Here in the old USA, it is Mother's Day, a day supposedly invented by greeting card companies, but still, a day to think about those who brought us into the world. So, any thoughts or observations about your mother's influence on your life and your music?
My own mother never sang without another singing along, which limited her to church hymns, never had much love for the sound of her own voice. But she encouraged all of us to learn to play, made sure we had instruments, and took great joy in our accomplishments. So I come from a family where everyone played music, and a wonderful thing it was.
No ethnic influences in that music, as far as my parents were concerned, we were Americans, it was only later in life I started following my ethnic roots back across the ocean. In fact, for years in my youth, I thought that Machree was a last name in Ireland, because of the song about Mother Machree (blush).
So take a moment, and give thought to your dear old ma....
I couldn't be more different from my mother. She can't stand music on in the house, and has never played an instrument.
However I will be forever grateful she took me to piano lessons as a 10-year-old. I always had music in me but if I hadn't had early tuition, I might have been like others who enjoy listening but can't play. The early musical training (though I hated classical) enabled me to jump in with boots on when I encountered Irish trad as an adult.
Even now she mildly tolerates my music, rather than enjoying it... because she knows how much it means to me.
Both my parents encouraged(albeit not financialy) my interest in music. I was playing in a punk band on the east coast(US), my Mom visiting from California wanted to come to a show. We were opening for the U.K. Subs. She was @60 at the time. I thought it might be a little rough for Mom but I let her come along. I was delighted to see her sitting at a table talking to several young fellows with mowhawks and purple dreads. She taught me a lot about not judging a book by its cover and that to dismiss people based on preconcieved notions is to chance missing out on making new friends.
Good one Shanty. My mom used to come see me and my brother play in all sorts of shady clubs as well. There was always music in our house growing up - all sorts - from Bach to B.B. King, Irish Ceili bands to Cuban Salsa, and all points in between. My parents gave me a great musical education.
My mother, may she rest in peace, bought me an acoustic guitar when I was 15. She signed me up for a few lessons and the first tune I learned was "Devil's Dream". I had no idea I'd still be playing the same tune at sessions 35 years later.
She also listened to "Woody's Children" on a NY City radio station every Saturday evening at 6 PM. I heard 'folk music' on this station that played classical music for the rest of the week.
She didn't sing or play an instrument but she listened to and loved music. Thanks Mom.
One of the things that appeals to me most about the music scene connected to THE FOLK SONGS AND TRADITIONAL DANCE TUNES OF IRELAND* (gotta walk on egg shells 'round here ya know) is the generational thing. I like seeing the mix of age groups at shows and sessions.
*usually refered to as 'ITM' by many people on this site, but apparently deemed offensive by others- no offense was intended by any part of this post
You were all obviously luckier than me in your choice of mother.
I only ever wanted to play fiddle like my paternal grandfather, but my mother insisted that if I was going to play violoin I must do it properly. And when I said I didn't want to play in the local youth orchestra any more, she stopped my lessons. She also always insisted that I couldn't sing in tune, and it wasn't until I was singing harmonies in a band that people managed to convince me that I actually have a reasonably good voice.
At the moment she is doing the same thing to my daughter - despite the fact that she sings in the local choir, and has won prizes for Socts songs, Granny insists that she can't sing in tune.
My mother was a music teacher who began teaching me how to play the piano when I was seven and she continued to encourage my musical efforts as I grew up.
My mother's musical deities were people such as Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Brahms, etc. My mother didn't know that there was any type of Irish music besides songs such as "My Wild Irish Rose", "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen", "The Kerry Dancing", "Danny Boy", "Who Put The Overalls In Mistress Murphy's Chowder?", "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", and so on and so forth. When I told her that I was playing piano at Irish Sessions, she wanted to know whether or not we were singing any of these songs and which ones we were singing. My mother was very surprised when I told her that all of these songs were pseudo-Irish or imitation Irish songs and we weren't playing any of them at these sessions.
Instead, I told her that we were playing mostly instrumental music (dance music) and really enjoying it. One of these days, I will succeed in persuading her to attend a local session so she can see how I am (mis)using what she taught me about playing the piano.
Mamacita was a household name to others, but simply Mamacita to me.
Most boys count on a mother being there after a schoolyard scrape or an alley knifing, but Mamacita seemed always to be away on tour, on location, or making another public appearance. (If memory serves, with a director, a daredevil, or a dictator—always one or the three.)
