The thing about the Chieftains is this: they are like Norman Rockwell.
Being an artist, and having studied illustration in college, we spent some time dissecting Norman Rockwell (his paintings, not the man). I bet most people have never done that, right? Norman Rockwell was an extremely gifted draftsman, believe me. But we have come to see his work far too much in the US as a sort of badge of all that is wholesome and good. Life magazine, welcome back from the war, ooh look it's Christmas etc etc etc...
But he was a damned fine artist.
Same with the Chieftains. Paddy Moloney is a genius!!!! Does it get any better than Matt Molloy? You couldn't criticize their abilities, and you have to respect the fact that they've been the starting point for many people's further exploration of the greatness that is ITM.
I think the discomfort in admitting to liking them comes from the association of them playing to millions of Aran jumper-wearing Yamks whose knowledge of ITM starts and ends with Danny Boy.
Yes, I like the Chieftains, they are amazing. I also like Karen Carpenter. You just have to be able to isolate the thing they did from what their audience does with it.
Their first 5 CDs were amazing. And the "Celtic Wedding" CD is a very nice piece of chamber folk, really gorgeous stuff. Same goes for "Santiago".
Paddy Moloney NEEDS to do a solo album on the UP while he can still manage it. Sean Keane has a couple of solo albums, so does Matt Molloy. So why not Paddy? He's a great piper and I don't think you'll find too many to dispute his prowess on the chanter.
I can understand why they might choose to do the pop and country collaborations, but I don't like the end products very much.
Still, when they're doing what they do best they are impressive, even without Derek Bell (RIP) or Martin Fahy.
No I don't. I've always found them too clinical and devoid of spontaneous expression. I've 2 vinyls, and never play them.
I went to see them in the mid 70s while at University in Bradford. I thought Paddy Moloney tried too hard to inject artificial Irish abandon, by doing obviously choreographed 'Whoop's every now and again when there was a good turn in the tunes. They were technically excellent, but I'd rather hear the odd 'mistake' and experience real feelings in the music.
A fortnight later Planxty were on at the Irish centre in Leeds. No comparison. The music may have been a bit more ragged, but I was excited, inspired, and it was a formative experience I still remember and cherish.
Then came the Bothy band a few months later, and after that, for me, the Chieftains were interesting, but history.
I was in the second row at UCLA the Chieftains hit town in 1975?? and was overcome by the music ( more like blasted away by the music). Still am, but slower on the uptake to buy the CDs. Thanks to Paddy, I really wanted to play the pipes; 25+ years later I finally got 1/2 set.
Great to hear all this - now I can relax in the knowledge that in the 70's (heard them live, a couple of times, in Toronto) - I was blown away by what I heard. That was the start of my love of this music, (besides some minimal amount I heard as a kid in Birmingham, England).
My taste is not out to lunch after all!
I love The Chieftains. I am as big, if not bigger fan than you Jeremy, if that is possible. I have been listening to them since I was 3, I am now 19. I thought I would never get to hear them live but have tickets for their concert in Glasgow in September, and can't wait. I have read you have met them and played with them. Do you think there would be a chance of me getting to meet them at the concert?
The Chieftains introduced me to Irish music one day when I happened to tune them in on my radio back in 1975. I thought it was the best renaissance music I ever heard. When I found out it was Irish music -- I was amazed, because until then the only Irish music I knew of was in Disney movies. (embarrassing revelation here) Over the next few years I ran through about the same chronology of events that Pete describes and they became history for me as well.
Cthuilleannpiper’s “chamberfolk” sums up my impression with one word very nicely, but as others have said – you can’t deny the brilliance in their playing. The collaborative stuff from recent years strikes me as commercial gimmickry, but they have certainly done more than their share of introducing ITM to the world. I suppose they are Irish ambassadors of sorts -- for it’s music. They’ve been on every continent, and maybe in every country where there’s an Irish embassy – that’s pretty impressive.
If the Chieftains showed up for a tune at our local sesh I’d be delighted of course, and would really enjoy meeting the one’s I haven’t already. But when they’re playing in the area I don’t feel compelled to go see them. They continue to fill the venues they play in – so there’s no lack of fans. Maybe I’m just a snob now – I don’t know. I used to see them every time they came to town back in the 70s. I used to go see Altan every time as well, (80s & 90s,) but I haven’t in recent years. But the Altan gang does show up at our local sesh sometimes – and it’s fantastic when they do.
