What song stirs your highland blood?

[highlander_Daz]

Looking at his Birl it looks like a "7" but with the forward movement performed as a very small movement very quickly (quicker than the eye!!) and then a very rapid draw back, with such speed his finger comes right back, I think the rapid draw backward gives it that machine gun like quality. it does appear that he only draws back his finger, Ive spoke to a few pipers that played with him and they all say the way he performed his Birl was a very unique to him, Interestingly, they all tell me that Gordon never "showboated" when playing with other pipers and would often let them take the lead, however on his new CD there is a very long recording of a Set from The Scottish Pipers Assoc Knockout Comp final in 1993 and he just effortlessly levels the opposition.

"God save the queen" is indeed the national anthem of the United Kingdon, however Flùir na h-Alba is played at football matches and national events, interstingly the tune cannot be played correctly on the bagpipe, well it can, but the c has to be played as a c natural which sounds awful against the drones, so pipers play the c which alters the melody compared to the singing version.

[Thunderbolt]

I just can't stand Amazing Grace. As a piper, I'm forced to play it all the time and now I hate it.

Nowadays, I really love any strathspey (that's a type of tune). A good strathspey really get my heart pumpin.

You, me and most all other pipers. As for straths, for me it's a good hornpipe or jig, but not too fast!

I do have to say that Amazing Grace and Scotland the Brave are down the list for me. They have powerful emotional connections, but they are overplayed and are.....well, not my favorites. (But I do understand why others do like them)

WAY over played. However, we are pipers and would all be out of a job if nobody wanted to hear us play...So, play what people want to hear we must. However, I do think that people who love pipe music should do a little research and discover the entire pipe spectrum, I mean, find out what the pipes REALLY can do!

Looking at his Birl it looks like a "7" but with the forward movement performed as a very small movement very quickly (quicker than the eye!!) and then a very rapid draw back, with such speed his finger comes right back, I think the rapid draw backward gives it that machine gun like quality. it does appear that he only draws back his finger, Ive spoke to a few pipers that played with him and they all say the way he performed his Birl was a very unique to him, Interestingly, they all tell me that Gordon never "showboated" when playing with other pipers and would often let them take the lead, however on his new CD there is a very long recording of a Set from The Scottish Pipers Assoc Knockout Comp final in 1993 and he just effortlessly levels the opposition.

Spot on. I miss Gordon dearly. I use different birls, depending on the situation. If I have a longer note before the birl, like a low A, I'll use a figure 7. Like a typical march 6/8's and such. However, if it is a fast birl, like a long birl in a jig, I use the "tap, curl" so my finger doesn't have to set up for the birl.

A lot of trad. pipers say that the figure 7 is the only correct way to do a birl. But at my level, I can't tell the difference, other than a slight difference in timing. My instructor used the "down-up slide", so it started as a figure 7, but slid right back up instead of off the chanter. I never could do that.

By the way, I think birls from B aughta be banned....

T.

[beloitpiper]

As far as Piobaireachd, my favorite is "Lament for my Brother", which is the only I've heard live. Played amazingly at a funeral, it was probably the most powerful tune I've heard. The second most would have to be Highland Cathedral played with a church organ. The organ and the bagpipes go together very well, but make sure they're tuned!

[davedove]

I have found that any well played martial tune done with bagpipes tends to stir me a bit. It's just something about the sound of a group of pipers that gets me going.

[Drillagent]

In order to get the blood roiling enough to make you want to pick a fight with and Englishman then have a pint after, you really should listen to or better yet watch Albannach. They're a "tribal" group out of Scotland that usually make the Highland Games tours during the summer. Their latest album Eye of the Storm I thought was their best yet. They have a version of The Gael that just makes you want to knock someone out. I use it when I'm working out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eXTbxnePVs

[Livingston]

In order to get the blood roiling enough to make you want to pick a fight with and Englishman then have a pint after, you really should listen to or better yet watch Albannach. They're a "tribal" group out of Scotland that usually make the Highland Games tours during the summer. Their latest album Eye of the Storm I thought was their best yet. They have a version of The Gael that just makes you want to knock someone out. I use it when I'm working out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eXTbxnePVs

Albannach was at the games in Estes Park, CO, this year and yes they do get you moving. The age range of fans was amazing to me, kids in the single digits all the way up to 70's plus. And everyone was moved by their music.

BTW, thanks for the youtube link.

[Coinneach]

"Amazing Grace" and "Scotland the Brave" are wonderful, and I like them only on the pipes, but I have to say for me, "Coming Home" has always been a favorite.

[gilmore]

In order to get the blood roiling enough to make you want to pick a fight with and Englishman then have a pint after, you really should listen to or better yet watch Albannach. They're a "tribal" group out of Scotland that usually make the Highland Games tours during the summer. Their latest album Eye of the Storm I thought was their best yet. They have a version of The Gael that just makes you want to knock someone out. I use it when I'm working out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eXTbxnePVs

"As long as war is regarded as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular."
Oscar Wilde

[Thunderbolt]

In order to get the blood roiling enough to make you want to pick a fight with and Englishman then have a pint after, you really should listen to or better yet watch Albannach. They're a "tribal" group out of Scotland that usually make the Highland Games tours during the summer. Their latest album Eye of the Storm I thought was their best yet. They have a version of The Gael that just makes you want to knock someone out. I use it when I'm working out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eXTbxnePVs

They are way cool. It's funny, tho, it take 5 drummies to keep up with ONE piper....! :o

T.

[IndianaGentry]

In order to get the blood roiling enough to make you want to pick a fight with and Englishman then have a pint after, you really should listen to or better yet watch Albannach. They're a "tribal" group out of Scotland that usually make the Highland Games tours during the summer. Their latest album Eye of the Storm I thought was their best yet. They have a version of The Gael that just makes you want to knock someone out. I use it when I'm working out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eXTbxnePVs

Ahhhh yes... I love that CD. I mentioned in another post today that I saw them play at the Scott Monument in Edinburgh last August:


I also love the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards CD called "Parallel Tracks- Going Home." Mark Knopfler plays on this CD, and I remember hearing it everywhere I went during the Fringe Festival. When I listen to it, it is like hearing a soundtrack to my trip. I can remember what song I heard while eating lunch at Rapido's, what was playing when I ate orange fudge walking down the Royal Mile, etc. Yeah, it's kind of silly I guess... but everyone has something that brings back good memories.

Dropkick Murphys get me going, too. It is tough to pick just one song, but I've always liked "Worker's Song" and "Sing Loud, Sing Proud." They are my favorite sing-alongs from the Murphys. I'll be seeing them in a couple of weeks here in Indy!