Box & Fiddle - February 2018

Fiddle

41st Year No. 06 Feb 2018

£3.00

BOX& The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

e l dd i F s t o c S tival Fes 2017 the

The 44th NAAFC Championships GRAHAM BERRY IS CENTRE STAGE We remember Tommy Ford and Agnes Crowe

PLUS

NEWS, REVIEWS, CLUB & DANCE DIARIES AND MUCH MORE...

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

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...to the February issue of Box & Fiddle The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

Editor • Pia Walker 7 Tarvit Gardens Cupar, Fife, KY15 5BT Tel: 01334 657 850 Mob: 07715 115 489 editor@boxandfiddle.com Designer • Marie Martin mamidesigns@hotmail.com Section icons by: FlatIcon

Cover Image The Scots Fiddle Festival Photo: Marie Martin Printer • Caledonian Colour Printers South Parks Industrial Estate Peebles, EH45 9ED

NAAFC Chairman • Nicol McLaren 9 Sheila Road, Blairgowrie Perthshire, PH10 6RP Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman • Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary • Lorna Mair 7 Lathro Lane, Kinross KY13 8RX lorna@boxandfiddle.com Treasurer • Willie Johnstone treasurer@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: David Cunningham Charlie Kirkpatrick Susan MacFadyen Tom Orr Richard Ross

Well now that the festive season is well and truly over, we have gotten through January with the start of the haggis season and have submitted our tax returns, we can now concentrate on the rest of the year! But first, thank you for all the kind Christmas and New Year messages to the team: they are much appreciated and valued.

Pia Walker, Editor January saw some kent names on the New Year’s Honours List. You can read who they are in the magazine. Over Christmas, I was a bit worried that I couldn’t fill any pages, so thank you also to all who have sent in articles, letters etc to the magazine. Please keep doing so: it is your magazine. Thank you to a new reader Mr Fleck who sent in a little story almost by return post.

In this issue, you can also read a little about our visit to Fiddlefest in November. This issue also says goodbye to two well-known figures in our world, Agnes Crowe and Tommy Ford and just before going to press, we also heard that Walter Rutherford had passed away. Our thoughts go to their families.

December saw me exceedingly busy with resubscriptions, and they are still coming in, so thank you to all the readers for staying loyal to your magazine. Spread the word.

January saw me out and about. I would like to visit as many clubs and meet as many people as possible while editor. I teach dance during most of the season, so unfortunately have only few opportunities to do so, but I drove to Forres to take part in their 40th anniversary celebrations. A long drive, but worth it. I’m just glad that the weather wasn’t too bad. 40 years! It does sound a lot. But am I the only one who thinks that 1978 is not that long ago? In this issue the 80s have been mentioned as ‘way back when!’ Not at all, so here’s to the next 40 years.

I have heard dancers say that they can’t go to clubs because they dance on that particular night, which is a pity as they are your obvious target audience. Is it time to look at the pros and cons of only having meetings during wintertime? Are the dark nights keeping your audience away?

Stay warm

Keep up with the latest news at

www.boxandfiddle.com Box & Fiddle (NAAFC)

Pia

The editorial team reserves the right to refuse or edit all copy. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. Use of material and advertising from this publication is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the editor.

While every care has been taken in compiling Box & Fiddle to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press, Box & Fiddle assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

Contents

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News

B&F • CONTENTS

18

Letters Festivals The 44th Annual National Accordion and Fiddle Club Championships; The Scots Fiddle Festival 2017

16

Centre Stage

18

Club News

35

Club Diary

Graham Berry

The latest news from our clubs

You are never too old to go clubbing!

40

Dance Diary Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs

42

Take the Floor

43

Reviews

43

Andrew Gibb

First Class Delivery; Note Again; Nae Sweets for Shy Bairns; The High Road O’er The Border

46

In Memory

48

Music

Tommy Ford and Agnes Crowe

Waltz for Mia

Deadlines:

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All articles, adverts, club reports and text for the magazine must be e-mailed to the editor by the 5th of every month at the latest. Copy received after this date cannot be guaranteed to feature in the next issue.

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

NEWS

News

Send in your story. If you have a photo that tells a story, send it in with an explanation.

New Year’s Honours List

John Millar Caskie of Locharbriggs (above): MBE for services to the community in Dumfries.

Aonghas William Grant of Caol, BEM for services to fiddling and music tuition in the Highlands.

Bill Brown At the end of 2017, Charlie Todd e-mailed me to remind me that it was 10 years since Bill Brown took over from Judith Linton as our CD-reviewer.

