Gary West - Islay Ball

From Pitlochry in Perthshire, Gary West learned his piping with the much-acclaimed Vale Of Atholl Pipe Band, with whom he played for eighteen years, winning both the Scottish and European Championships. In the late 1980s, Gary began to play a prominent role in the folk music scene, joining Ceolbeg in 1988, and was a founder member of the Scottish ‘supergroup’ Clan Alba in 1991, playing alongside such luminaries as Dick Gaughan and Brian McNeill.

The Islay Ball is the most entertaining piping album I've listened to in a long while. The mix of great tunes, high-quality piping, tasteful and musical arrangements, and excellent guest musicians combine to give a feast for the ears. I got this CD in August 2002. As I write this review 11 months later, the recording is just as fresh and exciting as the first time I listened to it.

Personnel: 
Gary West (highland pipes, Scottish small pipes, whistles);
Carlos Arrendondo (vocals, guitar);
Colin Matheson (guitar, keyboards);
Tony McManus (guitar, bouzouki);
Colin Campbell (fiddle);
Kath Campbell (cello, piano);
Wendy Stewart (electroharp, harp, concertina);
Stan Wilson (bass); Marcos Watt (percussion).

01. Fleshmarket Close/The Yellow Haired Tinker/The Mas - 4:00

02. Dixon's Highland Laddie/Rangers' Frolic/ - 4:08

03. Chi Mi'n Geamhradh - 4:38

04. Willie Angus Macdonald Of Melness/Cleveland Height - 3:51

05. Wendy's Favourite/The Half-Coupit Yowe/The Coupit - 4:34

06. The Plummeting Piper/Douglasfield/The Streaker/ - 5:01

07. Kilworth Hills - 3:49

08. Scarce O' Tatties/The Gold Ring/ - 4:46

09. A Camilo Jorge - 5:06

10. Saligo Bay/Cabar Feidh/The Islay Ball/Broadford Ba - 6:22

11. The Hag At The Churn/The Lark In The Morning/ - 4:21

12. Last Waltz At The Islay Ball - 4:43

link to the free album

Gary West - Islay Ball