I was influenced by many people, especially when I was growing up in Glenuig, First of all my Family. My Mother was into piping and encouraged us to take up the pipes as did my Father, who played the pipes a little but was not regarded as a piper but was a button box player and Gaelic Singer. Duncan Henderson from Newton, Piper, Farquhar MacRae and his brothers Dougie and Donald, all fiddlers and Farquhar was also a very good Box player. Johnny MacKinnon from Arisaig, piper. My cousins Alexander MacDonald (Sandy Aonghais Alasdair) and his Son Pipe Major Angus MacDonald Scots Guards. Sandy was fom Glenuig but left to join the Glasgow Police at an early age but still came back to spend most summers in Glenuig. I used to cycle to Forsay where he had his caravan, with the chanter strapped to the handlebars of my ramshackle bike for extra chanter lessons when I was on holiday from school in Dunblane. P/M Angus was a big influence on us all. Not to forget John M. Mackenzie who taught me and my brothers and whose great teaching technique, patience and good nature helped mould us into the pipers we are. My cousins from South Uist, box players and singers. Ruaraidh (Rodein) Macdonald from S.Uist who gave me my first proper Ceol Mor Lessons. Duncan Johnstone who later had a piping school in Glasgow which I attended.
Angus Grant was another fiddler that was around and still is, as is Charlie MacFarlane, fiddler/piper from Glenfinnan.(Father of Iain of Blazin Fiddles.)
Later influences on Radio & TV were singers like Flora MacNeil, The MacDonald Sisters, Calum Kennedy, Norman MacLean, Joan MacKenzie, Hoddan, Na H-Oganaiche, Flair, Run-Rig. Around that time the Folk revival was in motion and some of the early albums by the Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers and the Chieftains were instrumental in influencing my musical tastes. I started whistle when I was about 7 or 8. Later there was Silly Wizard, Ossian (Who I later joined) The Battlefield Band (Also Played with) Cathal McConnell, Mary Bergin, Bothy Band, Clannad and Planxty, Na Fili, De Dannan, The Johnstons,Stocktons Wing,Moving Hearts, Matt Molloy,Aly Bain, Frankie Gavin, Alasdair Fraser..& etc...
Help ma Bob Iain, Fagall DhunEidinn brings a tear to my glass eye, no matter how many times I listen, just beautiful !! I hope you and your family are all doing really well and that life is good. Im still in the smoke for ma sins. Big hug.
You seem to be in great form just now. I'm glad that you are. Envy you your stay in Ullapool - a wee toun I love dearly. I think it's because it is always busy at the boats.
(When you sing and double the melody with pipes it sounds great, in my opinion.)
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..?
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hiya from new friend keith in aberdeen. like the snuff wife, wil listen to more ere long, have added too many music friends lately in a stupid bid to further my career. bye for now, k.
Online!
