Seudan comprises some of Scotland’s leading exponents of traditional pipe music and Gaelic song. The music is alive and vital, closely related to its old natural step dance rhythms while the piobaireachd follows the song versions from which they originated. The arrangement and delivery of their repertoire is directly influenced by the music of the Western Isles of Scotland and the East Coast of Canada.

The pipes played are matched copies of The Black Set of Kintail, made in 1785 and housed in The Inverness Museum. They have been measured and reproduced by Hamish and Fin Moore. They play in concert pitch A (440) and are made in ebony and mounted in solid silver.

Seudan are: Calum MacCrimmon, Angus MacKenzie, Fin Moore, and Angus Nicolson with Allan MacDonald (Pibroch Song and small pipes). Joined on their debut CD by: Mac Morin (piano and steps), Donald Hay (percussion), Ross Martin (guitar) and Kathleen MacInnes (Gaelic Song).

“Seudan take a free spirited approach to their music, harnessing the best of Hebridean and Cape Breton influences…It makes for compelling listening!” (Roddy MacLeod MBE)

“Seudan gave a memorably superb evening of inspired music. Watch for Seudan next time. You will not be disappointed.” (Michael Grey)

“An ensemble of Highland pipes established with one thing in mind – to play in a rhythmic, communicative and exciting way.” (Hamish Moore)

It takes a strong band to survive the loss of a championship winning PM and it can be a heavy burden to bear for the incoming PM. So spare a thought for new PMs Doug MacRae of the 78th Fraser Highlanders and Gavin Walker of Shotts as they attempt to fill the shoes of the legends that are Bill Livingstone and Robert Matheson. It is a tough brutal world in the upper echelons of the pipe band competitive scene and you don’t always get time to ‘bed in’ if the results start going against you, with both the playing members and the committee likely to get on your back if the results are poor. In many ways it is no different to the trials and tribulations of managers in the various football leagues. It might not be that you are only as good as your last result but it’s certainly that you are only as good as your last season.

In the two majors held so far Gavin has managed a respectable seventh, just one place outside the prize list. The Worlds in August will be Doug’s first outing on this side of the pond and his chance to improve on the relatively poor performances of the 78th’s over the last couple of seasons. Robert Matheson hasn’t completely abandoned the competitive scene as the word is he will be in the ranks of the Simon Fraser University band under PM Terry Lee. That might cause some double takes amongst the spectators.

Given the above it is no surprise to learn that Richard Parkes has been PM of the Field Marshal Montgomery Band for thirty years. During that time the band have taken six world championships and a barrel load of other championships. Thirty years it may be, but Richard clearly still knows how to put a winning band together as the FMM have taken first in the two majors held so far this year, beating the current world champions St Laurence O’Toole in to second on both occasions. Those keen on a flutter might want to put a few quid on FMM regaining the worlds this year.

Aside from the competition one of the most keenly anticipated events of Worlds week is the Worlds concert organised by the Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Pipe Band. This year the concert is titled Energy, appropriately enough as it is being given by the Scottish Power Pipe Band under PM Chris Armstrong. It promises to be a spectacular affair with Chris’s flair for innovation well known and there will be a host of additional musicians on stage. Chris has the band in good form with third places at both majors, so a good night’s entertainment is guaranteed. However the Power aren’t the only show in town that week as the SLOT and SFU will be playing a double header at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (affectionately known as the Armadillo by Glaswegians) the following night. The Pipes of Peace concert will also feature the Lomond and Clyde PB, Bob Worrall and Celtic Spirit. Despite the number of pipers and drummers in Glasgow during Worlds week, it may still be a stretch for both concerts to sell out particularly given that Piping Live will also be in full swing. Still, both concerts should be terrific entertainment and, let’s face it, you weren’t going to see much of the family that week anyway!

