Gizzen Briggs get feet tapping at Tain
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A GOOD audience in Tain's Duthach Centre enjoyed the 26th Gizzen Briggs Fiddlers’ Rally on Saturday.
Taking charge for the evening was Laura Wilkie, who is a former Gizzen Brigger and has established herself as a very popular conductor for these events.
The principal compere was Isla Mackenzie, assisted by Iona Ferries, Innes Mackenzie and Isla Ross.
The vigorous opening set was followed by a hint of melancholy as whistles began McKechnie’s Farewell, while the beautiful Mary K’s Waltz began with a remarkably assured opening by Ruairidh Mackay.
Exciting, driving tunes are, perhaps, the trademark of Gizzen Briggs, as exemplified by The Summer Island March. However, there was poignancy in Leaving Stoer and a lovely contribution from Alanna Shaw on accordion in Farley Bridge. Domhnall Lachlan Beaton added to the variety with a fine performance of the Gaelic song Nach Boidheach Uige.
The second half of the programme opened with extremely accomplished playing from a small group of strings. They played with obvious enjoyment in the hectic The Stomach Steinway Man, including the vigorous stamp at the end.
The orchestra played The Gael as an encore, dramatically lit by Brian Mackie, starting with the hall in total darkness and gradually bringing up the lights from the back of the stage.
The guest artiste was Hamish Napier playing whistle and flute, accompanied by Steve Byrnes on guitar. He proved an extremely engaging performer and gave the audience a delightful selection of tunes celebrating aspects of life in his home area around Grantown on Spey.
Among the players on stage was Kathryn Wilkie, who started Gizzen Briggs more than a quarter of a century ago. She must have been delighted to see how the group has maintained such a remarkably high standard of performance over so many years.
