vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
Absolutely brilliant Capercaillie gig tonight in Perth. Huge thanks to all the band, celebrating 40 years together. Karen Matheson’s voice was sublime as always. But I loved how their strength as an instrumental Scottish folk group was also highlighted. Normally accordionist me is glued to Donald Shaw’s virtuoso playing. Thanks muchly from an old timer for playing Calum’s Road! But tonight I was most wowed by Charlie McKerron‘s fiddle playing. I’m a very long lapsed fiddler too, and his playing was epic. Absolutely brilliant treat. All the best for the remaining concerts.

It was a really big step for us to go to this, since the start of Covid, and how much iller I’ve got neurologically in recent years. But it went brilliantly, and we’re so very grateful to have been able to go. Both of us have loved Capercaillie’s music since 1989/90. We last saw them in concert in Edinburgh in 1997 or 1998. Seeing them again was special.

vivdunstan: Warning sign re risk of being mobbed by seagulls (dundee)
Got this late afternoon in Dundee city centre. I am still offered these Covid vaccines twice yearly by the NHS, being severely immunosuppressed. Very quiet vaccine centre - no one waiting when I got there early. I suspect they have a lot of no shows in the current 75+ group. I was weeks earlier for my vaccine than I might have been, keen to get it before my Capercaillie music concert in 3 weeks.

Because I was seen so early we were able to get an early takeaway dinner from a fab fish and chip shop that is sadly shutting its Dundee branch after this weekend. Sat below the uni, overlooking the River Tay to Fife. Bright evening sunshine, and surrounded by optimistic but unsuccessful seagulls. Martin also spotted wild bunnies on the grass down the steps, so dashed down to photograph them.

Planning a very quiet weekend. I expect to be feverish and very sore overnight. More seriously I will probably have a 3 month long flare in my autoimmune brain disease, starting about a week from now. It’s very difficult. But I will be protected.
vivdunstan: Photo of my 72 bass accordion (accordion)
Delighted to manage some oh too rare accordion practice. Today trying new to me (at least to play) Calum's Road by Donald Shaw of Capercaillie (in linked Bluesky post). As well as practicing Speechless from Aladdin and Thank You For The Music from ABBA.

And here's a snippet of me practicing Thank You For The Music by ABBA on my accordion today. It's a real work out, and by the end of my short practice I was struggling to control my brain, never mind the fingers to play it just now! Thanks neuro illness! But overall happy. It's a lovely arrangement.

- not sure how well those links to the videos on Bluesky will work. But fingers crossed!
vivdunstan: Arms of King James V of Scotland with a unicorn among thistles. Above the unicorn is the blue and white saltire flag, below the unicorn the red and gold lion rampant (scotland)
Our current viewing. Hoolie in the Hydro, recorded live in Glasgow just the other night. Fab traditional Scottish music line up, including Capercaillie, Mànran and Talisk among others. I think BBC ALBA are airing it in two parts, last night and then the rest between Christmas and the New Year. Here is the link to part 1.

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vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
vivdunstan

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