Some magical stuff
of “The Earl of Seaforth’s Salute.” If the pipers had only picked this up we could have had a show-stopping moment, but they went down another path and into some hornpipes. Again the playing was of the highest standard and the musical arrangement for “The High Drive” was excellent, but a touch of the Big Music Society approach (featuring Murray Henderson) might have been a better route. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
The drum salute to D-M Bobby Rae was spot-on, and a lovely tribute to the great man. The bass drum was off the mike and we had seven tenors and 10 sides that were all in sparkling form. It was short, sharp and sweet. Rae was a legendary figure in the band world and won the World Solo Drumming Championship twice, in 1966 and 1984. He passed in 2010 and this was a fitting nod to one of Ireland’s all-time greats.
“The Ruby,” another Phil Cunningham classic, with the drummers off-stage, and the pipers did this justice and then some. Full of music and a super interpretation of this piece.
“The Spice of Life” gave another opportunity for Field Marshal Montgomery to show how 2/4 matches and jigs are played. The drones were just humming. If Frank Andrews was on them behind the scenes, another great job.
An online vote saw “The Sandpiper” medley get an airing. It is a classic and the playing all round was to be applauded. It was time to sit back and let the music wash over you.
“The Train Journey North” was the bands penultimate set and they went for it big-time. Off stage for a few seconds before returning for the encore, voted for online and apparently a clear winner – yes you guessed it, “The Fiddlers Rally” medley. In a word: wow. It does not get any better than this – a top band in top form playing classics. Magical stuff, guys and girls, and congratulations to all.
Only people who have been involved in this kind of venture can truly appreciate the effort involved in pulling this sort of project together. To the Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band and Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band, hats off and best of luck this weekend.
Euan Anderson has a long history as a competitive piper, having served as Pipe-Sergeant for the Grade 1 Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band and Grade 2 Drambuie-Kirkliston. Now retired as a police detective, he commits much of his piping time to judge solo competitions and as an organizer of the Eagle Pipers Society. He lives in Edinburgh.
Am I the only one who thinks the Royal Concert Hall is a rotten venue for pipe band concerts? I have attended several of these concerts over the years and swore I wouldn’t go back. I made an exception this year because it was FMM playing, but still heard nothing but drones and drums. The acoustics are terrible no matter where you are in the hall. I was in the upper circle right in the center this year. Great view but rotten sound. I definitely won’t be back, which is a pity. All of the bands put in a lot of effort to give a good show and all of the organizers obviously do a great job. Guess I will buy the CD to hear the concert.