I’m going to stop writing now because it seems like I should be telling this to a shrink instead of you folks. Maybe an interesting thread could be started about why we tend to ignore ITM bands when they get too successful… or maybe not considering the responses I seem to get for my thread ideas.
More power to the Chieftains, I hope they keep going. I’ll always be grateful to them for bringing ITM into my world.
I don't admire their music as a group, especially when mixed with the Rolling Stones. but love Matt M. solo and recognize their huge influence (hah, recognize!! Someone's big-headed around here!)
Clinical, as pete says. And I've always thought so. I don't know what it is - These guys who are all great musicians individually, the sound they generate together can be, IMHO, woeful and unrepresentative of the quality of Irish music. Maybe it's the production, and that thing of making a bunch of tunes, maybe starting with a slow air then a slip jig, then a reel, etc., turning it into an almost classical *suite* rather than a rake of oul' tunes. AND they are from the o'Riada stable, so Boehm flutes, banjos and piano boxes would be banished as blow-in instruments, so that's me andy and pete f?cked for starters. paddy does have a lovely daughter though (name drop).
I like the Chieftains.
I've always thought of them as being a sort of chamber music group and I don't have a problem with that. Despite their enormous popularity they haven't exactly sparked off a massive surge in "chamber-Irish" groups so I don't see how anyone can complain about their influence - what influence?.
They're different from other Irish groups I know of, always have been and long may they continue to be.
I like most of their experimentation and collaborations too, which seem to be particularly disliked by sessioneers. I was at Ingliston when they first got together with Van Morrison (and if you want to talk about HIM, go start another thread!), due to a mix-up in flights, in 1979. That was a great night.
Vive la difference.
I might like them, but then I might not, I'm not sure, well I sort of am sure, but kind of like not, if you see what I mean... sorry I'm feeling kind of vauge today
To be honest, and I've said this before, I usually go for CD's of one, or two, players these days. But even that can be toopolished for me and I like tapes of sessions even better. but the best has to be a full-on, heads-down, eyeballs-out *session* Beats any CD.
If you take your eyeballs out how will you enjoy watching the babes? (this isn't sexist BTW, babes can refer to the opposite of either sex) (this isn't homo-phobic either because babes can also just refer to whatever your preference is) (in Dow's case it could refer to livestock, but they don't allow any of them in the pub fortunately)
Sorry Jonathan, but I don't really like them as a group. It's their arrangments. As several other have said, it's kinda similar to chamber music. The way they change something for every part of the tune (not always, but often) bugs me.
well,paddy maloney was pretty good value when he was on desert island discs,i remember.
i have got an earlier album of theirs which i have n't listened to in years but at the risk of being shot down in flames i've got a soft spot for the album they did with well-known funster,van the man.the version of 'i'll tell my ma' is a hoot.i could have done with more of that ending though,lambeg & all.
but i would tend to listen to other players/groups first,i think.
i quite like sean keane's playing.it's a bit fierce sometimes and there's one recording he did of the steampacket where you'll swear his fiddle is about explode and burst into flames.i know he's too much for some people's taste but we'll leave it at that before dow's shit-detector hits the fan.
there's an old joke about the fan hitting the -
but you all know it anyway...
I don't know loads of their stuff, but I think they actually have a lot of character that manages to come through alongside the 'orchestrated' nature of their music. Which just shows to me that spontaneity is overrated. And after reading a bio on them I am genuinely impressed by Paddy's perseverence and curiosity about music all over the world.
Here's an interesting mental excercise: Imagine if The Chieftains were a brand new band. What would we think if we had never heard of them before and they all of a sudden appeared on the scene with their chamberfolk craic? Would we all dig it, or think it was twee?
Yes, I like the Cheiftains. Or, at least I did until I first heard their recording with Van Morrison. I'd like VM better, maybe, if he'd spit out the marbles. I hope Van Morrison doesn't vist this board, because I don't want to hurt his feelings by knocking his music.
