So I'm a little embarrassed to say that I've never seen the Chieftains live. They are going to be in my neighborhood at the end of the month, so I'm thinking of going to the concert for my birthday night out-- to see Matt Molloy if nothing else (all hail). I've heard of local musicians being asked to play on stage, is this true? Will I be musically transported, or saddened by the 'mainstreamification' of their sound? Is it mostly tunes or songs as well? What are the Chieftains exporting these days? Thanks!
The Chieftains are stll worth a trip to see. I cannot see how they are more "main stream" than others. Sometimes they will have guests, and Kevin Conniff sings. Well he has to do something.
By all means, go! I've seen them 3 or 4 times over the years, and they always do a good live show, regardless of how fusion-weird they've gotten. Few of us might be playing IRTrad now if it weren't for Ó Ríada and Moloney (not really, I know). It's too bad Derek Bell is no longer with us. He was always the real character of the group.
Yes, they usually have locals do a segment with them. They asked me to play B/C box a few years ago, and I turned them down!
Hey, I'm hosting the Long Beach session again on the 21st, so come on down.
The Chieftains brought out a very good all-female group (no, not Cherish the Ladies) on their American tour (two parts January and late February and March) called Liadan who are very good polished trad musicians with some great harmony singing in Irish and English. They come out of the University of Limerick musical combine where the Chieftains have been a presence in offering scholarships and artistic assistance in recent years. They are well worth seeing along with the Boys and you can find out more about them at www.liadan.ie
411 is the universal telephone number in North America for directory assistance and information. Hence 411 = information, news, etc. Commonly used in hip-hop slang. What, you don't listen to hip-hop?
Dial 411 to talk to a robot? Eccchhhhhh!
What happened to
Long Distance Information, Get Me Nashville, Tennessee
or
Hello, Central, Get Me Doctor Jazz
?
Fel, was that YOU? The other piper besides Pat?! Whoa! If that was you, you left early & didn't even say it was you! Or more likely, I just missed it entirely....
John, had a great time tonight, will be there every Sunday til I leave, I'm sure! What a nice gig! Will be great to see you & catch up again! Will Michael be coming down too?
PS wrt to hip-hop, in my circles, lots of trad players do listen to hip-hop. I think there's something about the cipher that resonates. In case that's unknown to youse, hip-hop has an etiquette similar to Irish which is not well understood by those looking in from the outside. On the street corners, a group of individuals will stand in a circle (aka a cipher) & rhyme & improvise. It's really wild but also highly structured with a lot of social hierarchy, etc...
Hi Fel! Hi Emily! Happy New Year! Glad you both had a good time tonight.
Yes, Michael and I host once a month and usually ride up together. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a drive (2 1/2 hrs) to make the trip more often. But it's definitely one of the best sessions around, different and interesting every time. So we'll look forward to seeing you both on the 21st.
And Fel, I promise not to play Langstrom's Pony or The Mooncoin Jig.
Emily, playing the dozens or signifying, the roots of rap, has been around for a long, long time, back to West African traditions. I'm no expert, but a grad folklore professor of mine was, and wrote a groundbreaking study in 1964: Roger Abrams, "Deep Down in the Jungle: Black American Folklore from the Streets of Philadelphia". I think it's still in print, and a good read if you can find a copy.
I'm definitely not a fan of hip-hop, but I've been listening lately to Ojos de Brujo, a flamenco / hip-hop fusion band from Barcelona. Check them out! Maybe they'll turn up touring with the Chieftains.
I saw the Chieftain's in Manchester (UK) last year. They would have been fantastic except Kevin Conneff's bodhran ruined the entire thing. It was way to loud in the mix and every time he played in his open skin style he drowned out the rest.
They had two fantastic Canadian dancers/fiddle players with them though as well as an Irish dancer, and when Kev wasn't beating the goat the whole show was brilliant. He sang a beautiful song whose title I didn't catch - if anyone can rememer what it was I'd be grateful!
"Oh Operator, Information, get me Jesus on the line."
> Google "Irish traditional hip-hop". 2 hits.
Well the second hit is spurious, but interesting because it actually seems to be randomly generated text. A million monkeys really did end up typing "Irish traditional hip-hop".
