Yo yo my peeps! I know, I know, it's been a while. Everyone I know has been asking, nae, begging me to keep writing and ranting my heart out! To continue my cynical analysis of all things piping/drumming to you know, bring down all of the good-natured mushy gushy feelings running amok...just kidding. Truthfully, I've been a liiitttlllee lazy the past year or so and just wasn't feeling it as they say.
But now I am back and boy do I have a lot to say! So, let's gae on wit' it!
The world pipe band champions (World's) for 2016 have come and gone. The World's this year I must say was one of the most exciting championships in recent memory. Given how tight the top 4 to 5 bands are in Grade 1, the anticipation for listening has never been higher - at least for me. Looking back on the Scottish pipe band scene for 2016, three different bands won 4 major competitions leading up to the World's. Gone are the days of complete and utter dominance by Field Marshall Montgomery. Quite frankly I was personally getting a little bored by win - after win - after win - by FMM basically from the early to mid 2000's up until 2014/2015 or so. Sure you'd have the odd SFU/SLOT World's title, but the last decade or so has unquestionably been dominated by FMM. But, this year, and starting last year really, the other bands have really "caught up" to FMM. Since around 2008 or 2009 in my opinion the other bands initiated their "catching up" phase, but now I believe they are there. Now I'm sure there is a part of Richard Parkes MBE that enjoys the fact that other bands have been getting better, making each victory nowadays that much sweeter. On the other hand, for these other bands to be so close to FMM, and even beating them at majors, has to kind of grind his gears a bit, and understandably so - the man likes to win. This brings me to my main point of this particular rant - Richard kinda/sorta has only himself to blame for the other bands catching up to his band.
I mean, think about it. No really, THINK!! Ok, don't think, just read. To me, in the early 2000's, particularly 2002 World's, FMM and Richard found their signature sound. Since 2002, they basically have replicated that signature sound and unison in the pipe corps ad-naseum. Just kidding really. Actually it's incredibly impressive how consistent FMM has been with their high level of sound and playing since 2002. So, back to Richard making the other bands better...
I can remember in the mid-2000's hearing about "what Field Marshall was playing," and "so and so is playing sheepskin and cane just like FMM." I think that's where it started. FMM had this incredible sound/unison going that no one else could really match. Some bands, e.g. SFU 2008/2009 were quite close but not quite there. But by the time 2010 came around, the "big" bands, including the champs SLOT, were using sheepskin bags and cane drone reeds (or at least a lot of people were trying the cane drone reeds). That's when more and more bands seemed to harness that deep resonant sound with beautifully thick and balanced top hands. Again, bands just did what Richard was doing and thus the catching up was in full swing. Then, over the last 5 to 6 years, more and more bands improved on their unison, something that FMM had for years and years thanks to their "one on one's" that Richard had them supposedly do. He was way ahead of the curve, from what I know, with all the one on one's and refining of the pipe corps playing. Now, one hear's of all the top bands having several one on one practice with the Pipe Major in the off-season and leading up to the competition season.
So, thanks to Richard Parkes and his dedicated, smart, and refined band leading efforts, others were able to emulate and you have what have today; four to five bands that can win on any given day. Now, before you get upset, I'm not saying these other Pipe Majors have great bands only because they observed Richard's leading skills over the years. Each of the top band Pipe Majors have their own ideas and experiences they bring to the table. However, there's no doubting that the much more level "playing field" (no pun intended I swear!) wouldn't exist without the contributions of Richard, and Pipe Majors applying his tried and true methods for leading and tuning a band! Also, congratulations to FMM on winning the World's 2016!
Monday, August 15, 2016
Monday, April 20, 2015
Video of the Week: J.D.M.
This week's video is of a piper known as James Duncan MacKenzie (or JDM if you're cool). He's from Back which is on the Isle of Lewis, I believe. He's been a musician for quite a while now and is not only a member of Braebach, but he has is own CD on iTunes etc. His solo effort is extremely well done and the musical arrangements are tasteful as all get out!
The video below was taken during the Pipe Idol competition in 2008 in Glasgow. Not only does he have great technique, but I find him to be very musical as well! Click here for his website.
