Various - A Celebration of the Music of Gordon Duncan

FOLK

The death of maverick piper Gordon Duncan brought a tragic and untimely end to a major talent, but his music continues to resonate well beyond the piping community. His tunes are regularly played by folk artists of all kinds, and this tribute concert at Perth Concert Hall last September reflected that breadth. Naturally, pipes are prominent, with Allan MacDonald, Jarlath Henderson and Ross Ainslie among the featured soloists, alongside the Atholl Highlander’s Pipe Band and the National Youth Pipe Band.

Gordon’s father, the inimitable Jock Duncan, periodically wanders off-microphone with his imaginary horses during his ebullient ‘The Plooin’ Match’. Singers Maggie MacInnes, Kris Drever and Dougie MacLean provide more conventional vocal contributions, while fiddler Duncan Chisholm, the mighty Session A9 and guests from Brittany and Asturias crank up the instrumental temperature. The disc captures something of the atmosphere of the occasion along with the music.