This empty nest period has been filled with an explosion of
new music experiences ranging from Jazz
(Day 15), banjos (Day 54), alternative Rock (Day 137), to
Rap (Day 170 ). However, I did not
expect my new music exposure to include
a bagpipe concert! I must admit that I never imagined listening
to bagpipes without attending a St. Patty’s Day celebration,
some type of memorial, or watching clog dancing, until I heard The Red Hot Chili Pipers, (not peppers but pipers).
Reflection
These pipers fuse rock with bagpipes to birth what they call
“ bagrock.” Neither Siri nor Webster will give you a definition for “bagrock” but it defines what they do so well. The Red Hot Chili Pipers use the unique long resonating sound of bagpipes together with
sounds of the base and electric guitars, key boards, drums, bongos, and even some brass.
It really is all fused together resulting in a high intensity show that feels more like a pop/rock concert than an
Irish or Scottish gig.
 |
| These guys are high octane |
There was non stop energy on the stage, rock concert
lighting, and a lot of personality in
the three (3) Scottish pipers. They
started out with songs like, Thunderstruck, and gave us a little, Fat Bottomed Girl, or as
they would title it, “Fat Assed Lassies.” We Will Rock You and Everybody Dance, brought the audience to their feet. I also
really enjoyed Amazing Grace because of the opening solo bagpipe, the fantastic vocal and systematic crescendo of the three
(3) bagpipes. They also added a vocalist
for several songs and some concerts have a few clog dancers to keep their energy “red hot.”
This year the Red Hot Chili Pipers were
brought to our city by the River City Brass Band. They might be back for Pittsburgh's St. Patrick’s Day festivities. They are definitely lot of fun. So if you
can, get a taste of their “spice” and catch the
Red Hot Chili Pipers on tour or when they come back to the burgh (tour schedule).
Maybe I will try the River City Brass Band next but I am definitely
keeping new music experiences in my empty nest tool box of survival!
Spiritual Source
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and song from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19)
Other sources
Red Hot Chili Pipers
Chasing Cars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTTYUBEVWkY
River City Brass Band http://www.rivercitybrass.org/#concert-series