I went to this concert, despite the forecast of hurricane-force winds. It was a very dramatic night all around. The lights dimmed a couple of times during the show, my half-hour ferry ride back home during the height of the storm was like a roller coaster, and a fallen tree blocked the road just a few miles from home. (Luckily, it had blocked the one spot for miles, literally, where a short detour around it was possible.) It took four days to get the power back on in our area, and others waited more than two weeks.
I'll never forget that night. I hope the video and my little story will help you forget your unfortunate intro to the tune. ;>}
it is a fantastic slow air, one of my favourties on the fiddle....for your info the origin of the tune comes from the Great Blasket from the people living in Inis Mhic Uibhleain (one of the smaller blaskets) most of them herdsmen looking after the stock for a landlord in Dingle. One winter's night they woke to hear the sound, sound of birds or something like that, and it came closer and closer all the time, until at last they realised that it was music. They listen until they could remember it and it has been on the Blasket ever since, translation from the irish of "The Fairy Lament". Anyway a bit of an interesting story!
I'm always after a nice slow air to convince myself that they're actually possible on the harmonica so I'll learn it too, Ben. Nice sentiment by the way!
That's fantastic news, Benhall. Looks like that new CD of yours (and especially that last track) has given you a lot of inspiration, and not just to learn a new tune either. Good on ya mate.
To bed with you Steve - hot lemsip and a good book for the waking moments.
Who really cares where inspiration comes from - the important thing is the inspiration. Lovely tune - have it by MacMahon on Lament - as Benhall 1 says "achingly beautiful". Aaaaaaaaarh (sigh).
... and I STILL can't stop playing it. I've played it about a dozen times today - never the same twice ... but not through my choosing; I think the tune's doing it ... or maybe it's the faeries ...
... or the spirit for genius. (See the how to become a genius thread). Wish I could hear you benhall. Perhaps you could send it as a whisper in the winds.
strange inspiration
strange inspiration
Just thought I'd let you all know.
I've learnt a new (for me) tune.
It's called Port Na Bpucai, and it's absolutely, achingly beautiful.
I can't get the thing out of my head - all day, every day now almost since last weekend.
Every time I pick up my fiddle that's what I'm playing. My SO says I'm doing it pretty well.
And I will always remember the inspiration for learning the tune.
Shame, that ...
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: strange inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Fn4nEC5gE
I went to this concert, despite the forecast of hurricane-force winds. It was a very dramatic night all around. The lights dimmed a couple of times during the show, my half-hour ferry ride back home during the height of the storm was like a roller coaster, and a fallen tree blocked the road just a few miles from home. (Luckily, it had blocked the one spot for miles, literally, where a short detour around it was possible.) It took four days to get the power back on in our area, and others waited more than two weeks.
I'll never forget that night. I hope the video and my little story will help you forget your unfortunate intro to the tune. ;>}
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by mickray
Re: strange inspiration
it is a fantastic slow air, one of my favourties on the fiddle....for your info the origin of the tune comes from the Great Blasket from the people living in Inis Mhic Uibhleain (one of the smaller blaskets) most of them herdsmen looking after the stock for a landlord in Dingle. One winter's night they woke to hear the sound, sound of birds or something like that, and it came closer and closer all the time, until at last they realised that it was music. They listen until they could remember it and it has been on the Blasket ever since, translation from the irish of "The Fairy Lament". Anyway a bit of an interesting story!
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by tombo
Re: strange inspiration
I'm always after a nice slow air to convince myself that they're actually possible on the harmonica so I'll learn it too, Ben. Nice sentiment by the way!
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: strange inspiration
How do you pronounce the name of the tune?
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by lcox
Re: strange inspiration
I've heard it as "port nah boo-key"
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: strange inspiration
That's fantastic news, Benhall. Looks like that new CD of yours (and especially that last track) has given you a lot of inspiration, and not just to learn a new tune either. Good on ya mate.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Dow
Re: strange inspiration
Tommy Peoples'
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2258
Tony Mac Mahon's
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/904
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: strange inspiration
What subtext? Don't be so suspicious! Unless you'd like an embargo on discussing particular tunes?
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: strange inspiration
What new CD?
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: strange inspiration
Sorry, I was a bit sharp there. My sinuses are hurting and I have a headache. Must be the weather.
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: strange inspiration
But surely you can blow it back into pitch can't you Steve?
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: strange inspiration
I'd rarder dot...
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: strange inspiration
Martin Hayes does a lovely version with Dennis Cahill in "Live In Seattle".
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by drone
Re: strange inspiration
To bed with you Steve - hot lemsip and a good book for the waking moments.
Who really cares where inspiration comes from - the important thing is the inspiration. Lovely tune - have it by MacMahon on Lament - as Benhall 1 says "achingly beautiful". Aaaaaaaaarh (sigh).
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: strange inspiration
Sigh indeed ...
... and I STILL can't stop playing it. I've played it about a dozen times today - never the same twice ... but not through my choosing; I think the tune's doing it ... or maybe it's the faeries ...
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: strange inspiration
... or the spirit for genius. (See the how to become a genius thread). Wish I could hear you benhall. Perhaps you could send it as a whisper in the winds.
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by Clear Drops