| If expecting a reply, please read my signature. | Hello all (Matt in particular),
I just wanted to put my pleasure into words for others to hear (er...read), and what better place than this list? A while ago I publicly lamented the paucity of recordings in what might be termed the Scottish Trad/Chamber Music genre, having nearly worn my Puirt a Baroque and Pete Clark albums threadbare. Matt humbly brought 'Border Seasons' to my attention. I took him up on his suggestion and ordered his CD 'Border Seasons' from Scotland, it not being available here. I read the jacket notes and felt a combination of anticipation and 'something or other' - I couldn't glean enough information to know what to expect. I am listening to it (for the second time, to be followed immediately by a third) as I write, and can only say "I stand amazed". Although I wasn't hampered by preconceived notions about pipes in general based on exclusive exposure to the Greater Highland variety and a succession of bagpipe jokes, the sheer expressive quality of this graceful and sensitive instrument in Matt's hands took me quite by surprise. So often I find original, creative music to be just that, and only that - original, but not very musical or tuneful, and therefore not very appealing (to me, at least). Maybe I am old-fashioned in my tastes, but I like a nice melody and am not averse to a catchy rhythm either. Matt's musical arrangements and moving, expressive playing managed that rare (in my experience) feat of being creative, expressive and original whilst at the same time being appealingly tuneful and musical; very definitely what my mother would have described as 'moreish'. Speaking of 'more', are you planning any more albums, Matt? best, Erica Mackenzie QLD, AUSTRALIA n.b. I suffer from a neurological auto-immune disorder which sometimes prevents me from using my computer for extended periods of time. I will get back to you when I can, if I can. Awl arrows of grammar, punctuation , spieling and suchlike can hand shooed be blamed without exception own my speech-recognition/dictation soft wear <g>. Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
