Whilst planning my trip to Plockton, I went on the web to see if I might meet someone from the area to chat with, maybe share a meal, someone to help me learn the place. I wasn’t hopeful as I was looking on the edge of nowhere, but I found a woman to whom I will always be indebted for introducing me to some of the greatest music I have ever experienced. I haven’t heard from Anita for a long time as I believe she moved out of the area and we lost touch. I’d love to reconnect next trip. While chatting on line we both realized that there would be no thoughts of romance but rather some good craic. Something about a pretty, young single mother and an old geezer who lived 3000 miles away. Go figure. Seemed perfect to me.
Anyway, Anita Hurding introduced me to the place where she worked, the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music or Sqoil Chiuil na Gaidhealtachd. Located at Plockton HS the students there learn both standard curriculum and traditional music. As the name implies, heavy with Gaelic. These students, who I refer to as ‘The Kids’, with my utmost respect, are amazing. Go to the website and buy some CD’s. They need the money to keep this great, worthwhile program properly funded to allow for tours and CD’s especially in light of the swingeing cuts brought on by the recession. A lot of the music is self composed and the rest covers. Their version of “There were Roses” by Tommy Sands will bring tears to the strongest eye. I hope to play it when I’m sitting and absorbing a mural in Belfast. I’ll put my headphones on and cry. Seems the right thing to do.
Next Anita insisted I adjust my schedule to get to Plockton so that I can experience the weekly Music Session held every Thursday at the Plockton Inn. What a jam! A couple of the musicians are regulars the rest are others who sit in. I have become pals with one of the musicians over the years, Dougie Pincock, the director of the music school. Pick an instrument. Dougie seems to play them all. The smallest sax ever, a flute, uilleann pipes and more. In fact, judging by all the instruments on the table, I’m guessing most of the players played multiples.
And then the final bit of music genius. When I asked Anita if she knew any good local music, she replied “ME”. I confess I had no idea what she meant by that until she emailed me some music. It turns out that Anita was the lead singer for the tragically now defunct band, Trudge Euphoria. What a waste. That this woman is not singing for the world these days leaves us all with a little less wonder. The angel of the Highlands, such is her voice. Anita sent me a great song that she wrote and recorded in her living room “Nightminds”. I’ve often wondered if I’m the only other person with this song as I don’t think it was ever published. The Trudge album “Oxymoronic” (only one of the best album names ever) has such delights as “Anne Boleyn”, “A Selkie Song”and my personal favorite “11 and”.
So there you have it. Another example of how if you don’t ask the question, the answer is usually ‘No’. I asked and my musical life has been positively changed forever for the better. Thank you, AJ.
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