WE SHALL REMEMBER
The Sons of Ulster Flute Band from Glasgow is often seen on parade on the streets of Belfast. They were one of two bands chosen to participate in the Ulster Hall pageant to commemorate the ninetieth anniversary of the Ulster Covenant last September.
The band was formed in 1999 and is dedicated to the memory of Noel Kinner who was a former OC of UVF prisoners in Long Kesh. He died in November 1996. The fourth track on the CD – a vocal ballad – eulogises Vol. Kinner. In fact, there are four vocal tracks, a spoken dedication and thirteen tracks of the band playing with gusto. There are no credits on the cover to indicate who the singers are, but they do sound remarkably like the highly-regarded Platoon.
This is a very professional sounding recording. There are quite a few tunes rarely heard on loyalist albums. Particular mention should go to Track 5, a spirited rendition of Carrickfergus and Track 15, a medley of song from Rabbie Burns including the classic A Man’s a Man.
Don’t worry though, you traditionalists! There are quite a few familiar old tunes too. Track 11, No Surrender, is a fine medley of The Sash and Derry’s Walls and Track 16, Boyne Water is an excellent interpretation of this grand old standard.
David Kerr