Sunday, 24 November 2024

SCHADENFREUDE!

 Schadenfreude - a German word for the pleasure derived  from observing the misfortune of others.

Many of us are guilty of it. Some perhaps overindulge. 

Song by myself and guitarist Neil Warden. 

Video filmed near Edinburgh in Bilston Glen, Loanhead and the Pentland hills beside Hillend ski slope during the merry month of May.

Big thanks once again to pal Justin Molotnikov for helping out with the camera work. Hope you enjoy. 

Slainte! 😎👍


 



Friday, 15 November 2024

Piping in Marrakesh - Jimi's first performances in Africa.

 


 

Jimi is back home in Scotland after his first ever piping performance in Africa - at the wedding of Scotsman Drew Munro and his Moroccan bride Imane at the prestigious Beli Country Club in Marrakesh.     

Jimi was on good form piping for the bride and groom and entertaining guests at the all day ceremony. Many Moroccan musicians both traditional and contemporary also participated.

Bride Imane said: "We loved having Jimi at our wedding. He made our dream wedding come true. 

She added: "The Country Club mentioned that it was the first time they had bagpipes in the place. We made history!"

Groom Drew, originally from Edinburgh and now based in Dubai, said: "It was really great having Jimi at our wedding and hearing him play. Absolutely fantastic. It could not have gone any better and I'm sure it will be talked about by both families for quite a while."

As well as piping at Imane and Drew's wedding, Jimi also fulfilled a lifelong ambition by 'striking up' in Marrakesh's famous 'Jemaa el-Fnaa' - the main square and market place of the city. (see pics above)

"The city and its famous 'Medina' have been a mecca for western musicians for decades" said Jimi. "There are plenty stories of how the Rolling Stones, Donovan and The Beatles hung out there in the late 1960s.

"More recently Jimmy Page and Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin did an impromtu busking gig there late 1990s/early 2000s. It's a terrific, colourful place with lots of live music especially after sundown. I had to give the pipes a skirl there." 

Jimi said everyone seemed to enjoy his short performance, particularly the local snake charmers.

"A couple kindly offered me a loan of their pet cobras for dancing " he added. I politely declined."

More pics and videos from the Medina and Imane and Drew's wedding in due course.

Thank you. 


Thursday, 14 November 2024

Canada and Scotland's Nazi war criminal shame.

                                                                  

Sharing a link to a UK 'Daily Mail' newspaper article which reports that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is blocking attempts to release the names of almost 1000 NAZI 'SS' volunteers and recruits who were settled in Canada at the end of WW2.

The news article is pertinent to Jimi's recent blogs which drew attention to the shocking fact that a monument bearing the insignia of a notorious WW2 Nazi regiment is standing in Scotland. 

A link to Jim's first blog is shared below the article. 

Thank you. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14072549/Justin-trudeau-refuses-release-900-names-nazi-war-criminals-canada.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0_ORqrMWvhcF7b0r9ad54oRNu_p-V3XwnwXSru0UpPn1RwHEeqeEfaP0s_aem_Ffuwe6w3H_nUCMV4WHPRLQ


http://www.jimithepiper.co.uk/2023/12/waffen-ss-ww2-memorial-standing-proud.html?m=1

Sunday, 3 November 2024

Jimi Marrakesh bound

 Jimi is delighted to be heading to Marrakesh, Morocco to pipe at a wedding.

Jimi will be performing with dozens of Moroccan musicians at the high-society wedding being held at the prestigious Beldi Country Club, not far from the centre of Marrakesh, this week.

"The groom is Scottish and he and his family were very keen to book me" said Jimi.

"Seemingly my reputation for flying the flag, doing a good job and performing alongside many African musicians over the years meant I was their first choice as wedding piper.

" Carole, my wife, is joining me on this trip which is fab. We're looking forward to having lots of fun. Marrakesh is one of the world's great cities with a fascinating history. It is well known for amazing music too. I hope I get a chance to play my pipes in the city's famous Medina central square. We are so lucky."

Jimi promises to share a few pics from the adventure once back in Scotland.

The Marrakesh trip follows a busy October of piping around Scotland for Jimi with the possible highlight being a performance at a unique commemorative remembrance event at St Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen. 

The acoustics were stunning. A few pics from a very memorable day in the 'Granite City' are shared below.

Slainte! 

 




      

  


                                                                                 

                                                                                  
                                                                                  



Thursday, 15 August 2024

Jimi's young fans - smiles guaranteed!

 Great to see and hear the younger generation enjoying Jimi's music. 

Click on the link below to watch.

Thanks to China Rodriguez in Venezuela for the vid. Quality.

https://youtu.be/3NgelPWR1GA?si=fR8DM97p-YpcNZbY

 

 

More Jimi music and vids here: https://www.youtube.com/@Jimi-the-piper.   

Thank you.​



Sunday, 4 August 2024

Special Festival Offer - Two Jimi CDs for the price of one!

 

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/9CAF8RTH6XH5Q


https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/9CAF8RTH6XH5Q 

Take advantage of this special festival offer and buy two recent Jimi cds for the price of one. (£15.00) by simply clicking on the above link.

Just one sale or order for £15.00 (or preferred currency equivalent) will result in both albums being posted free of charge to anywhere in the world. Please remember to include home address details when ordering.

All postage and packaging is free.

Music from the albums feature prominently in Jimi's live set. 

The cds received critical acclaim upon release. Reviews are available to view by clicking on the 'reviews' section at the top of this website.

'Last King of Pictland' is pipes driven and instrumental. 'Hills Where I Began' is more vocals orientated and contains original songs plus arrangements of  well known Scottish Border ballads.

This offer is exclusive and limited to August/September 2024 only. Please hurry to place your order if interested.

Thank you.