At the risk of stirring up another "hornet's nest" - well that's what Ptargiman reckons I'm guilty of regarding another festival - are there any reports from Fleadh 2006?
For me, as always, the lead up during the Éigse week was the best part. Seeing great musicians close up in recitals during the daytime followed by a good choice of sessions at night time is a formula that's hard to beat. The crowds though gradually increased throughout the week so that by Thursday we only had just enough room to assemble a group of musicians for what was my last pub session of the week. By Friday the whole world seemed to be there but to my surprise session life was still possible in the hotels (Gallahers, the Radisson, etc).
I wasn't at the Céilí Bands competition so I can't comment on the result. However, in my own opinion, having this competition without Clare's Turloughmore was a bit like the old saying of "the wedding without the bride"!
Overall I'd definitely give the 2006 Fleadh the thumbs up - sorry I've yet to sus out these smiley things!
No offence taken Ptargiman and thanks for the Smiley! Comments are a bit slow coming in but then I suppose many lucky musicians may still be there - the Mondays are sometimes said to be the best nights for fleadh sessions.
got back late last night, twas my first fleadh so I can honestly say it was the best one I've every been to! I had great sessions during the week and played in just about every pub in letterkenny
Just in from Letterkenny....first Fleadh and it was AMAZING!!!!!! Sessions with all the Meitheal groups were savage! Offaly's Jr. Gig Rig was BRILL! Cannot wait to head to TULLAMORE next year : )
As for the competitions, in many cases with the fiddles, classical led the way...judges overlooked vibratos in the dance tunes...players were technically amazing, but ITM on the fiddle seemed to be all about classical training and not about true regional styles anymore. Lovely music, but of a different type.
Slow airs seemed to favor more the lonesome touch for the fiddles
Hi I thought Letterkenny was just ok, I felt there wasn't the same atmosphere around the town and to be honest wasn't all that fussed on Letterkenny as a place. When I compared it to last year, there seemed to be no atmosphere. And alot of the people who were with me felt it too that there wasn't a good buzz. A lot of good musicians of course! But I thought it was very quiet! What did everyone think of the marching band competition?
Was in Letterkenny last year and didn't go this year. Didn't think there was as good an atmosphere as you'd find in the likes of Clonmel or Listowel. Only my opinion. Don't get me wrong Letterkenny a lovely town but didn't think it was suited for the fleadh.
What is wrong with the idea of holding Irish Traditional Music competitions? Jayzus eirfiddle, where do you start! I don't think this mustard page is actually long enough for all the negatives ...........
I think it would probably be far quicker for someone to come on here & point out all the 'good' reasons for holding competitions in this ancient aural tradition, which was 'at one time' rich in regional styles & variation.
Rather than hi-jack this thread though, anyone interested in the views of folks here to the pros & cons of ITM Competitions should perhaps read some of these instead:
Have to agree with Jonathan that Listowel is unrivalled as a Fleadh venue. However, it's only fair to move it around the provinces so that the same people are not travelling 200 miles every year! Also I enjoyed the regional dimension is seeing the likes of Tommy Peoples, Bríd Harper, Séamus Gibson, Frank Kelly, etc in their natural habitat.
As for competitions I have mixed feelings but on balance I think the good outweighs the bad. If someone could come up with an alternative way of getting so many talented young performers to reach the incredible levels of excellence displayed both in solos and group and céilí band competitions, then we may have the answer.
Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Letterkenny - How was it for you?
At the risk of stirring up another "hornet's nest" - well that's what Ptargiman reckons I'm guilty of regarding another festival - are there any reports from Fleadh 2006?
For me, as always, the lead up during the Éigse week was the best part. Seeing great musicians close up in recitals during the daytime followed by a good choice of sessions at night time is a formula that's hard to beat. The crowds though gradually increased throughout the week so that by Thursday we only had just enough room to assemble a group of musicians for what was my last pub session of the week. By Friday the whole world seemed to be there but to my surprise session life was still possible in the hotels (Gallahers, the Radisson, etc).
