And What a Time it Was

I drove up to the house this morning after my appointment at the allergy clinic and saw some uncharacteristic movement through the front window. As soon as I got out of the car, I heard the music through the walls of the house.

Then I pushed open the door, and there they were. Gram was at the piano, Uncle Charlie following the action closely through his videocamera viewfinder and two musicians doing their thing in the living room. On guitar was Scott MacMillan, on fiddle Dave MacIsaac.

Yes, that's right, East Coast Music Award-winning guitarist, composer of "The Celtic Mass For The Sea", Host Conductor of Symphony Nova Scotia, film composer, jazz ensemble leader and celtic tune-playing Scott MacMillan.

And yes, that's ECMA-winning guitarist and fiddler Dave MacIsaac, specializing in Celtic style, an accomplished soloist and sideman, on recordings with Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster to name a few.

There they were jamming in the living room with my Gram. They had great smiles on their faces as Dave stomped his foot in time with the jigs, reels and strathspeys. Gram chorded away, taking a rest for a bit in her rocker while they continued playing, then insisting she wanted to get back to the keyboard. "Drive 'er!" Dave said as they launched into another one.

What generous souls. What delight they took in watching Gram play. Dave said, "I know where you live, now," and Scott said they'd be back. Mom sent them on their way with containers of Cape Breton pork pies. Gram told them on their way out, "Whatever you have planned, I'm for it!"

You can check out Scott at:

http://www.scottmacmillan.ca/

You can check out Dave at:

http://www.atlanticartists.com/buddy/davemacisaac.html