Welcome to a light hearted, non-technical (very) review of the Pipe Band scene here in Scotland. All views are my own and are not the responsibility of Rootsworld. Well, they are really as they're letting me write here!! I hope to be able to keep in touch with results as they happen and any happenings, gossip or daft judging and results.
Hot off the press is the new CD from one of the top three Pipe Bands in the world - simply titled FM Live In Concert it's the latest offering from the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band from Northern Ireland. Many of you will possess their first album Debut recorded a few years ago just prior to them winning their first World Championship and will have been looking forward to their follow up. 17 tracks lasting just over 70 minutes playing time should satisfy those looking for value for money!!
As ever, Richard Parks, the Pipe Major, has this Band playing at a peak. The playing is a joy to listen to. Having said that, remember the almighty blooter in "Dr. Ross" on Debut. That set a trend here in Scotland whenever a Field Marshal player was seen watching a band. That band would break into Dr. Ross, complete with the mistake! The playing of both pipes and drums shows exactly what "ensemble" should sound like. Along with the Simon Fraser PB(SFU), and Shotts & Dykehead, of whom more later, Field Marshal (FM) have to be leaders in this area. I know from personal experience that Richard Parks knows exactly what he wants from both sections, where he wants it and how he wants it! And he's going to get it!!
Richard has a fine solo set in amongst the first half showing that, should he ever give up leading FM, he remains a major force in solo competitions. Talking about solos, listen to Ian Jess in the second part........you've not heard "Banjo Breakdown" played like this before!!
I am a mega fan of FM, having said that, I feel the excitement and originality of Debut has been lost on this recording. The sleeve plays tribute to "the tremendous audience", surely politeness on the band's behalf! Witness the audience on Simon Fraser University PB Live in America or either of Victoria Police's CDs and the crowd at Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland have all the enthusiasm of a wet weekend!! They come across as blase and wanting to be elsewhere. This is a great shame as the CD is not that bad, it's just that Debut was such a great album it was almost impossible to follow. I still recommend you go out and buy it as, for me anyway, anything by FM has got to be good!!
Other Notes:
Want some gossip?? This year Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia are being sponsored by the Scottish equivalent of the American 'Hershey Bar' namely Tunnocks! Now I know they must be getting a good few bob from that company but I don't see myself trying quite so hard to get one of their new ties as I did trying to get one of the 'old' ones!
Rumour just in is that one of the top Pipe Majors this side of the ocean could well be on his way to America at the end of the season........ who?? I'm not saying!!!!!
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