I find the comments about "clinical" a bit strange. Would you have wanted them to make deliberate mistakes? If someone plays a wrong note or is a bit "ruff round the edges" at your session, do you go "oh wow they're so dirty and trad and cool", or do you shoot them a death glare and hijack their set? Or does it depend on who's watching?
Dow, you might be missing the point slightly. Either that or you're hoping Paddy M. reads this and might want to try collaberating with something different and weird like an English concertina. hahahaha
Yay. If playing wrong notes is in fashion at the moment I think I might at long last be able to start playing some tunes on my concertina in sessions (even though my concertina itself is very untrendy).
I think the Chieftains were a starting point in Irish music for a lot of people, myself included. I saw them live about 10 years ago, and they were great. The concert got me interested in Irish music, and from there I discovered other great Irish bands and solo musicians.
So as far as being a very accessable band to the general public, and serving as a bit of a "Irish Music 101", I think they definitely fill a niche.
I tend to think of them like my very first instrument; I have come a long way, and have moved on/upgraded to a better instrument, but they were the first, so I will always have a fond spot for them
Jonathan, you do "harp" on [sorry!] quite a bit about the Chieftans. If you're not careful it'll become a running yellaboard joke, and people like Jack will keep on making anserine comments about it and then opening his mouth wide and going hahahaha What other bands/musicians do you like?
By the way, Jack, you mentioned how I might hope that Paddy reads my posting. Well actually, Paddy's one of my best mates and I know he reads my stuff. He keeps e-mailing me, begging me to collaborate with him, but I've had to turn him down time and time again as I'm snowed under what with all the gigs I'm doing with Matt at the mo, you know how it is. Well, heh, perhaps you don't. Anyway, I hope he doesn't take it as a snub. I'm sure he won't cuz he's a good sort.
BTW next time Altan drop in on your session can you tell Mairead she left her jacket at my place? Ta.
Haha well actualy I like Danu and ahha, god forbid, Natalie MacMaster and some of Buddy MacMaster's stuff which I know isn't Irish. I dont know, its just sort of like when your in first grade or some odd thing or a small child and someone makes fun of you mother and you get very defensive about it and want to punch that person. The Chieftains are still by far my favourite band and will probably always will be. haha, I'll be black balled for that one. Well Jack, I guess you have lots of ammunition now!
Concertinas here: ..hmm all the links I tried have expired.
I would like to know where everyone stands on either side of this watershed:
When Tom Jones sang Tennesse Waltz with the Chieftains (reportedly in Frank Zappa's house. Frank Zappa discussions over ... somewhere else) wasn't that just the greates/worst thing you ever heard?
No, don't like them as a group but greatly admire Matt Molloy. The others I can take or leave. Their music as a group just leaves me cold although I can see their appeal to the mass market.
If Dow and I had or own thread or discussion forum to battle out the whole English / Anglo concertina thing -- it wouldn't be any fun at all. Think of it as a re-occurring motif that embellishes all the threads that are actually about something.
I can enjoy the Chieftains, but their instrumentation can be somewhat irritating to me. They have two fiddles, harp, pipes, and flute. All these instruments play in the same pitch, which for me gets to be grating. If not for the bodhran, there would be no bottom to the music at all. I like some guitar and bass when there are that many instruments playing at once. Otherwise, I prefer a smaller ensemble. Still, they have the distinction of never sounding like anybody else, and I do have recordings that I like to play.
Ah, thanks MollyB, I was beginning to think I was the only one left uninspired by the great Chieftains. Maybe like I was suffering from some sort of inverted snobbery: 'famous bands I have decided not to like because everyone else raves about them'.
This is not the case at all of course, it's just that you know what you feel when you hear it, and there's no shame in being honest about it.
Every time I see Paddy Moloney on the tv flogging their latest project, I always think to myself, "Spock? Spock, is it really you?" Or maybe they just have the same hairdresser.
He's a master of self-promotion though, which is why they do well in a business where that's the stock in trade, rather than the music itself. Bloody Vulcans!
would I be hung if I suggested the Chieftains are the elevator music of traditional music?
woops, bet I'll be run off the site now for the second time.
i have to confess i have never heard anything by the chieftains... every time i see one of their albums in the shops i think, naah, not on my priority list. so... should i get one of their albums, and if so, which one?
