Hairst (Autumn)

 

The final DVD in the series had proved to be both the most difficult and most inspiring to put together. The question to be asked is ‘what is the defining feature of Hairst (Autumn)’?  How do you capture that peculiar quality of late summer, the long evenings, the last flowerings and the attempts to put the impending winter out of your mind?  As such Hairst has a stolen, almost fleetingly magical, quality which I hope I have been able to capture in its full glory


The accompanying music throughout is, as always, wonderfully evocative and beautifully played.  Jim Leask and Bernadette Porter on fiddles, with Sam McEvoy adding djembe, take us through seven traditional Westside tunes and one Jim Leask original.


Evelyn Mail spins her yarn with humour and style, while Bertie Jamieson reads the late John Graham’s poem which inspired this collection.


My aim was to present an honest and true ‘Reflection of Shetland’ and in this, I believe, I have succeeded.


Whaar’ll I in Winter dwell?

Whaar’ll I in Voar dell?

Whaar’ll I in Simmer fare?

Whaar’ll I in Hairst shair?


John J. Graham