Favorite Pipe Band CD's

[Curt]

I really don't have many band CD's. I was thinking of buying a few. I have City of Dunedin Pipe Bands CD and like it very much. I think Sandy Keith does a fine job and is creative. I know I would like to have St. Thomas Episcopal School Pipe Band's CD called "Dedication". I have heard bits and pieces of it and enjoyed what I heard. I really enjoy when a band gets creative and plays with other instruments or has some great medley's. :cool:

Does anyone know of some good CD's that aren't just MSR's and competition stuff? I like them in a CD, but I want more creative music in there as well.

Thank you,
Curt

[Hadafew]

Hi Curt,

I didn't know that City of Dunedan had a CD. Is it new? If it is, I'm sure that with that Adam Quinn guy's (ex-SFU piper) influence it would be really progressive. I've heard St. Thomas's CD once, and was quite impressed with the well thought-out arrangements and production value. Still, it is a bunch of kids.

The new Boghall CD is pretty ambitious, and while they might hold it together 100% with their playing and tone, they are making an admirable effort to do more than put out the usual fare. SFU's CD is also a step forward from their usual. Augmenting the World Championship band are a whole bunch of different musicians and instruments, including sitar, fiddle, flute, harmonica, bazouki, and more.

Fun stuff!

Hadafew

[Glenn Brown]

Hello Hadafew, just wondering what you meant by, "Still, it is a bunch of kids." when you were refering to the ST. Thomas band?

Cheers,
Glenn

[Curt]

RE: City of Dunedin CD

I think it is pretty new. They do a nice job with it. Good band. They are a grade 2 group.

I have been told St Thomas could compete atleast in grade 2 maybe higher. Not sure if that is true or not. I like when they play The Cameronian Rant. Geez, that is impressive.

Enjoy,
Curt

[firecap]

SFU Down Under, definitely. Really marvelous sound and not the typical garden variety pipe sets. This is a must have. Also another is City of Washington Pipe Band's Scottish Rant. They really put out a good CD with this one and it includes Champion Fiddler Bonnie Rideout playing with the band. Another example of non mainstream music.

I recommend both.

Courtney

[Susan Yamamoto]

Hi Curt,

And now for something completely different... :D

You might want to give "Hep Diskrog" from Bagad Kemper a try. A great band from Brittany! This CD has found a permanent home on my CD player.

Cheers,

Susan

[Liz]

I would say that SFU's "Down Under" CD is one of the best... followed by Carnegie Hall and Victoria Police's "Masterblasters." All those CD's have some really neat new stuff, including tunes written by Adam Quinn, Neil Dickie, Murray Blair, and Mark Saul.

[brad]

So Many CD's, So little time.

The Worlds CD's always have some excellent stuff.

The band CD's that seem to get spun the most on the cd changer here are:
SFU - Do Mo Chara Maith (even people who don't like pipe music like this CD)
Vic Police - Masterblasters - the sets on this CD are some of the most exciting
SFU - Live at Carnegie - great mix of band and solo stuff (makes me want to throw away my pipes on some of the tunes "I'm not worthy")
Scottish Power - Tartan Weave - I just like this CD.
78th Frasers - Flame of Wrath - The Morrison's Reel is really nice.

Brad

[Dani Brin]

Hey everyone

Here are a couple great ones that haven't been mentioned...

Field Marshal Montgomery: Live in Concert (Motherwell)

78th Frasers: Live in Ireland (I wore out two copies of this tape before CDs existed)

Dani

[Rick James]

Originally posted by Dani Brin:
78th Frasers: Live in Ireland

Yes, a favorite of mine as well. I also listen a lot to the Worlds CD's.

I find that I prefer the live recordings over any studio recording. Why is that? They shouldn't be better in terms of quality. But in my opnion they sound better. Anyone know why?

[Chris Hamilton]

Originally posted by Curt:
Does anyone know of some good CD's that aren't just MSR's and competition stuff? I like them in a CD, but I want more creative music in there as well.


Hi Curt,

Western Australia Police - "Music of the Gael"

Here's the
review (http://www.toneczar.com/tv_wa_police.html) I did for The VOICE a few years ago. Excellent concert.

Chris :)

[Andy Muir]

Along with some others already mentioned, I always keep coming back to Shotts & Dykehead: By the Waters Edge. If I was stuck with 1 CD, this would be it!

