Alasdair plays fiddle and whistles on this album and is also joined by Aaron Jones (bouzouki, bass guitar), Ewen McPherson (guitar, tromb, mandolin, banjo), Mike Katz (Scottish small pipes, highland pipes), Iain Copeland (percussion), Russell Hunter (piano) & Alison Kinnaird (Scottish harp).
Battlefield Band is:
ALAN REID (Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar)
MIKE KATZ (Highland Bagpipes, Small Pipes, Whistles, Guitar)
ALASDAIR WHITE (Fiddle, Whistles, Bazouki, Bagpipes)
SEAN O'DONNELL (Vocals and Guitar)
Alasdair White is already well known as Battlefield Band’s virtuoso fiddle player joining the band in 2001. In these past years, his musicianship and tune making have had a great influence on the bands repertoire and continuing success, and playing with Battlefield Band has given him that wider audience that his music deserves. Having been highly regarded and talked about since his early teens, An Clàr Geal is his first solo album in 2006
Alasdair grew up on the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, where Gaelic language and music remain important influences on the culture of the Islands and Scotland in general. For those fiddle enthusiasts among you, he plays in what might be called a “North-west” Scottish style, heavily derived from the piping tradition. For those that love just good music, then Alasdair’s playing and tune making offer a privileged panorama of the exciting traditional music of Scotland today.
Wednesday night's concert at Traditions Cafe in Olympia was BRILL! I don't know how you guys managed on that wee stage, but you sure did - fantastic music, looking forward to your next tour up here next year - safe travels! :)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
If you have a band and would like to work in western central Massachusetts, I may be able to help book you. I started NC Booking back in '89 when I was booking a few bands from Scotland and Ireland. Now, 20 years later, I'm still booking great roots music acts. To find out more, visit http://northamptoncommunity.ning.com where you can REGISTER. Thanks!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem (cum song) 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
(TUNE:
C F G G A A G G
C G A A G G F F
C A A A G G F F
C G A G A G F F
C F G G A A G G C F G G A G F F)
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
hi alasdair, i've been loving your ablum recently. they say you practised as a child. met your folks in stornoway. fine folk. cheers the noo, you an jen can come for yir dinner when next yir aboot.
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
Hi Alisdair, thanks for adding us to your friend's list - at the moment we are still more fans than friends ;-) All the best from Switzerland Urs http://www. slainte. ch
Alasdair,a charaid, bha e glè mhath gad fhaicinn ann an Ennigerloh! Chord an consairt rium uabhasach math - moran taing! Tha mi an dochas gum bith na consairtean eile anns a'Ghearmailt math cuideachd!
Thanks so much for the add. I think we met years ago in Edinboro Pa,USA, at the college. We were the little fiddlers who played in the lobby. I hope you come back again.
ha great to see ya alasdair with the unusuals! AGAIN! :o)) hope you had a lovely night out after geoff and i left ;) so, i might see you at CC maybe!?? would be great!! take care;... lievehugsxx
Thanks much for adding me to your friends. As you can see by my profile, I love fiddle music (and fiddlers). Lol. Two of my favorites were already my friends and now I have three. I saw the Battlefield Band years ago in concert but haven't seen them since. Dougie Pincock was the piper then and I still remember how awesome he (and the entire band) was! I would love to see you and BB sometime and hopefully, I will get the chance soon.
