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Monday, November 14, 2016

Day 175 Red Hot Chili Pipers- A Bagpipe concert?




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 
River City Brass Band http://www.rivercitybrass.org/#concert-series