Bogbain Farm, Inverness, 12 October 2008

Brian Ó hEadhra, Bruce Macgregor and Sandy Brechin

INVITED GUESTS, including a coachload of traditional music students of all ages who had just arrived for their week of tuition at Blazin’ in Beauly (13-17 October), rolled up to Bogbain Farm for the first event of the festival, combined with the launch of Sonas, the first album by Head Blazer Bruce Macgregor with Brian Ó hEadhra and Sandy Brechin.

We were greeted by the welcome sight of tables groaning under a delicious home-cooked buffet with everything from a traditional ham on the bone to haggis-stuffed mushroom pakoras.

When every hungry corner was filled, Bruce, Brian and Brechin played a handful of tunes from their new album (sonas means ‘bliss’ in Gaelic). First was a jig and reel set, ‘The Chorus Jig’ and ‘The Drover Lads’ (from the Skye Collection), finishing with ‘The Princes’ welcome to Inverness’, found by Blazer Iain MacFarlane in the McGlashan manuscripts.

Each of the trio is, of course, an accomplished musician in his own right, but having toured Scotland together earlier this year, their playing has developed that smooth, unhesitating, friendly quality which sets an audience at ease right away, including several toddlers who danced happily between the tables.

Next up was a song showcasing Brian Ó hEadhra’s voice, at once pure and mellow, on ‘Taladh Na Beinne Guirme’, written by Jeff Macdonald and Ó hEadhra, telling the story of Cape Breton Island’s Gaels as seen by the mountain A bheinn Ghorm. The audience needed very little encouragement to sing and hum along with the chorus.

Finally, we were treated to three great modern tunes, Dougie Hunter’s ‘Goat Island Reel’, followed by two tunes by the late and very much lamented Gordon Duncan, ‘Zito the Bubbleman’ and ‘4th Floor’, all of which set feet tapping around the room. Despite loud applause, there was sadly to be no encore, as Sandy Brechin had another engagement later that evening.

Undismayed, in no time at all the Blazin’ in Beauly students had retrieved their instruments from the coach and started their own musical session. Some had, said Bruce Macgregor, been coming since the first year of the festival, but whether old hands or newbies, they were a credit to all their tutors as they confidently reprised many old Blazin’ Fiddles favourites in impressive style.

I went home to listen to Sonas. This is, unsurprisingly, a jewel of a record, combining the immaculate musicianship and warmth that characterises all Bruce Macgregor’s projects, sprinkled with some of Brian Ó hEadhra’s liltingly soulful Gaelic songs and underpinned by Sandy Brechin’s dashing accordion work which makes you want to get up and dance right away. Highly recommended.

© Jennie Macfie, 2008

Links

• Blazin’ in Beauly