Where I am Donegal music is all the rage, it's fun, driving & social (by that I mean the tunes are pretty easy to pick up by ear & tend to be in one to two sharps). I've been digging into alot of Scottish music too (strathspeys, etc). So... What up in your neck of the woods?
Ummm... On the fiddle, strathspeys and highlands plus the usual assortment of jigs and reels picked up here and there. On the harp, hornpipes, I especially like solo set dance tunes at the moment (which my flute playing friend grudgingly tolerates... . Also, some tunes from Bretagne, Normandy and Galicia.
My local session, that I am unfortunately unable to attend nearly as often as I would like, has some good folks. Very much ITM all the way, and a good mix of slow airs played very well show up here and there. I play mando, not a good instrument for airs, but the pipers and whistlers do well here in that regard and I love to sit and nurse my pint at those moments, and just listen.
Around Limerick, a lot of what is played are tunes by Brendan Ring, Dave Munnelly Band and Niall Vallely (inc. Buille and Nomos). I, myself, am learning a lot of old solid reels - handy if John Carty is teaching you after all. I'm looking to Andy McGann, Roger Sherlock, Sean Maguire, John Blake, Harry Bradley, Mick Mulcahy etc for inspiration.
Also plenty of stuff circulating from John Brady and Charlie Lennon as far as composers go.
On the two-and-a-half row D/G melodeon, Seventies M.O.R. I'd be a long way through the Susan Boyle album but for the fact my sister turned up at Christmas and I'd forgotten to get her a prezzie, so she got it...I may or may not re-purchase it. She's good. At least she can hold a note. Susan Boyle, that is. Not sure about my sister.
Yes - on the box I'm enjoying playing all sorts of naff stuff of a tuneful and agreeable nature, stuff my teenage shell-likes were taking in when I didn't know more about Irish music than Seven Drunken Nights.
On the whistle, same old piney, peaky stuff as before...
Susan Boyle! I have had the misfortune of hearing a few tracks off it and it is desperately bad especially her woeful attempt at "Wild Horses" Who does she think she is? If you want to listen to a fantastic recent album, try "Sigh No More" by Mumford & Sons
I can't wait to hear subo play. Maybe she has a good voice but what I've heard of the album is the absolute pits. Anyone who calls this music dosen't know what their talking about. Probably go down well with christian fundamentalists, tho.
I've been into West Clare music for a while, and I just picked up concertina as well, so I've been listening to a lot of Nell Galvin and John Kelly - the West Clare giants on both fiddle and concertina. I've also been on the Raineys too...their music is intoxicating and wild.
Sorry, last post off topic but, I couldn't resist.
So.
Been workin on mixing open and closed piping technique. Playing hornpipes more than I used to for practicing it.
For some reason I've been on a set dance jag, playing The Drunken Gauger, The Ace and Deuce of Pipering and The Job of Journeywork; and blowing the dust off The Three Sea Captains, Galtee Hunt, The King of the Fairies and St Patrick's Day. Those extra B-part measures keep me on my toes.
I have transcribed and rearranged at least 10 tunes from the last two Carroll/Doyle recordings - to work for dancing in 32 bar forms.
The crowd LOVES them.
There's nothing wrong with bluegrass. It's the fine product of millions of Scots-Irish immigrants, only the whiskey isn't quite as good. It deserves to be mentioned here from time to time, as it is certainly derivative, as long as one doesn't have the audacity to think it's the same music. My ancestors were Irish Quakers, who certainly had their hand in the music of the Appalachians. If I had enough time on my hands I would probably dabble in it, but I barely have enough time for ITM as it is.
Heh. I like Jim Beam. It's often my staple whiskey because of the quality/cost equation. When compared to, say, Tullamore Dew, I don't think the quality can be argued.
@Jimmy B:" Heh. I like Jim Beam. "
Hey, why did I guess that? Yer American aren't ye?
Connemara Cask Strength will be even better - for yer listenig, if not yer playin'- if you can get it that is.
cheers, guys. Play on!
Thanks for the tip, Duijera, I'll see if I can locate some one of these days. I wouldn't be surprised if my father-in-law has not only heard of it, but could get ahold of some.
Don't just ahold of it, mate...drink it! Beside a *real* turf fire, with some real deal music - in the west of Ireland, my American friend. Jimmy B and Southern Comfort is the sweet deal...Connemara Full Strength is the real deal. (I do not own shares in this company, I just love the music, dude!)
