"I greatly admire these musicians, but still only the Gavin and maybe the Peoples tracks make me listen more closely. Maybe, it will grow on me but I think it has been almost studioed to death, there's more life on Mars. It makes a good argument for recording "live". Anybody familiar with the Joe Cooley album where you can hear the clink of bottles, people coughing and shouts of encouragement to the players?"--Longnote
I read this in another thread, and I favor the "live" recordings as well. I got to thinking of my commercial CD's...I always play the "live" recordings over and over. They are so much clearer than my session tapes--the taping quality of the machine I use really mucks 'em up for casual listening. I love hearing the way the music changes in the middle of a tune when you feel the musicians get into something they love, and when the crowd picks up on that and starts stomping to the music and whooping...wow! That does it for me!
I'd choose session type songs any day over studio work.
I would love to find CD's of "live" sessions that don't include anything else. Know of any?
What are your favorite live recordings (rather than the ones that are done in studio and had mixers & cleaner-uppers and things alter the "true" music.)
My all-time favourite recording of Irish music, live or otherwise, is probably Donal Lunny's live in Dublin album (a tribute to Sean O'Riada) but I don't even have a copy of that any more
I haven't (yet) got a particularly extensive number of recordings, live or studio, but this thread will doubtless give me plenty of ideas. As I type, I'm listening to Ben Lennon & Friends "The Natural Bridge". Except for tracks 1 & 3 (studio) and track 16 (live in concert) the rest of the 19 tracks were recorded live in Meehan's, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim. Having had the pleasure of being at Ben's gig at The Duke of Cambridge pub in Bristol (UK) last August, I can say that the "Natural Bridge" cd is pretty close to the real thing.
Another cd I listen to a lot is Rogha Órdha which is a compendium of mostly live performances over the years to celebrate Comhaltas's Golden Jubilee at Scoil Eigse 2001.
Another is "Michael Gorman The Sligo Champion", a 2-cd collection of his recordings from 1927 to 1970. Many of these were made in the days when recordings were made straight onto wax masters, and once recorded they couldn't be changed, so that was that and you had a "true" performance, warts and all, even if it was done in a studio. The same applies to those old recordings of Michael Coleman and others.
Regarding the modern performers I'd agree with Katie's choice but I'd also add Hayes' & Cahill's "Live in Seattle". I'll be seeing them in Bristol the week after next.
I think that if ever I am vouchsafed the power I shall pass a law Forbidding The Recording Of Music Other Than Live Before An Audience - and none of this post-production editing nonsense either -
Matt Molloy's my all-time favorite. I'll have to get that one, DEFINITELY. And since Donal Lunny is yours, I'll keep my eyes and ears open for it. Maybe one of the session members will be stricken by your sad face and tell you where you can get it.
The "Green Fields of America" from 1988 is a GREAT one and includes a tribute to Ed Reavy - check out Eileen Ivers on "Maudabawn Chapel". The Chieftains' "Live" from the late '70's is another good one and features Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy.
But my favorite by far is "Gaelic Roots", a 2-CD set which was recorded in the early-mid '90's at the annual fest/workshop of the same name. All-star line-up, all-star tracks: Liz Carroll, Paddy Keenan, James Keane, Jackie Daly, Gerry O'Connor, Buddy McMaster, Sean Potts, Maire Keefe, Eileen Ivers and many others. I don't know whether the set is sold through regular commercial channels - I picked mine up a few years ago at a Liz Carroll concert.
You are right that live tracks are the best tracks. There is nothing that compares with the energy of a live performance. As much as I enjoy Liz Carroll's recordings, they are a mere shadow compared to the brilliance she displays in performance. These are great times we live in when we can participate as listeners in some of the best musical art ever produced.
I really really really love Noel Hill and Tony McMahon's CD "In Knocknagree" its recorded in Dan O'Connells pub in Cnoc na Grao, in Cork in 1985. It has an ole fella dancing on some tracks and lots of woo's etc. The music is simple to the point and very tasty. I highly recommend this album I got it 8 years ago and am still not the slighest bit sick of it. I also like Music at Matt Molloys.
Last Spring I had the great experience of playing with Pierre Schryer, a great Canadian fiddler, on a live CD recording. We had previously only jammed a couple of times at festivals and only had half a day to get ready (thus keeping it fresh!). The recording really captured his great playing of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and Quebec tunes, as well as his improvisational skills. I think it's only been released in Canada so far.
If anyone is interested, it's on Pierre's web site: http://www.pierreschryer.com
I've actually found the studio version of the Bothy Band's albums to bit a better than their live. For instance, Paddy Keenan's Uilleann Pipes on Patsy Geary's on the studio version (on Bothy Bands 1975 album) is of a much better quality and the first time I heard him bend the notes I had to start the song over just so I could hear it again. The live version does not do this, and I found it to be not as good.
I listen to studio and live recordings for different things, in many different genres of music. They feel different. I don't personally think that one is "better" than the other. There's something for every mood I might be in, and I think they all represent a side of the player and his/her playing that I wouldn't otherwise see.
