Been a while since I've been here!
Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I was at a Brian Kennedy concert the other night in Portlaoise. EXCELLENT (and I would never have been a fan, despite liking his voice)! Anyway, all there was was him on a Lowden guitar and James Blennerhasset on Double Bass. Amazing. But he did "Carrickfergus" in DADGAD, adn it was class! So I went home and figured it out in DADGAD, and I just cant stop playing it! Its utter class! Has anyone heard it?
In the late 70's I spent a bit of time aroiund there. We used to session up in the hills nearby.
Can't remember the name of the 'mountain' village, but I remember a wee group called 'The Coolrain Quartet'! Ring any bells?
There was an old boy in them hills who played the Melodeon in those days days & he always spoke of his 'one' trip to Dublin. That was the furthest he'd ever travelled & he'd been there once, but a more content person I never did meet!
That Kennedy kid has a marvelous voice. I was in New York City on business a few years ago and decided to see Riverdance on Broadway. I will never forget when he came out and sang that opening song in that high, clear tenor of his. And we have a live album of his where he gives some of the old chestnuts like "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" some new life. I believe Carrickfergus was on that album as well. He is a gifted singer--I wish he did more traditional and less pop stuff.
Its a matter of taste I suppose (and of course I have great taste!) but I wish Mr Kennedy would stay away from the traditional repertoire and stick to what he knows best, and can't ruin - the pop stuff!
Guess it must be Coolrain after all Edja, given that that was our group name!
There were great sessions up there each week. I remember a Fiddling, Pipe Smoking Musical Priest too, who the local women had removed to another parish cause they thought it was a scandal, him in the pub, drinkin' an' all, with the 'common folk'!
My favorite version of Carrickfergus is by Liam O'Maonlai of Houthouse Flowers ( he just released a very good solo disk) who is the only person I have ever heard sing the tune in Irish. Brilliant!! Kennedy’s voice is a bit pretty for me. Liam’s is much bigger. Hard disk to find but worth it if you can. Or, go to one of his shows and ask him to sing it. HE will!
Mr Kennedy may indeed have a good voice, but he is not good at doing Irish songs. He did a couple of T.V programmes about "much loved" songs, and ruined the programme. One minute you had Luke Kelly singing Raglan Road and the next there was Brian, with smoke curling about his head, murdering the song.
I believe Van Morrison once told him you should use your voice like a saxaphone, but Brian's dramatic diction does no favours to these great songs. Better stick to what he is good at.
Carrickfergus would have to be one of the saddest songs
The version I know best is sung by Van Morrison....but have also heard an instrumental version.
It's enough to send you to drink!
Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Hi all
Been a while since I've been here!
Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I was at a Brian Kennedy concert the other night in Portlaoise. EXCELLENT (and I would never have been a fan, despite liking his voice)! Anyway, all there was was him on a Lowden guitar and James Blennerhasset on Double Bass. Amazing. But he did "Carrickfergus" in DADGAD, adn it was class! So I went home and figured it out in DADGAD, and I just cant stop playing it! Its utter class! Has anyone heard it?
Edja
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Edja
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Hello edja, how's Mountrath this weather?
In the late 70's I spent a bit of time aroiund there. We used to session up in the hills nearby.
Can't remember the name of the 'mountain' village, but I remember a wee group called 'The Coolrain Quartet'! Ring any bells?
There was an old boy in them hills who played the Melodeon in those days days & he always spoke of his 'one' trip to Dublin. That was the furthest he'd ever travelled & he'd been there once, but a more content person I never did meet!
A lesson there, possibly!
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
That Kennedy kid has a marvelous voice. I was in New York City on business a few years ago and decided to see Riverdance on Broadway. I will never forget when he came out and sang that opening song in that high, clear tenor of his. And we have a live album of his where he gives some of the old chestnuts like "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" some new life. I believe Carrickfergus was on that album as well. He is a gifted singer--I wish he did more traditional and less pop stuff.
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Its a matter of taste I suppose (and of course I have great taste!) but I wish Mr Kennedy would stay away from the traditional repertoire and stick to what he knows best, and can't ruin - the pop stuff!
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by cluaintarbh
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Ptarmigan, That village is either Coolrain, or Camross! Know it well though (even though I am a Westmeath man).
Cluaintarbh, I can see where you are coming from, but I have to say in a pure acoustic manner, he was class!
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Edja
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
DADGAD - in D
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Edja
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Guess it must be Coolrain after all Edja, given that that was our group name!
There were great sessions up there each week. I remember a Fiddling, Pipe Smoking Musical Priest too, who the local women had removed to another parish cause they thought it was a scandal, him in the pub, drinkin' an' all, with the 'common folk'!
Aye, the 'Good old Days'!
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
My favorite version of Carrickfergus is by Liam O'Maonlai of Houthouse Flowers ( he just released a very good solo disk) who is the only person I have ever heard sing the tune in Irish. Brilliant!! Kennedy’s voice is a bit pretty for me. Liam’s is much bigger. Hard disk to find but worth it if you can. Or, go to one of his shows and ask him to sing it. HE will!
John Prange
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by mcprange
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Mr Kennedy may indeed have a good voice, but he is not good at doing Irish songs. He did a couple of T.V programmes about "much loved" songs, and ruined the programme. One minute you had Luke Kelly singing Raglan Road and the next there was Brian, with smoke curling about his head, murdering the song.
I believe Van Morrison once told him you should use your voice like a saxaphone, but Brian's dramatic diction does no favours to these great songs. Better stick to what he is good at.
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
He has become the Thinking Woman's Daniel O'Donnell in Australia
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by Bren
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
"using your voice like a saxophone"
I can't think of a better way to describe vocals that don't appeal to me in the slightest.
# Posted on October 21st 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Strange, Leo Kottke once refered to dogs as having " voices like saxphones" . wonder if there's a connection.
# Posted on October 22nd 2005 by Owell Mabee
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
He also referred to himself as having a voice like a goose phart. If I say I like Leo's singing, what does that say about me?
# Posted on October 22nd 2005 by Bob himself
Re: Carrickfergus reclaimed!!!
Carrickfergus would have to be one of the saddest songs
The version I know best is sung by Van Morrison....but have also heard an instrumental version.
It's enough to send you to drink!
# Posted on October 25th 2005 by imogenus