FEBRUARY 2000
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 11
THE TILLER'S FOLLY (L-R) Bruce Coughlan, Craig McGregor, Victor Smith, Laurence Knight and Mike Sanyshyn.
Celebrating the History of a Unique and Dramatic Coast
VANCOUVER — Bruce Coughlan and The Tiller's Folly are on the cutting edge of the new wave of Celtic music sweeping the country, cultivating a contemporary West Coast Celtic sound.
Now, with the release of their second CD, Ghosts of the Miyhty Eraser, which follows in the footsteps of their critically acclaimed debut album, The View from Here, the group further explores British Columbia's heritage, bringing the region's dramatic history to life.
"It all begins with pride. Pride of place, pride of participation, pride of being part of a rich and glorious heritage, says Bruce Coughlan. "It's a shame that most of the history we've read or heard
about in school was all written in Eastern Canada and so, there's very little by wav of history from the West."
"British Columbia is arguably the most beautiful place in the world, but not only can British Columbians be proud of their wonderful home, but they can also be proud of their rich and often flamboyant history."
This history is captured on Ghosts of the Miyhty Fraser, where Bruce Coughlan wrote the original songs and lyrics, including the evocative Voyayeur, Ned McGowan's War, Richard Moody and Spanish Banks.
Coughlan who plays guitar, dadgad, woodflute and whistle and sings lead vocals with The
Tiller's Folly is joined by Victor Smith on vocals, fiddle, whistles and silver flute; Craig McGregor on guitar, mandoline, octave and mandolin; Laurence Knight on vocals and bass; and Mike Sanyshyn on vocals, fiddle, mandolin.
The Tiller's Folly are true storytellers, following in the ancient Celtic oral tradition. Through their music they celebrate British Columbia's unique cultural heritage. Together, their sound has been described by Douglas Todd of The Vancouver Sun as "a cross between Stan Rodgers and The Clancy Brothers."
For more information about Tiller's Folly and their upcoming performance dates, see their website at: www.celtmusic.com.
NEW UILLEANN PIPERS' ASSOCIATION FOR BC
VANCOUVER — Traditional Irish music is thriving in a new Irish pipers association called the British Columbia Uilleann Pipers' Society. Spokesperson for the organization, Tom Kinahan, says, "We have had a great response so far, and our membership is growing.
"Our objectives are to provide information and to support the local development of uilleann pipers (and those with an interest in Irish piping and traditional music), especially in isolated areas of the province by organizing workshops, seminars and concerts for both the members of the club and the general public, and to provide local contact with the various Uilleann piping clubs throughout the world.
"As many of your readers know, Irish piping differs from Scottish or Highland piping in many ways. The instrument plays in two octaves, is bellows-blown, and has three drones and three tuneable regulators to provide chordal accompaniment. With all of these parts to control, it is arguably the most challenging of all bagpipes to master!
"Irish piping does not usually involve competition, but is taught at a tional or gathering. There is no set method for piping, and accomplished players use different styles and variations in their tunes. They can be played alone or with other instruments but rarely in a large group except for instruction.
"Uilleann piping and pipe-making nearly died out twice in the last two centuries, but has enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity with the staging of Riverdance and other Irish traditional music productions. The haunting quality of the pipes has been used to great effect in the recent films Titanic, Bravehcart and many others.
"The purpose of the first gathering of the B.C. Uilleann Pipers' Society, other than to see who could drink the most Guinness, was to find isolated pipers and try to share ideas, especially for those pipers who had not had the opportunity to attend a tionol, and to create a means of maintaining contact with each other.
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For more information about the British Columbia Uilleann Pipers Soci-
ety, call Greg Schnider at (604) 514-0883 or e-mail: gschnider@ hotmail.com. Or, call Tom Kinahan at (250) 860-9679 or e-mail: tkinahan@home.com. Visit their webpage at: angelfire.com/bc2/ uilleann/.
Fiddler Honoured
NEW YORK — The American Irish Historical Society of New York City has announced that world-renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes is the winner of the 1999 Cultural Award. Martin Hayes was born into a musical family in County Clare.
His grandmother played the concertina and his father P.J. Hayes and uncle Paddy Canny are both well known fiddlers. Martin began at the age of seven and won his first Championship title by the time he was 14. For the better part of two decades Martin has lived in the U.S. for many years in Chicago and now in Seattle, Washington.
LEARN TRADITIONAL FIDDLE TUNES
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Scottish Fiddle Club offers local fiddlers a chance to learn traditional Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle tunes. The club is open to all ages and levels of players. Other instruments are also welcome. Each month participants learn two to three new tunes. Since the tunes are taught by ear, everyone is encouraged to bring along a tape recorder. Written music is provided at the end of each workshop. Everyone is also welcome to take part in the jam sessions and the mood is informal and spontaneous.
Upcoming scheduled dates for the Vancouver Scottish Fiddle Club are: Februarv 20, March 19, April 9, May 21 (jam only) and June 25. The sessions are held at St. Margaret's Church, 1530 East 22nd Avenue in Vancouver. For more information, call Shone Le Montee at (604) 526-0906 or e-mail: shonatude@holmail.com. Visit Shona's website at: www3.bc.sympatico.ca/celtic/.
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Feb 13 - Kellee Bradley Collection (3 Musicians)
Feb. 14 24 - Liam Gallagher Feb. 25 -26 - Grafton Street Feb. 27 -29 - LiamGallagher
Mar. 1 - 4 - Oliver Mulholland Mar. 5 -7 - Liam Gallagher Mar. 8 - 9 - Oliver Mulholland Mar. 10 -11 - Grafton Street Mar. 12-13-14 - Uam Gallagher Mar. 15 -16 - Durkin (from Belfast)
ST. PATRICK'S DAY - MARCH 17 TH.
4 Bands throughout the day and eveving !
1916 Post Alley 206.728.1916 www. kcllsirish.com
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Peter Huron & Friends
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Railway & Steveston Hwy. Richmond
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