Seeing as I am quoted here, I should explain the context of my comments. I am talking about Kevin Crawford's "In Good Company" which I bought about 3 months ago and have listened to only 3 times since then. It seems to me an oddly dull recording -- the great tunes and talent aside -- as if the fiddle/ flute are not playing "together" just "at the same time" and I even have my doubts about playing "at the same time", as someone told me that the fiddle and flute tracks were recorded separately. If true, that would explain why the album seems surprisingly lifeless and would also be, in my view, something of a deception. By comparison, my CD of Crotty/ Cullinan is hardly ever off the CD player. There are many, many great recordings made in the studio and some of them have been mentioned in this thread. I suppose if you want to showcase your playing/ experiment/ do something different (whatever that means), then a studio makes sense, but if you want to present the music itself, then record "live" in front of an audience. I have made only 2 recordings, one in a studio and one other about 45 minutes of music recorded "live" in Queally's Bar Milltown Malbay for RTE a long time ago.I unhesitatingly prefer the Queally's recording. It's without doubt a much better performance, captured in time and place, not in the twilight zone of the studio. We played for the handful of customers who were in before the doors were closed for an hour. Having them there, responding to their energy and enjoyment of the music, their comments and jokes and encouragement made a difference (not to mention being in a good pub, our natural musical environment) which was captured on tape and gave our playing an edge. We know that Irish trad music is about more than just music. That sense of time and place, who was there, who said what to me, the first time I heard a particular tune, who played it -- the very things Rev. Gary Hastings stresses in his notes to his own particularly fine STUDIO (!) recording with Fr. Seamus Quinn. Or maybe, it's just advancing middle-age!
I tend to agree about the "Good Company" CD now. It was one of my favourites when i got it, but i don't find myself playing it very often.
But then there's Kevin Burke's "If the cap fits", very much a "studio" recording, complete with him playing duets and trios with himself, but still, it's bursting with energy.
I think live playing comes more naturally to most of us session players, but there are ways to make great studio recordings too.
"Live" music on CD's vs. "studioed" tunes
"Live" music on CD's vs. "studioed" tunes
"I greatly admire these musicians, but still only the Gavin and maybe the Peoples tracks make me listen more closely. Maybe, it will grow on me but I think it has been almost studioed to death, there's more life on Mars. It makes a good argument for recording "live". Anybody familiar with the Joe Cooley album where you can hear the clink of bottles, people coughing and shouts of encouragement to the players?"--Longnote
I read this in another thread, and I favor the "live" recordings as well. I got to thinking of my commercial CD's...I always play the "live" recordings over and over. They are so much clearer than my session tapes--the taping quality of the machine I use really mucks 'em up for casual listening. I love hearing the way the music changes in the middle of a tune when you feel the musicians get into something they love, and when the crowd picks up on that and starts stomping to the music and whooping...wow! That does it for me!
I'd choose session type songs any day over studio work.
I would love to find CD's of "live" sessions that don't include anything else. Know of any?
What are your favorite live recordings (rather than the ones that are done in studio and had mixers & cleaner-uppers and things alter the "true" music.)
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Live music
I tend to agree that live recordings often have that certain something that's missing from studio recordings.
There are exceptions, of course, but a lot of my favourite albums are live recordings.
There's the Fiddle Sticks album:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display.php/202
and the Bothy Band's Afterhours:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display.php/11
My all-time favourite recording of Irish music, live or otherwise, is probably Donal Lunny's live in Dublin album (a tribute to Sean O'Riada) but I don't even have a copy of that any more
As for a CD of a live session, you can't do much better than Music At Matt Molloy's:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display.php/52
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by Jeremy
Re:
I haven't (yet) got a particularly extensive number of recordings, live or studio, but this thread will doubtless give me plenty of ideas. As I type, I'm listening to Ben Lennon & Friends "The Natural Bridge". Except for tracks 1 & 3 (studio) and track 16 (live in concert) the rest of the 19 tracks were recorded live in Meehan's, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim. Having had the pleasure of being at Ben's gig at The Duke of Cambridge pub in Bristol (UK) last August, I can say that the "Natural Bridge" cd is pretty close to the real thing.
Another cd I listen to a lot is Rogha Órdha which is a compendium of mostly live performances over the years to celebrate Comhaltas's Golden Jubilee at Scoil Eigse 2001.
Another is "Michael Gorman The Sligo Champion", a 2-cd collection of his recordings from 1927 to 1970. Many of these were made in the days when recordings were made straight onto wax masters, and once recorded they couldn't be changed, so that was that and you had a "true" performance, warts and all, even if it was done in a studio. The same applies to those old recordings of Michael Coleman and others.
Regarding the modern performers I'd agree with Katie's choice but I'd also add Hayes' & Cahill's "Live in Seattle". I'll be seeing them in Bristol the week after next.
I think that if ever I am vouchsafed the power I shall pass a law Forbidding The Recording Of Music Other Than Live Before An Audience - and none of this post-production editing nonsense either -
trevor
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Matt Molloy's live session CD.
Matt Molloy's my all-time favorite. I'll have to get that one, DEFINITELY. And since Donal Lunny is yours, I'll keep my eyes and ears open for it. Maybe one of the session members will be stricken by your sad face and tell you where you can get it.