Can't stand Southern Comfort. Nasty stuff. I don't know about being in the west of Ireland, as when I visit it's to see my wife's family in Belfast. Perhaps on the Antrim Coast then. Supposedly my ancestors hail from the Donegal area, which is not far from Antrim at all, and I've made the insistence that the next time we go we must travel there. I would try and fake the real turf fire here in the states, but I don't think that would fly in Arizona.
Ye liike Jimmy Beam but not Southern?! Ok; ye must be a southern northerner! That's ok.
Dude, you won't find much genuwine turf in Belfast, ye'll need to get to Clare or someplace like that to get the turf, the fire and the Connemara whisky. If he have Donegal, ye'll settle in quick, I think. (Don't light turf fires in Arizona while drinking whisky...they'll lock ye up.)
Belfast, Donegal and Jimmy Beam? Failing the turf fire, this one must be for you, my fine protestant friend. Settle in with the tipple of yer choice to this (there is a better version, but not on ye tube yet);l cheers my friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9xAGo9XyAM
Heh heh. I'm a westerner, actually, I keep a safe distance from the north/south thing. Incidentally, I've sat by a turf fire or two in Antrim, but not in Belfast proper, to be sure. My experience thus far has been only in the north, but I am determined to see at least some of the rest of that isle, for f***'s sake.
turf in the west of Ireland is not the same as in Antrim, you are missing out bigtime! Be a devil, go for the south thing for a while, a tipple of Connemara whisky and some music down Clare way.
I dare ye!
We've gotten on quite a tangent, mate. I've never brought up religion on the mustard boards, but I'll do it just this once.
I don't know if you are referring to my Quaker ancestors, but I am not a protestant. I've married into a catholic family, but my own family is not very religious at all.
Interesting history, the Quakers. They are actually very much their own thing, and even the protestant sects see them as different. They are more universalist than protestant, and in fact were deeply involved with founding such activist groups as Amnesty International and Green Peace. I learned, from my catholic father-in-law of all places, that during the famine in Ireland the Quakers were among the only people that had an open-door policy to both sides when it came to providing food and shelter. A very philanthropic lot, the Quakers.
I'm sorry to have gone so off-topic. Please, somebody steer it back.
Heh. I've played with a box player from Clare who spend part of her time in Ireland and part of her time in the states. She's very good. A bit intimidating to play with actually, with my limited experience and all.
@Jimmy B, re the Quakers.
Yer not at all off-topic my friend, it is all to the collective wisdom and generousity. Enjoy the music wherever ye are, and the whisky if you can get it. Cheers.
I wouldn't know about that, nicholas. A distant relative or two of mine may, however. Remember, just as there are regional differences in culture there on that group of islands off the coast of Europe, so there are here in North America, combined with much larger distances.
I just had the impression the Scots-Irish didn't quite land the American Dream to the extent that some other groups did - that the Anglos colonised New England first, and the SI had to go on and settle the Appalachians and live on hardscrabble; and that the post-Famine Irish and the Italians, heading for the cities, ended up with a lot more power, money etc. as national sub-groups than the SI.
Though I think I would much rather sit in an Appalachian porch drinking moonshine than be a godfather. Besides, I am not bright enough to be a godfather.
Actually, Nicholas, some of the people who originally colonised New England left that part of the United States and moved west after the unusually cold, wet, and snowy (yes, snowy) summer of 1816 or 1817. The unusual weather supposedly was caused by too many volcanic eruptions in the previous years around the Pacific Ocean. All of the erupting volcanos released too much dust and ash into the atmosphere which caused the unusual changes in the climate of Canada, New England, and northern Europe.
What stuff are you playing these days?
What stuff are you playing these days?
Where I am Donegal music is all the rage, it's fun, driving & social (by that I mean the tunes are pretty easy to pick up by ear & tend to be in one to two sharps). I've been digging into alot of Scottish music too (strathspeys, etc). So... What up in your neck of the woods?
# Posted on February 5th 2010 by Mad Baloney
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Ummm... On the fiddle, strathspeys and highlands plus the usual assortment of jigs and reels picked up here and there. On the harp, hornpipes, I especially like solo set dance tunes at the moment (which my flute playing friend grudgingly tolerates...
. Also, some tunes from Bretagne, Normandy and Galicia.
# Posted on February 5th 2010 by noranoreen
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
My local session, that I am unfortunately unable to attend nearly as often as I would like, has some good folks. Very much ITM all the way, and a good mix of slow airs played very well show up here and there. I play mando, not a good instrument for airs, but the pipers and whistlers do well here in that regard and I love to sit and nurse my pint at those moments, and just listen.
