Stand Easy [Import]

John McLean Allan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 9, 2002)
• Original Release Date: July 9, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Celtic America Llc
• ASIN: B00006CXTA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,412 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

John Allan was born in Vancouver, Canada to John and Pearl Allan, recent immigrants from Scotland. The Scottish household had its effect on John as he took up bagpiping lessons at the age of seven from Malcolm Nicholson. The family returned to Scotland when John was 11. Ironically, it was the return to Scotland that almost ended his pipe playing, as a cousin gave John a guitar at 14. John soon became focused on rock and roll and eventually played throughout Scotland with several different rock bands. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, California to further his rock and roll career.

It was while in Los Angeles that John ran into a pipe band drummer and began talking about the L.A. piping scene. The piper turned out to be Malcolm Nicholson’s grandson. The conversation rejuvenated John’s love of the bagpipes and he quickly returned to them.

John began lessons on the pipes again and joined the Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band (the LA Scots) in 1998. He played with the LA Scots as the first American band to qualify for the Grade 1 World Championship Finals in 1999. During this period, he also started playing with a traditional Celtic band , the Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh and graduated from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood CA.

John decided it was time to combine the music he loved: rock, bagpipes and Celtic music. The result is the current CD Stand Easy.

He has played with such performers as, the Tonight Show Band, Korn, the Chieftans, Michael Flattley and Charlotte Church. He has also appeared or has played in numerous film/T.V. productions such as: the Tonight Show, West Wing, Providence, Austin Powers II and Primary Colors.

Stand Easy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Allan breathes life into the tradition, and the pipes!, July 25, 2002

By 

W. houchins (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stand Easy (Audio CD)

In the spirit of other great bagpipe/rock bands such as Brother, John Allan has delivered a great CD. His brilliant bagpipe playing meshes the ancient traditional folk music sound of that instrument with a modern rock and roll sensibility. John's skill on the rock guitar is also very evident throughout the tracks. Not since Van Morrison has anybody done such a fine job on "Star of the County Down", a song John's voice does great justice. Although the guest singers on this CD are very good, after hearing John's voice on the tracks he sings, I wish he had done them all. I would highly recommend this CD to all Celtic rock fans, and to anyone else who simply loves good music. Rock on, you mad piping crazy man!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sit down and listen to "Stand Easy"!, August 21, 2002

By 

Jurgen Vsych "http://thewomandirector.com" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stand Easy (Audio CD)

Loved this CD from John Allan of the L.A. Scots Pipe Band. I especially liked the first track, "Dark Island/Bulgarian Bandit" and his rocked-up version of "Amazing Grace". Colin Armstrong, George Cavanaugh and the Browne Sisters also sing on the CD...but I agree with another reviewer - John should have sung every song. Great voice, great pipes. John wrote half the tunes on this CD, including "Johns Jig Set," which the LA Scots Pipe Band played at the World Pipe Band Championships. Can't wait to hear the next CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stand Easy, October 25, 2010

By 

J. Forkel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stand Easy (Audio CD)

This is a great CD. I have all of Stand Easy's CDs in my car all of the time (about the only place I get to listen to music). I love bagpipes and their combination of the traditional bagpipe/Scottish music and their own bagpipes & rock music is outstanding. Treat yourself and get all of their CDs!