Ok, I've done this because I feel a bit pressured from a few people who have got the sh1ts with me, and they do have a point I suppose - I'm a great believer in the "put up or shut up thing" myself, but I should practise what I preach.
My other reason for doing this is because I want to participate in the recent spirit of sharing we've had here.
I recorded this in my bedroom this afternoon before I went out to a session. I couldn't be bothered to do loads of takes, so my mistakes are in there as well. I was putting in some variations on the fly, and I tried to be a bit too adventurous and didn't quite pull it off, but it ended up being this crazy variation which I wouldn't be able to replicate if I tried, so I left it in! Also you can hear me speeding up towards the end because I was thinking "god I hate recording myself!" as I had bouts of awareness of the recording equipment. I'm so bad at just switching off and forgetting that there's a mic there. I suppose that comes with practice too. I also had the window open and there were cars zooming past outside, but you can't really hear that because the mp3 quality isn't very good.
Oh and the 2 instruments aren't in tune with each other, and the concertina isn't in tune with itself. I need to take it apart and file some of the reeds, but I'm lazy. *Sigh*
Enjoyed that. Thanks. Very nice. The descriptive word that entered my mind was 'jaunty. Thought I'd better check the definition, to be sure, and google gave me :
1. Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.
2. Crisp and dapper in appearance; natty.
Very, very nice! Thank you for sharing that. Yup, recording is a pain in the kiester, especially when the clock's running (which I've only done once - but it was hard work). I REALLY liked your backing, too, interesting without being too intrusive.
Thanks again, buddy, methinks that I'm in excellent company here...
Nice, Mark. Makes me look forward to a time in the future some day when we get to play together in person (and I can ruin your beautiful playing with a banjo)
While Andy Irvine was at Zoukfest a couple weeks ago, he was saying that he thinks some of the most exciting talent in Irish music these days is coming out of Australia.
Lovely, Dow. I like your supporting zouk work especially, and of course the concertina is well done, nice lift . I really love that tune and I enjoyed hearing your variations. Thank you. Not so surprising that those with good advice tend to be strong players, too. Huh.
What I want to know is: (1) How long do you intend to keep Noel Hill now that you've kidnapped him; (2) How long did it take him to get comfortable with your English 'tina; (3) Why did Mr. Hill ever let you back him on zouk.
No I think this is Dick's playing, it is of the same style as his other tunes he has posted.
I must say, he sounds better than I might have expected from some of the negative comments people were making. However, I will also agree with those who say his playing is not of the Irish tradition. He is much more at home on the chanteys and English tunes.
All this tune posting is tempting me to bring an instrument to my son's house, and have him help me capture it on bits and bytes, and get it onto the internet. That would give everyone a new standard by which to judge others on, the lowest position of the bar would be firmly established!
Fantastic. A keeper. Best Irish trad playing I've ever heard on EC. Although I've played EC for over 20 years, I took up Anglo a few years ago, in part because my EC playing lacked the kind of punch that comes more naturally to Anglo. Maybe I just should have sought you out for lessons.
ok.I play regularly here in Ireland,for dancers and for listening and people who employ me and listeners appear happy enough .
my tutors cover lots of different aspects of concertina playing .check out my sound lantern and youtubes you will see that I am versatile in several styles,here is an irish jighttp://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsYa0Benws.
I would like to echo what Jeremy said; I was hoping that these posts of people playing would migrate into accentuating the tunes section. I hope everyone who has recorded themselves playing their settings will link them to the tune database and maybe include ABCs of the way they play it. I can't wait till it's common to have this sort of example as a resource.
Hup. I'm sure I'd get on with both of them.
But seriously, I've been told that Dow is a good bloke by mutual acquaintances. It was a joke. I'll stop now. Slim.
Was Corey backing you? Considering the two Bens are absent at this time. I'd be astonished if it was BB ;) Or did you back yourself? See you this weekend at the Ceili or something anyway *session at durty's should be good*
Wow, two threads, one about a clip Dow had posted, and one about a clip that Dick had posted, have been merged together, and the comments I made end up sounding more than a bit surreal.....
Hey Dow.... what mistakes? I am really impressed, I though you were *only* a guitar player. The backing was dead on too.