The video below was taken during the Pipe Idol competition in 2008 in Glasgow. Not only does he have great technique, but I find him to be very musical as well! Click here for his website.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Video of the Week: The Skullet
This week's video is of one the best piper's alive today...in my opinion anyway.
Although, he can be a bit cheesy at times, Carlos Nunez sure knows how to work a crowd. This video is very well done and hats off to him and the symphony for pulling this off. He plays with them extremely well which can't be easy to do. Not to mention, the sound engineering is great in this video. You can hear Carlos, but you can also hear all of the instruments.
And yes, there's the beastly skullet that Carlos always sports. It seems no one has told him he's allowed to cut the hair on the back of his head!!
Although, he can be a bit cheesy at times, Carlos Nunez sure knows how to work a crowd. This video is very well done and hats off to him and the symphony for pulling this off. He plays with them extremely well which can't be easy to do. Not to mention, the sound engineering is great in this video. You can hear Carlos, but you can also hear all of the instruments.
And yes, there's the beastly skullet that Carlos always sports. It seems no one has told him he's allowed to cut the hair on the back of his head!!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Living in the Past: Why are we still mailing in entry forms?
I have a bone to pick here people.
A few weeks ago, I filled out a few entry forms for some solo competitions and shooed them along in the snail mail system. I also typed in my name on a website and payed through PayPal in about 1 minute. Guess which one I enjoyed doing more?? Guess which one brought about more peace of mind upon entering the competition??
You guess it! Writing down my information on several different entry forms, filling out an envelope, providing another envelope for my ticket and providing some stamps to boot, was much more fun!! WRONG
I've got to rant about the perpetual use of old-fashioned entry forms for competitions. Why do games still do this when we have this little thing called the internet? You know, the thing you're using to read this very rant!? Look, it's not like it takes a lot of time per say, to fill out the entry form, fill out two envelopes and put them in the mail. It's once they're sent that scares and bothers me. I've heard of more than one horror story of an American or Canadian competitor having their entry form lost for some contest in Scotland, only to be booted to the curb and forced to watch the contest from the sidelines. It's nae right!
I don't understand why highland games, which are always pining for more entrants (i.e. entry fees), would chance having money lost in the mail, or not received by the "deadline" and having to turn down a potential competitor (and money spender). I entered online for the Toronto Indoor Games recently, and it was the easiest competition I've entered thus far. Not only were entry fees quite reasonable, it took hardly any time and I paid right away. As soon as I had paid, I knew I was entered and good to go. No two or three week waiting period thinking, "Gee I hope they got what they needed...I haven't heard from them yet..."
Isn't there somebody in our massive piping/drumming universe that can create a website for online entry? Maybe there already is one, and obviously I haven't researched it. But that's not the point is it people? Someone out there should create an easy to use template that any highland games can cling on to and use for all of their entries; not just piping/drumming. Heck, you could charge a small fee for a games to use it each year, or put in ads to make a little mula back.
I just think it would make the lives of the competitors and games organizers much less stressful and would streamline the process significantly. Now, let's say it's an open competition in which the competitors are required to submit multiple tunes for each event to be picked out by the judges ahead of time. Couldn't a person set up a "notes" section for submitting tunes with each person's entry?
Not every association is run like the PPBSO; competitors can enter all games online on one website. For associations like the EUSPBA though, where the games are overseen by the association and not run by it, the association could "suggest" using a certain website to use for entries. Even small Scottish games, which as we know are steeped in much more history than over here, could possibly upgrade to the 21st century! For example, the RSPBA has online entry and fee memberships for bands, which is especially great for overseas bands.
Again, filling out an entry form and mailing it in isn't the most inconvenient thing in the world, but, why not update the system to ensure competitor satisfaction? Games could even move the deadline closer to the day of the event, and possibly have more entries (i.e. money!!). I ask thee, what dost thou have to lose??
A few weeks ago, I filled out a few entry forms for some solo competitions and shooed them along in the snail mail system. I also typed in my name on a website and payed through PayPal in about 1 minute. Guess which one I enjoyed doing more?? Guess which one brought about more peace of mind upon entering the competition??
