SHOOGLENIFTY: Malcolm Crosbie: Guitars (Acoustic and Electric); Garry Finlayson: Banjo and Banjax; Angus R. Grant: Fiddle; Quee MacArthur: Bass, Percussion; James MacKintosh: Drums, Percussion; Myself on Mandolin, Tenor Banjo.
FUNKY STRING BAND: Peter Daffy: Vocals, Guitar, Ukelele; Angus R. Grant: Fiddle, Vocals; Myself on Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Vocals.
BIRNAM QUARTET: Angus R. Grant: Fiddle; Jamie Jauncey: Piano; Anna-Wendy Stevenson: Fiddle; Myself on Mandolin.
DUO with SIMON BRADLEY: Simon Bradley: Fiddle, Mandolin; Myself on Bouzouki and Mandolin.
Influences
Influences...
Musical is hard. Brought up on Planxty and Greek bouzouki music but then by the time I could actually properly listen the world exploded with the Grateful Dead, Miles, Terry Riley. Could never get enough of playing Bach keyboard music. Obsessive flirtations with Andy Irvine counterpoint in the late teens, Dylan... Dylan - too much.
Life took a serious turn with Tarkovsky. That's another story.
When Luke was given the Declan Affley “Best Rising Talent”award in 1998, one year after first picking up the mandolin, his career as a classical piano player or indeed anything else, was numbered. He quickly became recognized for his playing and was brought in around Australia to record with bands such as Isfahan and Senan’s Haggart and his own band the Funky String Band. In 2002 Scottish supergroup Shooglenifty heard him and swiftly extended an offer for touring to a full time position in the band.
In Scotland Luke established himself as a firm session leader both as melody player and as accompanist. In the 7 years that have followed Luke has made 7 albums and made guest appearances on numerous others.
An avid composer, his tunes can be heard dominating the Shooglenifty repertoire but he also likes the challenge of writing for other forms. He is currently writing a suite for Greek Laouto and Cello in collaboration with McFall’s and SCO cellist Sua Lee.
His skills as a teacher and scholar have also not gone unnoticed. He has been flown to New Mexico annually to teach Bouzouki and Mandolin at Zoukfest, to Victoria Australia to teach fiddle at Music Under the Southern Cross and has led numerous workshops and tutor weekends around Scotland.
His solo debut "A Splendid Notion" is released on Shoogle Records.
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..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
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.
Hey Luke.. That's funny ya remember that:) The National will be awesome this year, i know it! I'll probably see ya before then anyway. Gonna try make it to ya gig at the Brunswick festival... Hope all's well Catch ya soon Coralea
Luke, Hi back and thanx for checking this out! Like it? CD review at www. metalmonthly. com/5StarVio7. html and 5 live Audio Interviews about everything Metal and ... Violins... and bow ... and NO GUITARS on our MySpace page under 'Blogs' and the beginning of our rock journal at www. metalmonthly. com/RockJournal. html ;) - Armand
