Back in December a couple of the FRUK team headed to Perth for The MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. It was quite an event (it always is) and among the many highlights was seeing fiddler Duncan Chisholm pick up the Album of the Year Award for his Sandwood album followed by Composer of the Year. In his acceptance speech he paid tribute to Speyside musician Hamish Napier, with whom he worked very closely to write the album, which he described as ‘an 18-month labour of love’.
In his review of the album, Johhny Whalley added “I can’t emphasise enough the impact of Hamish’s piano, from delicate treble runs complementing Duncan’s fiddle in quieter passages to full volume crescendo building chord sequences. Neither man had collaborated while writing melodies before but found they had very similar styles of working. And once Hamish had visited Sandwood, they had no doubt the place inspired them both and the cooperation blossomed.”
The album was performed live at Celtic Connections with tickets sold out early as many flocked to see one of Scotland’s most loved fiddle player take to the stage. For those that missed it, or just can’t get enough, Duncan is heading out on tour with his band in September including dates at Sage Gateshead, Cecil Sharp House and more.
Duncan Chisholm Tour Dates
Thursday 5 September: The Met, Bury
Friday 6 September: Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea
Saturday 7 September: Ashburton Arts Centre, Devon
Sunday 8 September: Chapel Arts, Bath
Monday 9 September: Cambridge Junction, Cambridge
Tuesday 10 September: Leicester Grammar School, Leicester
Wednesday 11 September: The Sage, Gateshead
Thursday 12 September: Reeth Memorial Hall, Reeth
Friday 13 September: ‘Folk in the Barn’, Canterbury
Saturday 14 September: The Fleece Inn, Evesham
Sunday 15 September: Coronation Hall, Ulverston
Wednesday 18 September: Glassel Hall, Aberdeenshire
Thursday 19 September: Glassel Hall, Aberdeenshire
Friday 20 September: Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. **The Gathering
Saturday 21 September: Cecil Sharp House, London
Ticket links: http://www.duncanchisholm.com/events/
Photo Credit: Craig Mackay