Err ... although we rather hope that most West End residents will be visiting the West End Christmas Week Community Fayre next Saturday morning, as always, I am pleased to advise of the latest news from Friends of Wighton!
On Saturday 20th November The Ideal Band make their Dundee debut at the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Wellgate, Dundee. Doors open and coffee served from 10.30am - concert starts at 11am.
The Ideal Band are:
Ken Campbell - Scottish singer/songwriter whose pedigree has been well established over 25 years, with five albums to date, festivals, concerts, TV and radio throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Starting with Glasgow band "Molindinar", then a duo with Chris Miller and their much commended album "Pipers Maggott" for Topic Records of London, he then expanded that duo with Alasdair Robertson to become front man of the highly successful "Ideal Band" following in the footsteps of Glasgow's "Bob Smith's Ideal Band" of the 1930's.
He subsequently toured with Cauld Wind Piper Hamish Moore with whom he still collaborates, and as a solo artist with two further albums "Going Solo" for Fellside and "Hand Pict" with Watercolour, whilst also working with Wendy Weatherby, cellist, singer, composer, Stevie Lawrence [Rallion/Red Hot Chilli Pipers/Iron Horse] and Blair Cowan [Lloyd Cole and the Commotions] before creating this new line up of "The Ideal Band"
Linsey Aitken - A highly regarded unique musician, cellist and vocalist who crosses genres from classical to folk. Trained on cello and piano at the RSAMD, and subsequently classical singing, she has performed professionally all over the UK from the Royal Albert Hall to the sands of Calgary Bay in Mull.
Collaborating regularly with composer Alan Craig and flautist/composer Louise Burnet, member of classical trio "Trois Femmes" and various quartets, she has taught orchestral/performance studies and degree students at Edinburgh University, teaches Kodaly singing methodology and specialises in working with young musicians from 3 years right through to students entering RSAMD.
As a founding member of folk band "The Cross Border band" she played and sang her way round Scotland, the Edinburgh Festival and other International festivals before joining the Ideal Band.
Gavin Paterson - Pianist, keyboards and multi-instrumentalist. One of Scotland's most accomplished and professional all round musicians and musical directors. Over 25 years experience within every genre from folk/roots/soul/rock music right through the entire musical spectrum.
Musical Director and member of the sensational twelve piece "Dexys Bootleg Runners" currently creating an enviable reputation round the UK, founding member of "21 Red" Scotland's most highly regarded and established function band since 1985.
2010 has seen him involved in musical festivals in New Orleans, the "Cajun Country", Tennessee, the Appalachians and at Clancy Brothers Festival in Ireland. He is also working on a new project, blending the sounds of classic 50's blues with Cajun and Zydeco instruments.
The critics like them:-
"A welcome revival of the Ideal Band, Campbell's distinctive vocals and original songs with a smattering of trad.arr, distinctive flavours of cello and rich undertow of Paterson's piano. Warmly welcomed by all who have waited so long for a follow up" - R2 [formerly Rock and Reel magazine]
The songs are absolutely gorgeous... I can't praise this CD highly enough, and if you get a chance to see them live, make time to enjoy an evening of great songs and music... this CD will fill the gap in your rack marked if I only buy one CD again place it here" - CD review Amazon .co.uk September
2009
"A welcome showcase of Campbell's extraordinary varied talents and strong yet sensitive singing. A great knack of collecting gems from old sources and a canny ear for current songs from Scotland." ~ Folk Roots
"A gem of a band" - Irvine Herald
"A simply perfect group" - Press and Journal
Tickets (includes coffee and biscuits) £5, at the door. Advance booking info@sheena-wellington.co.uk.