I saw the Chieftans live for the first time last January, and decided that I really like each of the musicians individally, but together they're lesser than the sum of their parts. (I also felt like I'd have to kill someone if I'd spent as long as they have on the road, repeating stuff every night, but that's another thread, I'm sure...)
Sorry - call me a snob!
Deirdre
The Chieftains
The Chieftains
alright, here's a simple question and sort of a conversation I had with an uilleann piper in Bar Harbor, Maine. And here is the question.
Do you like The Chieftains?
Be as vauge or as detailed as you wish.
# Posted on July 10th 2004 by Harper_Lad
Re: The Chieftains
The thing about the Chieftains is this: they are like Norman Rockwell.
Being an artist, and having studied illustration in college, we spent some time dissecting Norman Rockwell (his paintings, not the man). I bet most people have never done that, right? Norman Rockwell was an extremely gifted draftsman, believe me. But we have come to see his work far too much in the US as a sort of badge of all that is wholesome and good. Life magazine, welcome back from the war, ooh look it's Christmas etc etc etc...
But he was a damned fine artist.
Same with the Chieftains. Paddy Moloney is a genius!!!! Does it get any better than Matt Molloy? You couldn't criticize their abilities, and you have to respect the fact that they've been the starting point for many people's further exploration of the greatness that is ITM.
I think the discomfort in admitting to liking them comes from the association of them playing to millions of Aran jumper-wearing Yamks whose knowledge of ITM starts and ends with Danny Boy.
Yes, I like the Chieftains, they are amazing. I also like Karen Carpenter. You just have to be able to isolate the thing they did from what their audience does with it.
# Posted on July 10th 2004 by gladys
Re: The Chieftains
...ps, if you think you don't like The Chieftains, listen to Bonaparte's Retreat, and think again.
# Posted on July 10th 2004 by gladys
Re: The Chieftains
Their first 5 CDs were amazing. And the "Celtic Wedding" CD is a very nice piece of chamber folk, really gorgeous stuff. Same goes for "Santiago".
Paddy Moloney NEEDS to do a solo album on the UP while he can still manage it. Sean Keane has a couple of solo albums, so does Matt Molloy. So why not Paddy? He's a great piper and I don't think you'll find too many to dispute his prowess on the chanter.
I can understand why they might choose to do the pop and country collaborations, but I don't like the end products very much.
Still, when they're doing what they do best they are impressive, even without Derek Bell (RIP) or Martin Fahy.
# Posted on July 10th 2004 by Hanley
Re: The Chieftains
No I don't. I've always found them too clinical and devoid of spontaneous expression. I've 2 vinyls, and never play them.
I went to see them in the mid 70s while at University in Bradford. I thought Paddy Moloney tried too hard to inject artificial Irish abandon, by doing obviously choreographed 'Whoop's every now and again when there was a good turn in the tunes. They were technically excellent, but I'd rather hear the odd 'mistake' and experience real feelings in the music.
A fortnight later Planxty were on at the Irish centre in Leeds. No comparison. The music may have been a bit more ragged, but I was excited, inspired, and it was a formative experience I still remember and cherish.
Then came the Bothy band a few months later, and after that, for me, the Chieftains were interesting, but history.
Individually, I love Matt Molloy's flute playing.
# Posted on July 10th 2004 by petemay
Re: The Chieftains
I was in the second row at UCLA the Chieftains hit town in 1975?? and was overcome by the music ( more like blasted away by the music). Still am, but slower on the uptake to buy the CDs. Thanks to Paddy, I really wanted to play the pipes; 25+ years later I finally got 1/2 set.
And the rest is history
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by I_Fel
Re: The Chieftains
Yes, but they are best judged on their live performances rather than on some of the "experimental album collaborations".
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by John J.
Re: The Chieftains
Great to hear all this - now I can relax in the knowledge that in the 70's (heard them live, a couple of times, in Toronto) - I was blown away by what I heard. That was the start of my love of this music, (besides some minimal amount I heard as a kid in Birmingham, England).
My taste is not out to lunch after all!
Thanks.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by fiddlefingers
Re: The Chieftains
I love The Chieftains. I am as big, if not bigger fan than you Jeremy, if that is possible. I have been listening to them since I was 3, I am now 19. I thought I would never get to hear them live but have tickets for their concert in Glasgow in September, and can't wait. I have read you have met them and played with them. Do you think there would be a chance of me getting to meet them at the concert?