My feeling, is, as Alan Morrisroe says, that it is NATURAL to make a few little mistakes. It's about the performance, the punch and the life in it, and you've got all that. The lift is great, it sure takes one's ear off any little goofs... I really didn't notice them. People get afraid of making a mistake and play too carefully, i'd rather have the punch, the attack, the lift and the tempo be right rather than sacrifice all that for getting every little trill and grace not 10000% perfect. Playing to carefully can kill the music or the feel of things.
Great playing... so that is an English concertina? I have heard they are not as good as Anglo, but I know some dynamite English system players.
Well done Dow, I was hoping to find some posts of clips following recent discussions. I thought folks were going to put clips on their membership pages (whatever it is called)- chris
Following on from recent posts I though I'd post some files myself. Soundlatern proved remarkably easy to use for a non-techy like myself.
I had couple of files that I recorded of myself messing around on zouk when I was given an mp3 player with a record function for xmas. The mishmash of errors is a fair representation of how I do on zouk.
I recorded another couple of tunes on banjo last night with the "help" of my daughter, Rachel. It isn't easy to play banjo while tying to stop a child from running off with the mp3 player, but I decided the disjointed results was probably not too far away from what I normally produce down the pub with all its distractions such as drinks knocked over, fiddle bows, comings and goings in a cramped space.
I'm going for the "wartiest performance" in the warts and all awards category
Finally I have put up ome files of more talented friends playing at a party in my place or our local session in Glasgow. I'd recommend them over my own playing.
I hope to see links to files from many of the regulars here. On a group such as this it is even nicer to put tuines to names than faces to names (yup I know that can be read in more than one way).
I'n not sure if it was myself that you meant, but just in case (and rather than be rude): I haven't exploded or self combusted yet, and neither to my knowlege has anyone else from thesession.org.
There were a few names I recognised on soundlantern from here, I put everyone I could find into my "subscription" list. No idea what that list does, but I'll likely find out
I've only played with a piano on a couple of occasions, but I enjoyed the experience. (A piano isn't really the most portable of instruments after all, if there isn't one sitting in the corner when you walk into the room, then it is a safe bet that one won't show up later)
I usually bring my genuine imitation piano (a Roland EP-90 Digital Piano) to sessions because there are very few public places such as bars and restaurants that have a real piano in them now. Since the volume is adjustable, I can turn it down low enough so I can hear the other musicians without drowning them out.
I wasn't trying to compare Dow to a pitch fork (rambling or just sitting still) or anything else.
Put up or shut up
Put up or shut up
Ok, I've done this because I feel a bit pressured from a few people who have got the sh1ts with me, and they do have a point I suppose - I'm a great believer in the "put up or shut up thing" myself, but I should practise what I preach.
My other reason for doing this is because I want to participate in the recent spirit of sharing we've had here.
I recorded this in my bedroom this afternoon before I went out to a session. I couldn't be bothered to do loads of takes, so my mistakes are in there as well. I was putting in some variations on the fly, and I tried to be a bit too adventurous and didn't quite pull it off, but it ended up being this crazy variation which I wouldn't be able to replicate if I tried, so I left it in! Also you can hear me speeding up towards the end because I was thinking "god I hate recording myself!" as I had bouts of awareness of the recording equipment. I'm so bad at just switching off and forgetting that there's a mic there. I suppose that comes with practice too. I also had the window open and there were cars zooming past outside, but you can't really hear that because the mp3 quality isn't very good.
Oh and the 2 instruments aren't in tune with each other, and the concertina isn't in tune with itself. I need to take it apart and file some of the reeds, but I'm lazy. *Sigh*
Anyway, here goes:
http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=4062&Path=fahysmixdown.mp3
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Dr. Dow
Re: Put up or shut up
lovely ...wish my mistakes were as musical.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by skin&bow
Re: Put up or shut up
very nice, are you playing both instruments?
