The Banff and Buchan Collection

Gordon Easton and Isobel Easton, Tyrie, 24/09/1994

Andy Dey, Alvah, 26/09/1994

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NEFA 1994.058.01   Transcription
P: Gordon and Isobel Easton
T:
Local entertainment
S:
There used to be a lot of little concerts and meal-an-ales. Andrew Robbie, Pitsliga, was one local singer.

NEFA 1994.058.02   Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Biographical details
S:
Born and raised in Alvah. Grandfather farmed here and also worked as a drover at Turra Market. AD took over the fruit and market garden when he died.

NEFA 1994.058.03   Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
First fee
S:
Fee'd for 10 bob a week when he first left the school. His living conditions were good, though he has heard of rough places, rough talk and rough food. Never needed to go to a feeing market.

NEFA 1994.058.04    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Starting to play music
S:
Got a harmonica when he was about eight, later a mandolin and shortly thereafter a guitar.

NEFA 1994.058.05    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
No music lessons
S:
Had a few music lessons on the fiddle from Willie Montgomery, Banff. Still plays a little bit with a friend.

NEFA 1994.058.06    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Hogmanay
S:
Used to go first footing with a bottle in your pocket. People used to play tricks on each other.

NEFA 1994.058.07    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Candlemas rhyme
S:
AD has heard the Candlemas rhyme for calculating Easter.

NEFA 1994.058.08    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Easter and Halloween
S:
They used to roll Easter eggs and on Halloween they would have bonfires (sometimes on Guy Fawkes). On Halloween they would make neep lanterns, which were hard to carve. At some events they would have meal and ale (sort of like Atholl brose).

NEFA 1994.058.09    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Sowans
S:
Sowans were made by soaking the husks of the corn (oats) and boiling them into a sort of gruel.

NEFA 1994.058.10    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
The horseman's word
S:
He has heard of the horseman's word, mostly through 'Lordie' Hay who was recorded by Hamish Henderson and Alan Lomax in the 50s. The horseman's word is supposed to be a masonic/Devil worship sort of thing. Describes ritual. When Lordie said the word, HH's tape ran out!

NEFA 1994.058.11    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Meeting Hamish Henderson, Alan Lomax, Jimmy Macbeath and 'Lordie' Hay
S:
AD met them all in 1950 or 51 at the Commercial Hotel in Turriff. Remembers a grand night there. John Strachan was there as well.

NEFA 1994.058.12    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Starting to sing
S:
AD started to sing when he was around 5, mostly popular songs. His mother used to sing Sankey hymns and other songs around the house. [End of Side A.]

NEFA 1994.058.13    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Family history
S:
Parents were local as well. Some went south to England and Wales, and west to America.

NEFA 1994.058.14    
P: Andy Dey
T:
The Headlands
S:
Mandolin tune.

NEFA 1994.058.15    
P: Andy Dey
T:
The Wild Rose of the Mountain
S:
Mandolin tune.

NEFA 1994.058.16    
P: Andy Dey
T:
The Linn Waltz
S: Mandolin tune composed by AD.

NEFA 1994.058.17    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Farewell tae the Creeks
S:
Mandolin tune by James Robertson, piper from Findochty who lived latterly in Banff.

NEFA 1994.058.18    
P: Andy Dey
T:
The Hen's March ower the Midden
S: Mandolin tune from Shetland. Imitating the chicken works better on the fiddle.

NEFA 1994.058.19    
P: Andy Dey
T:
Niel Gow's Lament
S: Mandolin tune. [Title probably not correct.]

NEFA 1994.058.20    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Fiddlers tae the Fore
S:
Mandolin tune by AD.

NEFA 1994.058.21    
P: Andy Dey
T:
????
S:
Mandolin tune by AD.

NEFA 1994.058.22    
P: Andy Dey
T:
????
S:
Mandolin tune by AD.

NEFA 1994.058.23    Transcription
P: Andy Dey
T:
Grannie's Hielan Hame
FL:
Nae far fae Pitsliga there stans a wee hoose
S: Parody of the song by AD.

 

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