A Thurso-based violinist shared a video of her playing a tune by popular local musician Brandon McPhee as a tribute to the late Crawford Bell MBE.
The poignant tune played by Elizabeth Jones was written by Brandon McPhee from Castletown after the passing of popular Irish musician, Crawford Bell, last year.
Filmed in Caithness by her brother Steven Jones, Elizabeth said of the video: “Having been asked by Brandon to cover his tune ‘Memories of Crawford’, in December 2024, I decided that the best possible day to release it would be New Year’s Eve.
“It was a fitting closure to the end of the year in which Crawford Bell MBE passed away. From what I gather, Crawford was a highly respected Irish musician on the traditional music scene.
Elizabeth Jones plays violin at the iconic Caithness location for the video. Picture: Steven Jones
“I collaborated with my brother to record my version of ‘Memories of Crawford’. Steven suggested the lovely location of playing next to a Caithness waterfall, and he brought along a Canon camera to film it. Once back home, I had to record the audio with Steven using a condenser microphone, and then the arduous task of editing had to begin.
“Steven spent around one full day editing the video, with the end result providing a very natural, a capella sound for my violin set against the lulling sound of the cascading waterfall in the background. Not a single filter or reverb was used.
“For the second half of the tune, Steven added in some gentle synth strings to provide a feeling of warmth and richer timbre. Overall, I think the sound of my cover version is poignant, reflective and lyrical. A fitting farewell for Crawford, I hope.”
Elizabeth Jones is a gifted local violinist. Picture: Steven Jones
The original instrumental single was composed by Brandon McPhee featuring him on accordion and acoustic guitar; Manson Grant on piano, bass and trumpet; Richard Nelson on steel guitar; and Robert Cameron on drums and saxophone.
Brandon said: “I count myself lucky that I knew, worked with and became great friends with the music icon Crawford Bell.
Brandon McPhee composed the tune that Elizabeth played. Picture: Alan Hendry
“I met him when I was 11 years old at a Manson Grant and the Dynamos’ weekend, who he’d worked with since the early 1980s. In leaving school and pursuing a life in full time entertainment, Crawford gave much help and encouragement, joining my band on acoustic guitar, harmony vocals and trumpet.
“We toured around the UK and Ireland, even as far as Spain. I had the pleasure of recording some of Crawford’s self-penned songs and got the chance to perform them with him on stage.
“Crawford once said to me, ‘I don’t know how someone so young can get feeling in a tune way beyond their years?’. Well, it’s easy when the tune is for you Crawford. You will be missed, thank you for the memories, I know you’re listening.”
Brandon says he will be playing a tribute concert to Crawford at the Grand Opera House in Belfast on January 21.
Link to Elizabeth’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@caithnessviolinist7903
Link to Brandon’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@brandonmcpheemusic
Elizabeth also has a Facebook page called ‘Caithness Violinist’ which has updates on her work.
To subscribe to the paper please follow this link: www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/subscribe/
Use the promo code DAVIDGSCOTT to get a year of unlimited digital access for just £10 – we really appreciate your support.