All the best,
Iain
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by iainsm
Re: The Chieftains
The Chieftains introduced me to Irish music one day when I happened to tune them in on my radio back in 1975. I thought it was the best renaissance music I ever heard. When I found out it was Irish music -- I was amazed, because until then the only Irish music I knew of was in Disney movies. (embarrassing revelation here) Over the next few years I ran through about the same chronology of events that Pete describes and they became history for me as well.
Cthuilleannpiper’s “chamberfolk” sums up my impression with one word very nicely, but as others have said – you can’t deny the brilliance in their playing. The collaborative stuff from recent years strikes me as commercial gimmickry, but they have certainly done more than their share of introducing ITM to the world. I suppose they are Irish ambassadors of sorts -- for it’s music. They’ve been on every continent, and maybe in every country where there’s an Irish embassy – that’s pretty impressive.
If the Chieftains showed up for a tune at our local sesh I’d be delighted of course, and would really enjoy meeting the one’s I haven’t already. But when they’re playing in the area I don’t feel compelled to go see them. They continue to fill the venues they play in – so there’s no lack of fans. Maybe I’m just a snob now – I don’t know. I used to see them every time they came to town back in the 70s. I used to go see Altan every time as well, (80s & 90s,) but I haven’t in recent years. But the Altan gang does show up at our local sesh sometimes – and it’s fantastic when they do.
I’m going to stop writing now because it seems like I should be telling this to a shrink instead of you folks. Maybe an interesting thread could be started about why we tend to ignore ITM bands when they get too successful… or maybe not considering the responses I seem to get for my thread ideas.
More power to the Chieftains, I hope they keep going. I’ll always be grateful to them for bringing ITM into my world.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
I don't admire their music as a group, especially when mixed with the Rolling Stones. but love Matt M. solo and recognize their huge influence (hah, recognize!! Someone's big-headed around here!)
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Janek
Re: The Chieftains
Clinical, as pete says. And I've always thought so. I don't know what it is - These guys who are all great musicians individually, the sound they generate together can be, IMHO, woeful and unrepresentative of the quality of Irish music. Maybe it's the production, and that thing of making a bunch of tunes, maybe starting with a slow air then a slip jig, then a reel, etc., turning it into an almost classical *suite* rather than a rake of oul' tunes. AND they are from the o'Riada stable, so Boehm flutes, banjos and piano boxes would be banished as blow-in instruments, so that's me andy and pete f?cked for starters. paddy does have a lovely daughter though (name drop).
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: The Chieftains
I like the Chieftains.
I've always thought of them as being a sort of chamber music group and I don't have a problem with that. Despite their enormous popularity they haven't exactly sparked off a massive surge in "chamber-Irish" groups so I don't see how anyone can complain about their influence - what influence?.
They're different from other Irish groups I know of, always have been and long may they continue to be.
I like most of their experimentation and collaborations too, which seem to be particularly disliked by sessioneers. I was at Ingliston when they first got together with Van Morrison (and if you want to talk about HIM, go start another thread!), due to a mix-up in flights, in 1979. That was a great night.
Vive la difference.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Bren
Re: The Chieftains
Was that when the Undertones, Talking Heads, and Squeeze were there too? Didn't spot you, Bren.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by John J.
Re: The Chieftains
I might like them, but then I might not, I'm not sure, well I sort of am sure, but kind of like not, if you see what I mean... sorry I'm feeling kind of vauge today
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
To be honest, and I've said this before, I usually go for CD's of one, or two, players these days. But even that can be toopolished for me and I like tapes of sessions even better. but the best has to be a full-on, heads-down, eyeballs-out *session* Beats any CD.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: The Chieftains
Hi Danny, nice to see that you've started acknowledging your namedropping properly in footnotes, it's so much easier on the ear
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
If you take your eyeballs out how will you enjoy watching the babes? (this isn't sexist BTW, babes can refer to the opposite of either sex) (this isn't homo-phobic either because babes can also just refer to whatever your preference is) (in Dow's case it could refer to livestock, but they don't allow any of them in the pub fortunately)
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
Hahahahaha
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
Sorry Jonathan, but I don't really like them as a group. It's their arrangments. As several other have said, it's kinda similar to chamber music. The way they change something for every part of the tune (not always, but often) bugs me.
