Scottish Gathering to Offer a World of Sounds

By Jim Harrington

It’s time to dust off that kilt and get ready for the 143rd edition of the Scottish Highland Gathering & Games.

The event, presented by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco on Saturday and Sunday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, draws thousands of folks looking to immerse themselves in Scottish culture. Sports fans will turn out to watch the kind of athletic events that aren’t covered on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” such as the caber toss and the kilted mile-long foot race. Enthusiasts will come to witness the colorful Scottish dance presentations and shop from more than 100 vendors. Revelers will show up to drink plenty of dark, heavy beer and eat traditional Scottish cuisine (haggis, anyone?).

Fans will also turn out in full force to listen to the music. Although music isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when the Scottish games are mentioned, the truth is that this Highland Gathering features a diverse musical lineup.

The mix for 2008 includes “traditional” Scottish folk-music entertainers, popular bagpipe ensembles and an enormous “big band” featuring more than 750 drummers and pipers. The festival is also strong on Celtic rock, a genre that has exploded in popularity in recent years. The Celtic rockers on this bill are among the best in the business.

In all, there will be eight stages dedicated to Scottish/Celtic music. Big Scottish/Celtic music fans probably have their weekend already planned out and know which acts they want to catch. For the rest of us, here’s a look at what’s sure to be some of the musical highlights:

— Alex Beaton: The Glasgow-born troubadour is championed equally for his lovely baritone voice and his skillful guitar work. He sings everything from classical Scottish vocal pieces to humorous folksy ditties. Beaton is a former member of the Cumberland Three, which was one of Britain’s most popular folk acts of the ’60s. He will perform three 45-minute sets per day on the Glenfinnan Stage. The other act performing on the Glenfinnan is Golden Bough, a group of modern-day minstrels that sing Scottish and Irish music.

— Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh: It’s a family affair for this popular Celtic act, which features singing siblings Diane, Pamela and Laura, as well as cousin Cavanaugh on vocals and guitar. The group is known for its silvery harmonies, intriguing musical arrangements and an easy-on-the-ears take on Celtic rock. Fans also love their versions of traditional and modern Gaelic, Scottish and Irish songs. The Brownes will alternate sets on the Edinburgh Stage throughout the weekend with Isla St. Clair, a popular Scottish vocalist.

— Seven Nations: These Celtic rockers are regular road warriors. They perform hundreds of shows each year, and all that dedication has paid off. Seven Nations is considered one of the best live acts in the Celtic rock game. Olympics organizers obviously know a good thing when they hear it — no cracks about the recent opening ceremonies in China, please. Seven Nations performed during the torch lighting shindig at the Salt Lake City games in 2002. All told, this band has performed in 49 states as well as in several countries. In Pleasanton, Seven Nations will share the Argyle Stage with Tempest.

— Tempest: A name that should be familiar to many local music fans, Tempest regularly performs at some of the Bay Area’s best music venues, including the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley and the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The East Bay ensemble is known for its high-octane live show and its refreshingly original take on Celtic rock. The Tempest sound is built on fiddle, mandolin, drums, bass and vocals — but notably, it does not include the bagpipe. The absence of Scotland’s most famous instrument is only one of the many things that separate Tempest from the pack. The band performs both days on the Argyle Stage.

— Wicked Tinkers: The Tinkers are old-school — real, real old- school. These energetic rockers are pioneers in what’s being called “the Tribal Celtic Movement” and are said to musically evoke images of a much earlier time in Scotland and Ireland, when battle cries would fill the air along with drums and bagpipe. The Wicked Tinkers will split time on the Strathclyde Stage with Pladdohg, a seven- piece ensemble that categorizes itself as “Ameri-Celtic.”

Reach Jim Harrington at jharrington@bayareanewsgroup.com. Read his Concert Blog at www.ibabuzz.com/concerts. festival– What: The 143rd Scottish Highland Gathering & Games. — When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.– Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. — Tickets: General admission single- day $18; two-day $25. Senior and youth (8-16) $12; under 8 get in free. Parking is $8. For more information, visit www.caledonian.org.

…

INSIDE

To find out about more events this weekend, go to Page 3.

more festivals

To find out about more events this weekend, go to Page 3.

Originally published by Jim Harrington , Contra Costa Times.

(c) 2008 Oakland Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.