Album Notes

Across the Waters Scotland to America Performed by the musical talents of Isla St Clair, Eric Rigler, Gordon Walker and the Cabar Feidh Pipe Band, Across the Waters is an inspiring blend of popular songs and pipe tunes, classical with the contemporary, that characterize the common links between Scotland, Ireland and America. 1. Sailing (Isla, Eric, Cabar Feidh) (G. Sutherland, Arr. Lynn/St Clair/King/Weidlich) Made internationally famous by Rod Stewart in the 1970s, then adopted by the Royal Navy, the song topped the charts in Scotland for many weeks. 2. Jacobite Medley (Isla) (Trad. Arr. St Clair/Lynn/King) Three rousing songs from the Jacobite period that became popular marches. Highland Harry / The White Cockade / The Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee 3. Time to be Sleeping (Isla) (Trad. Arr. St Clair/Lynn/King) This emotive song - to the tune of Mist Covered Mountains - tells the tragic story of the Highland Clearances in the 19th century. 4. Mist Covered Mountains (Cabar Feidh) (Trad. Arr. Weidlich) This slow air was reputedly a favorite of President John F. Kennedy 5. Strathspeys/Reels (Gordon) (D. MacLeod/Arr. Walker) This selection is a tribute to the late Donald MacLeod MBE Catlodge / Sandy MacPherson / John Garroway / The Cockerel in the Creel 6. The Dear Irish Boy (Eric - Uilleann pipes) (Trad. Arr. Rigler) Certainly one of the oldest traditional Irish airs, Eric’s rendition speaks to us through the lyrical tones of his Uilleann pipes. 7. 6/8 Marches (Cabar Feidh Pipe Band) (Trad. Arr. Weidlich) Continuing our voyage, we pick up the pace with a set of quick marches. Mist Covered Mountains / Midlothian Pipe Band / Bonnie Dundee 8. The Kesh Jig / Hardiman the Fiddler (Eric - Uilleann pipes) (Trad. Arr. Rigler) Eric’s arrangements breathe new life into these traditional jigs. 9. Burning Mill at Messines (Gordon - Small Pipes) (J. Spoore) Played on the Highland Small Pipes the tune commemorates the London Scottish Regiment in action during WWI, at the Battle of Messines 1914. 10. Hornpipe / Jig Set (Cabar Feidh Pipe Band) (J.A.Barrie/Trad. Arr. Cabar Feidh) Following Gordon’s tribute to P/M Donald MacLeod, Cabar Feidh opens the set with a driving hornpipe, and closes with a toe-tapping traditional Irish jig. Donald MacLeod / Old Hag at the Kiln 11. Slow Air / Jig / Hornpipe / Reel (Gordon) (Trad. Arr. Walker) Gordon Walker shows us the beauty of the pipes in the slow air, and finishes with a masterful performance of three variations on the Banjo Breakdown. Lament for Rory Mor / Banjo Breakdown 12. Amazing Grace (Isla, Cabar Feidh, Choir) (Trad. Arr. St. Clair, Weidlich) Isla puts her Scottish touch on this timeless classic and along with the pipes and choir, creates a fitting finale to our musical journey. ISLA St CLAIR ISLA’S pure and distinctive voice have made her one of Scotland’s foremost traditional singers. Her early recordings of the great ballads are still used as reference at the School Scottish Studies and recently she was awarded an honorary degree by Aberdeen University for her contribution to Scotland’s traditional music. Isla continues to be busy with her live performances as well as producing music and documentary films for international broadcasters. www.islastclair.tv Pipe Major GORDON WALKER Gordon J. Walker comes from Cumnock in Ayrshire, Scotland, and is one of the world’s premier pipers. After 16 years 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers he left the army to become a full time piping instructor. But it’s Gordon’s success as a solo piper in competitions that have brought him fame. His long list of achievements include winning the coveted Gold Medals at both The Northern Meeting and The Argyllshire Gathering, the two oldest and most prestigious competitions in the world. www.highlandclassics.com ERIC RIGLER Eric Rigler is known throughout the music industry as “the most