Performance: The Sound and the Soul of Scotland!

Aotea Centre

Reviewer: Heath Lees


This performance boasted one of the longer artist-titles: "The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards with Marion Martin and Jane Burgess."

Even that didn't cover everything, as there were synthesisers and guitars in most of the numbers on Thursday night, too.

Aye, the old Scottish Bagpipe show had been given a facelift for the 21st century.

In case a couple of dozen pipers and drummers weren't loud enough for today's ears, they were miked up and amplified. So as not to be old-fashioned, they had been enhanced by drum-kits, Star Trek percussion effects, Riverdance-type historical introductions and big, reverberant harmonies. There was lots of Te Papa lighting effects and even some dry ice.

It was all very modern and attractive at first, though it palled quickly. But skilful piping was still there - just listen to the fabulous precision of the chanter attacks, and never a stray drone anywhere.

There were some traditional tunes, too, like The Barren Rocks O' Aden, with all the strains intact, not just the famous chorus, and better articulated taorluaths than you could find in a twelvemonth.

Drumming had changed. Gone were the bright, metallic snares, replaced by a flatter thump that fitted the electronic ambience better.

And the tenor drums were individually tuned and cleverly exploited in the solo drumming spot.

Despite all that, the most musical item of the evening was a simple acoustic duo on small pipes and hand-held drum that showed utterly virtuosic playing, including some incredible finger-shading and glissandi effects from the bag.

The female soloists had little of the Scottish heather about them. With a pleasant voice and a winning way, Marion Martin sang her numbers in an up-tempo style that owed more to Barbra Streisand than Harry Lauder.

And Jane Burgess stylishly played a loud, pop-style electric violin that related to Scottish fiddle music about as much as lycra relates to the spinning wheel.

Still, even Scottish bagpipe shows have to move with the times, and a full house blessed it all with warm applause.