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  • Scottish Tradition : Dark Island : American Cafe Orchestra

    Posted by admin on December 11th, 2009 and filed under american cafe | 25 Comments »

    Some film of Benbecula and South Uist, the quality should be better. Some of it is also too fast for the music. The band plays the best version of the Dark Island that I have ever heard. Those who love solo accordion versions will not agree. Ach well.. Bithidh cuid air an doigh, ’s bithcuid nach bith.

    Duration : 0:6:25


    [youtube ZGPrH0g96Tk]

    25 Responses

    1. UISTMAN59 Says:

      thanks accrag :-)
      thanks accrag :-)

    2. accrag Says:

      love this version …
      love this version great, nice dance to this

    3. ScotsLass10 Says:

      nice twist with the …
      nice twist with the blue grass. Although I prefer the Alexander Brother’s. Also love to hear Charlie Zimm Singing the Dark Island.

    4. pastore0506 Says:

      It’s different; and …
      It’s different; and it’s very nice!

    5. Erkele Says:

      Some my angient …
      Some my angient relatives are from Scotland and Irland. I’m finnish my self.. but my heart says i must come there someday. I never been there, YET. It’s very deep feelin’ – I can not explain it to anybody with words of human language. – E

    6. UISTMAN59 Says:

      Hi Morten , Thanks …
      Hi Morten , Thanks for your note, LOve this tune and this versiom is great.

    7. mortenalfredhoirup Says:

      He, he… my first …
      He, he… my first and probably only guitar solo ever :-)

      Great pics by the way!

      Morten Alfred Høirup, American Café Orchestra…

    8. UISTMAN59 Says:

      Thanks for the …
      Thanks for the comment djmontag. I had always thought if it as a bit hawaiian rather than bluegrass but I can see it your way too, must be bit of both in it.

    9. djmontag Says:

      I like this version …
      I like this version& think the bluegrass twist is weird but in a good way.

    10. UISTMAN59 Says:

      Each to his own …
      Each to his own lewismurray1. I have four postings of “The Dark Island” and you have commented on the one you do not like.

    11. lewismurray1 Says:

      …no, just no…it …
      …no, just no…it sounds wrong like youre trying to kill the unstrument but youre trying to do it so that only someone whos heard the proper version would know

    12. PressF5forHelp Says:

      Very nice, and sure …
      Very nice, and sure loved the music :)

    13. Ayrshiree Says:

      Not only is the …
      Not only is the arrangement fantastic, but so is the Scenery!
      Go “Caledonia”!!!
      I love you!!!

    14. TommyG831 Says:

      same i prefer the …
      same i prefer the mike oldfeild 1 too but im not saying this 1 is bad

    15. noparadigm Says:

      this is (although …
      this is (although it sadly has no bagpipes ;->) by far the best version of this song I have heard so far! Very very well done, indeed!

    16. Tommo64 Says:

      Does any one know …
      Does any one know where i can find the Alexander Brothers version? Thanks in advance.

    17. JRneko Says:

      I prefer the mike …
      I prefer the mike oldfield one…but funny to see different versions

    18. graham1281 Says:

      Agreed, it would be …
      Agreed, it would be a sad old world if we all liked the same things LOL

    19. UISTMAN59 Says:

      Fair enough. Each …
      Fair enough. Each to his own.

    20. graham1281 Says:

      Maybe I should …
      Maybe I should point out that the musicianship is first class, no denying that at all. In my view ( and who am I ) the dark island is possibly one of the most requested tunes EVER in the history of Scottish music. Some tunes can withstand an update, but not this one.

    21. catherinetodd Says:

      See also: ” …
      See also: “Ireland’s Treasures: 5000 Years of Artistic Expression” by Peter Harbison.

    22. catherinetodd Says:

      Thanks so much for …
      Thanks so much for posting this… I listened to a few other versions listed on YouTube, and you were “spot on” about this being the best one. I ended up being able to buy and download it from “PayPlay (dot) FM” and love it!

      I also really love watching this beautiful video of these small islands in the sea… has given me great inspiration in this great “time of need” to explore the “heart of the world.” Thanks again.

      I take it you play violin; have any of your own music posted?

    23. UISTMAN59 Says:

      Thanks for the …
      Thanks for the above notes, Catherine. I first heard this recording on Radio Scotland on a December evening in the late 80’s when Artie Fisher (I think) said that “If there there was an award for the best update of an old standard it would have to be this” – or words to that effect. Spot on.

    24. catherinetodd Says:

      From CD Baby:

      THE …
      From CD Baby:

      THE AMERICAN CAFE ORCHESTRA: The Early Years 1999

      American fiddler Ruthie Dornfeld and Danish guitarist Morten Alfred Høirup formed The American Cafe Orchestra in 1987 with Norwegian bassist Anders Hofset. Ruthie’s fluid style backed by the European swing of Høirup & Hofset gives a fresh, energetic approach to an eclectic mix of American, Scandinavian & Celtic fiddle tunes. The Early Years combines their first two recordings, American Cafe Orchestra & Somewhere in Sweden.

    25. catherinetodd Says:

      This is WONDERFUL. …
      This is WONDERFUL. I’ve never heard of this group (”The American Cafe Orchestra”) but found them via google search and Amazon… wonderful juxtaposition of land, sea, sky and ear… sounds tastes and seeing follow. What a joy!

      I will have to visit here before I die. Life may be worth living, after all. Thanks for posting!

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