On our return from holiday, and a very nice stay in an amazing place, which an old school friend has a a weekend cottage - cottage ! - it looked bigger than South Fork ! - anyway 'Er Indoors said what we needed was a bed where you could sit up and read, headboard sort of area Chez Nous being taken up by a bookshelf.
So, on re-arranging the bookshelf placement, I discovered my old copy of Ciaran Carson's 'Last Night's Fun'.
What a joy that book is !
May I recommend it heartily to any student of this music.
I do so hope it is still easily available.
Sad to say my copy, given for Christmas some years ago by a dear friend, is beginning to disintegrate at the binding - modern publishers, eh !
I am so glad it's still available - didn't think to check on Amazon or ebay before I originally wrote.. Everyone should read it.
And every so often he comes up with a phrase that's just dying to be a tune title. The man's a genius.
He was a considerable scholar and translator, as well. My copy of Dante's Inferno is his translation. He also wrote a book entitled Irish Traditional Music that I have not seen.
"He was a considerable scholar and translator, as well"
Still is, last I checked.
And yes, LNF is a great fun book. I've loaned away several copies, myself. Don't have one in the library at the moment, but I'm sure I will again.
My copy was given by a friend who got it brand new in a remainder bookshop for five dollars. He said they had a whole pile of them - I'd have bought the lot and given one to every trad musician I know. Pure genius.
LNF sounds like a C18 related neo nazi acronym. Its The Pocket Book of Irish Traditional Music - a wee skinny thing by acorn press - I found a box of them at work a few years ago and gave them away as pressies. The description and advice on playing the bodhran is great '...dont! But if you have to....'
LNF's description of the Ulster fry and it other geographical varients and relations is classic. He has a regular contribution in Journal of Music - very entertaining. I must get a copy of his translation of Táin Bó Cúailnge.
Last Night's Fun
Last Night's Fun
On our return from holiday, and a very nice stay in an amazing place, which an old school friend has a a weekend cottage - cottage ! - it looked bigger than South Fork ! - anyway 'Er Indoors said what we needed was a bed where you could sit up and read, headboard sort of area Chez Nous being taken up by a bookshelf.
So, on re-arranging the bookshelf placement, I discovered my old copy of Ciaran Carson's 'Last Night's Fun'.
What a joy that book is !
May I recommend it heartily to any student of this music.
I do so hope it is still easily available.
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Last Night's Fun
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Nights-Fun-About-Traditional/dp/0865475318/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253628480&sr=1-8
Easy Club.
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Last Night's Fun
I second your recommendation. It's an awesome book that captures the spirit of this music.
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Last Night's Fun
Enjoyed the book, also the band of that name.
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by len
Re: Last Night's Fun
But did you enjoy Sidmouth 2009?
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by Newty
Re: Last Night's Fun
thanks, Pete!I went to Amazon and read the first chapter...what a great read!
I gotta get a copy of this when I get paid again
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: Last Night's Fun
Who else but that fluter and poet could have given us the greatest ever mnemonic device for the Irish Slide?
'blah dithery dump a doodle scattery idle fortunoodle'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciar%C3%A1n_Carson#Critical_Perspective
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Last Night's Fun
Oh, I thought that was a recipe.
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by Bob himself
Re: Last Night's Fun
Sad to say my copy, given for Christmas some years ago by a dear friend, is beginning to disintegrate at the binding - modern publishers, eh !
I am so glad it's still available - didn't think to check on Amazon or ebay before I originally wrote.. Everyone should read it.
And every so often he comes up with a phrase that's just dying to be a tune title. The man's a genius.
# Posted on September 22nd 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Last Night's Fun
He was a considerable scholar and translator, as well. My copy of Dante's Inferno is his translation. He also wrote a book entitled Irish Traditional Music that I have not seen.
# Posted on September 23rd 2009 by will morgan
Re: Last Night's Fun
Thanks for that, GP. I've just ordered a copy (the shipping cost more than the book!).
# Posted on September 23rd 2009 by oldstrings
Re: Last Night's Fun
"He was a considerable scholar and translator, as well"
Still is, last I checked.
And yes, LNF is a great fun book. I've loaned away several copies, myself. Don't have one in the library at the moment, but I'm sure I will again.
# Posted on September 23rd 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Last Night's Fun
My copy was given by a friend who got it brand new in a remainder bookshop for five dollars. He said they had a whole pile of them - I'd have bought the lot and given one to every trad musician I know. Pure genius.
# Posted on September 23rd 2009 by bc_box_player
Re: Last Night's Fun
I've just ordered a copy on Amazon as well... Looks and sounds like a great book.
Thanks for the tip Pete!
# Posted on September 23rd 2009 by Ciarán.
Re: Last Night's Fun
Yes, a great book. Anyone know where I get a copy of Seamus Tansey's first book "Bardic Apostles of Innisfree" from 1999, for a decent price? The one on Amazon is going for 56 quid!!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bardic-Apostles-Innisfree-Seamus-Tansey/dp/0953429407
# Posted on September 23rd 2009 by Steamwilkes
Re: Last Night's Fun
I'm on my 4th or 5th copy of LNF. The copies mysteriously disappear anytime someone borrows one.
I like to reread it every year or two. I get something new out of it each time. The longer I play, the more sense it makes.
# Posted on September 24th 2009 by jeff_willner
Re: Last Night's Fun
LNF sounds like a C18 related neo nazi acronym. Its The Pocket Book of Irish Traditional Music - a wee skinny thing by acorn press - I found a box of them at work a few years ago and gave them away as pressies. The description and advice on playing the bodhran is great '...dont! But if you have to....'
LNF's description of the Ulster fry and it other geographical varients and relations is classic. He has a regular contribution in Journal of Music - very entertaining. I must get a copy of his translation of Táin Bó Cúailnge.
# Posted on September 24th 2009 by iwerzon
Re: Last Night's Fun
CC's description if the big breakfast (is it an Ulster Fry?) makes my belly rumble every time I read it!
For me the book really captures the session atmosphere, good and bad, and what it's like to have a deep passion for trad music.
Reading the book is the next best thing to being at a session.
# Posted on September 25th 2009 by d0tter