# Posted on February 5th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Around Limerick, a lot of what is played are tunes by Brendan Ring, Dave Munnelly Band and Niall Vallely (inc. Buille and Nomos). I, myself, am learning a lot of old solid reels - handy if John Carty is teaching you after all. I'm looking to Andy McGann, Roger Sherlock, Sean Maguire, John Blake, Harry Bradley, Mick Mulcahy etc for inspiration.
Also plenty of stuff circulating from John Brady and Charlie Lennon as far as composers go.
# Posted on February 5th 2010 by 52Paddy
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
On the two-and-a-half row D/G melodeon, Seventies M.O.R. I'd be a long way through the Susan Boyle album but for the fact my sister turned up at Christmas and I'd forgotten to get her a prezzie, so she got it...I may or may not re-purchase it. She's good. At least she can hold a note. Susan Boyle, that is. Not sure about my sister.
Yes - on the box I'm enjoying playing all sorts of naff stuff of a tuneful and agreeable nature, stuff my teenage shell-likes were taking in when I didn't know more about Irish music than Seven Drunken Nights.
On the whistle, same old piney, peaky stuff as before...
# Posted on February 5th 2010 by nicholas
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Susan Boyle! I have had the misfortune of hearing a few tracks off it and it is desperately bad especially her woeful attempt at "Wild Horses" Who does she think she is? If you want to listen to a fantastic recent album, try "Sigh No More" by Mumford & Sons
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by strayaway
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
What's wrong with Susan Boyle? Desperately bad? What, according to you? Can't wait to hear you play, chum.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Ailin
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
I can't wait to hear subo play. Maybe she has a good voice but what I've heard of the album is the absolute pits. Anyone who calls this music dosen't know what their talking about. Probably go down well with christian fundamentalists, tho.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by strayaway
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
I've been into West Clare music for a while, and I just picked up concertina as well, so I've been listening to a lot of Nell Galvin and John Kelly - the West Clare giants on both fiddle and concertina. I've also been on the Raineys too...their music is intoxicating and wild.
--Danjo
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Danjo
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Tis called fundaMENTAList fer a reason, yup that it is, yuppers.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Gone to work
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Sorry, last post off topic but, I couldn't resist.
So.
Been workin on mixing open and closed piping technique. Playing hornpipes more than I used to for practicing it.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Gone to work
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Badminton
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by D.J.F.
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
For some reason I've been on a set dance jag, playing The Drunken Gauger, The Ace and Deuce of Pipering and The Job of Journeywork; and blowing the dust off The Three Sea Captains, Galtee Hunt, The King of the Fairies and St Patrick's Day. Those extra B-part measures keep me on my toes.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by fidkid
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
almost have the Banks Hornpipe under the fingers...got it in the head...just need to transfer it...
also the Skinner tune Mar Castle...got the shifts and all...just needs polishing...
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Sunnybear
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
I have transcribed and rearranged at least 10 tunes from the last two Carroll/Doyle recordings - to work for dancing in 32 bar forms.
The crowd LOVES them.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Toppish
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
"I'm not a badmintonist in real life, but I play one on the mustard board."
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
In memory of Coleman, Beare Island, the Fahey jig as played by
M Hayes, Pat the Budgey
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Hup
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
101 tunes for the ocarina.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Bluegrass
....oops! did I say that out loud?
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by RichardB
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
There's nothing wrong with bluegrass. It's the fine product of millions of Scots-Irish immigrants, only the whiskey isn't quite as good. It deserves to be mentioned here from time to time, as it is certainly derivative, as long as one doesn't have the audacity to think it's the same music. My ancestors were Irish Quakers, who certainly had their hand in the music of the Appalachians. If I had enough time on my hands I would probably dabble in it, but I barely have enough time for ITM as it is.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
@Jimmy B: "only the whiskey isn't quite as good." ?!
I dunno, the Jimmy Beam is pretty good too!
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Heh. I like Jim Beam. It's often my staple whiskey because of the quality/cost equation. When compared to, say, Tullamore Dew, I don't think the quality can be argued.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Must get some - will it improve my old-time fiddling?
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by RichardB
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
@Jimmy B:" Heh. I like Jim Beam. "
Hey, why did I guess that? Yer American aren't ye?
Connemara Cask Strength will be even better - for yer listenig, if not yer playin'- if you can get it that is.
cheers, guys. Play on!
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Only when shared with others playing the same music.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Yer sharn' it with others right here, mate. Go fer't.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Thanks for the tip, Duijera, I'll see if I can locate some one of these days. I wouldn't be surprised if my father-in-law has not only heard of it, but could get ahold of some.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Don't just ahold of it, mate...drink it! Beside a *real* turf fire, with some real deal music - in the west of Ireland, my American friend. Jimmy B and Southern Comfort is the sweet deal...Connemara Full Strength is the real deal. (I do not own shares in this company, I just love the music, dude!)
