Thread
Index
Island CD Survey
Anselm Lingnau
Sept. 25, 2001, 12:16 p.m. (Message 27501)
Since we seem to be back on track with SCD-related topics, here's
another little fun project for those of you who would like to play
along.
Imagine you were to spend a year on a South Sea island. Which three SCD
CDs would you want to take along? (Let's imagine that there is an ample
supply of monkeys around who would be more than happy to fill out a set
once the coconuts and bananas are cleared away; the point is that these
three CDs will be the only ones available. Oh yes, and the monkeys have
all passed the RSCDS proficiency test so they will be able to dance
whichever dance you fancy :^))
Please post your lists here or send them to `xxxxxx-xxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx'.
I will collect the results and put them on a page on the Strathspey
Server unless the submitters object. To start things off, my own list
would be (in alphabetical order):
- Cairngorms (Keith Smith and Muriel Johnstone)
- Memories of Scottish Weekend (Scottish Weekend Band 1998)
- The San Francisco Collection, vol. 2 (Various)
Anselm
--
Anselm Lingnau .......................................... xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.
-- Pliny the Elder
Hmm, can we take along our home-recorded CDs? Stan Hamilton & Band, Volume 1 (my age is showing, but I couldn't manage without one Stan Hamilton recording) Dancing Live (Muriel Johnstone Trio and SCD Band) Live (John Taylor and Andy Imbrie) Better send this now before I start thinking about what I've left behind. Marjorie McLaughlin San Diego, CA
Quoting Anselm Lingnau <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>: > Since we seem to be back on track with SCD-related topics, here's > another little fun project for those of you who would like to play > along. > > Imagine you were to spend a year on a South Sea island. Which three > SCD > CDs would you want to take along? > - Cairngorms (Keith Smith and Muriel Johnstone) > - Memories of Scottish Weekend (Scottish Weekend Band 1998) > - The San Francisco Collection, vol. 2 (Various) Well, I'm going to assume I'm stranded on the same island with Marjorie and Anselm, so I've already got Cairngorms, the San Francisco Collection, Memories of Scottish Weekend, and the John Taylor and Andy Imbrie discs, all of which are among my favorites. This leaves me free to bring my other top choices: - Boston Celebrate 50 (various) - Terpsichore (Elke Baker and Liz Donaldson) - Any of the 3 Berkeley Players albums (which we have transferred to CDs) ******************************* Lara Friedman-Shedlov xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx *******************************
>Well, I'm going to assume I'm stranded on the same island with Marjorie >and Anselm, so I've already got Cairngorms, the San Francisco >Collection, Memories of Scottish Weekend, and the John Taylor and Andy >Imbrie discs, all of which are among my favorites. This leaves me free >to bring my other top choices: > >- Boston Celebrate 50 (various) >- Terpsichore (Elke Baker and Liz Donaldson) >- Any of the 3 Berkeley Players albums (which we have transferred to >CDs) Well, as much as I might like being stranded with Marjorie and Anselm, I wouldn't like leaving something like music choices to chance. What about all those terrific pre-CD albums: Stan Hamilton, Berkeley Players, Jimmy Blue, Jim Johnstone, etc... Problem is, there are sooo many wonderful recordings that it would be easier for me to pick 3 not to bring than to leave all of the rest of my music behind. I would opt for something about the same size as a stack of 3 standard jewel cases--a 60 gigabyte external drive with all my music in mp3 format. The original challenge implicitly assumed that a CD player, amplification and electricity were available, so I would replace the CD player and amplifier with an mmx notebook PC with internal speakers (which could also play your 3 CD's if you got stranded with me). Happiness is ALL of my music. :))) Cheers, Oberdan. 184 Estaban Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010-1611 USA Voice: (805) 389-0063, FAX: (805) 484-2775, email: xxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
Quoting Anselm Lingnau <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>: > Since we seem to be back on track with SCD-related topics, here's > another little fun project for those of you who would like to play > along. > > Imagine you were to spend a year on a South Sea island. Which three > SCD > CDs would you want to take along? > - Cairngorms (Keith Smith and Muriel Johnstone) > - Memories of Scottish Weekend (Scottish Weekend Band 1998) > - The San Francisco Collection, vol. 2 (Various) Well, I'm going to assume I'm stranded on the same island with Marjorie and Anselm, so I've already got Cairngorms, the San Francisco Collection, Memories of Scottish Weekend, and the John Taylor and Andy Imbrie discs, all of which are among my favorites. This leaves me free to bring my other top choices: - Boston Celebrate 50 (various) - Terpsichore (Elke Baker and Liz Donaldson) - Any of the 3 Berkeley Players albums (which we have transferred to CDs) ******************************* Lara Friedman-Shedlov xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx *******************************
Since my original message (sent on 11 Sept) got buried under a lot of rubble,
I'm sending it again:
>Even if we are all afraid of being sued for slander in case of negative
comments, there's no reason why we shouldn't voice our praise for the dance
bands (recordings) we like best.
