“The Music of Scotland”

[Dave Kerr]

In case you did not know, the 17 tracks from the LP, The Music of Scotland, can be found on YouTube.

The LP, which I have and treasure, was released by the once great National Geographic Society in 1974.

The last track, “The Hills of Perth,” is a stirring retreat that is a personal favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dY-81vh2kYL_tP


Dave

[OC Richard]

I'm not familiar with that album, but I do love Waulking Songs and they have a very nice one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjqO...YL_tP&index=10

I should point out that The Hills of Perth isn't a Retreat, it's a 2/4 March, a Quick March.

Retreats are at a bit slower tempo, and are generally in 3/4 time or 9/8 time.

[OC Richard]

Here's a very nice Retreat March, called Borve Castle, in 3/4 time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z8F...&start_radio=1

By the way the piper on the album cover is Pipe Major Robert Crabb of The Scots Guards.

He must have done a photo shoot around 1960, there are quite a few different photos including closeups of him that appear on various albums, posters, etc.

[OC Richard]

The last track, “The Hills of Perth”

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dY-81vh2kYL_tP

It's hard for a person accustomed to hearing modern Grade One pipe bands to listen to that old stuff.

Pipe bands have changed SO much over the last half-century. Today top-level pipe bands are tuned far better, the arrangements/orchestrations are much more sophisticated, the bands have doubled in size, and there's been a revolution in the size, makeup, and technology of the Drum Corps.

Here's a good example of a modern band, competing at the World Pipe Band Championships

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aDu...&start_radio=1

[jsrnephdoc]

It's hard for a person accustomed to hearing modern Grade One pipe bands to listen to that old stuff.

Pipe bands have changed SO much over the last half-century. Today top-level pipe bands are tuned far better, the arrangements/orchestrations are much more sophisticated, the bands have doubled in size, and there's been a revolution in the size, makeup, and technology of the Drum Corps.

Here's a good example of a modern band, competing at the World Pipe Band Championships

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aDu...&start_radio=1

Maybe that's just me, but my lack of preparation was never so evident as when we visited Glasgow (in August, of course, totally ignorant of the occurrence OR timing of the world piping championships, or, indeed something that should have been close to my heart—the world cycling championships, which I learned of only when we couldn't find a place to park near an evening delightful dinner downtown and most of the parking spots were disabled by barricades for the races. Even worse, returning "home" to our hotel, we encountered an obvious competitor and one of his coaches in our elevator. By that time I was of course aware of the races, so I asked the two of them how they were doing.

"Pretty well," said the guy still in Spandex.

"What does THAT mean?" I asked.

"I won" replied the racer.

But, thanks for posting that lovely video. I was struck by the absolute precision of the band, but also by the fact that there were open seats in the bleachers. That must mean that it's not impossible to get tickets. I'll start planning!

[User]

It's hard for a person accustomed to hearing modern Grade One pipe bands to listen to that old stuff.
...

I'm ignorant enough that I'm able to blissfully enjoy both old and modern.
Thank you both for the links!

[Jock Scot]

I'm ignorant enough that I'm able to blissfully enjoy both old and modern.
Thank you both for the links!

I quite agree, we are fellow travellers on that particular journey.