September Club Night Report

HIGHLAND ACCORDION AND FIDDLE CLUB (INVERNESS)

MEETING ON MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2011

Club Chairman Fraser MacLean welcomed a sell out, enthusiastic crowd to the opening night of the new season, and reflected on a very busy summer and the crowd were not to be disappointed with the fare on offer.

A great start to the evening with a visitor to the area taking the lead position. Janet Graham had made the trip from Cumbernauld as part of a wee break with her husband and started the new season with a couple of lively sets..She had Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards and Mike Smith on drums.

Megan Meikle was next up and demonstrated her ability very well. She has obviously been practicing over the summer break and turned in a first class performance.

Fiddler Stuart Maclean was next up and had Calum Mackaskill on guitar and Bob Wares on drums.

Its been a wee while since we had a solo fiddler at the Club and Stuart is a welcome addition to any playing list.

Graham Wilson was next to show his talents and he led a sing along couple of sets with Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards and Jock Stephen on drums

Time for the guest to take over and local lad Graeme Mackay did the honours. Graeme is the current Scottish Open button box champion and showed exactly why he holds this title. He certainly has dancing fingers and what a magnificent sound from his new box. He played right across the whole spectrum and the timing and musicianship was superb. No time for blethers or stories and just music all the way.

Michael Macmillan opened the second half and had Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards and Bob Wares on the drums. Michael is a real favourite with the Inverness faithful and is scheduled to appear at Eden Court Theatre Inverness on Saturday 12 November as part of the Highland Showtime organised by the Highland Club.

Tickets for this event are available now from the theatre (tel 01463 234234 or visit the Eden Court Theatre website).

A change of instrument now and Jimmy Smith had the mouth organ with him. Jimmy is another great favourite with the Highland crowd and had Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards, Calum Mackaskill on guitar and Bob Wares on the drums

Nichol Mackay then took the 5 row button box out and had Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards and Bob Wares on the drums. Nothing less than the usual high standard from Nichol and much appreciated it was too.

A young fiddler was next on stage and Rachel Campbell had backing from Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards. Rachel is a terrific player and her future in the music world is surely assured. Very competent fiddler and not a note of music to be seen. Well done Rachel.

Guest artiste time once again and Graeme Mackay had the crowd in raptures and enjoyed every single note. Graeme was in scintillating form and very relaxed and the pleasure of just playing was obvious for all to see.

A great start to the season for The Highland Accordion and Fiddle Club, and isn’t it great to be back in harness again, with the prospect of a whole new season unfolding in front of us?

Bob Wares