"THE PRESIDENT'S"
Pick of the Month!
This Month - March 1997
Previous Picks..January 1997
February 1997
Two of Scotland's most popular bands are the focus of my attention this month. Both high impact and hard working touring bands. You can catch these albums on featured spots within Highlander Internet Radio this month.. They really get the ol' foot tapping I cna tell you!
LABEL: TEMPLE RECORDS
A fine collection of the best of the Battlefield Band, recorded live in Edinburgh. This excellent CD was produced after many requests were made to the band for such a collection as they toured the world. There is an extra bonus that various guests such as Alison Kinnaird, Eric Rigler (the piper heard on Braveheart) and the Radio Sweethearts also appear as part of the action.
The CD itself covers the whole spectrum of folk music as played by the Battlefield Band with a good mixture of foot stamping specials and slower more melodic sounds. Included is the distinctly non-traditional sounding "Six days on the Road"! A good CD to buy if you want to hear a live performance by some of Scotland's best but especially good to buy as a souvenir if you are lucky enough to catch them on their current world tour.
LABEL: LOCHSHORE RECORDS
A truly superb CD featuring one of the best contemporary accordion based ceilidh bands in Scotland today. As Alasdair himself says this is a blend of various types of musical influences - "striving to be innovative while maintaining a deep traditional feel" is how he puts it.
The CD includes a number of compositions by modern Scottish composers and I personally would like to highlight a tune written by "Caley" MacLean of Mull for his daughter Susan, a good friend of mine. The quality of the recording is also crystal clear, especially when compared to some of the "digitally remastered" efforts available today.
It is also important to note that with CD's such as this one where the tracks recorded are primarily written to be of interest to the Scottish Country Dancer, the band has kept this in mind and say themselves that they hope the tunes will stir the feet of the discerning dancer. Buy this one and enjoy a damn good ceilidh!
Surf by next month for my next "hot tips" for the latest Scottish Music CD's...
Don't forget you can hear me, and the music that I talk about, on Highlander Internet Radio...
See you next month.
"The President"
"The President's" Pick of the Month
Design and Copyright 1997 Webspinner
ACCROSS THE BORDERS
By The Battlefield Band
RELEASE DATE : NOW!
PRESIDENT'S CHOICE:
Track one - Miss Sarah MacManus/The Appropriate Dipstick/Cape Breton Fiddlers' Welcome to Shetland.
WEST COAST AND BEYOND
By Alasdair MacCuish and the Black Rose Ceilidh Band
RELEASE DATE: NOW
PRESIDENT'S CHOICE:
Track 9 - The Green Meadow
A Webspinner Internet production for Highlander Internet Radio
All rights reserved
president@catalyst-highlands.co.uk