I wasn't at the Céilí Bands competition so I can't comment on the result. However, in my own opinion, having this competition without Clare's Turloughmore was a bit like the old saying of "the wedding without the bride"!
Overall I'd definitely give the 2006 Fleadh the thumbs up - sorry I've yet to sus out these smiley things!
# Posted on August 28th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Hey, not suggesting for one minute that you stirred up that last 'Hornet's Nest' on purpose old son!
Here - you can borrow one of my smileys until you get your own ....
# Posted on August 28th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
No offence taken Ptargiman and thanks for the Smiley! Comments are a bit slow coming in but then I suppose many lucky musicians may still be there - the Mondays are sometimes said to be the best nights for fleadh sessions.
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
got back late last night, twas my first fleadh so I can honestly say it was the best one I've every been to!
I had great sessions during the week and played in just about every pub in letterkenny
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by tnoumarap
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Just in from Letterkenny....first Fleadh and it was AMAZING!!!!!! Sessions with all the Meitheal groups were savage! Offaly's Jr. Gig Rig was BRILL! Cannot wait to head to TULLAMORE next year : )
As for the competitions, in many cases with the fiddles, classical led the way...judges overlooked vibratos in the dance tunes...players were technically amazing, but ITM on the fiddle seemed to be all about classical training and not about true regional styles anymore. Lovely music, but of a different type.
Slow airs seemed to favor more the lonesome touch for the fiddles
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by eirfiddle
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Hi I thought Letterkenny was just ok, I felt there wasn't the same atmosphere around the town and to be honest wasn't all that fussed on Letterkenny as a place. When I compared it to last year, there seemed to be no atmosphere. And alot of the people who were with me felt it too that there wasn't a good buzz. A lot of good musicians of course! But I thought it was very quiet! What did everyone think of the marching band competition?
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by jigs
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Was in Letterkenny last year and didn't go this year. Didn't think there was as good an atmosphere as you'd find in the likes of Clonmel or Listowel. Only my opinion. Don't get me wrong Letterkenny a lovely town but didn't think it was suited for the fleadh.
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by ceolgal
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
What is wrong with the idea of holding Irish Traditional Music competitions? Jayzus eirfiddle, where do you start! I don't think this mustard page is actually long enough for all the negatives ...........
I think it would probably be far quicker for someone to come on here & point out all the 'good' reasons for holding competitions in this ancient aural tradition, which was 'at one time' rich in regional styles & variation.
Anyone here care to take up that challange?
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Rather than hi-jack this thread though, anyone interested in the views of folks here to the pros & cons of ITM Competitions should perhaps read some of these instead:
Whinge, moan, grumble ...
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/2946/comments#comment58171
Music Competitions!
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/1947/comments#comment34570
How to compete in Fleadhs??
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5664/comments#comment120398
Comhaltas Rules and Regulations
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/9015/comments#comment192253
Comhaltas Critics
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/6697/comments#comment142924
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
How was Letterkenny '06 for me ....
Not as good as Letterkenny '05, better that Clonmel '04 but can't wait for the fleadh to return 'home' to Listowel
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by Jonathan Roche
Re: Letterkenny - How was it for you?
Have to agree with Jonathan that Listowel is unrivalled as a Fleadh venue. However, it's only fair to move it around the provinces so that the same people are not travelling 200 miles every year! Also I enjoyed the regional dimension is seeing the likes of Tommy Peoples, Bríd Harper, Séamus Gibson, Frank Kelly, etc in their natural habitat.
As for competitions I have mixed feelings but on balance I think the good outweighs the bad. If someone could come up with an alternative way of getting so many talented young performers to reach the incredible levels of excellence displayed both in solos and group and céilí band competitions, then we may have the answer.
# Posted on August 29th 2006 by Bannerman