The first hit points to Eamonn Flynn, and leads to his work playing funk-style Hammond B-3 organ on the band Aniar's recording "Soulstice". It's ... interesting. But somehow, the sound samples conjure up the image of an Irish session held in a roller skating rink. Maybe I'm dating myself ...
I saw the two Canadian dancers in Belfast with the Chieftains, excellent.
I always criticised Kevin Coniff for being being too muted, infact during O'Neills march in Belfast someone had to prevent me from going up on stage and saying "give us that drum, to I show you how it should be played".
Perhaps he has changed.
Hey Bliss, surely the volume of each instrument is down to the discretion of the sound man at the mixing desk, isn't it, so you can't really blame Kevin if the sound man gets the balance wrong?
411 is not universal, it is only common in North America ( does that apply to Canada and Mexico as well ? )
As the tutor said to my SO, before her first visit to the UK from the US of A, "You will find that things you thought of as universal are purely local."
But by all means go to hear the Chieftains.
The worst thing about the Chieftains is that they are all so good.
I saw a recent ad for a Chieftains concert with only four of them - Paddy, Matt, James, and Kevin. No Martin Fay, and Derick Bell has not been replaced (at least in the photo). As a quartet, it seems like they would be a very different band. Anybody know about this?
I mean, what's the shizzle, em? I do miss those days of witty banter w/ you, zina, will, jack, etc etc. Hope all be rightous with yerself, word up, seewamsayn? Give us the dope, and no boo shee...
Darin, Darin, Darin, Darin, Darin. That's what myspace is for! ;)
Mini-scoop is that I'll be on the east coast in February for at least 6 months. How about I stop in to Philly on the way home? Is Andee back, or still lovey-dovey over the Pond? Meanwhile, I'm just p*ssy b/c if I was in Bmore right now, I'd be plotting a march on the White House, but no -- I've got to be stuck here in beautiful, sunny California, only able to write scathing emails & sign e-petitions, ptooey! Hey if you go protest, send my regards, ummkay?
Dude, I always figured I was *way* too old for myspace... also I'm no good at that nifty phonetic shorthand the kids love nowadays (how r u? im gr8), and I tend to use capital letters and punctuation with reckless abandon. Ah well, if it will keep me up on what's hep, I'll fire it up.
Andee was in town, briefly, about a month ago, and I haven't seen her since. She was indeed lovey-dovey. Mooney eyed, weak in the knees, the standard Rodgers & Hart kind of thing.
It would be great to see you in Philly--- BTW Brendan & I are doing this little trio thing with an old buddy of yours, Sean McComiskey. We're playing the Glucksman House concert at NYU in February. You in?
OK, over to myspace.... keep those petitions coming. You know, to be honest, I find it hard to joke about the White House these days. It's just not funny anymore. At least the good guys are back in the Capitol.
When in February? My pinning ceremony is Feb 9, so I won't even start the drive til the following week. I certainly could never hold my own on stage with yez, but I'd love to be in the audience! NYU... hmm my cousin who goes there is leaving for a semester abroad in Dublin.... dunno, I'm not overly fond of the City in February... Have you thought of a name for your trio? If it's a rockin' cool name, I'll definitely consider it. ;)
btw, I think adherence to punctuation, etc, is why I'm a godawful texter -- ask Sean. He is an amazing texter & I do believe it's partially due to his skill as a box player, ha! He can text you the Gettysburg Address in less than 60 seconds. It's true.
what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
So I'm a little embarrassed to say that I've never seen the Chieftains live. They are going to be in my neighborhood at the end of the month, so I'm thinking of going to the concert for my birthday night out-- to see Matt Molloy if nothing else (all hail). I've heard of local musicians being asked to play on stage, is this true? Will I be musically transported, or saddened by the 'mainstreamification' of their sound? Is it mostly tunes or songs as well? What are the Chieftains exporting these days? Thanks!
# Posted on January 7th 2007 by emily_bmore
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
The Chieftains are stll worth a trip to see. I cannot see how they are more "main stream" than others. Sometimes they will have guests, and Kevin Conniff sings. Well he has to do something.
# Posted on January 7th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Hi Emily, John O. from San Diego here.
By all means, go! I've seen them 3 or 4 times over the years, and they always do a good live show, regardless of how fusion-weird they've gotten. Few of us might be playing IRTrad now if it weren't for Ó Ríada and Moloney (not really, I know). It's too bad Derek Bell is no longer with us. He was always the real character of the group.