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by tnoumarap
Re: Put up or shut up
aarrgh! my ears are bleeding...
only joking.
cant listen in work.
will listen later
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by DubChieftain
Re: Put up or shut up
Yes, but not at the same time obviously
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Dr. Dow
Re: Put up or shut up
Lovely playing, Dow.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Rudall the time
Re: Put up or shut up
Sounds great Mr. Dow, and I sympathize will all of your recording complaints 100%.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Put up or shut up
Lovely tune and great playing. Just shows what can be done on an English concertina !
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by murfbox
Re: Put up or shut up
Enjoyed that. Thanks. Very nice. The descriptive word that entered my mind was 'jaunty. Thought I'd better check the definition, to be sure, and google gave me :
1. Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.
2. Crisp and dapper in appearance; natty.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by wolfbird
Re: Put up or shut up
Very, very nice! Thank you for sharing that. Yup, recording is a pain in the kiester, especially when the clock's running (which I've only done once - but it was hard work). I REALLY liked your backing, too, interesting without being too intrusive.
Thanks again, buddy, methinks that I'm in excellent company here...
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by tomw
Re: Put up or shut up
Nice, Mark. Makes me look forward to a time in the future some day when we get to play together in person (and I can ruin your beautiful playing with a banjo)
While Andy Irvine was at Zoukfest a couple weeks ago, he was saying that he thinks some of the most exciting talent in Irish music these days is coming out of Australia.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Put up or shut up
I really enjoyed listening to that Dow. Thanks for sharing it.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by bowburner
Re: Put up or shut up
Good job Dow,
I recently put up some youtube stuff myself
http://youtube.com/user/mediatorstage
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Mad Baloney
Re: Put up or shut up
Boy, Dow, that really sucks. And blows. Which is, after all, how a concertina works. Sounds great, though!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Put up or shut up
I really enjoyed that. I've got your page bookmarked in case you might want to, you know, put up some more? When you get a chance? Please?
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by fuzzygreen
Re: Put up or shut up
Lovely, Dow. I like your supporting zouk work especially, and of course the concertina is well done, nice lift . I really love that tune and I enjoyed hearing your variations. Thank you. Not so surprising that those with good advice tend to be strong players, too. Huh.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by fidkid
Re: Put up or shut up
Dude. This is awesome!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by mehitabel23
putting up
http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=3711&Path=03LeaRigs.mp3,
and well played Dow,excellent playing.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Put up or shut up
Brilliant playing,furthemore you have your own distinctive style,you do not sound like acopy of anyone else,stunning playing.Dick Miles
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Put up or shut up
Lovely playing - well done!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Feargal French
Re: putting up
I'm confused, Dick. Is this a clip of Dow playing? If so, shouldn't your description of the clip on Sound Lantern mention that?
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Put up or shut up
No need to put all those disclaimers in the front of it, lovely playing. I have actually never heard an english concertina sound so Irish before.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Put up or shut up
lovely stuff!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by DubChieftain
Re: Put up or shut up
What I want to know is: (1) How long do you intend to keep Noel Hill now that you've kidnapped him; (2) How long did it take him to get comfortable with your English 'tina; (3) Why did Mr. Hill ever let you back him on zouk.
Good on you, Dow.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: putting up
No I think this is Dick's playing, it is of the same style as his other tunes he has posted.
I must say, he sounds better than I might have expected from some of the negative comments people were making. However, I will also agree with those who say his playing is not of the Irish tradition. He is much more at home on the chanteys and English tunes.
All this tune posting is tempting me to bring an instrument to my son's house, and have him help me capture it on bits and bytes, and get it onto the internet. That would give everyone a new standard by which to judge others on, the lowest position of the bar would be firmly established!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Put up or shut up
gorgeous
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by concertinaplayer
Re: Put up or shut up
Nice playing, Dow, crisp, good use of grace notes. It's how I imagined you probably sounded.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Put up or shut up
Fantastic. A keeper. Best Irish trad playing I've ever heard on EC. Although I've played EC for over 20 years, I took up Anglo a few years ago, in part because my EC playing lacked the kind of punch that comes more naturally to Anglo. Maybe I just should have sought you out for lessons.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by boxist
Re: Put up or shut up
How could you Dow?
As the greatest ever ever ever ever ever bodhran player, I have no need (or idea) to post clippings of my wondrous playing.
I am really surprised at you Dow, of all people.
