Zany Mouse, I'm not the least bit surprised that Phil Cunningham showed that level of professionalism during his bereavement. Out of that same sort of bereavement, Altan's Frankie Kennedy Winter School was born, and many fine musicians came together and performed at a high level of professionalism in his honour. I'm sure that is the spirit in which all the musicians came together.

I've seen some of these same suspects, Karen Matheson, Phil Cunningham, et al on these BBC Hogmanay specials before. Pretty dire. But that said, just because the BBC Hogmanay specials are dire, doesn't mean the musicians themselves suck. I mean, they really don't choose crap musicians to perform on these things, they pick the cream of the crop. They just haven't found a good way to present them on television, particularly because of the sound issues, and the cheese factor with contrived settings and presenters.