The Dark island

[jok212]

Well... I never, I never thought I would appreciate this arrangement of one of my favourite tunes which always carries me home to South uist, but I think it is absolutely cracking.

[graham1281]

Thanks for the lovely comment

[edsternet]

Hands down, a really atmospheric beatiful intro here.

Whens the CD coming out?

Thanks a lot.

Eddie

[Chrisanderson40]

First fell in love with this song hearing Tommy Edmundson playing on a Sun. night session in Rothbury. Northumberland. button accordian i think gives it more lilt!

[Bobby88441]

Beautiful played graham thank you

[graham1281]

Thanks a million

[highlemper]

thanks for sharing this!

[graham1281]

My pleasure

[51rang]

tears dribbling  WOW

[auldsmithy]

As you ken this isn't one o my favourite tunes, but I DID enjoy your playing and arrangment of it. JEEZ!! you're no bad at this accordion lark are you LOL

[minicocomi]

thank you

[graham1281]

Pleasure

[giveahoot1]

Just hearing this beautiful old tune brings back so many happy and cherished childhood memories.

Thankyou for this

[graham1281]

My pleasure, sorry I took a while to reply/

[paul33farren]

A gorgeous Scottish song beautifully played. What a lovely tone to get from an accordeon!

(I am a Sassenach!)

[graham1281]

Thanks very much for the comment. I do a fair bit of tweaking on the accoustic accordion before I'm happy. IE... Add reverb, brighten the tone etc.... I Enjoy doing it however and I'm delighted I can bring so much pleasure to people no matter where they are.

[Thompsonf1001]

that was great this hepls to lul the little brother to sleep

thanks very much for posting :-)

[graham1281]

My pleasure

[shonadingwall]

Outstanding playing Graham and wonderfully arranged.

[graham1281]

Thanks Shona

[GoldenOldies60and70s]

Ah, yet another great slow-aire Graham! Let me assure you that you bring alot if happiness to mant people! And please keep posting!

[graham1281]

Thanks a million, glad you liked this one too

[taity39]

lovely tune learning it at the moment on low whistle . i play along with you  thank you for posting

[graham1281]

Glad I can help in some way. That's how I learn most of the tunes I play myself

[justacondom]

I've been living in cites all my life...and seldom do I travel around...The education system of my city really does impose so much pressure on its students, and people around don't seem to have the sense of aethetics, both in terms of the nature and musical tones...I suppose this is also a kind of folk song? Folk songs really nice...No wonder many great composers got their inspiration from them..

[graham1281]

This tune is one of the most popular tunes in Scottish music histowy

[JellySeed]

I love this song, I sing it all the TIME! When I hear somone young sing it with bagpipes it makes me cry. (Happily)

[graham1281]

Thanks for the comment

[accrag]

i love the way you have arranged this such a lovely tune/song.its not wellknown down here in somerset.when they here this down here some say they would like it played at their funeral. which i have done a couple of times. and hard to hold back tears on this one. thanks

[graham1281]

Aww thanks, I've played this one at a funeral myself many years ago, and have been asked for a cd to be sent abroad so's it could be played at another one. I don't like it when people improvise on this tune and add bits, and change the tempo. It just spoils the magic of it.

[morinomanbill]

By the way Graham, who's the female voice on the recording ?

[graham1281]

That's Irma, a soundfont I use from time to time. She never answers back and never gets paid either LOL LOL LOL

[morinomanbill]

Another super fine arrangement of a beautiful tune

[graham1281]

Thanks Bill, aprreciate your comments

[hohnergolakid]

I've been lurking for a few months. I typed in the dark island and decided on this one. Beautifully played. I've been playing for 30 years myself and don't play nearly as well as you do damnit, even though I've been teaching accordion. Thanks for sharing Graham.

Maggie, your new Canadian fan

[graham1281]

Thanks Maggie welcome aboard

[doctorblue44]

Beautiful , haunting and very atmospheric, lovely place.

[graham1281]

Thanks for the comment again. The dark Island itself isn't really a place. The tune, I'm told originally was a very old pipe tune, till it took its present form by Iain MacGlaughlin. The photo used is, I think the beautiful Summer Isles, Achiltibuie in the West of Scotland. A must see for anyone touring that area.

