As many of us ruminate on the emergence of our blackwood and ivory clad contraptions (or the like) from their winter hibernation, some few, a happy few, have been busy letting no dust gather on either fingers or drones. Those that choose to take such a path, to practice while Christmas sloth sets in for others, or learn tunes while many fiddle with the remote or surf the net, are rewarded with a refreshed repertoire and refreshing tone and technique, not often heard on an early February evening.
Jamie Forrester is one of those few and those two dozen or so that gathered in the Mudlark to hear him, were all the better for it. Jamie is tall and his pipes stand proud on his tweed jacketed shoulder. From the rear view the peak of a hide bag tellingly sicks out. The bag cover, too long for the bag folds round to approach his back showing the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band ensignia like a rear bumper sticker, as an authoritative Cameron MacFadyen is marched out to commence proceedings
Upstairs at the Mudlark is a great place for a piping recital. While not endowed with many attributes that enhance acoustics, it is nevertheless a good space and has an ambience and warmth perfect for settling back and imbibing great bagpipe playing. It has a row of large windows that look onto Southwark Cathedral. On this particular evening the stone monolith was softly bathed in flickering light, an image assisted in my mind that evening by Jamie’s assertive presentation of A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick.
In 2008 the following pipers gave solo recital evenings for the SPSL: Duncan Grant; Gordon Walker; Steve Waterston; Bill Livingstone. In 2009 thus far we have had Jamie Forrester and await with bated breath Murray Henderson in April. Murray as you no doubt know is 3 times winner of the NASA sponsored intergalactic Open Piobaireachd and MSR that happens once every 3 years on a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Beetlegeuse. Well he isn’t actually but if there was such a competition, there is little doubt that Murray’s name would be up there as one of the great overall champions such is his almost insuperable piping pedigree on this planet. It will be a rare evening in London this April.
The evening Jamie gave us was accomplished and comprehensive. His charm was evident in the commentary he gave on his tunes and piping story. With family roots in Mull, Jamie was started off on the pipes in Stirling by Brian Alec and went to Glenalmond College and Edinburgh University. Following a non-piping sabbatical involving the myriad distractions of university life, I note children may be reading this, Jamie took out his pipes again, proclaimed the true faith and has been in his words working to “step up” his playing ever since. He must have had a very good grounding as his playing at this event was of a technically very high standard. From competition MSRs to the innovative and exciting Chris Armstrong tune Exit Yankee Style Jamie gave a complete evenings entertainment of a polished and what’s more, very enjoyable standard.
Winter is a good time to learn new tunes. Many work on their “medal” tunes. Some who won’t or can’t compete for those medals learn a few of those tunes out of interest and challenge. Many bandsmen have worked on new or refreshed medlies. I have updated my MSR repertoire starting to learn tunes I was familiar with but never worked on. The domination of the competition agenda can really lead to a blinkered approach to learning new music - unless that is you are careful or inspired otherwise. Jamie was inspiring in playing a number of tunes he had learnt over the previous few weeks that sat outside the competition norm traversing both modern and traditional styles and compositions finishing the whole evening with the tune John Cairn’s Double. I think many present will have been scurrying over recordings and music books over the following few days for creative alternatives to well worn standards. This is so important for any serious, or half-serious piper and Jamie is to be thanked for his reminder of what is an evolving and exciting musical genre rooted in traditional soil.
The SPSL Pipers Club continues monthly with March seeing the society pipers demonstrate the product of their winter efforts. 18th April 2009 is our Members Competition followed by recital by Murray Henderson taking place at the London Scottish Drill Hall at Horseferry Rd, London. Other events are being planned for 2009 including the return of a quintette from Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band on July 11th 2009 at the Mudlark. Keep looking at the website for more details.
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