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THE TUNES:

 
 
1) THE BIRD SET: Three jigs about birds and the things they do.
 
The Hen's March / Donald MacLeod; DECD - MCPS
The Seagull / Donald MacLeod; DECD - MCPS
The Geese in the Bog / traditional
 
(Highland pipes, snare, tenor drum, bass tapan)
 
 
 
2) HUGH ROSS SET: Two fancy newer tunes from Scotland. The first was given to Aaron by Harry MacNulty; the second is from the playing of Gordon Walker at the G.S. MacLennan Contest, San Diego, 1996.
 
Hugh Ross of Glen Calvie: hornpipe / Stephen Connor; copyright control
Good Drying: hornpipe / R. S. MacDonald; MCPS & PRS
 
(Highland Pipes, snare & bass tapan)
 
 
 
3) SEAL SET: In the first tune, the Sea Maiden calls longingly to her friends the Selkies, hoping they'll come and cheer her. This they do in the second tune, shedding their sealskins and dancing on the beach for her pleasure.
 
Marion's call: slow air / Aaron Shaw; Runsk Music
Ridhil nan Ron: reel / Aaron Shaw; Runsk Music
 
(Highland Pipes, small pipes, snare, tenor snare, tenor tapan & bass tapan)
 
 
 
4) STRATHSPEY & REEL: A typical combo of competition tunes, made less so by the addition of Warren and John.
 
Maggie Cameron / traditional
Lt. Col. D.J.S. Murray / Lt. J. M. Allan; copyright control
 
(Highland pipes, snare, bass tapan)
 
 
 
5) THE ODD SET: "Quark Hill" came from a comment by a student regarding even timing in jig playing. The last tune is in 10/8 time - hence the name.
 
Cullen Bay: 5/4 march / Ian Duncan; Royal Scottish Pipe Band Assoc.
Quark Hill: 5/8 "jig" / Traditional, arranged by Aaron Shaw
Fingers and Thumbs:10/8 / Aaron Shaw; Runsk Music.
 
(Highland pipes, snare, bass tapan)
 
 
 
6) THE FERRET SET: A haunting Gaelic air in the traditional mold, followed by a well-known "new" tune that employs the dread illegal C-natural.
 
MacGregor of Rora: slow air / traditional
Andy Renwick's Ferret: hornpipe / Gordon Duncan; Grian Music
 
(Highland pipes, snare, bass tapan)
 
 
 
7) WALLOP THE CAT: We do not advocate cruelty to cats, hares or any other creatures, for that matter. In fact, we hope this tune is about a cat named Wallop.
 
Wallop the Cat: jig / traditional
 
(Small pipes, tapan, bodhran & hollerin')
 
 
 
8) 6/8 MARCHES: A couple of good-going, darkish marches in 6/8 time.
 
Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis / Donald MacLeod; DECD - MCPS
Murdo MacKenzie of Torridon / Bobby MacLeod; copyright control
 
(Highland pipes, tenor snare, tenor tapan, bass tapan)
 
 
 
9) THE PUMPKIN'S FANCY: The Pumpkin Advisory Board asks us to remind you that October is National Pumpkin Awareness Month.
 
The Pumpkin's Fancy / Terry Tully; Irish Pipe Band Assoc.
 
(Highland pipes, snare & tapan)
 
 
 
10) A FLAME OF WRATH: Aaron says, "The story I was told of this tune goes as follows:
 
"Padruig Caogaich (Squinting Patrick) was killed by his foster brother. Patrick's other brother, Donald Mor MacCrimmon - piper to MacLeod of Dunvegan - demanded satisfaction. The chief of Clan MacLeod asked Donald Mor for a year to take care of the situation, hoping Donald would cool down. A year elapsed, and Donald - decidedly not cooled down - went with some pals to the village where Squinting Patrick's murderer should be found. Pounding on a blackhouse door, they demanded his surrender but were told he had 'gone out.' At each house they got the same response. Donald and the boys hit on the most expedient solution: they barred the doors of every house and set them all afire. Donald Mor - always quick with the pipes - improvised this tune to the accompaniment of the inhabitants' dying screams...
 
"Although Piobaireachd is played solo, I've always heard the pounding of a big drum in my head when I play this tune, so I thought I'd let it out."
 
A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick: piobaireachd / traditional
 
(Highland pipes and bass tapan, played by Aaron Shaw)
 
 
 
11) AARON'S SET: The first tune Aaron wrote for the wedding of a piratical buddy of his known as Tiki King. The second tune was inspired by the crazed gyrations of a spider that Aaron disturbed on its web. The third tune was provoked by the difficulties encountered while tuning chanters in the L.A. Police Pipe Band.
 
The Pirate's Wedding: hornpipe / Aaron Shaw; Runsk Music
The Dizzy Spider: jig / Aaron Shaw; Runsk Music
Chasing the "F": jig / Aaron Shaw; Runsk Music
 
(Highland pipes, tenor tapan, tenor snare & bass tapan)
 
 
 
12) ROASTY SET: John goes nuts and brings an Afro-Latin flare to this piece.
 
Heat from the Furnace: reel / R. MacNeil; pub. Robert MacNeil Musicworks
The Master Blasters: hornpipe / Mark Saul; ISA Music
 
(Highland pipes, snare, percussion, bass tapan)
 
 
 
13) FIOLLAIGEAN: This tune comes from a great record called "Music of the Western Isles." Aaron arranged this Scots-Gaelic song for pipes. It's about a fellow named Fiollaigean and how he will never marry, as he is essentially a big goof.
 
Fiollaigean: slow air; 9/8 slip jig: traditional / arranged by Aaron Shaw
 
(Highland pipes, bodhran, bass tapan)
 
 
 
14) HORNPIPE/JIG SET: More Donald MacLeod magic.
 
The Man From Skye / Donald MacLeod; DECD - MCPS
The Judge's Dilemma / Donald MacLeod; DECD - MCPS
 
(Highland pipes, snare, bass tapan)
 
 
 
All tunes and sets arranged by WICKED TINKERS except "Roasty set" and "Bonus Track," arranged by John MacAdams, and "A Flame of Wrath," arranged by Aaron Shaw.
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