Away from the pipe band world those with an interest in the more adventurous uses of the Great Highland Bagpipe should grab a copy of Cernunnos, the second CD from eclectic Celtic fusion group Lucid Druid. The superbly named band are fronted by ex Simon Fraser University piper Adam Quinn and it is a fearless CD that takes the pipes and mixes them with some sounds and beats that you would think have no place on the same recording as the GHB. Yet Adam and the band blend African, folk, rock and funk rhythms into a clever mix that on occasions sounds so down and dirty that it should be locked up for indecency. There is an enormous amount going on in each track with djembe, electric bass, drums and even didgeridoo all carefully woven into the mix. The standout track is The Salute to the Cathedral Trees I & II. Written in piobaireachd format this is a hypnotic piece that gently captivates as the didgeridoo weaves around the pipes. Not a CD perhaps for those piping fans who think you can only play the pipes when you have a kilt on and tunes can only be played in strict time. Those of a broader disposition will find lots to enjoy with much of it revealing itself over repeated listens.

Finally if you are already looking for somewhere to go after the worlds then it might be time to book up for the eighteenth William Kennedy Piping Festival run by the Armagh Pipers Club. As reported elsewhere in this issue, this is a cracking festival and one that has something for everyone. With sessions galore amid the formal concerts this is a festival that will keep you up all night so don’t expect a lot of sleep. This year’s festival is being held in Armagh between Thursday 17th November and Sunday the 20th November.

The Pipeline

By Chris MacKenzie

chrismackenzie@hotmail.com

Millish may have been on my CD player a lot recently, but it hasn’t had the monopoly on it. The Angus Nicolson Trio CD has been out for a while and I just hadn’t got round to it (so much music so little time). Lasses That Baffle Us is the CD from Angus and his compadres Andrew MacPherson (percussion and whistle) and Murdo Cameron (guitar and accordion). Big pipes and wee pipes again are the order of the day and Angus plays both with élan and is ably assisted by Andrew and Murdo, leading to an ensemble sound that is tighter than an Edinburgh accountant’s wallet. Angus et al have chosen their tunes wisely and married some well known pieces such as Donald MacLeod’s Stornoway Castle, and G.S. Maclennan’s Dalnahasaig, with some lesser known but equally melodic material to create a CD that sparkles throughout and radiates energy like a Scotsman after a day in the Majorcan sun. Its not all pedal to the metal though as the boys demonstrate with a delightfully gentle take on the air Mull Of The Mountains and a sweet arrangement of the ground and first variation of the piobaireachd MacKintosh’s Lament. Good tunes, good arrangements, good playing – not a lot more to say!

The trio (all 10 of them) played a cracking set towards the end of that celebration of all things Celtic – Tom Jones, Mavis Staples and Love And Money notwithstanding – Celtic Connections. The festival was packed with terrific piping from the opening procession to the closing concert. One of the highlights was undoubtedly the National Youth Pipe Band Of Scotland performing at the main piping concert. This group of young (all under 25) men and women under PM Emma Buchan turned in a performance that was the better of many a grade one band and puts them in the same orbit as the concert big guns (78ths, SFU, FMM,SLOT). If they are playing near you, make the effort to go and see them – you will not be disappointed.

Bands that also rocked Celtic Connections and you should walk miles barefoot through fields of jaggy nettles to see live are The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Skerryvore, and Diamh. All three bands are in great form and have matured into top rank entertainers, each with their own distinct sound and style. The Chilli’s have taken that most unpromising of premises (rock and pop tunes on the pipes) and created an extremely successful niche for themselves. They have always prided themselves on “putting on a great show” and at a shade over two hours of rock inspired high energy pipes, drums and “geetar”, not to mention Gospel choirs and of course the Chilli Dancers, they certainly deliver on this.

Skerryvore have grown and honed their material to the point where they can rock the rafters with pipes in full flow or they can enthrall with covers of Folsom Prison or Runrig’s Rocket To The Moon (after which a friend of mine, a long time Runrig fan, said it was as good a performance of the song as he had ever heard). They are the heirs apparent to the Scottish folk rock crown.

