THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
Page 3
MUSIC
Smashing Barriers to New Traditions
TOM COXWORTH
T
I The Battlefield Band have just finished their North American tour, J which included homeward stops in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore — not bad for an unknown group from Glasgow. The new members, John McCusker, and former Ossian piper Iain McDonald hold their new positions well, making the much-heralded performances as solid as ever.
The youngest member John McCusker, 19 is receiving accolades of being a new virtuoso as he smoothly plays fiddle, cittern, keyboards and accord ion—and he sings too! The lad has a long career ahead which will be helped by the tutoring of founding members Alan Reid and
Alistair Russel. Their new collection, Quiet Days, is now available on Flying Fish Records.
Reid started the group in 1969 and is the only original member. He says that"they are glad to have broken down barriers and most importantly made the music accessible to all." The legacy of the music has branched out with the former members doing their part to create new traditions.
Ged Foley's group, The House Band, have just released their fourth album, Stonetown and Pat Kilbride is out with his second, Undocumented Dancing, both on Green Linnet Records. Dougie Pincock has been teaching the pipes and working on sessions with Wolfstone and Brian McNeill can be found with his new Temple records release, The Busker, and also has joined Dick Gaughan's amalgamation, Clan Alba. The Battlefield's hold an annual reunion each year to celebrate their long history.
While still in the Highlands, harpist Wendy Stewart has just released About Time. Wendy's clarsach — a small Celtic harp — playing has been the focal point of the group Ceolbeg with singer Davy Steele (also a member of Clan Alba) since 1990. This is a marvellous recording
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THE BATTLEFIELD BAND — APPEARING FROM GLASGOW TO NEW ZEALAND
A legacy of music branching out to create new tradtions and celebrate the old
EMILE BENOIT — MASTER NEWFOUNDLAND FIDDLER
His talent reached out and influenced many traditionalists
which demonstrates the diversity of this ancient instrument, on Greentrax Records.
Mary Anderson and Ken Brown are a duo from Ontario who have played the folk club circuit for some years. They are gaining a reputation for Mary's spectacular harp playing, and tne voice and instrumental playing of Ken.
The music is gentle and peaceful Celtic New Age Folk which is ideal for washing away the outside world. Their latest, Crimson, is the type of music that wraps around the listener like a warm blanket.
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Recently I've been asked about recordings by tartan pioneers, TheCorries. Ronnie Browne and Roy Williamson had all the punters cheering, laughing and finding inspiration in their songs, particularly their song The Flower of Scotland, a song often promoted as Scotland's national anthem. The group had tremendous popularity which could be likened to the The Clancy Brothers in Ireland; they performed in sold out concerts and had a successful television series.
In 1990, Roy passed away, and the group's legacy has left many expatriates asking for their recordings. There are two available on import, EMI's The Very Best of The Corries, and from Lismor The Compact Collection. Both are exceptional folk collections and The Flower of Scotland appears on the Lismor collection. I hope that helps people who may be looking.
Emile Benoit was discovered at the age of 62, a man who worked hard all his life and loved to fiddle. Port-au-Port, Newfoundland was his home and, without any formal instruction, he used his exceptional gift to compose over 200 tunes with a
musical style that was "a little bit of Scots, a little bit of Irish, a little bit of Quebecois, a little bit of French—all mixed together."
The vibrancy and the feel of the reel was never lost and the listener cannot escape the pure joy of his playing and performing. Viva La Rose on the Denon label is an ageless example of music
from a legend whose sound was truly Canadian heritage.
Emile passed away in September 1992 but his music will live on through those he influenced such as Figgy Duff, and Tip Splinter's Jamie Snider. The tradition continues! Thanks for listening.
This is how you sAy HAppy ST.PATRick's DAy
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