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Can't stand Southern Comfort. Nasty stuff. I don't know about being in the west of Ireland, as when I visit it's to see my wife's family in Belfast. Perhaps on the Antrim Coast then. Supposedly my ancestors hail from the Donegal area, which is not far from Antrim at all, and I've made the insistence that the next time we go we must travel there. I would try and fake the real turf fire here in the states, but I don't think that would fly in Arizona.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Ye liike Jimmy Beam but not Southern?! Ok; ye must be a southern northerner! That's ok.
Dude, you won't find much genuwine turf in Belfast, ye'll need to get to Clare or someplace like that to get the turf, the fire and the Connemara whisky. If he have Donegal, ye'll settle in quick, I think. (Don't light turf fires in Arizona while drinking whisky...they'll lock ye up.)
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Belfast, Donegal and Jimmy Beam? Failing the turf fire, this one must be for you, my fine protestant friend. Settle in with the tipple of yer choice to this (there is a better version, but not on ye tube yet);l cheers my friend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9xAGo9XyAM
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Heh heh. I'm a westerner, actually, I keep a safe distance from the north/south thing. Incidentally, I've sat by a turf fire or two in Antrim, but not in Belfast proper, to be sure. My experience thus far has been only in the north, but I am determined to see at least some of the rest of that isle, for f***'s sake.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
turf in the west of Ireland is not the same as in Antrim, you are missing out bigtime! Be a devil, go for the south thing for a while, a tipple of Connemara whisky and some music down Clare way.
I dare ye!
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
We've gotten on quite a tangent, mate.
I've never brought up religion on the mustard boards, but I'll do it just this once.
I don't know if you are referring to my Quaker ancestors, but I am not a protestant. I've married into a catholic family, but my own family is not very religious at all.
Interesting history, the Quakers. They are actually very much their own thing, and even the protestant sects see them as different. They are more universalist than protestant, and in fact were deeply involved with founding such activist groups as Amnesty International and Green Peace. I learned, from my catholic father-in-law of all places, that during the famine in Ireland the Quakers were among the only people that had an open-door policy to both sides when it came to providing food and shelter. A very philanthropic lot, the Quakers.
I'm sorry to have gone so off-topic. Please, somebody steer it back.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Heh. I've played with a box player from Clare who spend part of her time in Ireland and part of her time in the states. She's very good. A bit intimidating to play with actually, with my limited experience and all.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Go to the session on Inisheer - they don't speak English there; (unless they want to).
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
I thought that the Scots-Irish over there drank moonshine and strychnine.
I gather people drink the latter to test their faith. In Tennessee, at any rate. I've seen it on the telly.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by nicholas
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
You mean the island? I've heard of it. I would love that. You're making my paws itch, DD.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
If they survive, it proves they're Scots-Irish...
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by nicholas
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Moonshine and Strychnine. I think I hear a tune title there.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
@Jimmy B, re the Quakers.
Yer not at all off-topic my friend, it is all to the collective wisdom and generousity. Enjoy the music wherever ye are, and the whisky if you can get it. Cheers.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
I wouldn't know about that, nicholas. A distant relative or two of mine may, however. Remember, just as there are regional differences in culture there on that group of islands off the coast of Europe, so there are here in North America, combined with much larger distances.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
I don't doubt that for a moment, Jimmy!
I just had the impression the Scots-Irish didn't quite land the American Dream to the extent that some other groups did - that the Anglos colonised New England first, and the SI had to go on and settle the Appalachians and live on hardscrabble; and that the post-Famine Irish and the Italians, heading for the cities, ended up with a lot more power, money etc. as national sub-groups than the SI.
Though I think I would much rather sit in an Appalachian porch drinking moonshine than be a godfather. Besides, I am not bright enough to be a godfather.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by nicholas
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
nicholas, your history is about as spot on as it can be.
# Posted on February 7th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: What stuff are you playing these days?
Actually, Nicholas, some of the people who originally colonised New England left that part of the United States and moved west after the unusually cold, wet, and snowy (yes, snowy) summer of 1816 or 1817. The unusual weather supposedly was caused by too many volcanic eruptions in the previous years around the Pacific Ocean. All of the erupting volcanos released too much dust and ash into the atmosphere which caused the unusual changes in the climate of Canada, New England, and northern Europe.
# Posted on February 10th 2010 by fauxcelt