My vote goes to the White Cockade and to the Sound Company, whose
musicianship, clarity, and energy could keep me dancing for the rest of my
life.
I imagine there will be a distinct divide between tastes on the two sides
of the Atlantic ...
(Note my own non-partisan approach !)
---
So the 3 CDs that I couldn't do without are:
On Track, by the Sound Company.
Tartan Capers, by the White Cockade.
and a home made copy of an old record of Don Bartlet & the Scotians
---
Martin,
in Grenoble, France.
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/scots.in.france/
(dance groups, events, some new dances ...)
No fair! I was thinking that is was bad enough having to look through the 97 pre-recorded CDs in our collection to come up with a top 3, and then you include the privately recorded ones! (OK, so you weren't the first, but I haven't got the other privately recorded CDs that were mentioned) Anyway its far too late for me to go through now, although I suspect I would have to include a Neil Barron CD because I use its generic Reels and Jigs for anything I don't have the right tune for. I also suspect I will have to select one of the Music Makars CDs, but I don't know which one - and that will only leave me with one more - decisions! decisions! By the way, I only have one recording for Belle of Bon Accord - except that the proper tune is "Bonnie Lass", which is the tune used for the St John River, and I could get a home made CD with that on it! (Only I couldn't remember that last week when I was getting the CDs out for a dance last Saturday). My son asked how many of the 100 plus CDs I actually used, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that for an 18 dance programme I used a different CD for each dance, and even then some of my favourites weren't used, so it looks like I have to select from at least 30. Part of the trouble is of course that there are some dances that have "definitive" recordings - Reel of the Royal Scots - Bobby Brown / Miss Milligan's Strathspey - Ian MacPhail / Bratach Bana - Andrew Rankine / Music Makars - Music Makars / The Sailor - Berkely Players , and a lot of these tracks are only on LPs & private CD recordings. Do I allow my liking for the dance to influence my choice of recording? (I told you it was too late!!!) Malcolm
In a message dated 9/25/01 11:05:33 AM, xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx writes:
<< So the 3 CDs that I couldn't do without are:
On Track, by the Sound Company.
Tartan Capers, by the White Cockade.
>>
Martin,
I must agree that I do enjoy the energy of the Sound Company and use them
a good deal. Taratn Capers is also a unique recording that I use. I would
not want to be restricted to those but are favorites.