But I do love Matt Molloy and Sean Keane.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Max Becher
Re: The Chieftains
well,paddy maloney was pretty good value when he was on desert island discs,i remember.
i have got an earlier album of theirs which i have n't listened to in years but at the risk of being shot down in flames i've got a soft spot for the album they did with well-known funster,van the man.the version of 'i'll tell my ma' is a hoot.i could have done with more of that ending though,lambeg & all.
but i would tend to listen to other players/groups first,i think.
i quite like sean keane's playing.it's a bit fierce sometimes and there's one recording he did of the steampacket where you'll swear his fiddle is about explode and burst into flames.i know he's too much for some people's taste but we'll leave it at that before dow's shit-detector hits the fan.
there's an old joke about the fan hitting the -
but you all know it anyway...
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by biggus dave
Re: The Chieftains
I don't know loads of their stuff, but I think they actually have a lot of character that manages to come through alongside the 'orchestrated' nature of their music. Which just shows to me that spontaneity is overrated. And after reading a bio on them I am genuinely impressed by Paddy's perseverence and curiosity about music all over the world.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by dave73
Re: The Chieftains
Here's an interesting mental excercise: Imagine if The Chieftains were a brand new band. What would we think if we had never heard of them before and they all of a sudden appeared on the scene with their chamberfolk craic? Would we all dig it, or think it was twee?
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
Yes, I like the Cheiftains. Or, at least I did until I first heard their recording with Van Morrison. I'd like VM better, maybe, if he'd spit out the marbles. I hope Van Morrison doesn't vist this board, because I don't want to hurt his feelings by knocking his music.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by rocking bow
Re: The Chieftains
I find the comments about "clinical" a bit strange. Would you have wanted them to make deliberate mistakes? If someone plays a wrong note or is a bit "ruff round the edges" at your session, do you go "oh wow they're so dirty and trad and cool", or do you shoot them a death glare and hijack their set? Or does it depend on who's watching?
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
Dow, you might be missing the point slightly. Either that or you're hoping Paddy M. reads this and might want to try collaberating with something different and weird like an English concertina.
hahahaha
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
Yay. If playing wrong notes is in fashion at the moment I think I might at long last be able to start playing some tunes on my concertina in sessions (even though my concertina itself is very untrendy).
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
I think the Chieftains were a starting point in Irish music for a lot of people, myself included. I saw them live about 10 years ago, and they were great. The concert got me interested in Irish music, and from there I discovered other great Irish bands and solo musicians.
So as far as being a very accessable band to the general public, and serving as a bit of a "Irish Music 101", I think they definitely fill a niche.
I tend to think of them like my very first instrument; I have come a long way, and have moved on/upgraded to a better instrument, but they were the first, so I will always have a fond spot for them
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Ptollemy
Re: The Chieftains
Jonathan, you do "harp" on [sorry!] quite a bit about the Chieftans. If you're not careful it'll become a running yellaboard joke, and people like Jack will keep on making anserine comments about it and then opening his mouth wide and going hahahaha
What other bands/musicians do you like?
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
By the way, Jack, you mentioned how I might hope that Paddy reads my posting. Well actually, Paddy's one of my best mates and I know he reads my stuff. He keeps e-mailing me, begging me to collaborate with him, but I've had to turn him down time and time again as I'm snowed under what with all the gigs I'm doing with Matt at the mo, you know how it is. Well, heh, perhaps you don't. Anyway, I hope he doesn't take it as a snub. I'm sure he won't cuz he's a good sort.
BTW next time Altan drop in on your session can you tell Mairead she left her jacket at my place? Ta.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
I wonder what it would have been like if Barney McKenna had agreed to join the Chieftains when he was invited to in the early days.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by grego
Re: The Chieftains
Squeeze! What a great band!
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: The Chieftains
Haha well actualy I like Danu and ahha, god forbid, Natalie MacMaster and some of Buddy MacMaster's stuff which I know isn't Irish. I dont know, its just sort of like when your in first grade or some odd thing or a small child and someone makes fun of you mother and you get very defensive about it and want to punch that person. The Chieftains are still by far my favourite band and will probably always will be. haha, I'll be black balled for that one. Well Jack, I guess you have lots of ammunition now!
