Turntable Treasures

On a recent trip to Tacoma, Travis and I stopped in at a record shop - Turntable Treasures. This place was filled with old San Francisco gig posters, electronic equipment and of course, LPs. Walking down the never-ending isles of records, I came across the 'Bagpipe' section. Small in size but I knew, just knew, that there were going to be some gems waiting to come home with us. Turntable Treasures did not fail me. 

Amongst the usual riffraff of Scottish ceilidh music, Triumph Street Pipe Band's first album (released in the early 1970s) was sitting there for $3.00. But my excitement skyrocketed when I flipped to Strathclyde Police Pipe Band Champion of Champions. For $3.00 too! 

I told the shop owner that these were legendary albums and because he thought I was crazy and probably just wanted to get rid of his bagpipe record collection....he swung Travis a deal (he was also buying a turntable and a lot of vinyl). 

Once the player was set up back at Travis', the first LP to go on was of course, Champion of Champions! Oh, the crackle of the needle hitting the vinyl, the snappy snare drums, the brisk tempos and the brilliant playing - I was in heaven. Talk about inspiration.

That band has played a big role in the development of the Troy family as players. Our cousin, Gordon Magee, was lucky enough not only to get on the force over there but be a part of the Band Division. First class group of people with top shelf professionalism that produce quality playing and are of legendary status amongst us players. 

It's a damn good thing we bought that album when we did with the recent news of the fate of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. Read the full scoop on www.pipesdrums.com. To think that an institution such as the Polis might be axed is heartbreaking and would leave a huge hole in the pipe band community.  Please show your support and add your name to the ever growing online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/strathclyde_police_pipe_band/?

-JLT