Good playing mind you.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: putting up
Oh come now Al Brown, I'm sure you are much better than you imply. Don't be so hard on yourself!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Glass of Beer
Re: putting up
ok.I play regularly here in Ireland,for dancers and for listening and people who employ me and listeners appear happy enough .
my tutors cover lots of different aspects of concertina playing .check out my sound lantern and youtubes you will see that I am versatile in several styles,here is an irish jighttp://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsYa0Benws.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: putting up
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsYa0Benws
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Ramiro
Re: putting up
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsYa0Benws
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Put up or shut up
Thank you, Dow. That is very nice. I will enjoy listening to it again and again. If you have time to put up some more, that would be great.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by John Culhane
Re: Put up or shut up
If you want to post a link to yourself playing a tune, please post it in the comments of that tune.
Thanks.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Jeremy
Re: Put up or shut up
Still looking forward to those fiddle tracks Dickens !
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by concertinaplayer
Re: Put up or shut up
HOOO HAAA!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by john knoss
Re: Put up or shut up
Top hole, old chap.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: Put up or shut up
I would like to echo what Jeremy said; I was hoping that these posts of people playing would migrate into accentuating the tunes section. I hope everyone who has recorded themselves playing their settings will link them to the tune database and maybe include ABCs of the way they play it. I can't wait till it's common to have this sort of example as a resource.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Put up or shut up
Not bad, Dow!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by hotspur
Re: Put up or shut up
Brilliant playing, love it. Pity about your personality .
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by chuneboi slim
Re: Put up or shut up
That second remark was irrelevant.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Put up or shut up
Only a light hearted swipe intended. Doesn't come out like that in print though unfortunately.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by chuneboi slim
Re: Put up or shut up
Fair enough!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Put up or shut up
Very nicely put up Dow. Even a neophyte like me can appreciate fine playing.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by GDub
Re: Put up or shut up
Chuneboy if you met the man behind "Dow" you'd be singing a different tune
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Hup
Re: Put up or shut up
But can you do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlbvz-Q0fM4&feature=related ?
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Put up or shut up
I totally enjoyed your playing. Thanks!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Anew
Re: Put up or shut up
Hup. I'm sure I'd get on with both of them.
But seriously, I've been told that Dow is a good bloke by mutual acquaintances. It was a joke. I'll stop now. Slim.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by chuneboi slim
Re: Put up or shut up
Sounds great Dow!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by davydd
Re: Put up or shut up
Awesome as per usual.
*session at durty's should be good*
Was Corey backing you? Considering the two Bens are absent at this time. I'd be astonished if it was BB ;) Or did you back yourself? See you this weekend at the Ceili or something anyway
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by SamW
Re: Put up or shut up
He is backing himself sammy. He is a multi talented one - b'stard!
Lovely stuff dowsie - as always
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by bb
Re: Put up or shut up
Dow - really lovely; makes me wan to learn the tune. Thanks for posting this.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: Put up or shut up
Amazing how he can handle the lead on concertina and back up on bouzouki with his feet....
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Put up or shut up
... or was it the other way 'round ?
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Hup
Re: Put up or shut up
Dow... why is this mp3 not linked to the page where you posted your ABCs?
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/2561
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Put up or shut up
I actually am tone-deaf,
but it was lovely just the same.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Put up or shut up
Excellent playing.
Very talented as well -- can play concertina and bouzouki at the same time. Wow. ;)
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Put up or shut up
Well done, I even tapped my toe along with the music.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Piece
Re: Put up or shut up
BTW: If recording is often unpleasant, just try picturing the microphone in its underwear.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Piece
Re: Put up or shut up
Feckin' lovely stuff Dow. Off to learn that one later today.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by sergeant fox
Re: Put up or shut up
Wow, two threads, one about a clip Dow had posted, and one about a clip that Dick had posted, have been merged together, and the comments I made end up sounding more than a bit surreal.....
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Put up or shut up
Hey Dow.... what mistakes? I am really impressed, I though you were *only* a guitar player. The backing was dead on too.
