Pipe Major Hugh Macpherson, CD

A Piper's American Odyssey

Latest to hit the shelves this year has come from the desk of Hugh Macpherson in Ottawa. This labor of love is a follow-up to his very successful Pipers of the Canadian Regular Army, 1950 to 2000. But the emphasis here is entirely different - testament to the variety of music and composers now residing in America. All new compositions, this book is a major read. I have spent for the most part the complete winter playing the tunes, memorizing some and reading all the various stories related to the composers and their music. Fascinating to me is the fact that Hugh has exposed many tune writers that are not necessarily household names within the piping community and others who are. They all share one thing - American citizenship : Colonel Richard Adams, PM Sandy Keith, John Turner, Ray Scott, Charlie Glendinning, John Recknagel, Jason Barth and Scott Brainard. This book is a real credit to Pipe Major Macpherson for having researched all this music.

The music is chronologically distributed over three units: Modern America, Eighteenth-Century America and Contemporary American Compositions. The first two parts are tunes all penned by Hugh Macpherson himself and form a historical journey through modern day USA with titles like Arlington Cemetery, Pearl Harbour, MacArthur's Return, Central Park, Billy Mitchell, etc. - all great reads and plays. 18th Century USA is commemorated with tunes like Plymouth Rock, Bunker Hill, Independence Hall, Butler's Rangers, Old Ironsides, Yorktown and The Louisiana Purchase. Now I am not a USA history buff but I have to admit I am certainly wiser for having read through every historical note the author wrote ..... Well done!

The 3rd part includes modern day composers and several tunes stand out immediately: The "K" Birl, a fine jig by Sandy Keith, Charlie Glendinning's two strathspeys, The Rookery and The Rosary, as well as the hornpipe "Rachel's Dance" by Ray Scott. All the compositions are unique and worth a listen or a play.

To assist the learner, PM Macpherson, as in his first publication, has included a CD of the tunes. The book is a welcomed addition to any library and if you are into the history of tunes, this new volume is a must read. Congratulations once again to Pipe Major Macpherson - we anxiously await Volume 2 ..... and by the way, any word on

 "A Piper's Canadian Odyssey" ?

I just happen to know a few on such a trip !

Purchase this book from your local supplier or directly from Pipe Major Macpherson.

View and purchase    Pipers of the Canadian Regular Army - 1950 to 2000