Honestly, isn't it past time that anyone bothered giving a damn? The man is clearly talented. Some folks like him, others don't. Is there anything left to say?
I've always liked his stuff and, for what it's worth, I think he pushes the boundaries in a very tasteful way. However, for those who don't hink he can play the "real thing" I suggest you listen to his CD with John McSherry (At First Light) or try to catch him live with his current collboration with John McCusker and John Doyle. Absolutely spellbinding.
Super talented player with a style... do you like his style? That's about all there is to it.
I think Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is the best FIDDLER on earth. I get weird looks when I tell people that but I dont care what they think... Maybe Ill post that discussion!
Many people misunderstand him! He still plays traditional music in an old-fashioned style. Listen to Dezi Donnelly and Mike McGoldrick's purest drop playing: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse/rams/7may.ram (starts around 20:30)
McGoldrick has the ability to play both idioms, [ if you want to differentiate between them as "folk" and "traditional" ]. When he chooses to plays traditional Irish music, he's as good as anyone, and only someone who doesn't know much about Irish music would describe his playing as "run-of -the -mill". It is a big mistake, often made here, to judge a musician solely on their recording output. He has to be a bit more varied and original to make a living as a professional musician, same as Kevin Crawford and "Lunasa", "Altan", "Dervish" and all the rest of them, not to mention "Flook". The options , and potential audiences, for making a living professionally playing what might be termed "pure-drop" traditional music are very limited. I agree with what Danny says above.
" 'cool' music which is more accessible to non musicians than a real trad musican."
So, are we suggesting that a "real trad musician" is less capable of understanding this "cool music" than a non musician? Also, can a non musician not appreciate "real trad music"?
What do we mean by a "non musician" anyway? Someone who doesn't play Irish music or a just a non player period?
I don't think the term "folk" is necessarily appropriate here either. This word has been so misused over the years that it's really quite meaningless.
I know that in Ireland(and many other places, these days), for marketing purposes, there is a differentiation between "folk" and "trad". However, I'd argue that traditional music (Whether Irish, Scottish or whatever) is actually "folk music" in the truest sense of the term. It's just that the players of the music and singers of songs wouldn't refer to it in this way. They just talk about "old songs" and "tunes" etc.
He is a heck of a player, but I myself don't care for the more contemporary stuff as much as I like the more traditional stuff. Like Martin Hayes, he has the ability to play the cool stuff, and jazz it up a bit, but then drop into session mode, and play the pure drop stuff along with the best of them.
As long as people are doing what they love, I have no objection to what they play, even if it is not to my taste. I learned long ago that my personal tastes include only a tiny portion of good quality music, which includes many types and styles. And if anyone can expand the boundaries of this music, and draw more people into the "tent" I say good for them!
What are you on about ????
The guy's rooted, and I mean rooted in trad!
In the sessions here in Manchester, it's the pure drop that he plays. Listen to "Morning Rory", and the stuff with Dezi Donnelly from the early years to see where he comes from. To take the base material and work with it as innovatively as he does just shows the breadth of talent.
Let's put it this way, his gig's are sell outs!
Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Just on what someone said in a previous tread namely 'musicial soul' that mick mc has done so much for trad.
Is it just me who thinks he is more a folk musican who plays 'cool' music which is more accessible to non musicians than a real trad musican.
Im not bashing the man or his music I just think he plays exceptional folk music and only 'run of the mill' Irish trad music.
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by balledfan
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Go and play with him at a session. He can play Irish music, believe me.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Honestly, isn't it past time that anyone bothered giving a damn? The man is clearly talented. Some folks like him, others don't. Is there anything left to say?
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by wormdiet
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
If you like him, you like him. As for me, I think he has absolutely no
scruples?
equals?
soul?
talent?
respect?
Pakistani pipes?
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
I bet he could play my mate Ross's Moroccan war goat.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Robert Ryan
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
I've always liked his stuff and, for what it's worth, I think he pushes the boundaries in a very tasteful way. However, for those who don't hink he can play the "real thing" I suggest you listen to his CD with John McSherry (At First Light) or try to catch him live with his current collboration with John McCusker and John Doyle. Absolutely spellbinding.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Super talented player with a style... do you like his style? That's about all there is to it.
I think Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is the best FIDDLER on earth. I get weird looks when I tell people that but I dont care what they think... Maybe Ill post that discussion!
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
I dunno if he has scruples, equals, blah, blah. . . but one thing is certain - he's no trad harmonica player.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by wormdiet
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Many people misunderstand him! He still plays traditional music in an old-fashioned style. Listen to Dezi Donnelly and Mike McGoldrick's purest drop playing: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse/rams/7may.ram (starts around 20:30)
And here's a nice video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbVBffGQAOk
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by slainte
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Brilliant trad player making a living using the so called "folk" idiom. Not a very well-thought through question.
Next please?
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
McGoldrick has the ability to play both idioms, [ if you want to differentiate between them as "folk" and "traditional" ]. When he chooses to plays traditional Irish music, he's as good as anyone, and only someone who doesn't know much about Irish music would describe his playing as "run-of -the -mill". It is a big mistake, often made here, to judge a musician solely on their recording output. He has to be a bit more varied and original to make a living as a professional musician, same as Kevin Crawford and "Lunasa", "Altan", "Dervish" and all the rest of them, not to mention "Flook". The options , and potential audiences, for making a living professionally playing what might be termed "pure-drop" traditional music are very limited. I agree with what Danny says above.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Kenny
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
Yep - I've heard Sharon Shannon being slagged because she does poppy stuff. Another brilliant trad player making a living out of it.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
" 'cool' music which is more accessible to non musicians than a real trad musican."
So, are we suggesting that a "real trad musician" is less capable of understanding this "cool music" than a non musician? Also, can a non musician not appreciate "real trad music"?
What do we mean by a "non musician" anyway? Someone who doesn't play Irish music or a just a non player period?
I don't think the term "folk" is necessarily appropriate here either. This word has been so misused over the years that it's really quite meaningless.
I know that in Ireland(and many other places, these days), for marketing purposes, there is a differentiation between "folk" and "trad". However, I'd argue that traditional music (Whether Irish, Scottish or whatever) is actually "folk music" in the truest sense of the term. It's just that the players of the music and singers of songs wouldn't refer to it in this way. They just talk about "old songs" and "tunes" etc.
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
He is a heck of a player, but I myself don't care for the more contemporary stuff as much as I like the more traditional stuff. Like Martin Hayes, he has the ability to play the cool stuff, and jazz it up a bit, but then drop into session mode, and play the pure drop stuff along with the best of them.
As long as people are doing what they love, I have no objection to what they play, even if it is not to my taste. I learned long ago that my personal tastes include only a tiny portion of good quality music, which includes many types and styles. And if anyone can expand the boundaries of this music, and draw more people into the "tent" I say good for them!
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
as Conan said above - catch him live with his current collaboration with John McCusker and John Doyle. Absolutely spellbinding.
yep - saw them a couple of weeks ago - top notch
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by Yohan
Re: Mike Mcgoldrick Folk or Tradition
What are you on about ????
The guy's rooted, and I mean rooted in trad!
In the sessions here in Manchester, it's the pure drop that he plays. Listen to "Morning Rory", and the stuff with Dezi Donnelly from the early years to see where he comes from. To take the base material and work with it as innovatively as he does just shows the breadth of talent.
Let's put it this way, his gig's are sell outs!
# Posted on May 24th 2007 by riverrunner