Yes, they usually have locals do a segment with them. They asked me to play B/C box a few years ago, and I turned them down!
Hey, I'm hosting the Long Beach session again on the 21st, so come on down.
# Posted on January 7th 2007 by MTGuru
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
411?
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by dafydd
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
The Chieftains brought out a very good all-female group (no, not Cherish the Ladies) on their American tour (two parts January and late February and March) called Liadan who are very good polished trad musicians with some great harmony singing in Irish and English. They come out of the University of Limerick musical combine where the Chieftains have been a presence in offering scholarships and artistic assistance in recent years. They are well worth seeing along with the Boys and you can find out more about them at www.liadan.ie
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by clareman
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Thanks guys! Hey John, long time no see! I'm walking out the door to go to the Auld Dubliner session now, maybe I'll see you there!
As for the Chieftains, yep, I'm going -- thanks!
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by emily_bmore
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
411 is the universal telephone number in North America for directory assistance and information. Hence 411 = information, news, etc. Commonly used in hip-hop slang. What, you don't listen to hip-hop?
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by MTGuru
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
ITH-H is rather hard to come by. <g>
...Kevin
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by atftb
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Oh, I don't know:
Google "Irish traditional hip-hop".
2 hits.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Joe CSS
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Dial 411 to talk to a robot? Eccchhhhhh!
What happened to
Long Distance Information, Get Me Nashville, Tennessee
or
Hello, Central, Get Me Doctor Jazz
?
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by oldstrings
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Emily- go to the LB session-see you there!!!!
John- happy New Year
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by I_Fel
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Fel, was that YOU? The other piper besides Pat?! Whoa! If that was you, you left early & didn't even say it was you! Or more likely, I just missed it entirely....
John, had a great time tonight, will be there every Sunday til I leave, I'm sure! What a nice gig! Will be great to see you & catch up again! Will Michael be coming down too?
PS wrt to hip-hop, in my circles, lots of trad players do listen to hip-hop. I think there's something about the cipher that resonates. In case that's unknown to youse, hip-hop has an etiquette similar to Irish which is not well understood by those looking in from the outside. On the street corners, a group of individuals will stand in a circle (aka a cipher) & rhyme & improvise. It's really wild but also highly structured with a lot of social hierarchy, etc...
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by emily_bmore
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Hi Fel! Hi Emily! Happy New Year! Glad you both had a good time tonight.
Yes, Michael and I host once a month and usually ride up together. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a drive (2 1/2 hrs) to make the trip more often. But it's definitely one of the best sessions around, different and interesting every time. So we'll look forward to seeing you both on the 21st.
And Fel, I promise not to play Langstrom's Pony or The Mooncoin Jig.
Emily, playing the dozens or signifying, the roots of rap, has been around for a long, long time, back to West African traditions. I'm no expert, but a grad folklore professor of mine was, and wrote a groundbreaking study in 1964: Roger Abrams, "Deep Down in the Jungle: Black American Folklore from the Streets of Philadelphia". I think it's still in print, and a good read if you can find a copy.
I'm definitely not a fan of hip-hop, but I've been listening lately to Ojos de Brujo, a flamenco / hip-hop fusion band from Barcelona. Check them out! Maybe they'll turn up touring with the Chieftains.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by MTGuru
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Oldstrings,
Chuck Berry sang 'Memphis' Tennessee.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Lurcherjohn
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
I saw the Chieftain's in Manchester (UK) last year. They would have been fantastic except Kevin Conneff's bodhran ruined the entire thing. It was way to loud in the mix and every time he played in his open skin style he drowned out the rest.
They had two fantastic Canadian dancers/fiddle players with them though as well as an Irish dancer, and when Kev wasn't beating the goat the whole show was brilliant. He sang a beautiful song whose title I didn't catch - if anyone can rememer what it was I'd be grateful!
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
"Oh Operator, Information, get me Jesus on the line."
> Google "Irish traditional hip-hop". 2 hits.
Well the second hit is spurious, but interesting because it actually seems to be randomly generated text. A million monkeys really did end up typing "Irish traditional hip-hop".