At that time your editor Karin Ingram wrote: “​As 2008 approaches the B&F magazine is delighted to announce that Bill Brown is to take over the ‘See Hear!’ feature from Judith Linton, who has decided to stand down after six years.” At that time he was employed by Channel 5 Head of Broadcast Operations.

Bill, was born and educated in Falkirk. As a 10-year old, he was taken to an Alexander Brothers show in Falkirk Town Hall and this started his interest in accordion music and his passion for Scottish dance band music. He was also taught to play by Bobby Moore of Kirkcaldy, but doesn’t quite feel up to competing. He would

Many congratulations to:

William John ‘the prof’ Matheson of Nairn (above), BEM for services to music, culture and charity in the Highlands.

like to meet up with other accordionists in the London area to get to play more Scottish music.

He is currently Head of Media Standards at ITV in London and his broadcasting career started in 1980 when he became part of the operational team that launched Radio Tay in Dundee. Two years later, he joined Radio Forth in Edinburgh as a Technical Operator before moving south to train as a television Sound Engineer. He then went on to spend highly successful periods working at TV-AM, ITN and Central Independent Television in Birmingham. He is therefore a man who not only knows our music, but is also seen as an expert within the industry.

Despite his busy schedule, he still takes the time to listen to all the CDs he receives and faithfully delivers his personal views on these every month without fear or favour.

So thank you Bill for the 10 years you have spent listening and reviewing and I hope that you will continue for many a year to tell us what you think about our music.

Pia Walker

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

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Scots Fiddle Festival 2017 Amy Geddes

Talk on Calling for Ceilidhs

T

he Box & Fiddle team again pitched up at Summerhall in Edinburgh ready to tackle the world of fiddling. It is a great opportunity to tell fiddlers about the wonderful club world and about the magazine, and to meet up with advertisers and many others young and old.

The Scots Fiddle Festival was launched in 1996 with the aim to promote and sustain traditional fiddle music. The all-volunteer committee do so by arranging concerts, sessions, recitals, stalls, festival clubs and talks throughout the weekend at The Queen’s Hall and Summerhall in Edinburgh. Visitors came from far and near and with 50 events, the weekend was busy. As we had a stand in the café where the informal sessions were held, we didn’t get the chance to see much, but had non-stop music every day! At times it felt as if 20 tunes were on loop ☺ and I could hear fiddle music for hours after leaving. The only time I heard the group fall silent was when Heather Anderson struck up a strathspey!

The Artistic Director for this the 21st anniversary was Rosie Munro, who took over from Eilidh Steel. There were two concerts in Queens Hall. The Friday featured Charlie Stewart, the 2017 BBC Radio Scotland Young

Traditional Musician of the Year on fiddle, followed by Highland fiddler Graham Mackenzie and his nine-piece band. Saturday night’s concert saw Patsy Reid and the Jeremy Kittel Trio from the USA. The concert was opened by the Scots Fiddle Festival Outreach Project, which features young fiddle stars of tomorrow. The Sunday night concert in Summerhall featured music from Jenna Moynihan & Màiri Chaimbeul and the group Dallahan.

There were workshops for all levels from many top artists as well as recitals, talks, ‘come and try’ sessions, a slow session and of course trade stands.

I hope some of the many we spoke to will attempt to visit a club one of these days. l Pia Walker

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Club News Just remember to seek permission to publish the photos and tell us the name of the photographers.

To ensure a more readable section, please only send in max 250-300 words. A photo tells a better story, so add one or two of those too. Why not of your audience? Information in Club News helps attract visitors to your club, so make sure your club sounds like the place we want to go to.

John Stuart and his band, Arbroath

ANNAN ST ANDREWS The December meeting took place on Sunday 17th in Newington Social Club. The evening started with a delicious Christmas meal, which everyone enjoyed.

As this was the Christmas dance, there were no local players, and John Waugh provided the music. He was accompanied by John Douglas on accordion and Bill Porter on drums. They started with a Lomond Waltz and soon had the dancers on the floor.

Other dances were a Square Tango, Mayfair Quickstep, Eva Three Step and an Alpine Stroll to the tunes of Walking in a Winter Wonderland and Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

After a break for the raffle,

the dancers were back on the floor for a Southern Rose Waltz, Jazz Twinkle. The St Bernard’s Waltz was a spot dance. The dancing finished with a Quickstep to the tune of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Compere Jack Murdoch thanked the band, caterers and all who contributed to the raffle. He wished everyone the compliments of the season and a safe journey home.

