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The Wardlaw Band's sound

Band Shield

If you'd like a little MIDI music, then here's one of my own compositions.
It is a 32 bar Jig entitled:

Composed & Arr. by Stuart Thomson
(© 1998 JDC Publications Ltd. Troon, Scotland)
Duration 39 sec.

About the Accordions:

The Wardlaw Scottish Dance Band favours Hohner accordions.

The accordions:

· Lead accordion is normally a 1957 Hohner Atlantic IV, or a 1965 Morino VN.
For the odd "special occasion" a 140 Bass Morino 2+1 c. 1939 is "given an airing"! (Below left)

Morino "2 + 1"

Second accordion at present is a Borsini Vienna K11C or sometimes a 1954 Morino IVM Special (Above right)

thanks to Alister Firth for permission to use both these images

<ooooo Thinks - time for some useless information here.......>

The "Morino"model was named after Venancio Morino (1876 - 1961), Hohner's Chief accordion designer during the 1930s. It has become one of the most widely used Hohner models, particularly with Scottish Dance Bands. “M” series models are much in demand, as are”S” models. (The new range seems promising too – but time will tell)

Giovanni Gola (1907 - 1978) continued Morino's work at Hohner. The first Gola series appeared in 1956.

<ooooo Thinks - End of useless information! ooooo>

<Thinks - Says you! ...Yawn...> - Ed

Influences to the sound of the Wardlaw:

From the 1950's: Two names are instantly associated with that particular era:
a) Jimmy Shand, positively flawless for Tempo.
b) Bobby Macleod with his real flair for "Pipe" music.

From the 1960's:
a) Ian Powrie - in particular Pam Brough's original style on piano
and Mickie Ainsworth's 2nd accordion style - as well as the sound of his accordion
b) Stan Hamilton, with the equally unique rhythm style he had for playing strathspeys. Stan, born in Ayr, Scotland, was resident in Ontario, Canada for 50 years of his life.

From the 1970's - Jim Johnstone. Great music, played well and with a relaxed sound.
From the 1980's to date - Bobby Brown and the "Scottish Accent"

Bobby, who hails from Dennyloanhead (near Stirling) played 2nd Accordion in the late Stan Hamilton's band for 18 years. Bobby has spent the greater part of his life in Canada.

2nd accordionist seat in the Scottish Accent Band is occupied by Bobby's son, Laird Brown.
Laird has stamped out his own innovative style which adds to the "lift" and "drive" already established
in the Scottish Accent Band.

Laird Brown

Piano is provided by Kathy Fraser-Collins
Drums by Fred Collins
Bass Guitar by Rob Wolanski

Domino 5M

Brampton party

(Photo L-R)
Stan Hamilton, (an apparition),
Bobby Brown, Rob Wolanski

Band pic

New release

Cambusdoon

available on the "Bryan's Room" label

BRCD 052

Domino Five Album pic

14 Tracks of popular Country Dances, many which have been requested
and a Scottish Waltz – to warm your muscles for the dance!

Tracks include:
Polharrow Burn, Cambusdoon, The Piper & the Penguin,
Preston Mill, The Kendoon Strathspey, Bratach Bana

Domino Five

BRCD 035

Domino Five Album pic

14 Tracks of popular Country Dances, many which have been requested
and a Scottish Waltz - to help you ease your muscles gently into action!.

Tracks include:
The Gilly Flower, Wind on Loch Fyne, The Royal Yacht Britannia,
Ayr Promenade, Inverneill House, Bonnie Stronshiray

Quick Here's Anither Yin!

BRCD 034

Tracks include:
The Chequered Court; S-Locomotion; Waltz Country Dance;
Summer School Peregrinations; Castle Douglas; The Highland Rambler
and many more.

Site Navigator

P1 Stuart's homepage | P2 Wardlaw S D B index | P3 Wardlaw Sound

P4 Wardlaw S D B history | P5 About the name | P6 Muirkirk

P7 Macadam's Stone | P8 Sanquhar Brig | P9 Tibbie's Brig | P10 Favourite Links

Send us e-mail:

Wardlaw_sdb@hotmail.com

Last updated 31^st October 2009

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