Author: dmorrison

Taransay CD Notes Calum Watt.

Taransay Live 2007 is a recording from this years Taransay Fiddle Camp
final concert which takes place in July each year in Harris Community
Hall.

Each year Fidhlearein Eilean an Fhraoich (Fiddlers of the Heather
Isles) run the seven day long fiddle based music camp each year on the
wonderfully relaxed and beautifully stunning island of Taransay. The
uninhabited six thousand acre island which was the setting for BBC
Castaway project is home normally to only Red Deer and Sheep.
Taransay hugs the bay on the coast line of the larger island of Harris
in the Outer Hebrides.

Fidlearein Eilean an Fhraoich have been using this unique location
since 2001 as the setting for this innovative traditional music based
project. In 2007 a total of fifty fiddlers of all levels and
abilities came together for a fully music packed week – under the
tuition of some of Scotland’s best fiddlers and musicians Patsy Reid,
Alistair White, Charlie Mackerrion, Alan Henderson,Ian Macfarlane,
Andy Thorbourn and Bridgette Law from USA.

No holiday this – with fiddles blazing each and every day from the
first lessons at 9am – and on into the small wee hours until some
particularly difficult Reel Jig or Strathspey is finally mastered and
sits neatly under the fingers. Accommodation is bring your own tent
or sleep in the bunk houses last inhabited by Ben Fogel and his other
Castaways cronies. The food and hospitality is second to none with
local celebrity cooks Catherine and Isobel dishing out the plentiful
cuisine.

This CD represents the fruits of the Fiddle Camp labours and is a must
for anyone who likes down to earth honest music – presented and
performed in the format of fun, friendship and great “crack”. The CD
captures the moment and gives us, the jealous listener an insight into
the great time the performers must have had during there special week
on Taransay.

The piping of Andy Macyntyre heralds the concert opening, followed by
the MaKerrons Class, Session M8, Alistair White and Patsy Reid,
Bridgette’s Class – Traditional song from Catriona Watt, Duet by Ian
Macfarlane and Charlie Mackerron, Patsy Reid’s Class followed by the
stunning singing of the newly formed Taransay Gaelic Choir!! New
song from Bridgett Law. Closing with the now standard Taransay
Fiddlers Stramash

Tracks
1Andy Macyntre – Dr Ross’s 50 Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering
2Charlie Mackerrons Class – Patsy Reid’s Trip to Alvie Bothy –
Hangmans Rell
3Session M8 – Da Stockit Licht, Harvest Home, Mrs MacLeod of Rassay
4Alistair White and Patsy Reid – Christie Campbell, Traditional
Strathspey, Munlochy Bridge In and out of the Harbour, Dan Breens
Reel, Roddy Macdonalds fancy
5Bridgette Laws Class – Arkansas Traveller
6Bridgette Law’s Class – Tennesse Waltz
7Catriona Watt – Mo Bhean Coman
8Alistair Whites Class -= J.Gows Hornpipe
9Ian Macfarlane and Charlie Mackerron- Togail curs ar Leodhas, Braes
of Castle Grant, Iron man, Contradiction.
10Patsy Reid – Ferrit on the shore.

11Patsy Reid’s Class – Jacksons Fancy, Come Awa in
12Taransay Gaelic Choir – Mo llann Down Boyach
13Taransay Gaelic Choir – Mile Marabhaisg Air Ghaol
14 Bridgette Law – Land called Taransay
15Taransay Fiddlers – Barroburn Reel, Banshee, Tongadale Reel, Jenny
Dang the Weaver
16Taransay Fiddlers – Kesh Jig, Kenny Gilles of Portnalong

As if there was not enough feel good factor surrounding this CD then
the fact that it was made and produced totally in the Western Isles
and the fact that all proceeds from sales go to funding of next years
camp – is good enough reason for it to be a must for any CD
collection.
THe Chairman