Battlefield Band Bagpipes

Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from different regions throughout Europe, Northern Africa, the Persian Gulf, and the Caucasus. 

This photo was taken at a concert with the Battlefield Band from Scotland and this is Mike Katz playing the bagpipes, with much gusto by the look of it.

Times Square - Crossroads of the World

Times Square is probably one of the most recognised and iconic city centres in the World. Situated in Manhattan at the junction of Broadway and 7th Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets this commercial area has an incredible concentration of neon advertising with gigantic Jumbotron video screens now taking up much of the real estate creating a dynamic and colourful vista on all the tall buildings.

This larger area around Times Square from 6th to 8th Avenue and from 40th to 53rd Street is known as the Theatre District where most of the Broadway theatres are located as well as many other theatres, movie theatres, music halls, restaurants, hotels and other entertainment outlets. This whole area just buzzes with peope and happenings and at night with all the neon lights on can be quite spectacular.

Our hotel was situated on West 49th street so we were right in the heart of this area and Times Square was a short 2-3 minute walk away.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers played a dinner concert on 22 May 2010 at the Hilton Hotel, KL for the Selangor St. Andrew's Society. The event was a sell-out with the band playing two red-hot sets which will be remembered for a long time to come by all that attended. You can view photographs from the event here and a video seen here.

About the Chillis
Winners of the Prime Time BBC One show 'When Will I Be Famous' with a blistering set Rock Bagpipes that astounded the viewers and critics!

"The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are sassy, sexy and hugely entertaining. They are enormously talented musicians who are so skilled they make it all look effortless. This album stirs the blood and will enliven any party." - Lorraine Kelly

"Bag Rocks! The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are great live performers with passion and enthusiasm that has captivated the world - great ambassadors for Scotland. I'm a fan!" - The Duke of Argyll

"It's a unique musical experience" - Max Clifford

Since they performed with The Darkness on T in the Park's legendary Main Stage in 2004 and walked away with the top prize on UK BBC One primetime TV talent show, 'When Will I Be Famous' in 2007, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers haven't stopped for a breath, other than to inflate their bagpipes!

Taking their signature 'Bagrock' to the masses, The ‘Chillis’ have fast become a global phenomenon, rocking farflung shores from Beijing to New York and everywhere in between.

Their first CD with REL Records ‘Bagrock to the Masses’ achieved platinum sales in Scotland and was the highest selling CD from a Scottish record company in 2007. 2008 saw the band record a brand new live DVD and album entitled BLAST! The Chillis showcased the addition of brand new elements The Chilli Dancers and The Horn Supremacy which cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts around.

Featuring the classic Red Hot Chilli Pipers sound - a fusion of traditional pipe tunes and contemporary anthems - 'Bagrock' includes the likes of 'Clocks' by Coldplay, Queen's 'We Will Rock You' and a rock medley of Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water' and AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck'. 'Flower of Scotland' and 'The Hills of Argyll' get a look in too, Chilli style of course!

Responsible for the phenomenon of bag rock are the Chilli's founding member and musical director Stuart Cassells, who as well as rocking all over the world in recent years, was the recipient of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2005 and the first person to gain a degree in bagpipes from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Joining Stuart and proving that three pipers are always better than one, are Grade 1 pipers Kevin MacDonald and Willie Armstrong. Twice world champion snare drummer Steven Graham and Malcolm McEwan make up the band's percussion section with back up from rock 'n' roll drummer Steven Black.

Completing the line up are the youngest Chilli, Chris Russell on keyboards and Gregor James (otherwise known as The G-Man) on guitar.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have headlined huge festivals, packed out famous venues and performed at the biggest of corporate events.

Putting a modern spin on incredible piping and astounding drumming with an emphasis on showing off and putting on a show guaranteed to amaze any audience; The Red Hot Chilli Pipers really are a genuinely unique experience.

IT'S THE NEW JOCK AND ROLL!!!!!!!

The Selangor St. Andrew's Society Annual Celebration

The Selangor St. Andrew's Society held their Annual Celebration on 28th November, 2009 at The Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur. Attendance was approximately 150 and the evening comprised of pre-dinner cocktails, toasts to the Agong and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, entry of the haggis, country dancing performed by pupils of Alice Smith school, buffet main course, display by St. Johns Institution Pipe Band, toasts to St. Andrew and guests, speech by guest speaker Mahbob Abdullah, dancing to The Gary Innes Band, dance instruction by Charlie Chong, cheese and biscuits, more dancing and of course plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

More photos can be viewed here.

Video can be viewed here.

The Gary Innes Band Live at Finnegan's

The Gary Innes Band from Scotland played a one night only concert at Finnegan's pub in Desa Sri Hartamas on 27th November 2009 as a pre-cursor to their participation at The Selangor St. Andrew's Society Annual Celebration on 28th November at The Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur. The evening was enjoyed by all and Gary, Ewan and Hugh kept the audience entertained by their music and their on-stage banter. There was much dancing and frivolity enhanced no doubt by the copious quantities of liquid lubrication on tap at Finnegans.

More photos can be viewed here.

Video of the concert can be viewed here.

Capercaillie

Capercaillie are a Scottish celtic-folk band founded in the early 1980’s by Donald Shaw and fronted by Karen Matheson. They recorded their first album, Cascade, in 1984. Their 1992 EP, A Prince Among Islands, was the first Scottish Gaelic language record to reach the UK Top 40 singles chart.


Capercaillie have popularised traditional Gaelic songs and music by using modern production techniques and often mixing musical forms combining traditional lyrics with drum and bass.

In May 2008 Capercaillie played a dinner concert at the Hilton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur arranged by the Selangor St. Andrew's Society (SSAS). The evening was an incredible success and the music simply outstanding.

The crystal clear voice of Karen Matheson lived up to every expectation and also to the famous quote from Sean Connery who said she has a voice “touched by God”.