McLachlan - Highland Warrior

I just got a letter from a lovely woman in Houston. She mentioned that she’d been born in Edinburgh, which may account for manner in which she at first spelled my name — McLaughlan — undoubtedly more common that the version which I inherited.

I once looked up the matter on the internet and found an article claiming there are over four hundred variants of MacLachlan. Here’s a link for anyone who might not have enough to do: http://www.maclachlans.org/question.html.

That same search produced a splendid jpg.

Looking at the figure of a Highland warrior brings back the memory of a time when I was returning to the mainland from the Isle of Skye. (I’d been on the road for a month and a half with the St. Louis Symphony and entourage, all two hundred of them, and a week on remote islands with more sheep than people seemed a good change of pace.) I stopped into a little shop by the ferry terminal and the shopkeeper became very animated. He pointed a finger and said, “Don’t move, I’ve got something to show you.”

He returned a minute later with book on the Highlands open to a page showing a warrior in full regalia. “It’s yourself, don’t you see? From your clothes you might be Canadian or American, but your people are from here.”

The print he showed me is remarkably like the jpg above. My brothers and sister would agree that we’ve become less warlike over the years.

In any case, here’s my correspondence with Kathleen Anderson:

(feedback@exploringmusic.org) on Monday, December 01, 2008 at 11:20:36
Name: Kathleen Anderson
Your Home Station & City: KUHF Houston, Tx

Question or Comment: I sent a message to one website and got a reply to check this one.  I had checked this one and was unable to find the info. I was seeking.  I wanted to know the name of the singer who sang a song on Bill McLaughlan’s show (I think in Sept.) The name of the song was “That Day”.  The singer is apparently Bill’s sweetie so I assume he had the info. I need.  I loved the song and would like to know if there is a CD with that song on it.  I would appreciate if you could give me the info I need.  I did not find it on any of the playlists.

Thanks Kathleen Anderson

From: William McGlaughlin Date: December 1, 2008 1:41:31 PM EST

Hi Ms. Kathleen, (my daughter’s name, by the way)

Sorry if we’re late getting back to you. We’ve got a very small staff and sometimes things get past us.

“That Day” was indeed sung by my inamorata, Karrin Allyson. It comes from a Concord Jazz Album called “From Paris to Rio”, a collection of French and Brazilian material. Except for the last piece, which is Italian. Don’t ask. It just seemed to fit.

The melody is composed by Ennio Morricone for the movie “Cinema Paradiso”, a real heartbreaker. Or at least it seemed to work that way on Stan Dunn. Mr. Dunn, a celebrated Bay Area jazz disc jockey (KJAZ for many years), wrote beautiful lyrics to Morricone’s tune and gave them to Karrin, who loved them. Me too. When it came time to record the album, I added a string quartet arrangement.

I just looked the album up on Amazon — It’s Audio CD 1999. Thanks for taking the time to write and I’m delighted you enjoyed the recording,

Bill McGlaughlin

Date: December 2, 2008 11:24:25 AM EST

Dear Bill, thank you so much for this wonderful reply.  I will certainly get the CD. I listen to your show as often as I can.  I love it and think you are doing a terrific job. You mentioned Autumn in the reply and I did love that series and was so delighted that you  played  “Autumn in New York” a great favorite of my late husband and myself.  I also enjoyed the Brubeck number - an other favorite.  I was fortunate to hear him in person in New York in 1956 -  we were both so young.  I got his autograph on a business card which I kept for years but gave it to my son just recently as he was going to a concert given by Mr. B in Santa Fe.  He got his autograph on the same card more than forty years later.

You are a great host.  When I first heard you I thought you sounded like Martin Scorcese - you still do.  I loved the weeks you dedicated to Mahler .  That was easy to like as he is a  favorite of mine.  In some shows you present music I normally would not be interested in but you are so enthusiastic about the works and while  I may not fall in love with them I do develop an appreciation for them.  Keep up the great work.  (I wonder if you plan to make CD’s of the shows as it would be a wonderful musical education for everyone.)

By the way we have another degree of connection - besides the name Kathleen - I am a Scot - born and bred in Edinburgh.  I came to this country as a lass and met my husband here - in Texas no less. Again thank you for the information re the song and Ms Allyson - she has a lovely voice.  I look forward to many more hours of listening to your show, Kathleen