By Nick Morrison
Saturday evening saw a concert @ the Picky, Kirkwall of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers well supported by “The Chair” .
“The Chair” who have been going for 12 years played a series of Rock numbers of Celtic origin which had crossed the Atlantic and come back again to be given another home brewed twist,a not dissimilar genre to “The Red Hot Chilli Pipers themselves.
Photo N Morrison
All in all a very competent and enjoyable group, yours truly would certainly go to see them again as a stand alone concert, they were that good. The result was great and much appreciated by the roughly 600 strong crowd of all ages, say 7 to 70+.
Photo N Morrison
We had a delightful local twist to the evening. Katie Green, shortly to become Katie Irving was having her “Henny” at the concert.
This “Henny” was not being done by halves. Some of the party were walking around with placards on sticks with “Katie’s Henny” on them, the bridesmaids had sashes on denoting who they were. Mum and Future Mum in law were also in the 20 or so strong party.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers opened with a keyboard and light display that would not have disgraced Jean Paul Jarre. The “Pipers” then let rip with a wonderful powerful mix of traditional tunes and rock covers. Supported by 2 dancers and a singer. ZZ Tops Give me all your loving, Queens “Fat bottomed girl” and “We will rock you”were but some. That iconic rif from Deep Purples “Smoke over the water” came as a pleasant surprise. As the evening wore on more and more dancing was taking place.
Photo N Morrison
The “Henny party” entertained the crowd with an energetic “Strip the Willow”. “The Pipers” even dedicated one of the songs to Katie. The lighting effects were wonderful, perhaps a little bright for this aged numpty !
The Picky staff were their normal efficient selves. All in all a wonderful evening — not so much of a concert — more an experience!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Nick.
I almost went to this, but merely to see The Chair, who I love dearly, being one of my favourite bands since I first saw them almost 8 years ago, duelling with Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag.
I’d have gone before the RHCP though, as I’m not so keen on this franchise of ‘jocked up’ classics.
Part of being a grumpy old man, I suppose.