You guess it! Writing down my information on several different entry forms, filling out an envelope, providing another envelope for my ticket and providing some stamps to boot, was much more fun!! WRONG
I've got to rant about the perpetual use of old-fashioned entry forms for competitions. Why do games still do this when we have this little thing called the internet? You know, the thing you're using to read this very rant!? Look, it's not like it takes a lot of time per say, to fill out the entry form, fill out two envelopes and put them in the mail. It's once they're sent that scares and bothers me. I've heard of more than one horror story of an American or Canadian competitor having their entry form lost for some contest in Scotland, only to be booted to the curb and forced to watch the contest from the sidelines. It's nae right!
I don't understand why highland games, which are always pining for more entrants (i.e. entry fees), would chance having money lost in the mail, or not received by the "deadline" and having to turn down a potential competitor (and money spender). I entered online for the Toronto Indoor Games recently, and it was the easiest competition I've entered thus far. Not only were entry fees quite reasonable, it took hardly any time and I paid right away. As soon as I had paid, I knew I was entered and good to go. No two or three week waiting period thinking, "Gee I hope they got what they needed...I haven't heard from them yet..."
Isn't there somebody in our massive piping/drumming universe that can create a website for online entry? Maybe there already is one, and obviously I haven't researched it. But that's not the point is it people? Someone out there should create an easy to use template that any highland games can cling on to and use for all of their entries; not just piping/drumming. Heck, you could charge a small fee for a games to use it each year, or put in ads to make a little mula back.
I just think it would make the lives of the competitors and games organizers much less stressful and would streamline the process significantly. Now, let's say it's an open competition in which the competitors are required to submit multiple tunes for each event to be picked out by the judges ahead of time. Couldn't a person set up a "notes" section for submitting tunes with each person's entry?
Not every association is run like the PPBSO; competitors can enter all games online on one website. For associations like the EUSPBA though, where the games are overseen by the association and not run by it, the association could "suggest" using a certain website to use for entries. Even small Scottish games, which as we know are steeped in much more history than over here, could possibly upgrade to the 21st century! For example, the RSPBA has online entry and fee memberships for bands, which is especially great for overseas bands.
Again, filling out an entry form and mailing it in isn't the most inconvenient thing in the world, but, why not update the system to ensure competitor satisfaction? Games could even move the deadline closer to the day of the event, and possibly have more entries (i.e. money!!). I ask thee, what dost thou have to lose??
Monday, March 30, 2015
Video of the Week: Breton Champs!
This week's piping video is Bagad Kevrenn Alre's winning performance from last year's championship in Lorient, France.
If you've never been to the festival surrounding this event, it's spectacular! Some of the best live music I've ever heard came from small side street cafes and random tents that spring up down near the water. This championship is performed in a concert like style as you'll see in the video. The audience can comfortably sit in the stands of the local soccer stadium...gee what a novel idea!!
Jouir!!
If you've never been to the festival surrounding this event, it's spectacular! Some of the best live music I've ever heard came from small side street cafes and random tents that spring up down near the water. This championship is performed in a concert like style as you'll see in the video. The audience can comfortably sit in the stands of the local soccer stadium...gee what a novel idea!!
Jouir!!
Friday, March 20, 2015
Ban Scottish Bagpipes Eh?? Let's ban ignorance instead!
Ok people, we got a real point of contention here. I'm not messing around this time! Let's put an end to ignorance, specifically ignorance of celtic (in this case Scottish/Irish) music, its history, and its culture!
What am I rambling - nae - ranting about??!! Why an ever so eloquently worded (cleaning up my puke) article written by one Elizabeth Griewe. And yes, just so you know I spelled her last name incorrectly. It's spelled with the "e" before "i" and I'm not going to give her the luxury of properly spelling her name.
Now to the point - she wrote a commentary article for the Chicago Tribune. Its subject is why "we" should ban Scottish bagpipes on St. Patrick's Day and her history of growing up around the typical drunken piper...squealing cat bag... blah blah blah.
I could go on to point out all of the inconsistencies in her article. I could go on to point out her lack of research on the history of Scottish pipes and how they translate to the types of pipes that the Irish play. But, I'm not going to stoop to her level. I'm not going pull an Elizabeth "Griewe" and not do research on a popular culture/holiday and say that I don't like "X" and "X" should be banned.
