William Jackson, accompanied by Gráinne Hambly on concertina

By Jeff Meade

William Jackson just might be the Henny Youngman of the Celtic harp.

The legendary Scottish harper joined Irish harp virtuoso Grainne Hambly Sunday night at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Cherry Hill for a concert billed as “Masters of the Celtic Harp.” The night featured some of the prettiest playing and the most creative interpretations of Irish and Scottish traditional music you’re likely to hear.

Hambly, from County Mayo, played first, a dazzling, rhythmically complex performance showcasing her unique playing style, an artful balance of power and finesse. The set featured several tunes from her new CD, “The Thorn Tree.”

Jackson kept the one-liners coming.

Jackson was up next … but first he told a few jokes in his soft burr, a smoky blend of the Scottish highlands and North Carolina, where he now lives:

“Some people believe that Scottish bagpipes originally came from Ireland to Scotland. In fact, it’s a practical joke the Irish were playing on the Scots. They just haven’t gotten the joke yet.”

“There’s a legend in Scotland that when God was making the universe, he was working one day at his desk and an angel came over and said, ‘What are you doing today?’ And God said, ‘I’m making this place called Scotland. It’s going to be amazing, there will be rivers and lakes and mountains and on the Western coast, lots of beautiful islands.’ The angel said, ‘Don’t you think you’re spoiling these people, God?’ and God said, ‘Oh no, wait ‘til you see the neighbors I’m going to give them.’”

“The Scots and English have been kind and helpful to each other over the centuries. In fact some people believe that the wheel barrow was a Scottish invention, to help train Englishmen to walk upright.”

If they ever develop a haggis belt in the Catskills, Jackson can have a whole new career.

As it is, we can be thankful he chose music. He went on to play tunes from both Scotland and Ireland, filling the church hall with a joyful noise.

That was all great. Even better? In the second half, Hambly and Jackson played together, each displaying the full range of their musical talents—Hambly accompanying Jackson on concertina, and Jackson playing whistle and bouzouki along with Hambly. At the end, the crowd was on their feet, and the two returned to the stage for an encore—much to the delight of all the harpers lined up in the front row.

All the rest of us had a pretty good time, too.

• View photo essay
• View as slideshow
  

Related Links