Hunting McLeod change

**ccga3359** · 28th October 07, 06:47 PM

Its official thje departing of piper Al Buchannan Hunting McLeod ahve brought in Ewan Brown. Ewan formally of Empty Flask and Glengarry Bhoys brings to the band a mulitude of instruments and vocals not had before. And by all accounts an excellent stage presence. I look forward to seeing the new lineup soon. Their next scheduled performance is at the 3rd Atlantic Schooners Down East Kitchen Party in Toronto. Lets get a SOKS presence at this one.

**MacHummel** · 28th October 07, 07:10 PM

And his kilt maker comes along with him too!

**thatcelticband** · 29th October 07, 08:05 AM

Sad.. I've done shows with Al. What a sweet guy. He'll be missed. Hope the other guys nothing but the best. Anyone know why he left?

**canawler** · 29th October 07, 01:59 PM

I'm curious why Ewan left the Glengarry Bhoys. No offence to Hunting McLeod (I like them better anyways, the last time I saw GBs they were terrible) but I would think Glengarry Bhoys would be a more lucrative deal.

**ccga3359** · 29th October 07, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by thatcelticband

Sad.. I've done shows with Al. What a sweet guy. He'll be missed. Hope the other guys nothing but the best. Anyone know why he left?

I don't know the whole background but it wasn't by Al's choice. He saw it coming for a quite some time now. I spoke with Al last week and he said that he was looking to put a 3 piece ensemble together. Al usually comes to my work every few weeks so I will get updates. As for Ewan, I've never seen him nor met him but by reputation I think he will add a whole new dimension and direction to HM. Went out with Corey Saturday he sounds very enthusastic about the future and for the record he was not approving of Al's departure.

**Kilted Stuart** · 29th October 07, 05:48 PM

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

**Barclay** · 29th October 07, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Kilted Stuart

I think this may just take Hunting MacLeod over the top to more shows and grander pastures.

I like Al, so don't get me wrong, but I think you nailed it with this comment, KS.

**ccga3359** · 29th October 07, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Barclay

I like Al, so don't get me wrong, but I think you nailed it with this comment, KS.

Hey Al's a friend but it pains me to say it, I'll have to agree. Unfortunatly this is the second line up change in about six months. Oliver the new drummer is coming along fine and does add a little more flair to the show (but at 16 years of age...

).

**Phat Piper** · 29th October 07, 07:46 PM

Hello All,

Thanks for the kind words " Kilted Stuart " they mean a lot.
As any Bands Celtic or otherwise members come and go for whatever reasons.
As for the Glengarry Bhoys and myself its just time for a change. A wise man once said "if your not happy do something else" , so I left the Bhoys to find something else. Hunting McLeod called and asked if I would fill in for Al as he was leaving, so I excepted .
Al and I have shared many a pint at festivals and he is an excellent piper. I don't know the reason for his leaving and I don't need to know , I just know I have some large shoes to fill and I hope i do Hunting McLeod justice. And I hope to share a few more pints with Al in the near future.

now I have to go learn a ***** load of music in a short period of time.

hope to see you at a show soon

Cheers
Ewan
Hunting McLeod

**ccga3359** · 29th October 07, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Phat Piper

Hello All,

Thanks for the kind words " Kilted Stuart " they mean a lot.
As any Bands Celtic or otherwise members come and go for whatever reasons.
As for the Glengarry Bhoys and myself its just time for a change. A wise man once said "if your not happy do something else" , so I left the Bhoys to find something else. Hunting McLeod called and asked if I would fill in for Al as he was leaving, so I excepted .
Al and I have shared many a pint at festivals and he is an excellent piper. I don't know the reason for his leaving and I don't need to know , I just know I have some large shoes to fill and I hope i do Hunting McLeod justice. And I hope to share a few more pints with Al in the near future.

now I have to go learn a ***** load of music in a short period of time.

hope to see you at a show soon

Cheers
Ewan
Hunting McLeod

Welcome Ewan, you come with Corey's and Pete's high regard. That's good enough for me. I'd buy you a pint at hunting McLeod's next show but I understand that you guys get free booze. Far too many people think "I'm with the band" but they don't seem to buy me a beer!