|
: Home
: About
Us : Our
History : Our
Members : News
: Events
: Repertoire
: Merchandise
: Links
: Contact
Us: Guestbook
:
Waking
the neighbours...
Saturday 11th January 2003 saw the most informal event of the Bands
Calendar, being invited to play at the Galley Shed in Lerwick where the
Jarl Squad meet, and prepare for their Up Helly Aa.
After meeting in the Royal British Legion in Lerwick, the Band set off to
the shed, for what is traditionally a fairly hectic night!
|
|
Set against a backdrop of a white, as yet unpainted galley, and around 800
torches, the band formed a circle and started tuning up, with yet another
large turnout, this time - eleven pipers, five side drummers, three tenors,
and big Forbes on the Bass drum, the sound produced was very good. At
around 9.15pm, the Jarl Squad, led by this years Guizer Jarl, Alec
Johnson arrived at the shed. The band launched into a rendition of some
of the sets, and it wasn't long before some kind members of the Up Helly Aa
committee were forthcoming with the rum and whisky!
Alec Johnson proceeded to give a speech about how the band supported Up Helly
Aa, and three cheers were given. Following this, another few sets and
then the nights "official" playing was over, and things got even
more relaxed.
Charles Dunbar and Gussie Angus went first playing a few sets, and shortly
after, piper Steven Guthrie joined in on the tenor drum, as Steven admitted
himself, "its amazing how you think you are keeping time after
several cans of lager." The disapproving looks from drum
Sergeant Dougie Wiseman, the pipers, and the mocking laughter from Forbes Hogg
told a different story!
|
|
|
Not content with getting it wrong on the tenor, he then, followed soon
after by Donnie Mackay, tried to play the bass. It was suggested by most
there, that Steven should stick to the pipes.
A few tunes later, and the remainder of the band was soon accompanied by a
fiddle, piano, accordion, and bass guitar, the sound produced was incredible,
however it should be bore in mind that this was the wee small hours, and we
could be talking about the audible equivalent of "beer goggles.
|
|
Everyone
continued to enjoy the event, there was some concern over Dougie Wiseman's
health later in the evening, it was noticed that his lips were going blue, on
examination however, it became apparent that this was not a health problem,
but merely a by-product of the (obviously good by the quantity he drank!) red
wine that was on offer that night.
Things started to wind down for most of the band by about 3.30am, the prize
for "last piper standing" this year either goes to Mhairi MacNicol
or Pipe Major Aileen Cartney, we don't know who yet, but the rest of us were
topped up, tired and ready to go, but as usual, the above band members
obviously still have those hollow legs!
|
|