Andy

[Andrew McIntosh]

I would say that the 78th Frasers Live in Ireland is one of my favorite pipe band CDs too. But I also like hearing diversity in band (and solo) styles - the Millennium Concert CDs provide that. I highly recommend both volumes.

[Hadafew]

Hey Andy,

Are you serious? I've got an extra copy of Shotts & Dykehead's "By the Waters Edge" if anyone wants it (You'd have to pick it up in Springfield). Actually, I've only got the one, but that's one too many. I think I've listened to it about one and a half times.

Hadafew

[jason]

The one's that keep getting back on my cd player are Worlds greatest pipers Vol 13 -- Gordon Walker (solid playing), and Gordon Duncan Circular Breath (crazy playing). I also like SFU Alive in America, COW Scottish Rant, and An Evening of Champions.

Jason

[Illustrated Piper]

I would say my fav's are,

1) SFU...Live Down Under...Brilliant
2) 78th...Live in Ireland
3) Ebb Tide...just because :wink: :wink:

[PiperGlenn]

I also think SFU Down Under is one of the best. My other favorite would be Victoria Police Live in Ireland.

My all-time favorite track from any cd is Hellbound Train from Vic Police Live in the Rockies, which is also a great cd.

[Bryce Adams]

You have all mentioned a number of great CDs.
If I could have only one Pipeband CD, it would have to be SFU Live at Carnegie Hall.

Bryce

[Steve MacLeod]

I get asked this quite frequently and put together a listing a couple years ago with some piecemeal additions. You can see it at
http://www.iserv.net/~macleod/learning/index.htm
under the heading of "Recordings"

[Kenton Adler]

Field Marshall Montogomery's "Debut" is one of my all-time faves. I like "Motherwell", but prefer "Debut".

Lot's of other VERY enjoyable stuff out there, including City of Washington (and I'm not just sucking up here Chris, I think it's a really entertaining disc with some hot playing). The opening set of reels (Asturian?) are a breath of fresh air. I recently picked up the Alberta Caledonia disc (I think it's called "They Took Their Leave", I don't have it with me to check). Some nice tunes on that one though. And SFU Down Under just rocks.

I like the 2000 Donald MacLeod Memorial disc a lot too. Anyone know if they are going to release the 2001?

[Curt]

Thanks for all the replies. What a great response.

Happy Holidays (if you celebrate),
Curt

[tenordrummer.com]

My favourites are: 'From Celtic Roots' by Polkemmet Grorud Pipe Band, 'Live in Ireland' by 78th Fraser Highlanders and 'Masterblasters' by Victoria Police Pipe Band. I have recently bought the SFU Live Down Under recording and am quite impressed with that.

[AWPIPER]

You have mentioned all the "GREAT" CD's out on the market....Less the one that I tend to listen to above all others....Western Australia Police Pipe Band "Off Duty"....The entire CD is a pleasure to listen to.It prompted me to purchase the other CD they have out entitled "Music of the Gael",which I must say was a little disappointing after listening to Off Duty.
Cheers, :D
Mark :cool:
AWPIPER@AOL.COM (mailto:AWPIPER@AOL.COM)

[douglas1995]

Lots of good feedback on this question. Thank you Curt for asking it.

Can anyone tell me of a mail order business that would carry these CDs? Or if you know of a retail outlet in the Toronto, Ontario area, that would be even better.

Val

[Spunky]

Hey Val,

Don't worry, we'll get you whatever you want.
Keep up the good work by the way.

SFU's latest is very well done. 78th's "Flame of Wrath'" would have been a very good recording had it not been for the numerous playing errors that detract from the performance.
Hands to die for? Gordon Walker's first CD. The drones put me to sleep every time.

You want a bad one?
Scots Guards School of Piping from way back. Before the three pace rolls. It's good for a laugh.

[Matt Buckley]

My current two favorities are: Peel Regional
Police - "Waulking the Beat", and SFU - "Live
Down Under."

The Peel CD is not very well known, but should
be. Great stuff.

Cheers. Matt

[Chris Lorince]

he CD's that keep going into my player would have to be:
1. SFU "Down Under:
2. Viccy Police "Maseterblaster"
3. 78th Frasers "Flame of Wrath"
4. Feild Marshall "FM"

[Drew McPheeters]

Peel Regional Police - Waulking the Beat
78th Frasers - Flame of Wrath
Field Marshal Montgomery - Debut

[Drew McPheeters]

Peel Regional Police - Waulking the Beat
78th Frasers - Flame of Wrath
Field Marshal Montgomery - Debut