Bagpipes – by Hugh Cheape

Michael Grey Book 7 has over twenty traditional music-loving contributors there’s no doubt that this collection of music is the most diverse Michael Grey has yet to publish. Every flavour and texture of pipe music heard today is given a little space. The tunes in the full colour book span the core repertoire of the Great Highland Bagpipe (and maybe a little beyond). The huge cross-section of big-talent contributors include: Bernard Bouhadana, Ryan Canning, Duncan Chisholm, Bruce Gandy, Scott Garden, Ann Gray, Nick Hudson, John Lee, Bill Livingstone, Allan MacDonald, Dr Angus MacDonald, Iain MacDonald, Angus MacKenzie, Angus MacPhail, Donald Ewen MacPherson, Iain MacPherson, Sean McKeown, Duncan Nicholson, Dougie Pincock, Neil Smith, Terry Tully, Craig Turnbull and Bob Worrall. Simon Thorp, artist and co-founder of Viz magazine provides the cover illustration with one of his great creations, Finbarr Saunders [“and his double entendres”]. Grey was inspired years ago to name a tune after the cartoon master interpreter of the double meaning; the tune is featured in this collection along with its namesake, a bespoke piping Finbarr Saunders. In Finbarr we see the lighter side of the world (and who couldn’t use a little more of that?).