitar and lyrics seems almost intuitive. Recorded in Edinburgh, this is an exhilarating and subtle set that shows why Lau are so special.
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/lau_live
CD: The Clunes Collection of Donald Riddell - Duncan Chisholm / Iain MacFarlane / Bruce MacGregor Customer Review 4 stars
Mr Riddell would be proud of this. A beautiful demonstration of his efforts by his students…JCM
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/the_clunes_collection_of_donald_riddell
CD: A Celebration Of The Music Of Gordon Duncan Reviewed Scotland on Sunday by Norman Chalmers
Pitlochry's Gordon Duncan died while still in his 40s, but his unique creativity continues to inspire pipers and musicians worldwide. Recorded live last year at the packed memorial concert in Perth, Dougie Maclean provides a song co-composed by himself and Gordon. Young master uilleann piper Jarlath Henderson plays beautifully and there are great contributions by the National Youth Pipe Band, pipers Allan MacDonald, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, fiddler Duncan Chisholm and many others.
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/a_celebration_of_the_music_of_gordon_duncan__a_national_treasure
CD: Too Long Away – Emily Smith: Customer Review 4 stars
This is a Lovely fourth outing for Emily. Her voice seems to have matured in the last couple of years giving the album something extra…Jack
http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/too_long_away
6. Foot Stompin' Radio Programme and Podcast
Our May radio programme features exciting folk music tracks from Scotland including The Vatersay Boys, Andy M Stewart, Lau, Scottish Traditions and A Celebration of Gordon Duncan (see playlist below)
http://www.footstompin.com/radio
or subscribe to our podcast http://www.ayepod.net/podcasts/ayepod_radio.xml
7. Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum:
Our Discussion forum is a lively place! Here are some of the topics under discussion at the moment on our Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Forum. Feel free to join in! http://www.footstompin.com/forum?forumid=3
Use of traditonal tunes by song writers.
At the Edinburgh Folk Club Songwriting Competition a couple of years back, one of the judges congratulated the entrants on the general high standard of lyrics but commented that the melodies were often inclined to be the weak factor….
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=20640
'Where are you from?
Him: ‘Ah’m frae Maryhill, she’s frae Drumchapel.’
Her: Eh, Lower Bearsden, if ye don’t mind.’
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=187432
8. Events
24th May – 1st June: The Islay Festival of Malt and Music. Founded by the local people of Islay in 1986 to celebrate the heritage and culture of Isle of Islay. From a musical perspective, there are ceilidhs, dances, local musicians and a chance to learn some Islay Gaelic choruses so you can sing along!
http://www.footstompin.com/public/article/festivals/june/obj150666
29th May: The Wailin Jennys at The Star Folk Club, St Andrews in the Square Glasgow Tel 0141 204 5151
http://www.starfolkclub.com/star_gig_guide.htm
29th May: The popular band “Pure Malt” will be at Kincardine Folk Club. The club meets at Fat Boab's Lounge 12 Elphinstone St, Kincardine 8pm every 2nd Tuesday. Tel 07960847576.
30th May – 1st June: The Border Gaitherin' is a weekend of traditional music teaching workshops held in the beautiful and historic borders town of Coldstream. The focus is on providing a range of traditional instrumental and song workshops featuring internationally renowned artists as both tutors and performers.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/article/festivals/may/obj150433
31st May: There is to be a day of workshops in traditional Scottish music in the beautiful setting of Banff Castle - fiddle, whistle, singing and guitar accompaniment, all from highly respected tutors. More info;
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?forumid=3&threadid=0&postid=0&action=post
20th – 22nd June : Mugdock Music Festival, Milngavie, Glasgow. The festival will be a musical extravaganza of cultural diversity, uniting and celebrating ethnicity through the medium of music and dance, as well as workshops and free performances. Guest include Michael Marra, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
http://www.footstompin.com/public/article/festivals/june/obj150672
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