Although the Scottish celtic-funk-electronic crossover band Shooglenifty probably isn't everyone's cup of tea around here, I reckon their mandolin player Iain McLeod (no longer in the band as of recently) is one of the most impressive players I've heard. He's showy, tight, and exceptionally communicative.
I'm not a mandolin player, but, being an insatiable music critic, I'm interested to know what others think about his style and how he acheives it.
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
I agree that Iain is a fine melodic player and I can remember when he was as good as I am now ) Since then, he's got much better and "tighter" over the years having played in various outfits e.g The House Band, Rua, Miro etc before joining Shooglenifty.
I'm not sure what his next moves are but he still lives in Edinburgh (Portobello) and can be heard around town.
I'm not sure about how he achieves his style apart from hard work and practice although I believe he played in a rock band before becoming interested in "our type of music" but that was over twenty years ago.
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
Hey, thanks John...do you know why he's no longer with Shooglenifty? Some friends of mine knew the new mandolin player, Luke, from the festival scene in Australia and were telling me "Oh, Shooglenifty picked up this guy at the festival (Woodford Folk Festival I think, I may be wrong) and they said come join the band" ...And I was like "What?? What happened to Iain?" I was gutted. What was the story?
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
I've spoken to Iain a few times but never actually discussed why he left the band. I'm not sure what the reason would be as I didn't hear any of the gossip at the time.
Looking forward to hearing the band live next week in Tonder. This will be the first time since a few years and with Luke in the band.
Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
Greetings there fellow sessioneers...
Although the Scottish celtic-funk-electronic crossover band Shooglenifty probably isn't everyone's cup of tea around here, I reckon their mandolin player Iain McLeod (no longer in the band as of recently) is one of the most impressive players I've heard. He's showy, tight, and exceptionally communicative.
I'm not a mandolin player, but, being an insatiable music critic, I'm interested to know what others think about his style and how he acheives it.
Thanks, Dargs
# Posted on August 18th 2003 by dargs
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
I agree that Iain is a fine melodic player and I can remember when he was as good as I am now
) Since then, he's got much better and "tighter" over the years having played in various outfits e.g The House Band, Rua, Miro etc before joining Shooglenifty.
I'm not sure what his next moves are but he still lives in Edinburgh (Portobello) and can be heard around town.
I'm not sure about how he achieves his style apart from hard work and practice although I believe he played in a rock band before becoming interested in "our type of music" but that was over twenty years ago.
John
# Posted on August 18th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
Hey, thanks John...do you know why he's no longer with Shooglenifty? Some friends of mine knew the new mandolin player, Luke, from the festival scene in Australia and were telling me "Oh, Shooglenifty picked up this guy at the festival (Woodford Folk Festival I think, I may be wrong) and they said come join the band" ...And I was like "What?? What happened to Iain?" I was gutted. What was the story?
# Posted on August 19th 2003 by dargs
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
Dont know what happened to Iian, but Luke Plumb is an awesome musician, can totally crank it up in sessions as well
# Posted on August 19th 2003 by bb
Re: Points on Iain McLeod's mandolin playing style
I've spoken to Iain a few times but never actually discussed why he left the band. I'm not sure what the reason would be as I didn't hear any of the gossip at the time.
Looking forward to hearing the band live next week in Tonder. This will be the first time since a few years and with Luke in the band.
John
# Posted on August 19th 2003 by Johnny Jay