Blair Douglas

 

Blair Douglas would seem to have inherited his musical ability from both sides of his family. But genetics alone cannot explain this rare talent.  Blair has honed and perfected it himself by sheer hard work. His musical expertise is the result of a combination of the tuition he received and the influences to which he was exposed, the years of playing and composing, and his recording and producing experience.

Blair was born and brought up on Skye. On his mother's side he has strong connections with North Uist, while his father's family had moved to Skye from the Border country around 150 years ago. When he was fifteen the family relocated to Glasgow but returned to their home in Braes, Skye,  after a number of years in the city.

Blair was inspired to buy an accordion after hearing the playing of the late, lamented Niall Cheòis of Lewis. In 1973, having quickly mastered the instrument, he teamed up with Calum and Rory Macdonald, fellow Skye men with North Uist connections. Together they formed The Run Rig Dance Band to play at the North Uist and Bernera Association Concert in Glasgow. The band's background was in Gaelic/Highland music though somewhat tempered by exposure to rock - so much so that part of their original repertoire allegedly included gems such as Whiskey in the Jar and Snoopy vs the Red Baron, both classics for 70s cover bands.

During this time the band played mostly at weekends allowing Blair to continue as a student at Glasgow University. A short flirtation with a full time playing career in the late 70s proved unsuccessful and eventually led to Blair and Runrig (the 'Dance Band' tag having by this time been dumped) going their separate ways. However Blair did return to play on Runrig's Recovery in 1981.

His first solo album, Celtology, came out in 1984 and featured songs rather than his better known instrumental style. It also included a few compositions which were not his own. Subsequent CDs are remarkable because the material is largely Blair's own. Beneath the Beret, published in 1990, included Kate Martin's Waltz, which became an instant hit with traditional musicians and remains a classic of the genre, and Solus m'Aigh, a beautifully haunting song which he dedicated to his friend Fr. Colin MacInnes. On the CD A Summer in Skye, launched in 1996, many of the themes are based on Alexander Smith's celebrated book of the same name. Highlights on this album are A' Bhean Ionmhainn, The Landlord's Walk, and Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow. The lattermost, like so many Blair compositions, has been picked up and used by other performers.

It was always going to be a tall order for Blair to match the originality and class of A Summer in Skye but in 2004's Angels from the Ashes he manages to do this. Blair gives us a beautifully crafted CD which, though being remarkable in its originality, is unmistakably the work of Blair Douglas. It features delightful airs, waltzes, pipe tunes that are destined quickly to become part of many a piper's repertoire, and laments including An Gaidheal Uasal. The album also introduces a strong Cajun flavour to Blair's work.

Blair's latest release, Stay Strong, is mainly a song based album featuring a variety of guest vocalists such as Michael Marra, Eddi Reader and Runrig's Bruce Guthro and Rory Macdonald. As an accordionist Blair is strongly influenced by both his own rich Gaelic instrumental heritage and Cajun music culture – two strands of musical and cultural traditions closely linked, in Blair’s view. Stay Strong/ Bithibh Laidir / Rester Fort manifests this link in music and song – the language of cultural expression.

In the tradition of many Celtic composers, Blair's music draws from the deep well of social and political injustice, both at home and abroad. The plight of the Gael provides the local backdrop while 20th century icons like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Michael Collins bring, through their own local struggles, an international dimension. Where some would have turned to anger and brought bitterness and cynicism to the table, Blair's music exudes hope and brings forth a different kind of fruit.

Blair was recently voted Composer of the Year in the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2008. The award was presented on Saturday 6th December, at the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow. For more info see Blair's web site.

The music of Blair Douglas comes from the heart, touches the soul, and was born beneath the ever present gaze of Ben Tianavaig. To book Blair and his band contact us at Northbeat Agency.

www.blairdouglas.co.uk

 

Contact: Karin Ingram

Tel: 01450-850 262

Fax: 01450-850 602

E-mail: karin@northbeat.org