With the talented Angus MacKenzie on pipes and Calum Alex MacMillan taking the vocal duties, Diamh have crafted that wonderful mix of Scots, Irish and Cape Breton styles into their own unique sound that is an absolute pleasure to listen to. While they may not have the razzle dazzle of the Chilli’s or Skerries, they nevertheless put on a fantastic show full of cracking tunes all played with consummate skill and bags of verve and panache.

As mentioned Daimh have at their very core the virtuoso piping talents of Angus Mackenzie from Cape Breton, and as well as Daimh, Angus can also be heard with Na Tri Seudan and is a regular “guest” with a whole host of other groups and musicians. To add to his impressive catalogue, he has now released a CD with his brother Kenneth. Piob Is Fidheall does exactly what is says on the tin, with Angus on pipes and Kenneth on fiddle. There is also a stack of other musicians to spark off the pair as they play with a togetherness that makes a synchronized swimming duo look like two octopus splashing around. There is a clever mix of tunes on the CD (Captain Carswell, Skylark’s Ascension, Laoidh Chaluim Chille) all played with passion, and most with terrific piano accompaniment from Mac Morin (he gets the Chaluim Chille set all to himself and his playing sparkles). Although, as you would expect, the CD has a Cape Breton feel (certainly no bad thing) but there are also sets with Irish and Scots influence that reflect the influences the brothers have absorbed over the years. In full flight the brothers get into a groove that rocks along like a Japanese Bullet train. Hang on to your seats this is going to be one bouncy ride; those of a nervous disposition need not apply – the rest strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

Those planning to attend this years World Pipe Band Championship on the 13th of August should note that the World’s concert this year (10th Aug) will be given by the Scottish Power PB under PM Chris Armstrong. Appropriately enough the concert is called Energy and along with Chris and the band it will also feature the talents of Chris Stout and Finlay MacDonald. Perhaps the band will have the same luck as the St Laurence O’Toole PB had last year when they won the World’s three days after playing the concert. The CD of that concert, Evolution, is an absolute belter and essential for any serious pipe band fan. Of course as well as the concert there will also be that manic week of piping mayhem that is Piping Live running right through the week before the worlds. With piping from early morning till very late at night Piping Live will test your stamina to the limit. Get your holidays booked now!

The Pipeline

By Chris MacKenzie

Chrismackenzie@hotmail.com

With a new name on the trophy there was also a feeling of change in the air. This was compounded by PM Robert Mathieson’s announcement that he was standing down as PM of House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead pipe band. Robert has been one of the driving forces behind the changes in piping over the last twenty years both from a solo and a pipe band point of view. His trio of solo albums, starting with that seminal album Grace Notes, have been a major contributor to the development of piping and particularly to the view that the pipes can exist alongside other instruments and great music can be made. He also resurrected a moribund Shotts band and took them to five World Championships, no mean feat, and he along with Richard Parkes, Terry Lee and Bill Livinstone have been the dominant forces in pipe band circles for the last twenty years. On top of that many of his tunes are now stables of the piping world and played the world over, not a bad CV. Robert intends to stay with Shotts but as a ‘back rank piper’ while Gavin Walker takes over at the front right corner of the band.

Further evidence of change came with the announcement that, the aforementioned, Bill Livingstone of the 78th Fraser Highlanders was stepping down. While Bill may not have won as many championships as Robert he has made a formidable mark in the pipe band world. As PM of the first overseas band to win the coveted Worlds trophy, in the process stopping a run by Ian MacLellan’s Strathcldye Police that had seen them win six championships. On top of that the 78ths were renowned for playing very melodic sets that entertained from start to finish and they built a strong following around the world. Under Bill’s guidance they also became the world’s best concert band with a number of brilliant concerts (and corresponding albums) to their credit with Live in Ireland and Flame of Wrath being the standouts. They set the benchmark for pipe band concerts and only a few have met that standard since. Displaying a dedication and ability that is simply incredible, Bill is the only man to have won both the grade one pipe band championship and the Clasp for Piobaireachd at the Northern Meeting. Despite being at an age where most people are contemplating warm slippers and the fireside, I think we will hear more from Bill over the coming years.

