Celebrated and feted as the fiddle playing third of Lau, Aidan O’Rourke’s An Tobar (The Well) is a celebration of the geography and life of the island of Mull and at the same time the 10th anniversary of its innovative arts centre, overlooking Tobermory Bay, that commissioned the work. An ambitious suite of about 45 minutes, with poetry specially written for the project by award-winning poet Aonghas MacNeacail, the music reflects on the origins of communities and settlements on Mull and the effect of modern times on the island. It features a cast of fine players including Aidan’s sparring partner in Lau Martin Green (accordion), along with Martin O’Neill (bodhran, percussion), Catriona McKay (Scottish harp) and Phil Bancroft (saxophone). You’ll find a live version in front of a BBC Radio Scotland audience on Archie Fisher’s programme on the i-player for the next five and a half days. The session takes place in the second hour of the show.
Aidan is also taking the work out on the road, across Scotland and over the border to the Sage Gateshead, through April and May along with the Dave Milligan Trio, who were also part of the An Tobar 10th anniversary celebration. Pianist, Milligan, was commissioned to create pieces inspired by Tobermoray shops, then debut them in those very stores. The resulting suite combines the inventive playing of Milligan, bassist Tom Lyne and drummer Tom Bancroft with found-sound recordings taken from the island. The gigs promise to be a special treat as the two combos will join forces to perform a new jointly written piece. You’ll find the dates listed on Aidan’s site here.
Track: Tobar Nan Ealain
[audio:http://www.box.net/shared/static/rdodx1b0of.mp3|titles=Tobar Nan Ealain|artists=Aidan O’Rourke]
sourced: Proper Music Blog
Link: www.aidanorourke.net