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Date Posted: 16:00:06 01/22/05 Sat
Author: Victoria
Subject: Re: Celtic Connections Concert
In reply to: AndyG 's message, "Celtic Connections Concert" on 13:51:14 01/22/05 Sat

After the Millenium concert I admit to being turned to FMM but today showed I was totally wrong!!

Shotts haven't sounded or looked better (explain in a bit)in about 10 years. They have sharpened their pitch which has made it all lot brighter and also makes it a bigger sound. He only had 14 pipers up there and it sounded more than when he played 18 in contests over the last few years and that includes things like the concert in Glasgow.

The solo that Douglas Murray did in the second half put all the others to shame and that includes Rab's. Andrew Carlisle of FMM did his in the first half and it was all about playing as fast as he could and in some bits the tune was not obvious at all but it was amazing to see that an 18 year old can give Gordon Duncan a run for his money. Douglas' wasn't as fast but was totally hypnotic. It was one of the most musical and relaxed (as in tempo cause he was bricking it!!) sets I have heard in a long time.

The trio from FMM was disappointing but not in terms of the pipers -- Ryan Canning and Alistair Dunn were incredible but anyone who wasn't as confident on the tunes as those 2 could have fell apart cause of the bongos getting lost and loosing the beat. This was what was disapointing

FMM really came alive when they played last years Worlds medley -- it was AMAZING!!!!!! There really isn't anymore you can say about it other than it was a perfect example of how to play these tunes -- better than the Worlds CD. Although, they too have raised the pitch and it sounded TOO high and slightly piercing but this may have been cause it was inside -- may just sound really sharp outside.

As for Shotts looking better, they came on to the stage marching in step and all legs were raised to the same level with arms at the same levels, all of their kit was perfectly presented and they all looked as though they belonged up there and made no apologies about it. From the start they made you sit up and take notice of what they were about to do. Not a single piper looked anywhere other than at Rab and all stood more or less perfectly still when playing (made me realise I need to get back to standing properly when I play).

On the other hand, FMM came on and they just kind of swung their arms and marched but not all together and there were gaps before the next person came on, a lot of the shirts weren't ironed properly and pulled too far out of the kilts (don't wear waistcoats like Shotts so this is noticeable), socks were all out of line and they didn't really look like they wanted to be there. This gave a bad impression from the start and they just didn't look like the current Worlds Champions.

After thinking about the differences in the appearance (after the playing), I realised that I had done what judges obviously do by going by the appearance to see if I'll enjoy the performance....I hate thinking like judge!!

Hopefully they will bring out an (unedited) CD of the concert and if they do I would advise anyone to buy it.

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