Comments on: Variations on a Theme of Good Intentions

By: iainmacd

iainmacd — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:40:43 +0000

Even though I had heard lots of talk about the new medley being “different” over the winter, a lot of it caught me by surprise, too. I thought, “WTF?” at the intro, and then laughed when the crowd started cheering as you marched in. OK, THAT’s cool. There are parts that I like better than others, but it hangs together, makes sense, and at the same time challenges. The drumming is great. I love how it lit up the message boards, and for once in a long while people aren’t talking about numbers of players! And on that subject, who says you need 30 to be “orchestral”? I think this is a great bit of writing, and it’s something I could NEVER do. I think I can put together a good “medley,” but I couldn’t do this. It’s a level of composition and understanding that most of us don’t have. My hat’s off to you, and the entire band for pulling it off so well.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:33:58 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Iain. Much appreciated. And I can tell you there are parts I like better than others, too.

Agree - we have more than enough “numbers” in the group to be orchestral - was it 16 pipers, 10 percussionistas? MORE than enough.

You’re way too generous in your composition comment - but I will take it and thank you! Cheers, Mike

By: ianfmoir

ianfmoir — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:09:42 +0000

Mike, it has been a very long time (20 years I’d guess) since I had that much fun playing in a medley competition. Thanks for giving us (TPPB) a chance to present that really cool piece of music.

By: mike

mike — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:05:19 +0000

Me too! Thanks, Ian
M

By: blackwater

blackwater — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:09:29 +0000

While playing the role of the “arm-chair critic” this spring by listening to contests (like the Scottish Champs & the Speyside/Georgetown games) VIA the net and YouTube…I was a little bored with what I was hearing. Now, I’m not saying ALL of it was bad! Nothing of the sort, however there seems to be “unified sameness” going around the world of pipe bands. Same: pitch, medley construction, MSR tunes, mid-section drum riffs, flashy over the top endings for medleys and drummers are now playing for these MEGA airs again (gone are the 1980’s, hail the 70’s)!
So Mike (and Ian, Doug and the rest of the TO-POLIS) you really reshaped what the world can expect to hear from a pipe band. Through your composition you showcased the virtues of the bagpipe “that it’s both a melodic and percussive instrument” AND that (in the right hands) a highlands snare is a “percussive-melodic instrument” that doesn’t have to be limited to the stucture of “folk” music idiom! Well Done!
I’m now wondering Mike, do you think Mr. Livingstone would ever put “In Celtic Times” on the field? (It would work well along side the “Good Intensions”)…Hmmmn?
I’m glad you “got that feeling” from the crowd,band…the experience! I had that feeling once in Kincardine when the crowd erupted into a standing ovation when the band finished it’s performance! (You can’t ask for more than that - That’s a real connection!)
Keep on doing what you’re doing, every artist must stay true to themselves…and I think you’re doing just that!
All the best,

David

By: tfoote

tfoote — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:20:09 +0000

Mike,

It was and is a pleasure to be playing with you again in a truely energizing musical ensemble. I like it, IT IS FUN!!! I cannot wait to see what comes from this new direction. Doug and Ian are great leaders and are very inspiring.

Thanks to all the band for making this happen!

By: mike

mike — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:42:26 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful note, David - all true to my mind!

And Tom, the pleasure is all mine! Thanks! M.