Johnathan
*blackballed ITM player*
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Harper_Lad
Re: The Chieftains
Sorry Johnathan, I only take the piss out of Dow... it's in my contract.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
...one that should have been terminated long ago.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
Hey Dow, something just occured to me... I wonder why they don't make English-system button accordions.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
Imagine if they made anglo-system piano accordions. How weird would it be trying to work out what notes were where on the keyboard!
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
You're right Dow, they should put a piano keyboard on your English concertina -- then it will make sense.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
They should put a 20-ton articulated lorry on yours - that would make even more sense.
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: The Chieftains
Right! That's enough!
Van Morrison discussions over here: http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/morrison_van/message_board.jhtml
Squeeze discussions over here: http://squeeze.proboards2.com/
Undertones here: http://theundertones.com/
Concertinas here: ..hmm all the links I tried have expired.
I would like to know where everyone stands on either side of this watershed:
When Tom Jones sang Tennesse Waltz with the Chieftains (reportedly in Frank Zappa's house. Frank Zappa discussions over ... somewhere else) wasn't that just the greates/worst thing you ever heard?
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Bren
Re: The Chieftains
For me they are all time greats. Absolutely fabulous band. there are others too, mind you.
Joe
# Posted on July 11th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: The Chieftains
No, don't like them as a group but greatly admire Matt Molloy. The others I can take or leave. Their music as a group just leaves me cold although I can see their appeal to the mass market.
# Posted on July 12th 2004 by MollyB
Re: The Chieftains
If Dow and I had or own thread or discussion forum to battle out the whole English / Anglo concertina thing -- it wouldn't be any fun at all. Think of it as a re-occurring motif that embellishes all the threads that are actually about something.
# Posted on July 12th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
I can enjoy the Chieftains, but their instrumentation can be somewhat irritating to me. They have two fiddles, harp, pipes, and flute. All these instruments play in the same pitch, which for me gets to be grating. If not for the bodhran, there would be no bottom to the music at all. I like some guitar and bass when there are that many instruments playing at once. Otherwise, I prefer a smaller ensemble. Still, they have the distinction of never sounding like anybody else, and I do have recordings that I like to play.
# Posted on July 12th 2004 by Ailin
Re: The Chieftains
Ah, thanks MollyB, I was beginning to think I was the only one left uninspired by the great Chieftains. Maybe like I was suffering from some sort of inverted snobbery: 'famous bands I have decided not to like because everyone else raves about them'.
This is not the case at all of course, it's just that you know what you feel when you hear it, and there's no shame in being honest about it.
# Posted on July 12th 2004 by petemay
Re: The Chieftains
So there ye are. I'm a member of the mass market.
joe
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: The Chieftains
Every time I see Paddy Moloney on the tv flogging their latest project, I always think to myself, "Spock? Spock, is it really you?" Or maybe they just have the same hairdresser.
He's a master of self-promotion though, which is why they do well in a business where that's the stock in trade, rather than the music itself. Bloody Vulcans!
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Gzeg
Re: The Chieftains
would I be hung if I suggested the Chieftains are the elevator music of traditional music?
woops, bet I'll be run off the site now for the second time.
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by MollyB
Re: The Chieftains
possibly,but does that mean that they give a great 'lift' to the music??
i really will get my coat this time...
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by biggus dave
Re: The Chieftains
No, Phil Coulter is "Elevator Musak"
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: The Chieftains
i have to confess i have never heard anything by the chieftains... every time i see one of their albums in the shops i think, naah, not on my priority list. so... should i get one of their albums, and if so, which one?
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by rog
Re: The Chieftains
you should get Water from the Well, or The Chieftains 7
Johnathan
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Harper_Lad
Re: The Chieftains
I saw the Chieftans live for the first time last January, and decided that I really like each of the musicians individally, but together they're lesser than the sum of their parts. (I also felt like I'd have to kill someone if I'd spent as long as they have on the road, repeating stuff every night, but that's another thread, I'm sure...)
Sorry - call me a snob!
Deirdre
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by fluter_d