Reviews Does your branch have a new book which you would like reviewed? If you teach a class and are interested in reviewing books of dances from a teaching point of view, please be in touch via mag.editor@rscds.org book has had great use in Dublin in recent months, and, all in all, it ‘does what it says on the tin’ and is a useful addition to most teachers’ repertoire. Helen McGinley, Dublin, International Branch
young people in Wigtownshire. Three fine recordings by a trio of today’s best known bands accompany the book. Bill’s love for Scotland, his home area of Galloway and his friends and fellow dancers is apparent in this book of dances. I am sure Bill’s only wish is that we enjoy and dance them well. William Williamson, Dumfries Branch
The Carlingwark Collection CDs CD1: James Coutts CD2: Scott Band CD3: Ian Muir
Book 51 The call for submissions for Book 51 requested dances suitable for young and less experienced dancers. The five jigs, four reels and three strathspeys, come from Europe (including England), New Zealand, and the US, one devised by a teenager and several associated with children’s classes. Two are for two couples in a longwise set; two are for four couples; one is for a square set; the others are for three couples in a four-couple set. None of the dances is complicated, nor contains more than two major formations, so they are suitable for less experienced dancers. They may not be particularly exciting for advanced dancers but that was not the aim of this book – after all, it follows on from a book of dances devised for experienced, fit, dancers – and they would provide suitable contrast to more complicated dances on event programmes.
New Year Jig was devised to teach reels of three and Hello-Goodbye introduces set to corners and partner. Bohemian Reflections contains a ladies’ chain; in Fair Enough there is a two-couple allemande; Holyrood Strathspey has corners pass and turn and reels of three; The Somerset Children’s Reel has a double figure of eight; and rights and lefts feature in both Come What May and Pluto’s Head. Both The Edinburgh Toy Shop and Save the Children require the first couple to know who their corners are. And for the Young Ones and Summer on the Beach are probably more suited to children than adults – in the former, all four couples dance constantly, but if taken gently it works as a good warm-up mixer in a large circle; in the latter, 1st and 4th couples have 4 bars’ rest, 2nd and 3rd couples dance for all 32 bars. However, I like the ‘story’ attached to the latter, and particularly the ‘meanwhile’ representing children jumping over the waves. An unexpected influx of beginners means this
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The Carlingwark Book of Scottish Country Dances By Bill Little Bill Little or ‘Willie’ as he is known to his friends and neighbours in Galloway, is a much loved and respected dance teacher both locally and internationally. Bill was for many years a teacher at Summer School along with his wife, Hope, who taught Ladies’ Step. The Carlingwark Book brings together a lifetime of work by Bill and has been long awaited. It is thanks to Bill’s close friends that this book has been published for all to enjoy. The dances carry the names of places in Galloway such as Threave Strathspey, Port William Lass and of course Bonnie Gallowa’. Other dances are named after friends from the local area or the wider dancing world. Many of the dances in the book are for four couples displaying Bill’s passion for sociability and teamwork. There are fourteen strathspeys, ten jigs and six reels. All of the dances have original tunes by well known musicians such as George Meikle, Ian Holmes, Gordon Shand and Ian Kirkpatrick as well as some traditional tunes. Bill’s work overseas also features in the book. In particular, Light of Hope was devised after his visit to Japan. The tune of the same name was composed by Tatsuya Yamauchi after seeing the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The way Bill has devised his dances reflects his often stated maxim that, ‘Any movement in Scottish country dancing should be done elegantly’. All of the dances are accessible, irrespective of a dancer’s experience. Bill’s passion for dancing has been passed on to many ‘Galloway Lads and Lassies’ over the years. This is reflected in the number of dances linked to the very successful Days of Dance held for
These three recordings to accompany Bill Little’s Carlingwark Collection will prove a wonderful addition for any teacher or collector of country dance music. The recordings are intermixed with additional marches and waltzes, which will most certainly be used for warm-ups and cool-downs. For my personal taste, I would have preferred fewer strathspey airs throughout all three CDs. In Volume 1 James Coutts and his band provide the solid sound that one has come to expect from him. Everything feels wonderfully compact but never rigid. While the jigs may be on the slightly brisk side for some, there is a copious amount of swing, which gives them a delightful jovial quality. The reels are slightly more sedate but certainly not lacking in energy. 75th Anniversary Reel is a definite highlight with wonderful Jim Johnstone and Neil Barron alternatives. The Kirkcall Strathspey injects a needed dose of punch. Scott Band brings together a six-piece for Volume 2, providing the album with a superbly robust sound. Gillian Ramsey on fiddle provides an excellent additional texture. The fiddle is present at the forefront of the mix. The entire album is crisp and tidy with some brilliant alternative tunes. It was wonderful to hear some rousing Gordon Patullo and Bill Black tunes brought into the mix – the bread and butter of any accordionist from the North East. The Ian Muir quartet in Volume 3 is my personal favourite. The mix, playing and arrangements all feel so effortless and natural. Across all the rhythms, Ian and the band ensure that everything feels sleek and polished, with the reels proving especially rousing. This CD contains five strathspeys, three jigs and two 4x32 reels, plus a waltz and a march. A cracking 8x32 reel may have been nice for both the band and listener to sink their teeth into! But this is a tiny complaint against what is an excellent recording. Adam Brady, Youth Branch