I received contrived hugs from her whenever I was paraded in front of the paparazzi, standing beside her expensively perfumed self for some studio, label, or politically-oriented publicity. Me: hair combed, bow tie tied, the family badger, Avenger, ever-anxious in my arms.
So, was the lady perfect? Heck no. But Lordy, how she loved her some ITM.
Can't comment on my mother since she walked out on us when I was but a wee one.... my sister and I were raised by a single dad, which back in the 60s was quite a cultural challenge. My mother's sister, my beloved aunty Charmian, stepped in big time and did anything/everything to encourage my musical interests. An accomplished piano player in her own right she happily accompanied me during my twinkle twinkle little star period all the way up to Grade VIII concertos, sonatas and beyond.... may she rest in peace.
Whenever I see a beautiful garden, I think of my ma. She always grew sweet peas, roses and lilacs. Her garden was real aroma therapy. She loved to sing and I'm certain that I learned music in her womb. In my eyes, she is a saint for enduring the hell on earth.
my mum encouraged us along all the way, favourite song 'The Cliffs of Dooneen' which i learnt especially for her and do for her most gigs, now in her late 70's still going strong
my box playing dad gave me the love of music, 80 this year, i'm finally going to record some stuff with him, with all the time in the world
My sainted mother...
My sainted mother...
Here in the old USA, it is Mother's Day, a day supposedly invented by greeting card companies, but still, a day to think about those who brought us into the world. So, any thoughts or observations about your mother's influence on your life and your music?
My own mother never sang without another singing along, which limited her to church hymns, never had much love for the sound of her own voice. But she encouraged all of us to learn to play, made sure we had instruments, and took great joy in our accomplishments. So I come from a family where everyone played music, and a wonderful thing it was.
No ethnic influences in that music, as far as my parents were concerned, we were Americans, it was only later in life I started following my ethnic roots back across the ocean. In fact, for years in my youth, I thought that Machree was a last name in Ireland, because of the song about Mother Machree (blush).
So take a moment, and give thought to your dear old ma....
# Posted on May 10th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: My sainted mother...
I couldn't be more different from my mother. She can't stand music on in the house, and has never played an instrument.
However I will be forever grateful she took me to piano lessons as a 10-year-old. I always had music in me but if I hadn't had early tuition, I might have been like others who enjoy listening but can't play. The early musical training (though I hated classical) enabled me to jump in with boots on when I encountered Irish trad as an adult.
Even now she mildly tolerates my music, rather than enjoying it... because she knows how much it means to me.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by buttons 'n' whistles
Re: My sainted mother...
Oh, all right then. My mother used to sing sometimes, but we kids always complained and made her stop.
I think she had nice voice, but she must have chosen the wrong material. Nobody's perfect.
Still, I would pay good money to hear her sing again, now that she's gone. All of you young folks--be nice to your mother, while you can.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by John Galt
Re: My sainted mother...
Both my parents encouraged(albeit not financialy) my interest in music. I was playing in a punk band on the east coast(US), my Mom visiting from California wanted to come to a show. We were opening for the U.K. Subs. She was @60 at the time. I thought it might be a little rough for Mom but I let her come along. I was delighted to see her sitting at a table talking to several young fellows with mowhawks and purple dreads. She taught me a lot about not judging a book by its cover and that to dismiss people based on preconcieved notions is to chance missing out on making new friends.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by shanty
Re: My sainted mother...
I still have Mom here. She has always supported me in everything I do. I play her father's (and her) fiddle in our sessions.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: My sainted mother...
Good one Shanty. My mom used to come see me and my brother play in all sorts of shady clubs as well. There was always music in our house growing up - all sorts - from Bach to B.B. King, Irish Ceili bands to Cuban Salsa, and all points in between. My parents gave me a great musical education.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: My sainted mother...
And let's not forget the ever popular celebration created in 2002:
Mother-in-law Day
Date - 4th Sunday in October
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: My sainted mother...
That is a great story, shanty, it warms this former punk rocker's heart.
Love you Ma, thanks for the all the songs that Granda used to sing. I sang several of them at session today.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: My sainted mother...
Oh yeah, I know what this thread needs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud4g9BxnpQU
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: My sainted mother...
That's it SWFL, drown us in schmaltz!!!!
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: My sainted mother...
