‘This album came as a complete surprise to James and I, as we did not know we were making it!’ So say the sleeve notes, completing the story with an explanation that the CD is a recording direct from the sound desk of a concert at a festival in Western Australia. The two Jimmies liked it enough to release it as ‘the official bootleg album of the tour.’ When I listened to the album, I found it hard not to think, if that had been my festival performance I would certainly have been more than happy with it as well. The first few notes of the first track were enough to transmit those vital messages that say, relax, you’re listening to highly accomplished players. Jimmy Young clearly steeped in traditional technique and repertoire but capable of allowing other musical influences to colour his interpretations, plays whistles and Northumbrian pipes. James Wilkinson, more likely from a background of rock or popular music, plays guitar and offers contemporary, arty interpretations of popular songs from the Beatles to Eric Clapton. There are also several original pieces on the CD. The result is a delicious fusion between old and new sounds - their interpretations of both songs and tunes are uniquely soulful and inventive. This CD transmits all the best aspects of a live performance down to the slap of strings, but thankfully no clapping. The solo guitar piece on track 7, ‘Because of the Rain’, deserves a special mention: at almost eight minutes of just James doing an original piece on guitar, it’s evocative and full of energy on the CD, I can imagine how good it must sound if you’re listening and watching live. I believe this duo is heading for NSW early next year, including a stop at the Loaded Dog Folk Club in Sydney in February. Christine Wheeler, Cornstalk Magazine, Australia.
“Jimmy This is a really great CD, with amazing sound quality & great atmosphere. Thank you very much.” Tony Devenish.
"Hi there, I saw you guys (Jimmy and James) for the first time at the Fairbridge Festival in Western Australia a while back. It was absolutely awesome. You guys accompanied each other so brilliantly. I was so impressed I took my Dad along to the Fremantle "Kulcha" gig a few days later. He was blown away like me. I was just wondering If you guys have plans to ever come back to Australia, because there are a few people I would love to share the experience. When you try to explain to people what your gig was like, it is impossible to even slightly represent it in words. I know you were here not long ago, so you won't be back for a while, but just wanted to say, please don't overlook us down here, in the future, because your live show was the best thing I have ever seen: magic!!!
Thanks, Brad King."
PIPEWORKS is an exceptional album, a step above the rest. It’s moving, well thought-out, and beautifully arranged. It’s a must for any proper Celtic collection.
Patrick O’Donnell, Folk Tales, America.
The effect is like nothing
else and can make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Really joyful and
spot on playing.Altogether a great piece of work.
Gordon Mooney, Common Stock Magazine, The Lowland & Border Piper’s Society
The list of guest musicians on “Pipeworks” is considerable and includes such Scottish stalwarts as pipers Iain MacDonald and Iain MacInnes, Iain MacLeod (Shooglenifty), Billy Ross (Ossian), John Martin (Tannahill Weavers) plus from New Zealand Denny Stanway (Rua’s singer and Jimmy’s wife), Davy Stuart, Jon Hooker and James Wilkinson (all members of Rua). Jimmy believes this is the first time Northumbrian, Border and Scottish Smallpipes have played together on a recording!
This album is a thoroughly delightful recording. Some beautiful piping with as it states above, a variety of pipes. Arrangements are wonderful including a beautiful pipe piece arranged with viola and fretless bass in the background. The “end of the Rainbow Suite” is a beautiful piece of music and a fitting tribute to the Greenpeace activist who lost his life in Auckland harbour. It’s sure to be picked up by one of the Grade 1 bands for a treatment at some time in the future.
The Tartan & The Green Piping Magazine, Ireland
Pipeworks is a solo recording by a master of the Northumbrian Pipes diversifying from his normal role as leader of the band Rua.
The Oban Times, Scotland
Pipeworks’ first seven tracks comprise the “End of the Rainbow Suite.” Although, several suites have been composed for pipes of various sorts, seldom have the results been so pleasing. Even standing apart from the story it aims to tell, this is great music and there is much here that Highland pipers might add to their repertoire.
Five stars!
John Gillis
Prairie Pipe Band Association Magazine
Winnipeg, Canada.
The album is a joy to Scottish ears from start to finish. On this excellent CD, we hear masterly playing on each and every track by outstanding piping talents like Jimmy Young, Iain MacDonald and Iain MacInnes.
Janet Wilson
The Scots Heritage Magazine
Pipeworks is a carefully and cleverly composed work that weaves subtle themes back and forth through the melody line, building into something that takes Scottish traditional music to a new dimension.
It is an outstanding piece of work that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, particularly Resurrection which takes the form of a thrilling reprise.
Drew McAdam.
Evening News/Scotsman, Edinburgh, Scotland
As a musician of traditional Irish folk, I welcomed the chance to close my eyes and let Jimmy transport me to the beautiful lands of my home. An incredibly versatile musician, he has mastered all of the traditional Celtic wind instruments, from the Northumbrian pipes to the old favourite-the tin whistle. He played us a mixture of original compositions and traditional tunes and filled the spaces between with jokes in his classic Scottish accent.
Jimmy Young & James Wilkinson,
Harbourlight Theatre 25th November 1999
Live Review By Helen Guerrero.
James Wilkinson
Because of the Rain
( White Cloud/Naxos )
NZ guitarist James Wilkinson’s roots in Celtic music are impressively displayed on this haunting and evocative CD of original compositions that blend folk, jazz, classical, eastern and medieval music. Wilkinson credits Michael Hedges as his primary influence in his use of alternate tunings and technical innovations. What sets him apart is that he plays fretless six and twelve string guitars, creating a unique sound that combines the rasp off sitar with the fluidity of a cello, violin or fretless bass.
Gary Joyner
Acoustic Guitar Magazine
It is not often you are treated to an evening of music where your attention has to be equally divided between the musicians. This was the case for me. Both James and Jimmy have an ability to be very professional, serious performers while appearing to take nothing seriously. There was great humour in the whole evening and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. This was celtic music equal to anything you would hear - anywhere.
Jimmy Young/James Wilkinson - Yaza Sunday 28 November 8pm - reviewed by Alec Davidson.