Bob Mc Murtry
Felton, Calif
Anselm Lingnau wrote: > Since we seem to be back on track with SCD-related topics, here's > another little fun project for those of you who would like to play > along. > > Imagine you were to spend a year on a South Sea island. Which three SCD > CDs would you want to take along? (Let's imagine that there is an ample > supply of monkeys around who would be more than happy to fill out a set > once the coconuts and bananas are cleared away; the point is that these > three CDs will be the only ones available. Oh yes, and the monkeys have > all passed the RSCDS proficiency test so they will be able to dance > whichever dance you fancy :^)) > > Please post your lists here or send them to `xxxxxx-xxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx'. > I will collect the results and put them on a page on the Strathspey > Server unless the submitters object. To start things off, my own list > would be (in alphabetical order): > > - Cairngorms (Keith Smith and Muriel Johnstone) > - Memories of Scottish Weekend (Scottish Weekend Band 1998) > - The San Francisco Collection, vol. 2 (Various) > > Anselm > -- > Anselm Lingnau .......................................... xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx > In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain. > -- Pliny the Elder I only have about 14 CDs of SCD, but of those my favorites are: The Music Makers, Ghillies on the Golden Gate (Fiddlesticks and Ivory) and Live (John Taylor and Andy Imbrie). If Phil Cunningham had such a CD, that would probably be on the list. Jim Crandall San Diego
In a message dated 9/25/01 1:48:32 PM, xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx writes:
<< --and "the will it ever be recorded?" (oh please oh please) by Alasdair
Fraser and Muriel Johnstone. Yes, I know there isn't one, but if there ever
is, it'll be my favorite, hands down.
Frances,
Oh, I hope so too. i have heard to two together several times and it's a
winning combination.
Bob Mc Murtry
Felton, Calif
>>
My three CDs would be:
Memories of Scottish Weekend (1998 Band)
a lively, pleasant ensemble
Live! (John Taylor & Andy Imbrie)
enthusiastic and simple
St Andrews Ball (Ron Kerr and his Scottish Dance Band)
many favorites and an accordion for variety
Having had the pleasure of dancing to Alasdair Fraser and Muriel Johnstone
I would appreciate a series of CDs - both dancing and listening.
Gary
San Francisco Branch
Gary Knox
3673 Stoneglen South
Richmond, CA 94806-5261
(510) 223-4201
xxxx@xxxxx.xxx
Anselm Lingnau wrote: > Imagine you were to spend a year on a South Sea island. Which three SCD > CDs would you want to take along? (Let's imagine that there is an ample > supply of monkeys around who would be more than happy to fill out a set > once the coconuts and bananas are cleared away; the point is that these > three CDs will be the only ones available. Oh yes, and the monkeys have > all passed the RSCDS proficiency test so they will be able to dance > whichever dance you fancy :^)) Can I bring my fiddle and a copy of "The Skye Collection" instead? I'll play for all the monkeys! Well if not, I pick these 3 "local" CDs: Taylor/Imbrie - Live San Francisco Collection Volume II Fiddlesticks & Ivory - Ghillies on the Golden Gate -- Steve Wyrick <xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx> -- Concord, CA
In a message dated 09/25/2001 4:37:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time, xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx writes: > --and "the will it ever be recorded?" (oh please oh please) by Alasdair > Fraser and Muriel Johnstone. Yes, I know there isn't one, but if there ever > is, it'll be my favorite, hands down. > > Dear Frances, Now you're putting ideas into my head....maybe we should work on it. The only problem is that Alasdair live is something no CD could capture.....CDs don't walk down between the sets! Chris.
Mine change frequently but would currently include Host of the Air - James Gray et al Highlander No ?5? (The Iain McPhail one!) And the one of the Tartan Amaebas that my highland teacher has. And if we want to have a SCD ball in Scotland on a desert island, the island of Little Cumbrae (in the Clyde just east of Bute) is up for sale ;o) Don't know what the asking price is, but I'm sure if we tried hard enough we'd get enough to buy the island, build the perfect SCD venue, and maybe even a boat to get us there! Cheers, Seonaid Still wondering around central Scotland
I've been reading everyone's answers and trying to catch up on email.... My first two choices would be easy: Muckle Carfuffle by Tullochgorum and Terpsichore by Elke Baker and Liz Donaldson because many of my first memories of SCD are to these two collections of music (and my first two weekend workshops). I love listening to Barbara McOwen play fiddle!! My third choice is much harder because there are several CDs I really enjoy: the first two Music Makars CDs Celebrate 50 Years with the Boston Branch Gang on the Same Gate by Green Ginger these all have marvelous music on them. I think I'd go with San Francisco Collection 2 because the music really makes you want to get up and dance, and I have written two of my favorite dances to tunes from this CD. (This is not meant to slight any other wonderful CDs out there - I have many others I enjoy dancing to as well, but I was limited to 3...) Sue -- Susan McKinnell xxxxxx@xxx.xxx http://suem18.home.att.net "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." -George Bernard Shaw