[linda2803]

My dad used to play this on his box when we were growing up many years ago. Although he is still with us his health fails daily and just hearing it again takes me back to happier days but also makes me sad knowing those days have gone for ever. Thank you for posting it x

[murdobeansprout]

Beautifully played

[graham1281]

Thanks Murdo, I never tire of playing this one.

[riw1989]

This was played at my grandads funeral. Brilliant piece of music that makes me feel so many different emotions.

[graham1281]

Thanks very much, I played it at a funeral myself about 25 years ago.

[DAWL01]

see attach vid^ & maybe you'll understand my comments..thanks again.

[graham1281]

Sorry there's no attached videos awaiting response in my inbox

[DAWL01]

Sorry, should have it now...

[DAWL01]

Lovely Scottish tune, thanks.

[graham1281]

Glad ye enjoyed it

[Zoostation23]

I think the history of our beautiful country is so important. It lets us know where we came from and it always reminds us that we are a great nation. Its not just william wallace,Rob Roy,The highlanders its also about pieces of music like this song! Its awesome! I love being Scottish and i dont care what people say about the weather...it just makes Scotland look my beautiful lol! Thanks for the vid!

Alan

[graham1281]

Thanks for the nice words Alan. Glad you enjoyed it

[GoldenOldies60and70s]

I meant to ask you if you know the four part set of Atholl Highlanders?

[GoldenOldies60and70s]

Well done Graham! Beautiful slow air.

[Bassmanbbn4]

I agree that the sound of a good piper is truly amazing and I would go as far as to say that the sound of a good accordion player is also pretty damn fine especially as this is an accordion playing on this clip.

[graham1281]

Thanks for the kind words.

[zillywang666]

The sound of a good piper is truly something amazing.

[zillywang666]

The sound of a good piper is truly something amazing.

[lovelyangie5]

so pretty i aint bein' biased but i fink u da bestest player in the world and i'm so proud that you are going to be playing at my wedding. i love you so much and i wish your wrists weren't the problem so could play better cos i know you love playing.

[graham1281]

Indeed

[lovelyangie5]

you say that a lot. lol (a quote of course) no i mean it, i'm really happy you're gonna play at my wedding not a lot of brides have talented dad's that give them away AND play on the same day. we on way home..loaf from tesco's innit? xxxx

[graham1281]

Indeed

[yntyntyntynt]

no its no its ma best pall i can sing better thn her but well thats wat everyone else says even her mum and dad said it

[yntyntyntynt]

its no me

[graham1281]

Oh I thought it was

[yntyntyntynt]

shes good likes

[graham1281]

You are indeed lol

[yntyntyntynt]

and the wee lassie with the blond hair

[yntyntyntynt]

search wee scottish lassie singing ye banks and braes

[graham1281]

ok I will

[yntyntyntynt]

kl kl

[yntyntyntynt]

lol dae u have msn lol

[graham1281]

Juat don't have the time for chat rooms I'm afraid

[yntyntyntynt]

i live in endinburgh

[graham1281]

Definately too far then

[yntyntyntynt]

klkl

[yntyntyntynt]

lol were dae u live likes

[graham1281]

A few miles from Inverness

[yntyntyntynt]

graham wanna come to ma school at ma show im singing the arled bairn with this laddie im at castleview plz come ill ask my teacher wenit is

[graham1281]

A bit far for me to travel I would think LOL

[yntyntyntynt]

the one that starts with away to the westward im longing to be were the beauties of heaven unfold by the sea

lol

[graham1281]

That's the more common version written by David Silver & Ian McLachlan. The other one was written by Stewart Ross and has equally

nice words

[yntyntyntynt]

this is my fav scots song i sang it front of my hole intire school once it's beautiful

it really is and uve made it so better it just makes me want to cry lol

[graham1281]

Aw thanks, which version did you sing ?

There's the one Calum Kennedy did which starts

" In the years long ago "

and there's the other one which starts

"Away to the westward......"

[jonwilson]

i am doing it in school!

[maureenderry]

Och this is lovely, This music suits the accordian.

[graham1281]

Thanks Maureen, it's one of THE most popular Scottish tunes ever written

[graham1281]

Thanks for the nice comment

[bashamick]

This used to be played by BFBS when I was a young serviceman back in the 70s, last tune before the anthem and clsoe down. You should here the Royal Scots Dragoons massed bands playing it! Well done to Ian MacLaughlan for writing it for the BBC!

[kirsteen123]

My favourite scottish tune on the accordion, beautifully played.