| Review by |
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| Andrew Ross MacDonald |
Gig Reviews
Iain MacGillivray / Dick Gaughan Concert, 17th January 2010
"If you can remember the sixties" they say, "you weren't there!" I'll plead the 5th amendment then on that one, but I do vividly recall early 1970. I had befriended an extremely talented young folk singer here in my, and his, native Inverness. Through that burgeoning friendship with Iain MacGillivray I was introduced to Dick Gaughan. The emerging vocal brilliance and instrumental dexterity of the pair was, I reckoned worthy of some "Northern Exposure" and so the "six bob" concert was promoted and arranged for 18th January 1970 in the ballroom of the old Caley Hotel.
40 years on, I was privileged to be one of a handful of the original audience attending the reunion concert at Bogbain Farm. This well-attended evening was a musical treat, at times surprising and innovative, embracing diverse source material from the likes of Hank Williams and Rab Noakes. Both members of the Dynamic Duo were in great form and quipping the night away in their droll, and always amusing, fashion. A full blown rock number from "The Band's" repertoire, "Cripple Creek", gave mine host Bruce MacGregor an opportunity to get in on the action with some dexterous bowing.
The evening was a testament above all to enduring friendship. Absent friends were not forgotten and the memory of fellow singer and compatriot Bobby Eaglesham was honoured by Iain's fine rendition of "Without Me Just with You".
If reincarnation is, (after all), an option Dick wants to come back as Levon Helm.
Personally, masel', I'm not ready for "coming back". I'll settle for being around for the 50th anniversary concert.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot? No, don't think so
Other Recent Gigs (reviews of some will be added soon)
Wednesday 28th April 2010 at Edinburgh Folk Club: mgill appeared as support to Allan Taylor
Sunday 6th June 2010, the Northern Roots Festival: mgill hosted the Sunday Afternoon concert featuring 'Protest Songs'
Saturday 19th June 2010 at Beaufort Hotel, Inverness: mgill and Ranald, The 7th Midsummer Gig ("The Back Catalogue")
Monday 5th July 2010 at Glenfarg Village Folk Club: mgill and Ranald.
