NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume V Number 6; June 2000

ONE YEAR!

So it's been a year since Karen and I wandered into the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Heh heh. Seems like yesterday -well, it practically was! I must say that the last year has been different - and FUN! Hell, I think I even made a little money (I did?) - but that all went back into the business. Anyway, we both want to thank EVERYONE we've done business with in the last year for all your support - moral and financial! We'll be here for a long time to come!

On a more serious note I must deplore the dearth of piobaireachd competitions at WUSPBA games this summer. Only two Professional competitions this year - Costa Mesa and Pleasanton! WHY? There are plenty of games that put on solo events - why leave the pros out? The judges are already there and paid for; the prize money for two or three professional events isn't all that much. Let's face it - professional competitions are a great inspiration to younger pipers, when they see top level players on the boards. In addition, there's nothing in the rules that says a Grade I player can't compete in Pro class events and they should be encouraged to do so. Let's see more Pro or Open events next year!

BLACK PART SPEAKS:

continuing from last month:

For the Master's Competition of the Dan Reid Memorial last month, Willie McCallum led off with Abercairney Highlanders, Captain Campbell of Drum a' Voisk, Atholl Cummers, Susan MacLeod, The Little Cascade, and Alick C. MacGregor. His marches and reels were excellent, but the strathspeys were a little rushed, resulting in a loss of pulses through the two tunes. Overall a beautiful set on a wonderful pipe - strong, full drones well balanced to his chanter. He then started his jig/hornpipe, The Old Woman's Dance and Lucy Cassidy, which went off with only minor slips in the jig first time through. After a couple of minutes retuning, he went straight into In Praise of Moraig. I must say that the 'marathon' format of the competition began to take its toll, for by the taorluath doubling he was having some problems - the tune was rushed through the crunluath variations, suffering from weak grips. By the end of the tune he was in trouble keeping his seal, which marred an otherwise brilliant performance on a magnificent pipe. The physical problems did not prevent him from taking the day, however, in an extremely difficult competition format.

Roddy MacLeod gave us The Argyllshire Gathering, Inveran, Blair Drummond, Arniston Castle, Lt.Col. D.J. Murray, and John Morrison of Assynt House on a pipe with a bright chanter and a BIG drone sound. A minor slip occurred at the end of Argyllshire Gathering, and his birls were a little light at the start of Blair Drummond. The tempo was a little fast through the strathspeys, accellerating into the reels. His jig/hornpipe was Loch Ness Monster and The Train Journey North, which were marred by a slip in the jig and rushing, which resulted in muddled shakes and doublings. Again the strain of playing straight through was unsettling, as he had unsteady blowing at the beginning of The Lament for the Children, and hitching his bag caused some uneven tone. A beautifully expressed piobaireachd, although he had a weak intro into the Taorluath and his crunluaths were shy on the 'edre's.'

Rob Wallace, in his first DRM outing, gave us The Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band, The Highland Wedding, Blair Drummond, Captain Colin Campbell, Pretty Marion, and Broadford Bay on a well-tuned but thin pipe - the chanter was dull on the top hand. He seemed unsettled throughout the MSR and had several slips and missed birls. This continued with his jig/hornpipe, The Old Woman's Dance and Crossing the Minch, including several chirps. His piobaireachd, however, was much better. Having rid himself of the light music, he settled in to Thanig Mo Righ Air Tir am Muideart with good attack and expression. The tune was well-played except for light low G's in his tra's and taorluaths, and a bit fast through the a-mach variation.

Jack Lee was up next with a big sound from his silver Naills. Mellow and well-balanced drones and chanter throughout an impeccable performance of The Lochaber Gathering, John MacDonald of Glencoe, Neil Sutherland of Lairg, John Roy Stewart, John MacKechnie's Big Reel, and Mrs. MacPherson of Inveran. His performance of the MSR was flawless- excellent timing and breaks throughout - the music flowed like water - speaking of which, Ozzie will have to provide a cuspidor next year for water traps! Beautiful phrasing through the set, not rushed, resulted in a 'perfect' performance. His jig/hornpipe, Donald MacLennan's Exercise and Mrs. Lillian Livingstone, was extroadinary; likewise his piobaireachd, The Laird of Anapool's Lament, which was flawlessly played. A fine performance from this top professional.

Last on the boards was P/M Bill Livingstone, whose MSR consisted of Bonnie Anne, Dr. MacLeod of Alnwick, The Cameronian Rant, Tulloch Castle, Charlie's Welcome, and The Grey Bob. Light birls punctuated the marches, and the strathspeys were rushed from the start, causing muddiness in the g-d-e pulses. The reels suffered from the increased tempo, and there were a couple of chirps. His jig/hornpipe set, Loch Ness Monster and Bobby Cuthbertson, was also plagued by accelleration, resulting in untidy fingering and missed movements. The last was worth waiting for, however. His piobaireachd, The Daughter's Lament, was a joy to hear, with only some light echo beats in the ground breaking the continuity of the tune. Beautifully phrased, Bill gave us an exceptional performance on an elegant pipe.

Overall the DRM was an outstanding competition. Ozzie Reid and his committee have to be congratulated for putting on the finest venue in the U.S. My only criticism of the event is the 'marathon' setup which marred some of the performances in the Masters' Competition. The old presentation was easier on the players and more relaxed for the judging. The dinner which followed was exceptional, as was the piping by the Master's competitors after. A great show which I strongly recommend to all. Next year's DRM should also be the same weekend in May. We'll be sure to keep you posted on this exceptional competition.

John E. Partanen, Ph.D

until next month....