Since the first time we arrived, back in the cold Spring of 1989, coming to Scotland has always held a special magic for me. It’s an electrifying combination –the sense of feeling at home mingled with the exotic – the accents, the architecture, the majestic scenery an a’ that. Over the years I’ve come to know and love this country even more but familiarity has chipped away a little at my sense of how distinctive it really is here. I remember on that first trip regarding the castles and bridges in awe, listening to every accent in shops and on the street, reading plaques on the walls of pubs commemorating Robbie Burns and his poetry. Not that I haven’t tuned in of late, but maybe not so much as I’d thought. However, last night in Ma Cameron’s pub in Aberdeen blew me away, Scot’s style. We were in the bar, the match between Germany and Ghana just ending on the tele and an enchanting sound caught my ears and my spirit by surprise, from beyond the room. I thought it was coming from out in the main bar but when I followed to investigate it led me to the front snug. Inside, a small, bearded man, dark blue beanie on his head, sitting wearing a well-worn anorak and a jumper was singing a shanty, ‘Weigh Haul Away”. His strong but sweet voice hit me like a cold salty wave lashing over the gunwales of a ghostly frigate. You could be in no doubt in the world where you were – I knew I was in Scotland. The sea-faring history of Scotlands East coast personified was here in front of us. The company in the snug asked him to sing some more – he sang ‘I Once Loved A Lass’, Anto and myself clapped and thanked him. He asked me was I from Ireland. Yes. I’ll sing an Irish song, says he an he launches into one of the finest versions of ‘The Enniskillen Dragoons’ that I’ve ever heard. Three men went out the door and we were left, just four of us, Anto, me, David, and his friend and fan, Bill. We got chatting. This marvelous singer’s name is David Dow. He was in the military band for six years, during which he played on a number one single and appeared on Top Of The Pops, performing ‘Amazing Grace’. He told us he’s the ‘Master Of The Sabbath’ and would be singing the following night, Sunday, in The Prince of Wales. David’s passionate and evocative voice is a Scottish national treasure. He has that special ability to bring a song completely to life, its characters and its scenes, right in front of you. I’m afraid it’s not often enough that music touches me to the core of my soul these days, but David’s singing certainly did that last night in Ma Cameron’s. He made my night and more. On this mid-Summer’s night to be in the presence of someone who can evoke so strongly the history and culture of his native land is a joy and a privilege. Well done and thanks David. Leo
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 18:02:15 +0000
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