The Highland Club once again had a large cowd in the hall for the December club night and yet again another superb evening of quality entertainment was to unfold.
First up was Club chairman Fraser Maclean. Nihol Mackay took the second box position, Jacquie Macdonald took to the keyboards and the ever reliable Jock Stephen was on the drums. Fraser always uses this opportunity to play one of his favourite tunes, "Welcome Christmas Morning", composed of course by the late Sir Jimmy Shand. This is a cracking wee waltz and of course only gets an airing about this time of year.
Davy Shand, now residing in Whitebridge near Inverness, was next up and had the melodeon with him. Sing a long numbers were the order of the day and this put the crowd into a real festive mode.
Time now for a fiddler to take centre stage. Stuart Maclean had backing from Calum Mackaskill on guitar and Bob Wares on the drums.
Stuart Mackintosh is a local lad but had never been to the Club before. He is a renowned accordionist and teaches through the medium of the Traditional Music Classes. Stuart had Ryan Johns with him, for his first taste of a public performance. Ryan played very well and celebrated his twelfth birthday on stage. Great prospects for this young man and Stuart is a very capable performer and teacher in his own right. Welcome back any time boys.
Dougal Macdougall is a regular visitor to the Club and this time had the three row button box with him. Dougal had Allen Shepherd on keyboards for a lively couple of sets.
Time now for the guest spot and The Andy Kain duo were in the limelight.
Andy was in scintilating form and had his good friend Craig Paton on keyboards. These guys are a perfect foil for each other and their interaction with the crowd raised the Christmas spirit even higher. Andy had he crowd eating out of his hand and it really is not difficult to understand why he was voted guest artiste of the year for 2010. He is a true master of the fiddle and proved it several times.
After the break Iain Stewart took to the stage. Iain's diary has been very busy of late but he managed to fit in a visit to the Club and had Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards. Great to have you back on board Iain.
Nichol Mackay took centre stage with his 5 row button box and had Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards and Bob Wares on the drums. Nichol played a couple of sets from his recently released CD which is proving very popular.
Another player who has not managed in for various reasons is Cammy Maclean. He was back in action with the box and had his Dad Martin on the drums and Jacquie at the keyboards. Great couple of sets Cammy and lets hope you also manage to come back more regularly in the new year.
Colin Donaldson was next up and had Susie Simpson on second box, Jacquie Macdonald on keyboards and Martin Maclean stayed on the drums. Colin has also just released a CD and played a couple of sets from it.
All great stuff from a very talented group of local players all evening.
Time for the guests once more. Andy Kain on the fiddle and Craig Paton on keyboards returned to rapturous applause and managed to raise spirits even higher with some Christmas numbers and a bit of fun and good banter with the audience. These guys are exceptionally talented in everything they do and even found time to put in a couple of songs, which I am certain Andy won't thank me for mentioning !
A brilliant evening and the Highland faithful set off for the Christmas break in fine fettle.
Bob Wares
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