What I will say is this; we need to ban this girl's and everyone's (that's a discussion for another day) ignorance of other cultures and holidays associated with them. The opening bravado of Ms. Elizabeth's commentary states; "Cover your ears! The bagpipes are baaaaack!" To which I respond to Queen Elizabeth COVER YOUR EYES! THE IGNORANCE IS BAAAAACK!
What can I say? How is it OK for her to recommend banning an instrument from another culture? What if I wrote an article saying how much I hated the sitar, or ummm...some other ethnically related instrument that was typically played on an Indian (or other country's) holiday?? Firstly, I love the sitar; secondly, I have no idea if that is something that actually happens in India. But, I wouldn't be surprised if it did, and you get my point here.
Look, I'm all for free speech (within reason) and people having their opinions. However, every now and then someone comes along and makes a blanketing statement about a whole group of musicians that they don't know anything about and have never heard quality playing on said instrument! The lesson here is, if you're reading this (what a lucky soul you are too!) and you want to write a commentary about another country's holiday, please please do your research on the history of any instruments/music and its significance to the natives.
Hey, if only Queen Elizabeth paid attention to the Palmeronian Rant, then she would be able to see some quality piping videos every week!!
What am I rambling - nae - ranting about??!! Why an ever so eloquently worded (cleaning up my puke) article written by one Elizabeth Griewe. And yes, just so you know I spelled her last name incorrectly. It's spelled with the "e" before "i" and I'm not going to give her the luxury of properly spelling her name.
Now to the point - she wrote a commentary article for the Chicago Tribune. Its subject is why "we" should ban Scottish bagpipes on St. Patrick's Day and her history of growing up around the typical drunken piper...squealing cat bag... blah blah blah.
I could go on to point out all of the inconsistencies in her article. I could go on to point out her lack of research on the history of Scottish pipes and how they translate to the types of pipes that the Irish play. But, I'm not going to stoop to her level. I'm not going pull an Elizabeth "Griewe" and not do research on a popular culture/holiday and say that I don't like "X" and "X" should be banned.
What I will say is this; we need to ban this girl's and everyone's (that's a discussion for another day) ignorance of other cultures and holidays associated with them. The opening bravado of Ms. Elizabeth's commentary states; "Cover your ears! The bagpipes are baaaaack!" To which I respond to Queen Elizabeth COVER YOUR EYES! THE IGNORANCE IS BAAAAACK!
What can I say? How is it OK for her to recommend banning an instrument from another culture? What if I wrote an article saying how much I hated the sitar, or ummm...some other ethnically related instrument that was typically played on an Indian (or other country's) holiday?? Firstly, I love the sitar; secondly, I have no idea if that is something that actually happens in India. But, I wouldn't be surprised if it did, and you get my point here.
Look, I'm all for free speech (within reason) and people having their opinions. However, every now and then someone comes along and makes a blanketing statement about a whole group of musicians that they don't know anything about and have never heard quality playing on said instrument! The lesson here is, if you're reading this (what a lucky soul you are too!) and you want to write a commentary about another country's holiday, please please do your research on the history of any instruments/music and its significance to the natives.
Hey, if only Queen Elizabeth paid attention to the Palmeronian Rant, then she would be able to see some quality piping videos every week!!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Video of the Week: A Mighty Cauld Wind
Put yer jeecket on, there's a cauld wind blowin' through!
This week's video is a live performance of two highly talented traditional scottish musicians. The piper in the video is Finlay MacDonald, and the fiddler is Chris Stout. The two of them put together an incredible album, very much in that "session" style, like one might hear in a small pub tucked away in the recesses of Glasgow's west end. The video is a track played on their album " The Cauld Wind" and it's availabe on Google Play, iTunes, etc. etc.
If you like this track, then you'll love the rest of the album. Enjoy!
This week's video is a live performance of two highly talented traditional scottish musicians. The piper in the video is Finlay MacDonald, and the fiddler is Chris Stout. The two of them put together an incredible album, very much in that "session" style, like one might hear in a small pub tucked away in the recesses of Glasgow's west end. The video is a track played on their album " The Cauld Wind" and it's availabe on Google Play, iTunes, etc. etc.
If you like this track, then you'll love the rest of the album. Enjoy!
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