Burns Night Concert 16 January 2015

After a week of storms, high winds and snow it was great to gather at the Penicuik Music Hub on Friday 16th January to hear Wendy Carle Taylor sing a selection of songs written by the Ayrshire Bard, Rabbie Burns, along with other favourites.

Organised by Penicuik Community Arts Association, Penicuik Folk Club, and Burnt Out Records, the event attracted over a hundred folks, filling the music hub, which most of us will remember as the old Penicuik Library. The venue is now used as a cente for musical arts and is the home venue of Burnt Out Records, the record label of Penicuik High School.
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Wendy was supported by Penicuik's own talented musicians, Fifteen year old singer songwriter Sophie Burt and the group Liquid State, both who feature on the Burn Out Records label.

Sophie started the show, playing her guitar and singing a selection of songs including  some of her own compositions. You can see her in action HERE.

Next up were a group of young folks going by the name of Liquid State, again singing a selection of music ending with a piece reminicent of Pink Floyd style.  You can see Liquid State in action HERE

After a short interval Wendy took to the stage, accompanied by Graham McDonald on piano, and Sandy Butler on guitar and banjo.  Wendy sang a selection of Burns' songs mixed with songs from Gershwin, Abba, and Dylan, even a bit of 'bluegrass' music thrown in for good measure. Wendy told us how Bob Dylan had said that his greatest creative inspiration was Scotland's favourite son, the 18th-century poet known to most as Rabbie Burns, particularly  A Red, Red Rose, written by Burns in 1794. She sang Dylan's  'Blowing in the Wind' which he wrote in 1962, which tells of man's inhumanity to his fellow man. You can see Dylan perform the song HERE   Sandy Butler took the lead for a couple of bluegrass numbers, on banjo, with Graham supporting on guitar, first time I have seen him play this in public. Graham also played maracas on other numbers. 

The evening culminated with Wendy leading that Burn's favourite that is used to end many performances 'Auld Lang Syne', but with a verse from the French version 'aux jours de temps passés'.

A great evening of entertainment, and it had yet to snow outside! 

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