One of the bands that has picked up the 78th concert challenge is SLOT and they played to a packed (and I mean packed – even the ‘reserve’ standing tickets were sold out) main hall at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall at this years ‘World’s Concert’. The band was in absolutely terrific form and played a wide variety of material with great style and a precision that was breathtaking at times. With a supporting cast that included bombard players from the Bagad Cap Caval, the folk band Pipe Down and Allan MacDonald (… of the three …) it was a class evening and one that promises to make a cracking CD.

The Piping Live festival is now firmly established in the week running up to the World championship and there was a fabulous array of talent on show. Stuart Liddell was in impeccable form at the opening recital at the Piping Centre (even indulging in a little Fred Morrison style ‘Hendrix’ piping at the end). The Simon Fraser University PB played for an hour, to a sizeable audience, in the middle of Glasgow on a Wednesday lunchtime to the delight of everyone there. Other highlights included a set that can only be described as joyous from the Italian band Ecletnica Pagus. This band features clarinets, harp, tambourine, accordion and the Zampogna (Italian Bagpipes) and the players produce a sound that would make even an accountant smile and get up dance around the room. A slightly more acquired taste (and one I acquired very quickly) was the Sardinian triple pipe playing of Luigi Lai. He plays the tripe pipes (they resemble pan pipes on steroids) using circular breathing for sets lasting well over ten minutes. That in itself is note worthy, but the really impressive bit is the music he produces which builds over the length of the piece in a way that reminded me of piobaireachd.

Another success of the festival was Seudan the band that uses identical sets of pipes (made by Hamish Moore) all based on the Black Set of Kintail (c1758) and pitched in concert A. Their mission is to play music as it was before the influences of various societies and the army. The line up can be a little bit fluid but with pipers of the calibre of Fin Moore, Calum McCrimmon, Angus Mackenzie and Allan MacDonald (… of Glenuig) regularly appearing. It is always a great night of entertainment and if they are around your neck of the woods make great effort to see them.

On the CD front check out the new albums from Skerryvore and Daimh. Both feature the pipes and both these bands can rock up not just a storm but a full hurricane when they want to. Calum Alex MacMillan adds a Gaelic flavour to proceedings with Daimh while Skerrryvore have Alec Dalglish and Daniel Gillespie putting together songs for the band.

Finally the top pipe bands now have a following well outside their country of origin. It is no exaggeration to say that SFU, FMM, the 78ths and Shotts all have followers around the globe. Most of the bands take good advantage of this by producing merchandise that the faithful can snap up so they have a connection with the band. The new world champions have taken good advantage of their centenary year to produce a range of merchandise, but I do have to wonder how devoted you have to be to want a pair of St Laurence O’Tool boxer shorts (stop sniggering at the back). If you are that devoted see www.slotpb.com for prices.

The Pipeline

By Chris Mackenzie

Chrismackenzie@hotmail.com

Why is the best sight in piping? Well because that little lad (or lassie) has got the bug and whether they go on to win a Gold Medal or play with their local gala band it doesn’t matter, piping will give them so much in their lives and take them places and give them opportunities that non pipers just won’t get. The Great Highland Bagpipe may sometimes be cruel master but it will pay them back ten fold over for the long hours of practice. Those youngsters setting out on their piping odyssey may get sidetracked by drink, work and of course the attractions of the opposite sex (or indeed the same sex) during their late teens and twenties, but it is amazing how many of them pick it up again and of course start passing on their skills to the next generation.

Why the discourse on youngsters and the GHB. Well at the recent Scottish PB Championships I managed to listen to some of both the Novice Juvenile and Juvenile competitions and was impressed by the enthusiasm and sheer joy that the young people brought to the party. In the Novice Juvenile competition the pride the young players show in playing for their band, whether it’s a school, district or feeder band, more than compensates for any deficiencies in their playing. As they step up to the line they are as focused as any of the grade one bands and they celebrate like them when they win. That’s the beauty of the grading system – everyone has a shot at glory.

