Al was a nice guy and a great pipe band piper but was one dimensional for a Celtic rock band. He plays the pipes but you need to do more on stage, not every song needs pipes. No Bagpipes in a song and Al had nothing to do.

Ewan has been around the Celtic rock scene for quite some time and brings vocals, guitar, keyboards, many wind instruments, ETC, and he writes music and of course he plays Celic rock pipe music. I'm not sure the real reason for his leaving the GB will ever come out, it may be a private matter. The GB grew with the new line-up and were at the top of there game as a group up to mid summer last year. Canawlar might of hit it on the head, things just didn't mesh and the shows seem to suffer for whatever reason since then. When I saw the GB play after HM in Kincardine this year the GB were outplayed in energy and music. Ewan was great but the GB show as a whole had suffered in intensity for what ever reason and it showed bad. I also think the GB are very much controlled by Graham Wright and Zig. It doesn't allow the freedom of expression and the fun of being a part of writing and playing songs for a band that everyone contributes. The GB had some great talent in Ewan and Miranda Mulholland but seem to misuse instead of use there talents, the great players only make a band better if you let them do what they do best. I see Miranda as the next to leave.

I think this may just take Hunting MacLeod over the top to more shows and grander pastures. HM has always been on the fringes but never has been able to break into the main stream of shows and venues in the Celtic rock and Highland Games circuit. I think Cory is going to really feed off the energy Ewan has on stage and it may take him to a new level as well. Cory is a great player and a good stage guy. I can see him and Ewan really hitting a new note live.

Ewan has always been in high demand because of his musical talents, abilities and stage presents. If there has been one constant in concerts of Empty Flask and the GB it's been the consistent flow of great reviews of Ewans stage and musical talent.

I hate to see a nice guy and a good Piper like Alan go but was he the best for the band in the end. If your only doing 30 shows a year and would like to be doing 200, what do you do to get there. You put the best line up on stage you can night in and night out.
You take it to the next level and kick some Celtic buttocks and make people want to see you more and more. It makes the bars, pubs, highland games and large Celtic event organizers want and need to book you.

Kilted Stuart