TUNE OF THE MONTH

Here's a tune for the new year - or there would be music for it here, but it was composed by the late Glen Frey of "The Eagles" and therefore well within copyright.  The title is "I Dreamed There Was No War", and I can only suggest that you have a listen to this beautiful air, on the Eagles' fabulous album "Long Road Out of Eden."

I think it sounds great on fiddle.

Here's a traditional reel (well beyond copyright!) from Perthshire, with a 2nd fiddle part added.  I think Miss Bissett's father was the local church minister at some point during the 19th century.  

A new album celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Edinburgh Branch of the RSDCS was launched at a concert in the Canongate Kirk in November 2024.  Here's the "original" for the first dance on the CD.  Called "Fancy That" the dance was devised by my wife, Theresa MacVarish. 

Had a lovely gig at Dalkeith Palace with Muriel Johnstone.  Our repertoire of course included several tunes with connections to the palace.  This was part of an evening celebrating the centenary of the RSCDS (Royal Scottish Country Dance Society).

There's currently an initiative to create a life-size bronze of James Scott Skinner in his home town of Banchory.  Instigated by north-east fiddler Paul Anderson, the clay sculpture has already been made (by Scottish artist David Annand, who made the Niel Gow memorial in Dunkeld).  But more money is needed for this project to progress.  Here's a link for anyone who might like to contribute:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/strathspey-king-memorial-fund

Click on the wee dram below to watch a video of Pete playing "Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of his Second Wife" beneath Niel Gow's Oak on the banks of the River Tay near Dunkeld.

Click on the picture of Niel Gow Cottage below to watch a video of Pete rehearsing with Hazel Murch before their performance of "2nd Lieutenant Archibold Morrison, Royal Scots" on Remembrance Sunday, 11th November 2018.

The Dunkeld Bridge Collection, Vol. 1

Fiddle music from highland Perthshire

by Pete Clark, Edited by Jane Marx

[Published by Inver Music]

Extract from review in "Fiddler" magazine:

This is so much more than a music book – it’s a great read on many levels.  It’s an entertaining history of the people and the area via music, text, paintings, and photographs.  After reading it, you’ll feel as if you were treated to a whirlwind trip to highland Perthshire!

Mary Larsen

Fiddler Magazine