I did mention earlier that Billy Pigg was my first introduction to the pipes
(although I was familiar with the Irish pipes but not through playing).
1968, Corries TV program and a very unassuming gentleman was being asked by
them regarding the pipes and giving answers like "yes" and "no".
He played Bill Charlton's Fancy and, from that moment, I wanted to play.
(Still have the audio of that ob reel-to-reel somewhere).
Took until C1973 when the LP Wild Hills etc came out (or until I found it in
the record shop) and it had the NPS details on it to actually go about
getting a set. Phoning Ray (Fisher) Ross put me in touch will Bill Hedworth
who had just completed a simple set which he could send me in a matter of
weeks.
If I remember, it cost around £30 and he provided me (on loan - I did send
it back after copying it longhand - no scanners then) a booklet on how to
play, a set of reeds at various stages of completion and a sketch on how to
adjust the bridle. A lifetime membership to the NPS followed (that was
nearly a whole month's salary) and, about a year later, a conversion to a 7
key set which I still play. Conversion (new 7 key chanter, new drone stock
with extra hole and low D drone) cost £36. I did have to drill a hole in the
G drone to use the A as the cover was there but Bill hadn't drilled the
actual hole under it).
I then made my first (and last) visit to the AGM (by rail) and gawped at the
likes of Colin Ross and Forster Charlton being there (and suddenly realised
who Ray Ross was).
Also heard Colin playing border pipes but couldn't persuade my wife to let
me have a set of them as well!
Happy memories.
Colin Hill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Francis Wood" <[email protected]>
To: "Richard York" <[email protected]>
Cc: "NSP group" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 2:55 PM
Subject: [NSP] Re: Doubleday et al
On 19 Dec 2010, at 12:55, Richard York wrote:
It would be interesting to know how many people, either within the North
Eastern fold or out of it, were first inspired by hearing Mr Pigg's
playing, though.
Well, me for a start.
Knowing almost nothing about traditional music, and never having heard of
Northumbrian pipes, I came across the Billy Pigg LP on Leader Records in
a record shop in Colchester. I liked the scholarly presentation with
excellent illustrations and notes by Colin Ross and bought it immediately,
thinking I'd got something fascinating and totally obscure. On the way
home, I met the vicar's wife who said " Oh, I see you've got the Billy
Pigg LP!"
I immediately played it to my flat-mate who after a couple of minutes,
said "Do we have to have this on"?
But by then, I was hooked.
Francis
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