Album of The Week Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy ‘Sparks’ 23rd Mar 2019
Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy
‘Fiery Trad duo Rachel and Ron combine Scotland’s most ancient and contemporary instruments, the clarsach (Scottish harp) and acoustic guitar with electrifying results breaking free of it’s stereotypical image. From snappy Strathspeys to heartfelt airs, from rip-roaring reels to chirpy jigs SPARKS oozes with charm and embraces the rich cultural tradition of Scotland’.
The Duo
More intimate than a band, Trad duo, Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy, embody a special chemistry.
Purveyors of Scotland’s most ancient and contemporary instruments (clarsach, Gaelic for Scottish harp, and acoustic guitar, respectively) these two halves created a whole in September 2017: a subtle ying-yang between spine-tingling clarity and virtuosic drive.
As individual musicians, the award-nominated dyad (hailing from the north of Scotland) spread their influence far and wide across the globe. As a pairing who tailor each performance to the needs of their audience, no corner of the world will go untouched by their rootsy charm.
Rachel Hair
From the Highland village of Ullapool, a prominent performer in the Scottish Traditional Music scene and a much sought after performer, composer and tutor of the lever harp, Rachel has released 4 critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively throughout Europe, the USA and beyond, both as a soloist and with the “Rachel Hair Trio”.
Now based in Glasgow, a Scottish city renowned for its melting pot of musical and cultural style, Rachel is passionate about promoting the harp, Scotland’s most ancient instrument. She strives to open up fresh horizons for it, removing it from its stereotypical, stuffy ballroom image, whilst always remaining true to her Highland roots.
Ron Jappy
Born and brought up in the small, coastal village of Findochty in the North East of Scotland, Ron began fiddle and violin lessons from a young age in primary school before later learning the acoustic guitar.
Having toured extensively through the UK and Europe since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2011, Ron has performed with a number of successful artists including Jamie Smith’s Mabon and Skerryvore and appears regularly with the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the Scott Wood Band.
Tracks
1. Mera’s (Grainne Brady’s / The Namesake / Mera’s Delight)
2. Redford Cottage (Redford Cottage / Dhannsadh Gun Dannsadh / ‘s Toigh Leam Fhin Buntata S’ Im)
3. Looking At A Rainbow Through A Dirty Window
4. Black Hair’d Lad (Black Hair’d Lad / The Glenburnie Rant / Jamie Shearer’s)
5. Jurby Jigs (The Road To Jurby / Sunset Squatters)
6. The Proofreader
7. Carole & Colin’s
8. Lochinver (Maybelle’s Compliments To Her Brother Cameron / Lady Baird’s / Lochinver)
9. Polkas (Dan Sullivan’s / Scartaglen Polka / The Munster Bank)
10. Glenbervie (Arrane Y Chlean / Glenbervie)
Upcoming gigs
March
30 Kilmallie- Lochaber Music Fro All – Fort William
Rachel – 5-10 April – Edinburgh International Harp Festival
May
19 House Concert – Helensburgh
July
9 – The Ceilidh Place – Ullapool
13 – Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Trad Music & Dance Festival 18 – Celtic Gathering Isle of Man