What a splendid thread this is! Thanks Anslem! My selection, in order of preference, is as follows: "Yellow" Highlander Vol? by David Cunningham "Special Requests Vol II" by Colin Dewar "Clashmadden" by Nicol McLaren and the Glencraig Band Three is an incredibly tough number to keep to, even rejecting all recordings other than those I happen to have on CD and any that don't fall into the strict Scottish Country Dancing bracket. The reasons behind my choice are that the David Cunningham is for me the best dancing CD in terms of tempo, tune selection and rhythm that I have ever danced to - brilliant. Colin Dewar represents a fine contrast in style to David Cunningham, relying on a dominant piano/bass to give the wonderful solidity in his sound whilst the technical execution of the melody is second to none. Nicol's CD edges out all the others for very personal reasons. Nicol and his family are close friends and we visit each other regularly with plenty of music involved of course. Nicol has a wonderful swing to his playing which again makes it one of the most dancable CDs on the market - again a great contrast to the styles of David and Colin. My favorite track on this CD - the strathspey "Partens in his Creel". The fact that two of the tunes on this track were written by my father for me and Caroline, my wife is probably not entirely coincidental. I don't know if Anselm intentionally took this idea from Desert Island Discs, a radio show in the UK. If you did Anselm, you will know that one luxury is also allowed. In this vein I would like to take along a full set of band equipment - accordion, fiddle, drum kit, piano, pa etc. By careful persuasion I might be able to get three of the monkeys to play the accordion, fiddle and piano so that we can have a great jam session!
> Reply-to: xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx > From: "Jim & Donna Ferguson" <xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx> > I agee that this is an excellent idea! Although neither Jim and I are > teachers we have a lot of SCD CDs, but I'm learning names of some I didn't > know existed. We'll have to try some of the ones that all of you are raving > about in this thread. > Donna > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Graham Hamilton" <xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxx.xx.xx> Hi, Donna I have just chickened out from posting a reply on Strathspey to Graham and sent it direct instead. It's about the Colin Dewar tapes. I don't think the CDs have the same problem but the tapes have applause between each item which means that a sound search system such as I use on a Karaoke will not find individual items as the noise is continuous. So, if you go for the Dewar music to use for dancing I suggest you get the CDs. The music is so good it's frustrating not to be able to use them in class!! Happy Dancing Cheers :) Ron Ron Mackey. London Branch
Greetings! Graham Hamilton writes: >My selection, in order of preference, is as follows: > >"Yellow" Highlander Vol? by David Cunningham >"Special Requests Vol II" by Colin Dewar >"Clashmadden" by Nicol McLaren and the Glencraig Band Well, Graham, where's your application for the AGM Weekend?? Friday Ball - David Cunningham and his Band Saturday Dance - Colin Dewar Quartet I haven't posted my preferences on this thread as I could never restrict it to three and don't know how Marjorie could pick out one of the Stan Hamilton discs. I would have to declare mine to be a boxed set to ensure all five were all included. If I really were restricted to 3 physical CDs I would probably want to burn my own selection of tracks from lots of different CDs - for example, I wouldn't want to be anywhere without a couple of tracks from Muriel's Skye Collection plus the half of Dancing Live recorded at Blair Castle just because I was there and the atmosphere was fantastic plus, plus, plus... But, Marjorie's initial reference to the Stan Hamilton and another to the Berkeley Players plus queries about Jimmy Blue and Peter White make me wonder - Strathspey MP3 swap-shop, Anselm?? Jim Healy Perth, Scotland
I have Colin's CDs, rather than cassettes, for dancing which are tracked so easy to identify. Vol IV has no applause so you may have won your point. Another great dancing CD by the way with an excellent Montgomeries Rant track. As another game, Colin Dewar's Special Requests Volume III, one of the tunes on the recording is wrongly identified on the sleeve notes - can you spot which one? Regards Graham