The first hit points to Eamonn Flynn, and leads to his work playing funk-style Hammond B-3 organ on the band Aniar's recording "Soulstice". It's ... interesting. But somehow, the sound samples conjure up the image of an Irish session held in a roller skating rink. Maybe I'm dating myself ...
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by MTGuru
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Thanks for the info MT guru. No I don't listen to hip hop.I think that Old Nick has reserved that for my time in purgatory.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by dafydd
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
I saw the two Canadian dancers in Belfast with the Chieftains, excellent.
I always criticised Kevin Coniff for being being too muted, infact during O'Neills march in Belfast someone had to prevent me from going up on stage and saying "give us that drum, to I show you how it should be played".
Perhaps he has changed.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Hey Bliss, surely the volume of each instrument is down to the discretion of the sound man at the mixing desk, isn't it, so you can't really blame Kevin if the sound man gets the balance wrong?
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
411 is not universal, it is only common in North America ( does that apply to Canada and Mexico as well ? )
As the tutor said to my SO, before her first visit to the UK from the US of A, "You will find that things you thought of as universal are purely local."
But by all means go to hear the Chieftains.
The worst thing about the Chieftains is that they are all so good.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
I saw a recent ad for a Chieftains concert with only four of them - Paddy, Matt, James, and Kevin. No Martin Fay, and Derick Bell has not been replaced (at least in the photo). As a quartet, it seems like they would be a very different band. Anybody know about this?
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Ailin
I believe the question should be:
"What's the 411 on emily_la these days?"
I mean, what's the shizzle, em? I do miss those days of witty banter w/ you, zina, will, jack, etc etc. Hope all be rightous with yerself, word up, seewamsayn? Give us the dope, and no boo shee...
DK
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by darinkelly
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
Darin, Darin, Darin, Darin, Darin. That's what myspace is for! ;)
Mini-scoop is that I'll be on the east coast in February for at least 6 months. How about I stop in to Philly on the way home? Is Andee back, or still lovey-dovey over the Pond? Meanwhile, I'm just p*ssy b/c if I was in Bmore right now, I'd be plotting a march on the White House, but no -- I've got to be stuck here in beautiful, sunny California, only able to write scathing emails & sign e-petitions, ptooey! Hey if you go protest, send my regards, ummkay?
# Posted on January 9th 2007 by emily_bmore
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
LOLOL @ asterisk placement by computer. Maybe I should have just written 'cranky.'
# Posted on January 9th 2007 by emily_bmore
Dude, I always figured I was *way* too old for myspace... also I'm no good at that nifty phonetic shorthand the kids love nowadays (how r u? im gr8), and I tend to use capital letters and punctuation with reckless abandon. Ah well, if it will keep me up on what's hep, I'll fire it up.
Andee was in town, briefly, about a month ago, and I haven't seen her since. She was indeed lovey-dovey. Mooney eyed, weak in the knees, the standard Rodgers & Hart kind of thing.
It would be great to see you in Philly--- BTW Brendan & I are doing this little trio thing with an old buddy of yours, Sean McComiskey. We're playing the Glucksman House concert at NYU in February. You in?
OK, over to myspace.... keep those petitions coming. You know, to be honest, I find it hard to joke about the White House these days. It's just not funny anymore. At least the good guys are back in the Capitol.
DK
# Posted on January 9th 2007 by darinkelly
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
They are in Chicago on March 2 at Orchestra Hall. Got decent tickets for them. No info released on who else will be on stage with them.
# Posted on January 9th 2007 by zippydw
Re: what's the 411 on the Chieftains these days?
When in February? My pinning ceremony is Feb 9, so I won't even start the drive til the following week. I certainly could never hold my own on stage with yez, but I'd love to be in the audience! NYU... hmm my cousin who goes there is leaving for a semester abroad in Dublin.... dunno, I'm not overly fond of the City in February... Have you thought of a name for your trio? If it's a rockin' cool name, I'll definitely consider it. ;)
btw, I think adherence to punctuation, etc, is why I'm a godawful texter -- ask Sean. He is an amazing texter & I do believe it's partially due to his skill as a box player, ha! He can text you the Gettysburg Address in less than 60 seconds. It's true.
# Posted on January 10th 2007 by emily_bmore