Charlie McKerron and Friends
Kincraig Community Hall 27/8/26
Charlie McKerron and Friends
Our local Scottish musician (renowned member of Capercaillie), Charlie McKerron brought his current tour to his local community to celebrate his friend , his fiddle, which turns 150 years old this year. And what a night it turned out to be1 Being a late discoverer of traditional music, (I had always worked with big bands and jazz musicians) I have realised what a joy this art form is. On stage in a packed friendly audience, in a village hall, were some of the finest Scottish musicians around. We arrived too early, of course, and made friends with the car park volunteer who came and sat next to us.We bought our raffle tickets (Scotland loves a raffle) and got our seats.
Charlie appeared on stage and introduced his fellow players. Ross Ainslie on whistles/ pipes, Tim Edey on melodeon and guitar and Marc Clement on guitar and voice. The first half was a mixture of traditional jigs, strathspeys and airs, some well-known, some composed by Charlie for special occasions. Along with banter, of course, by musicians who play and know each other well. I loved the melodeon. It’s an instrument that can take you anywhere in the world.
After an interval, where the bar did well serving beers and wine, the programme took you to different parts of the world. Charlie and co are in demand in many countries, Oman, Europe. India and the USA, So we were treated to influences infused with traditional playing. For the finale the group were joined by younger up and coming players, Caileen McKerron on keys, Emma Cameron on fiddle and Jack Watson on bass guitar. The group rose to the younger element and the show ended with terrific bang. I am truly in awe of the virtuoso musicianship of all concerned. A truly class act, on a dark moonlit night in a village in the Highlands. It was a privilege. I even won a raffle prize. Take that the Albert Hall! Look out for Charlie’s solo album coming soon and Session A9 at Eden court on 10th November.
