The Curse of Uluru received the following independent review from Kylie MacHattie from Toronto, Canada. Kylie is a player with the Grade 1 Scottish Lion-78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band. This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Pipes | Drums.
Review by Kylie MacHattie for Pipes | Drums, 9th January 2007.
With so many pipe band recordings available these days, any band that wants to put its repertoire on the market faces the difficult task of producing an album that offers something that differentiates it from the rest. Torphichen & Bathgate Pipe Band's debut CD The Curse of Uluru is an attempt by the band to establish an identity unique and distinct from other bands with an established musical character.
The material was recorded live in the fall of 2005 and produced by Murray Blair. While the connection to Australia's Ayers Rock (Uluru) may not be immediately evident, the album takes it name from the suite composed by Pipe-Sergeant Stuart Robertson and piper Chris Djuritschek (track 12). In fact the bulk of the album is written by these two pipers.
This is a high-velocity recording from start to finish. In total, there is one MSR, two polkas (referred to as marchpipes), one suite, two airs, one fanfare and 26 reels, hornpipes and jigs. The determined drive all through will appeal most to younger listeners and enthusiasts. Most of the tunes are new compositions, and while most of these are good music individually, the sheer quantity tends to lose the listener. With so many round reels and hornpipes, one track seems to melt into the next.
Even though it is lacking in variety, most of the material is fairly good. However, the difficulties associated with a live recording have detracted from the potential quality of the CD. Right from track one, the problem for performers hearing properly on stage is evident: a groove is laid down by the drummers, but the pipe section has difficulty locking into it until the end of the first part. Heat on stage may be the cause of some shrill top-hands, and microphones are unforgiving when it comes to blowing issues. In an ideal pipe band world where there are no financial restraints, for a band like this on the cusp of making it to Grade 1 perhaps two separate products – a concert and a studio CD – would have resulted in quality to match their dedication and hard work.
One of the highlights of The Curse of Uluru is Stuart Robertson's Deger pipe solo. It starts with a Middle-Eastern feel and moves into a blistering and rhythmical melody. One of the most polished full band tracks is their number two competition medley (though a couple of tunes are labelled "traditional" which actually are not). "The Curse of Uluru" suite is inventive and entertaining, showcasing some of the best tone of the concert.
While I am not qualified to comment on the quality of the drumming, I found the scores to be complementary to the pipe music. The background accompaniment is tastefully mixed, not overpowering the pipe band.
These days it is so difficult for a band to put out something new, and I applaud Torphichen & Bathgate Pipe Band for attempting to establish its own character with this live performance. What it may lack in polish and variety is made up for by youthful enthusiasm and talent. I would buy this album to support one of the more progressive young bands competing and performing today.
Kylie MacHattie lives in Toronto and competes in the Professional grade in solo competitions and with the Grade 1 Scottish Lion-78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band.
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