Iain MacDonald on highland pipes, flute, and whistles; Iain MacFarlane on fiddle. Other musicians are Ingrid Henderson, Ross Martin, Ewan Vernal, Phil Cunningham, Kathleen MacInnes, Allan Henderson and James MacKintosh. The arrangements of some highland pipes and fiddle tracks may be somewhat modern, but the playings of the main musicians are quite traditional and you won’t be disappointed.
IAIN MacDONALD
Iain was Born in Glenuig, Moidart, a tiny West Lochaber Gaelic-speaking village inaccessible by road until 1968. He was Educated in Glenuig primary school (last pupil before closing) and Mingarry School, he then went on to Queen Victoria School in Dunblane where he was taught piping by Pipe Major John MacKenzie. After leaving Dunblane he was co-founder of the first Gaelic Theatre Company “Fir Chlis”. He then joined band ‘Ossian’ for nine years, then played with ‘Wolfstone’ and was member of ‘Battlefield Band’ for seven years, travelling extensively. Took part in many Theatre productions ( with 7:84 amongst others) and Music tours, worked extensively for Radio and Television and appeared in films. Recorded on many albums, Played and recorded with musicians such as Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Aly Bain, Phil Cunningham. Teaches adults and children at many Feisean, both Gaelic language and traditional music and song.Regular visiting tutor to establishments like the RSAMD in Glasgow and Limerick University in Ireland. Producer of various albums of traditional music like, Blazin Fiddles, Daimh, Dòchas , Ann Martin, Mary Smith, Rona Lightfoot, Kathleen MacInnes & Julie Fowlis. Iain is Artistic Director of CEOLAS, the Gaelic Music Summer School in South Uist and also teaches at Benbecula College and at Sabhal Mór Ostaig,(UHI) The Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye.
IAIN MacFARLANE
Born in Glenfinnan, a small village in Lochaber. Began playing Fiddle at age seven and progressed to Bagpipes at the age of ten under the tutelage of Pipe Major Evan MacRae. Whilst still being taught Fiddle by his Father, he went on to receive tuition from the well-known Abriachan fiddler, Donald Riddell. Since his teens Iain has played in many different musical formations and projects such as Gaelic Drama, Contemporary Dance, Dance Bands, Television and Radio, while still playing with local ‘Greats’ such as, Angus Grant and Fergie MacDonald. and standing in when necessary for ‘Aly Bain of the Boys of the Lough’. Following an HNC in Gaelic Language in 1996, he graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with a BA in Traditional Music. Since then he has been teaching at many Feisean, Festivals and Schools, ‘Oberlin College’ Ohio, USA and in Boston, USA, as well as playing on many albums. Now fiddle tutor at the National Centre of excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School, He continues his busy schedule with the acclaimed ‘Blazin Fiddles’.
Iain & Iain have played together for many years. While both being steeped in the strong musical traditions of the Moidart area and whether playing in the local pub or on stage in front of hundreds, have always remained true to their tradition.
At the end of October 2002 they released their first recording together entitled ‘The First Harvest’ with the help of a few friends, primarily Ross Martin who hails from Arisaig not far from Glenfinnan and Glenuig and who was ‘in’ on many of the sessions from the early days. Other contributions on the album include Phil Cunningham, Allan and Ingrid Henderson, Ewen Vernal, James MacKintosh and Kathleen MacInnes from South Uist who makes her debút recording here and whose exquisite Gaelic singing can be heard on her new solo album "Og Mhaduinn Shamhraidh" which was produced by Iain MacDonald with contributions from Donald Shaw and Michael McGoldrick of Capercaillie, James MacKintosh, Marc Duff, Neil Johnstone (Cello) and John McCusker.
Tracklist:
1. The Snuff wife/Humours of Whisky/Clumsy Lover (Pipes) 4:27
2. Stella's Welcome/John Pellerine's/Miss Girdle/Buntata's Sgadan(R 4:32
3. The Steamboat/Thomond Bridge (Hornpipes) 3:49
4. The Northern Lass/The Roses of No Man's Land 4:58
5. The Green Shades of Gask/Capt White's/Mike MacDougall's(Jigs) 3:16
6. Miss Elspeth Campbell/Danced with Me the Beautiful Maiden/The Re 3:30
7. 'Se Nochd A' Chiad Oidhche 'N Fhodhair(Gaelic Song) 2:28
8. Humours of Cork/Moms Jig/Annie's Carafe/The Road to Skye (Jigs) 3:44
9. Fagail Dhuneidinn(Slow Air) 4:40
10. Cus Teahan's/Battle of the Braes 2:45
11. I'll buy boots for Maggie/The Ballydesmond/Finnish/Art O'Keefe's 3:15
12. Gaol ise Gaol (Gaelic Song) 2:45
13. Donald MacLeans/Pitnacree Ferryman/Alasdair Frasers Welcome to C 3:23