The novice bands may be, in the main, a triumph of exuberance over technique but that is not something that can be said of the Juvenile bands. These bands are where those that have taken to the pipes like an MP to expenses, congregate. Under eighteen they may be, but they play with a passion and technique that is both a joy to behold and highly impressive. Dollar Academy won on the day and their winning set was Highland Wedding, Dora MacLeod and The Rejected Suitor, not stuff for the faint hearted.

Of course the biggest success story from the Juvenile ranks is the phenomenal rise of the Inveraray and District pipe band under the guidance of Stuart Liddell. This band was only formed in 2004 and has in the last six years blitzed through the grades from Novice Juvenile to Juvenile to Grade 2 (where they won all 5 majors) to Grade 1 this year. If you didn’t know it was real you would suspect it was the plot for a Disney movie. They made their Grade 1 ‘major’ debut at the Scottish and played with the verve and flair that has become their hallmark. Their reward was a very creditable eighth place and it would be a brave man that would bet against them getting into the prize lists in the next couple of years and, who knows, perhaps even getting in amongst the big three and shaking them up.

Their success is all the more remarkable when you look at the band and realise that one or two of the members are probably still getting tucked into bed at night by their mums and are likely to celebrate their success with a milkshake rather than a pint of Guinness. What their success (and indeed all the triumphs, big or small of all the other young band members) illustrates is that given appropriate tuition, piping can and will flourish. The good work that Stuart is doing in Inveraray, and that of all the other schools instructors around Scotland, is invaluable in keeping the piping tradition alive and indeed thriving in its homeland. Yet remarkably there are still some regions in Scotland where there is no piping tuition within schools – a shameful indictment on those Education Authorities.

Of course tuition isn’t just happening in schools. Most of it happens in local pipe bands where unsung people give their own free time to teach young learners, so continuing the tradition through which they learned. This Circle of Life is the lifeblood of piping in Scotland (and anywhere the pipes are played) and it always amazes me how willing people are to help out in passing on their skills. While Inveraray is extremely fortunate to have a tutor of the calibre of Stuart Liddell, not all areas or bands have that level of skill available and the tutors are usually very aware of their own shortcomings as pipers. To counter this I know of at least one band that pays the cost of a week’s tuition at the Piping Centre for it’s young learners (or more accurately – the band pays for half of the cost as they want the student to have ‘some skin in the game’).

These intensive one week courses are taken by tutors of the stature of Chris Armstrong and Finlay MacDonald. Chris and Finlay get to fill in any gaps that the band tutors may have missed as well as giving the young blades a chance to meet their piping heroes. There is often a step change in the player’ ability when they come back from one of these sessions and their enthusiasm is further stoked. Everybody wins – the young piper skills increase, the band get a better player and the Piping Centre get to employ class players like Chris and Finlay. All in all a good result. Finally, on this subject, if you are a tutor of any sort (not just pipes) give yourself a pat on the pack you deserve it.

While many eyes will be on Inveraray at the Worlds, there will also be keen interest in how the St Laurence O’Toole get on. They are another tip to split the big three, as are the Boghall and Bathgate PB under Ross Walker. The next few years could be very interesting and I sense a new World order looming. This years World’s concert is by the aforementioned St Laurence O’Toole and you should beg steal or borrow a ticket as it promises to be a cracker. Terry Tully’s outfit are pushing the SFU hard for the title of best concert band, although they will have to go some to beat the SFU’s concert last year, and if you don’t have the SFU’ resulting Affirmation CD, then your life is a little poorer for that fact.

Piping Live will of course be running through World’s week and the usual galaxy of piping stars will be there including such delights as Alan MacDonald, Breabach, The Battlefield Band and the fantastic and fantastically named, Treacherous Orchestra, featuring Ali Hutton and Ross Ainslie on pipes. The orchestra have a deliciously different take on music and is a must see.

Finally congratulations to Cameron Drummond and Kevin McNulty for making the final of the Scots Guards Knockout competition which Cameron won after a very closely fought contest.

The Pipeline
by chris MacKenzie
chrismackenzie@hotmail.com