ARBROATH Our Vice Chairman Avril Abbott wished a happy new year to a smaller audience than usual, probably owing to the time of year and the extremely cold weather. A warm welcome was also extended to our guests

the John Stuart Scottish Dance Band.

Avril soon had the local players on the floor. On accordion were Tony Simpson, Barbara Archibald, Albert Cull, Alan Petrie, Rhoda Legge, Eric Davidson and Dave Fairbairn.

Fiddle payers were Liz Arthur, Gordon Legge and Tom Truesdale and accompanying on keyboard were Bill Ford and Tony with Ian Ramsay playing guitar. Some very nice sets were produced from the various groups with thanks and appreciation from the club.

The five-piece guest band was led by John Stuart on accordion; Nicola Auchnie was on fiddle, on keyboard was Aileen Jamieson and on second accordion, Robert Ross with Brian Watt on drums. The band gave us a really good selection of music all extremely well played with Nicola giving us some lovely solo sets. A super evening of music came to a late closure after the usual vote of thanks by Avril who wished all a safe journey home.

Gemma Donald and Alan Small will be our invited guests next month.

EA BIGGAR We rounded off the year with a

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&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM B&F • BWWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Dance Diary

Contact: ceilidh@dancediary.info Tel: 01389 767718 or send your entry to: Alasdair Graham, 1 First Avenue, Dumbarton G82 2PU

Ceilidh & Old Time Dances

Regular Weekly Events

DATE

TOWN

HALL

BAND

TIME

COST

CONTACT

COMMENTS

Monday

Kirkwall

St Magnus Centre

Live Music

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£4/£2

Door - All Welcome 01856 873 534

Orkney Dance Assoc.

Wednesday

Coupar Angus

St Anne’s Church Hall, Forfar Road

-

7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

£2.50

Tracy Thom 01828 628 747

Ceilidh Class

Wednesday

Glasgow

St Andrews in Square

Live Music

7.15 pm - 9.30 pm

£5.50 Bar

Door (Tricia Matthews) 01324 716 855

Ceilidh & Old Time Class

Wednesday

Garelochhead

Parish Church

-

2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

£2 (tea)

01436 671 089

Social Club

Wednesday

Stornoway

Primary School

-

7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

Janette Maciver 01851 704 870

Ceilidh & Old Term time only

Wednesday

Midlem

Village Hall

Live Music

8.00 pm - 10.00 pm

£2 (tea)

Grace Belle Scott 01835 870 244

Old Time

Thursday

Dumfries

Kirkton Village Hall

Live Music

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£3

John Caskie 07711 573 071

Old Tyme Dance Class with Tuition

Most Sundays

East Kilbride

Girl Guide Hall, Dundas Place

-

2.30-4.30pm 7.30-10pm

£2 (tea)

Door or tel 01355 230 134 or 245 052

Ceilidh & Old Time Club 01294 212 267

Ceilidh & Old Time Dances

February 2018

DATE

TOWN

HALL

BAND

TIME

COST

CONTACT

COMMENTS

3

Largoward

Village Hall

Dave Husband

8.00 pm - 11.00 pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

3

Tranent

Rannoch House

James Coutts

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£5 Bar

01875 615 138

Pay at Door

3

Partick

Burgh Hall

Clappy Doo

8.00 pm -?

T £12

0141 353 8000

Celtic Festival Ceilidh with RSCDS

3

Inverness

Kirkhill C. Hall

Colin Donaldson

8.00 pm - 12.00 mn

£5 Tea

01463 870 508

Social Dancers B.Y.O.B.& Food

9

Bridge of Earn

The Institute

Leonard Brown

7.30 pm - 10.30 pm

£5 [No Bar]

07952 026 633

Pay at Door

9

Irvine

Volunteer Rooms

Marian Anderson

7.30 pm - 11.00 pm

£7 BYOB

01292 440 073

Ayrshire Ceilidh KA12 0BA

9

Aberdeen

Ashdale Hall

Garioch Blend

8.00 pm - 12.00 mn

Advance T

01569 731 465

Valentine Dance £7.50

9

Lockerbie

Town Hall

Ian Anderson

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£7 Adv T.

01576 202 665

A.& F. Club Dance BYOB

9

Foulden

Village Hall

Dod Hutchison

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£6 No Bar

01289 386 400

Tea/Coffee available

10

Elderslie

Village Hall

John Carmichael

7.30 pm - 11.00 pm

£5/£4

01505 328 362

Also Singer & Piper PA5 9AS

10

Largoward

Village Hall

Gavin Piper

8.00 pm - 11.00 pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

10

Canonbie

Village Hall

Scott Band

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£6 B.Y.O.B.