My mother, may she rest in peace, bought me an acoustic guitar when I was 15. She signed me up for a few lessons and the first tune I learned was "Devil's Dream". I had no idea I'd still be playing the same tune at sessions 35 years later.
She also listened to "Woody's Children" on a NY City radio station every Saturday evening at 6 PM. I heard 'folk music' on this station that played classical music for the rest of the week.
She didn't sing or play an instrument but she listened to and loved music. Thanks Mom.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by halfwaythere
Re: My sainted mother...
One of the things that appeals to me most about the music scene connected to THE FOLK SONGS AND TRADITIONAL DANCE TUNES OF IRELAND* (gotta walk on egg shells 'round here ya know) is the generational thing. I like seeing the mix of age groups at shows and sessions.
*usually refered to as 'ITM' by many people on this site, but apparently deemed offensive by others- no offense was intended by any part of this post
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by shanty
Re: My sainted mother...
You were all obviously luckier than me in your choice of mother.
I only ever wanted to play fiddle like my paternal grandfather, but my mother insisted that if I was going to play violoin I must do it properly. And when I said I didn't want to play in the local youth orchestra any more, she stopped my lessons. She also always insisted that I couldn't sing in tune, and it wasn't until I was singing harmonies in a band that people managed to convince me that I actually have a reasonably good voice.
At the moment she is doing the same thing to my daughter - despite the fact that she sings in the local choir, and has won prizes for Socts songs, Granny insists that she can't sing in tune.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by skreech
Re: My sainted mother...
Ah to hell with it....let's go the whole hog!. I use to sing this song when I was a kid and.... no....it's not me singing on here...thanks be to God!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4fXlzhnEwo
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: My sainted mother...
My mother was a music teacher who began teaching me how to play the piano when I was seven and she continued to encourage my musical efforts as I grew up.
My mother's musical deities were people such as Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Brahms, etc. My mother didn't know that there was any type of Irish music besides songs such as "My Wild Irish Rose", "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen", "The Kerry Dancing", "Danny Boy", "Who Put The Overalls In Mistress Murphy's Chowder?", "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", and so on and so forth. When I told her that I was playing piano at Irish Sessions, she wanted to know whether or not we were singing any of these songs and which ones we were singing. My mother was very surprised when I told her that all of these songs were pseudo-Irish or imitation Irish songs and we weren't playing any of them at these sessions.
Instead, I told her that we were playing mostly instrumental music (dance music) and really enjoying it. One of these days, I will succeed in persuading her to attend a local session so she can see how I am (mis)using what she taught me about playing the piano.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: My sainted mother...
My mother taught me that music is not a hobby but a way of life.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by kuec
Re: My sainted mother...
Mamacita was a household name to others, but simply Mamacita to me.
Most boys count on a mother being there after a schoolyard scrape or an alley knifing, but Mamacita seemed always to be away on tour, on location, or making another public appearance. (If memory serves, with a director, a daredevil, or a dictator—always one or the three.)
I received contrived hugs from her whenever I was paraded in front of the paparazzi, standing beside her expensively perfumed self for some studio, label, or politically-oriented publicity. Me: hair combed, bow tie tied, the family badger, Avenger, ever-anxious in my arms.
So, was the lady perfect? Heck no. But Lordy, how she loved her some ITM.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: My sainted mother...
Can't comment on my mother since she walked out on us when I was but a wee one.... my sister and I were raised by a single dad, which back in the 60s was quite a cultural challenge. My mother's sister, my beloved aunty Charmian, stepped in big time and did anything/everything to encourage my musical interests. An accomplished piano player in her own right she happily accompanied me during my twinkle twinkle little star period all the way up to Grade VIII concertos, sonatas and beyond.... may she rest in peace.
# Posted on May 11th 2009 by CW
Re: My sainted mother...
Whenever I see a beautiful garden, I think of my ma. She always grew sweet peas, roses and lilacs. Her garden was real aroma therapy. She loved to sing and I'm certain that I learned music in her womb. In my eyes, she is a saint for enduring the hell on earth.
# Posted on May 13th 2009 by Leendah
Re: My sainted mother...
my mum encouraged us along all the way, favourite song 'The Cliffs of Dooneen' which i learnt especially for her and do for her most gigs, now in her late 70's still going strong
my box playing dad gave me the love of music, 80 this year, i'm finally going to record some stuff with him, with all the time in the world
# Posted on May 19th 2009 by lisaniska