Another, yet very different, highlight was the playing of fiddler and guitarist Ryan Couper. Ryan won the prestigious Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition in 2006 (a competition introduced by the legendary Tom Anderson), and has gone on to become not only a great fiddler, but a fantastic guitar player too. Having learned much from Peerie Willie Johnson, Ryan has a very jazzy, Shetland style, and his finger picking is second to none.


Brian Forrest


Alongside the Shetlanders was a fine array of visiting musicians. Kristan Harvey & Megan Henderson (from Orkney and Fort William respectively) were a breath of fresh air. Playing a mixture of fiddle duets, and fiddle and piano pieces, their music was very clean and exciting, with modern piano arrangements, and fiery bowing.


I travelled with Donna Harkin and Jim Byrne, who were among the Irish contingent this year. Donna is a particularly fine button accordion player from Co Donegal, and Jim a sympathetic and intuitive guitar player. They even got a traditional song or two from yours truly, and although this was a departure from the norm for the festival, it seemed to add to the mix well.


Graeme Mackay Kristan Harvey


But the real show-stealers were Stri Torn from Western Norway, playing a mix of mostly Norwegian and Swedish dance music. They are a three-piece (accordion, guitar and bass) who move about the stage a lot as they play – full of life and fun! While mainly instrumental, they had the audience singing along with parts


Megan Henderson


of their tunes, including singing a “missing note” on the accordion every time it was needed in the tune – ingenious!


It came as no surprise to learn that one of the boys in the band is a stand-up comedian in his other life. He had a devilish glint in his eye while playing, and a very infectious smile. The punters loved them – as did I.


This festival is fairly heavily based around traditional tunes, dance music and dancing, and as such, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But it is such a part of the tradition on the Islands that it is hard not to be drawn in to the magic of it all, and to the wonderful community that is based around it.


I hope we make it back to Shetland again someday - beautiful place, fun people, fantastic music. What more could you ask for?


Now to get over the Shet-lag!!!


For more information on the Accordion and Fiddle Festival see their website: www. shetlandaccordionandfiddle .com


Travel details:


Flybe / Loganair operate frequent daily flights to Shetland from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Orkney, with onward connections to London and international destinations. - www.flybe.com


Shetland’s main airport, Sumburgh, lies 25 miles south of Lerwick. The airport is on the service bus route and has a taxi rank and hire car desk.


Northlink Ferries have nightly sailings to Lerwick from Aberdeen. www.northlinkferries.co.uk


The Living Tradition - Page 28 Lerwick Main Street


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