07704 727 463

(own food) DG14 0UX

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Take The Floor

ANDREW GIBB

T

he Andrew Gibb Scottish Dance Band is set to make their second appearance on Take the Floor in February. The band is a blend of youth and experience, consisting of Andrew on lead accordion, Jamie Young on second accordion, Tom Gold on fiddle, Jim Gold on piano, Gordon Smith on drums and Brian Cruikshank on bass guitar.

Andrew, Jamie, Jim and Tom first played together as part of KODA, under the direction of Keith Dickson, while the band in its current format was formed some 10 years ago. Since then, they have played at Box and Fiddle clubs across the country as well as private functions such as weddings and

parties. Their event of choice would be playing for a lively ceilidh audience.

The band enjoy socialising together and are regular visitors to the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival both as artists and attendees. In their spare time, the band members enjoy outdoor activities such as the pursuing of ever-higher pheasants and the infamous pink-footed goose!

The programme features mainly ceilidh dances and comprises a healthy mix of tunes new and old, with something to suit every listener. If you like what you hear, the band is taking bookings, festivals and ceilidhs of any nature. l

03/02/18 – Celtic Connections recorded at the CCA- Alasdair MacCuish and the Black Rose Ceilidh Band and The Robert Robertson Dance Band 10/02/18 – Andrew Gibb Scottish Dance Band 17/02/18 – Colin Donaldson Scottish Dance Band 24/02/18 – Alasdair MacLeod Scottish Dance Band

B&F • FEBRUARY 2018

Reviews

If you wish your CDs, DVDs or books to be reviewed, please send them to: Bill Brown, 3 Galahad Close, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 9DT

First Class Delivery Ewan Galloway & His Scottish Dance Band EGCD003

Ewan Galloway and his Scottish dance band kick off 2018 with a new album aptly entitled First Class Delivery. This is the band’s fifth recording featuring Ewan Galloway on lead accordion, Derek Hamilton on second box and vocals, Andrew Knight on fiddle, Bill Ewan on keyboard and Kyle Innes on drums. A more stellar line up of talented and experienced musicians you could not hope to find. The standard of musicianship is of an exemplary standard as you would expect, but as I often say that is no longer good enough if a recording is to have broad appeal. I felt some of the arrangements in the earlier part of the recording could have been a little more adventurous.

That, however, is just my opinion and you will have to judge for yourself.

To be fair and to add some balance, there were some outstanding tracks that are worthy of special mention. One of these is Bill Ewan’s excellent piano solo featuring George Botsford’s Black and White Rag. To see Bill’s superb piano skills being showcased here was a definite highlight. Also worthy of mention was the Gaelic Waltz

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”

There is a wide variety of music styles guaranteed to please

”

set to the tunes South Georgia Whaling Song, Welcome to the Waternish, Eilidh, Sound of Mull and Leaving Barra. It was also great to hear Bill’s piano playing on this track coming through strongly in the sound mix.

Talking of which I thought the album was superbly recorded and the sound mix was spot on with great balance between all the instruments, so very well done to Ewan and Derek for that.

Writing in the CD liner notes, Ian Lees states that “there is a wide variety of music styles guaranteed to please” and that is certainly very true as there is indeed something here for every taste. I would also add I enjoyed

the second half of the album much better than the first.

The Gay Gordon set which included such evergreen tunes as the West Highland Way, Uist Tramping Song, Lights of Lochindal and the Royal Mile was also superb. Also great to see Andrew Knight’s wonderful fiddle playing featuring as a solo set on track fifteen. Special mention should also be made of the CD artwork which has been designed and produced to a very high standard including excellent colour photographs of Ewan and the band.

I would like to conclude by stressing that this is not a bad CD by any stretch of the imagination as the standard of playing is the best you will find anywhere with plenty of lilt and lift and with a really strict and disciplined tempo which many of today’s modern dance bands would do well to learn from. I’m a great admirer of Ewan and on reflection I just felt the first half of the album could have been a little more adventurous but do check out the great accordion harmonies on the final track. I wish there had been many more of these throughout the album.

Nonetheless, a highly enjoyable listen and a master craft in how to play Scottish dance music from some of Scotland’s finest musicians.

Further information available at www.ewangalloway.co.uk.

☛

Sheet Music WALTZ for FOR MIA Waltz Mia

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