My feeling, is, as Alan Morrisroe says, that it is NATURAL to make a few little mistakes. It's about the performance, the punch and the life in it, and you've got all that. The lift is great, it sure takes one's ear off any little goofs... I really didn't notice them. People get afraid of making a mistake and play too carefully, i'd rather have the punch, the attack, the lift and the tempo be right rather than sacrifice all that for getting every little trill and grace not 10000% perfect. Playing to carefully can kill the music or the feel of things.
Great playing... so that is an English concertina? I have heard they are not as good as Anglo, but I know some dynamite English system players.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by irisnevins
Re: Put up or shut up
Well done Dow, I was hoping to find some posts of clips following recent discussions. I thought folks were going to put clips on their membership pages (whatever it is called)- chris
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Put up or shut up
Hey that was really, really good Dow.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Glass of Beer
Re: Put up or shut up
Following on from recent posts I though I'd post some files myself. Soundlatern proved remarkably easy to use for a non-techy like myself.
I had couple of files that I recorded of myself messing around on zouk when I was given an mp3 player with a record function for xmas. The mishmash of errors is a fair representation of how I do on zouk.
I recorded another couple of tunes on banjo last night with the "help" of my daughter, Rachel. It isn't easy to play banjo while tying to stop a child from running off with the mp3 player, but I decided the disjointed results was probably not too far away from what I normally produce down the pub with all its distractions such as drinks knocked over, fiddle bows, comings and goings in a cramped space.
I'm going for the "wartiest performance" in the warts and all awards category
Finally I have put up ome files of more talented friends playing at a party in my place or our local session in Glasgow. I'd recommend them over my own playing.
I hope to see links to files from many of the regulars here. On a group such as this it is even nicer to put tuines to names than faces to names (yup I know that can be read in more than one way).
Cheers - Chris
http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedUser.do?UsName=ramblingpitchfork&UsId=1225
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Put up or shut up
So, has your head exploded yet, or your body gone into self combustion? This is definitely not the way of the Tao... But, I'm smiling...
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Put up or shut up
Very nice playing Dow concertina not bad either
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by bazouki dave
Re: Put up or shut up
Hi Ceolachan,
I'n not sure if it was myself that you meant, but just in case (and rather than be rude): I haven't exploded or self combusted yet, and neither to my knowlege has anyone else from thesession.org.
There were a few names I recognised on soundlantern from here, I put everyone I could find into my "subscription" list. No idea what that list does, but I'll likely find out
Cheers - Chris
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Put up or shut up
No Chris, you are innocent, it was Mark, The Dow, I was referring to... But now I'll have to go explore...
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan
Wow! How do you make baby noises on your banjo? ~ and play a tune at the same time? Amazing...
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Put up or shut up
Sorry Ceolachan, I wasn't sure but didn't want to ignore a message that might have been directed at myself.
It is me making the "baby noises", my daughter is playing the banjo
- Chris
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Put up or shut up
I enjoyed your playing Dow and I would enjoy making music with you but only if you have no objections to working with a pianist.
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Put up or shut up
Yes I'd like to make music with you too sometime.
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by legs
Re: Put up or shut up
I would also enjoy making music with dickens metrognome and ramblingpitchfork if neither one has any objections to working with a pianist.
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Put up or shut up
R u comparing Dow to a pitchfork?
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by legs
Re: Put up or shut up
(psst, Legs, I think you misunderstood)
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by mehitabel23
Re: Put up or shut up
no kidding....but seriously though Dow I loved your playing. R u gunna be in Kelly's again next week?
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by legs
Re: Put up or shut up
Thanks fauxcelt.
)
I've only played with a piano on a couple of occasions, but I enjoyed the experience. (A piano isn't really the most portable of instruments after all, if there isn't one sitting in the corner when you walk into the room, then it is a safe bet that one won't show up later
Best wishes - Chris
# Posted on June 27th 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Put up or shut up
I usually bring my genuine imitation piano (a Roland EP-90 Digital Piano) to sessions because there are very few public places such as bars and restaurants that have a real piano in them now. Since the volume is adjustable, I can turn it down low enough so I can hear the other musicians without drowning them out.
I wasn't trying to compare Dow to a pitch fork (rambling or just sitting still) or anything else.
# Posted on June 27th 2008 by fauxcelt