Thanks, Jeremy!
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by katiebythegate
Re:
The "Green Fields of America" from 1988 is a GREAT one and includes a tribute to Ed Reavy - check out Eileen Ivers on "Maudabawn Chapel". The Chieftains' "Live" from the late '70's is another good one and features Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy.
But my favorite by far is "Gaelic Roots", a 2-CD set which was recorded in the early-mid '90's at the annual fest/workshop of the same name. All-star line-up, all-star tracks: Liz Carroll, Paddy Keenan, James Keane, Jackie Daly, Gerry O'Connor, Buddy McMaster, Sean Potts, Maire Keefe, Eileen Ivers and many others. I don't know whether the set is sold through regular commercial channels - I picked mine up a few years ago at a Liz Carroll concert.
You are right that live tracks are the best tracks. There is nothing that compares with the energy of a live performance. As much as I enjoy Liz Carroll's recordings, they are a mere shadow compared to the brilliance she displays in performance. These are great times we live in when we can participate as listeners in some of the best musical art ever produced.
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by K. Leahy
Re:
I really really really love Noel Hill and Tony McMahon's CD "In Knocknagree" its recorded in Dan O'Connells pub in Cnoc na Grao, in Cork in 1985. It has an ole fella dancing on some tracks and lots of woo's etc. The music is simple to the point and very tasty. I highly recommend this album I got it 8 years ago and am still not the slighest bit sick of it. I also like Music at Matt Molloys.
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by bb
Oh and anyone who doesnt like the idea of a duo of box and concertina - this'll surely change your mind
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by bb
Re:
Last Spring I had the great experience of playing with Pierre Schryer, a great Canadian fiddler, on a live CD recording. We had previously only jammed a couple of times at festivals and only had half a day to get ready (thus keeping it fresh!). The recording really captured his great playing of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and Quebec tunes, as well as his improvisational skills. I think it's only been released in Canada so far.
If anyone is interested, it's on Pierre's web site:
http://www.pierreschryer.com
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by ian clark
Re:
One of my favourite live CDs is Frankie Gavin, Arty McGlynn and Aidan Coffey Live in Paris (1996) - great playing and the crowd are right into it.
# Posted on January 17th 2003 by ian clark
Re:
I've actually found the studio version of the Bothy Band's albums to bit a better than their live. For instance, Paddy Keenan's Uilleann Pipes on Patsy Geary's on the studio version (on Bothy Bands 1975 album) is of a much better quality and the first time I heard him bend the notes I had to start the song over just so I could hear it again. The live version does not do this, and I found it to be not as good.
# Posted on January 18th 2003 by michael_coleman
Re:
I listen to studio and live recordings for different things, in many different genres of music. They feel different. I don't personally think that one is "better" than the other. There's something for every mood I might be in, and I think they all represent a side of the player and his/her playing that I wouldn't otherwise see.
Zina
# Posted on January 18th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: My Quote
Seeing as I am quoted here, I should explain the context of my comments. I am talking about Kevin Crawford's "In Good Company" which I bought about 3 months ago and have listened to only 3 times since then. It seems to me an oddly dull recording -- the great tunes and talent aside -- as if the fiddle/ flute are not playing "together" just "at the same time" and I even have my doubts about playing "at the same time", as someone told me that the fiddle and flute tracks were recorded separately. If true, that would explain why the album seems surprisingly lifeless and would also be, in my view, something of a deception. By comparison, my CD of Crotty/ Cullinan is hardly ever off the CD player. There are many, many great recordings made in the studio and some of them have been mentioned in this thread. I suppose if you want to showcase your playing/ experiment/ do something different (whatever that means), then a studio makes sense, but if you want to present the music itself, then record "live" in front of an audience. I have made only 2 recordings, one in a studio and one other about 45 minutes of music recorded "live" in Queally's Bar Milltown Malbay for RTE a long time ago.I unhesitatingly prefer the Queally's recording. It's without doubt a much better performance, captured in time and place, not in the twilight zone of the studio. We played for the handful of customers who were in before the doors were closed for an hour. Having them there, responding to their energy and enjoyment of the music, their comments and jokes and encouragement made a difference (not to mention being in a good pub, our natural musical environment) which was captured on tape and gave our playing an edge. We know that Irish trad music is about more than just music. That sense of time and place, who was there, who said what to me, the first time I heard a particular tune, who played it -- the very things Rev. Gary Hastings stresses in his notes to his own particularly fine STUDIO (!) recording with Fr. Seamus Quinn. Or maybe, it's just advancing middle-age!
# Posted on January 19th 2003 by LongNote
Re: Studio
I tend to agree about the "Good Company" CD now. It was one of my favourites when i got it, but i don't find myself playing it very often.
But then there's Kevin Burke's "If the cap fits", very much a "studio" recording, complete with him playing duets and trios with himself, but still, it's bursting with energy.
I think live playing comes more naturally to most of us session players, but there are ways to make great studio recordings too.
# Posted on January 19th 2003 by glauber