My friend and I worked in Lerwick in 1978 and were fortunate enough to have Peerie as a colleague. One Saturday, we went to the Lounge for a beer after work and when Willie walked in, everyone immediately asked him to play a tune. I turned to my mate and asked what instrument Willie played. Little did we know that he was a complete master. Later when we were together, he told me that his real love was the double bass. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he told be that Aly Bain was his mate and that he had previously toured the States with The Boys Of The Lough. He told me some wonderful stories which Aly Bain confirmed many years later when I met him. Peerie is a true Shetland legend.
Superb! Have been a fan of Peerie Willie's style since my 20s and have probably learnt more from this video in one quick watch just now than all these years. Only found it an hour ago. His accompaniment to Lady be Good is even better and more complicated than the normal pure gypsy guitar style backing and more effective. I have a cd of him playing a solo jazz version of The Skye Boat Song which is great. He mentions I think at the end meeting Robert Cray - another hero!
Thank you so much Graham for this unique opportunity to see Willie in action at some length. I also much appreciate your old post on The Session that provides Willie history, technical background about the style, and pointers to recordings. I'm currently immersing myself note-by-note in old Boys of the Lough records from the 80s in order to divine what I can about what Tich Richardson is up to. Early days, but I am picking it up bit by bit -- a worthwhile project for my semi-retirement, only four decades after falling in love with those records in my early 20s. It seems you have trod a similar path before me -- I'd be happy to correspond further!
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Thanks to hue and cry to bringing me here
Wonderful
My friend and I worked in Lerwick in 1978 and were fortunate enough to have Peerie as a colleague. One Saturday, we went to the Lounge for a beer after work and when Willie walked in, everyone immediately asked him to play a tune. I turned to my mate and asked what instrument Willie played. Little did we know that he was a complete master. Later when we were together, he told me that his real love was the double bass. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he told be that Aly Bain was his mate and that he had previously toured the States with The Boys Of The Lough. He told me some wonderful stories which Aly Bain confirmed many years later when I met him. Peerie is a true Shetland legend.
Superb! Have been a fan of Peerie Willie's style since my 20s and have probably learnt more from this video in one quick watch just now than all these years. Only found it an hour ago. His accompaniment to Lady be Good is even better and more complicated than the normal pure gypsy guitar style backing and more effective. I have a cd of him playing a solo jazz version of The Skye Boat Song which is great. He mentions I think at the end meeting Robert Cray - another hero!
Another fella who played in this style was Eldon Shamblin of the Texas Playboys. Well worth listening to.
Fantastic to find this. Wonderful music
Thank you so much Graham for this unique opportunity to see Willie in action at some length. I also much appreciate your old post on The Session that provides Willie history, technical background about the style, and pointers to recordings. I'm currently immersing myself note-by-note in old Boys of the Lough records from the 80s in order to divine what I can about what Tich Richardson is up to. Early days, but I am picking it up bit by bit -- a worthwhile project for my semi-retirement, only four decades after falling in love with those records in my early 20s. It seems you have trod a similar path before me -- I'd be happy to correspond further!
Thanks for putting this video up, Graham. I can see why he's such a guitar hero of yours. Keep practising!
Graham that's great. Maybe I've done it the wrong way round.
cant hear the guitar for that loud ass fiddle.