Actually I was going to make the same comment Nicholas that I've often been at sessions that were less together, so it's nothing to do with putting a spanner in the works. Maybe it's because veteran sessioneer, Tony Smith (Antón MacGabhann) was fiddling away in the centre of the crowd that kept it all together.
I'll have to take your word to it that Antón MacGabhann = "Tony Smith", because I know that is the general practice and also I know nothing about the Irish language. Maybe a more practical reason for this translation is that it is less confusing than calling him Andy McGann.
Beautiful. Reminds me of something The Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens once sang: "There will be no war in the world/with everybody joining the band."
That really was great fun - and hard work! 40 minutes solid we played for - my arm was falling off!
Fair play to Tullamore 07 - that was unforgettable.
Mhuppert, I put in the two versions of Tony Smith's identity as it's always a bit confusing in that some recordings refer to Antón MacGabhann while just as many more use the anglicised version. Well done Cathy on finding yourself - must go and have another look as identifying someone in that crowd is a bit like the old puzzle, "Where's Wally?"
It's a bit like the Andy Warhol "everyone gets their little bit of fame" adage although here it's only two seconds or so! The hat looks good Cathy and I also found myself playing fiddle at 3.23 (lucky it was the Boys of Bluehill at the time where it would have been hard to get a wrong note!). Is there anyone else from the Yellow Board who took part in this mammoth event?
As for bodhráns, I thought I could spot a Lambeg over on the right hand side but BB should be able to give a ruling on this - mind you it takes some muscle to wave one of those around in the air!
Music doesn't have to be about winning competitions, perfection of ornamentation techniques, a balance of instruments in a session or many other things that musicians get hung up about. Here we have all levels of musicians from veterans such as Antón Mac Gabhann (RTE's Céilí House comes live from Antón's house tomorrow night) to 10 year olds at their first Fleadh and the rest of us in between. This event proves what most of us have felt all along that the main element of traditional entertainment is about having fun - if that's missing then it's time to pack it in!
This brings back a good memory. I had just arrived in town and didn't have time to get my instrument but I watched it happen and there was a great buzz about the whole thing. I too would have thought there were about 700 musicians and 2000 spectators, but maybe like me they hadn't their instruments. Thanks to the Compere there are now 2700 people who call that fine old tune 'Valse Vienna' by the name of Shoo the Donkey.
This is a brilliant link that should appeal to all ages.
It's a reminder of what the music's really all about.
It's also a great hint for beginners or newbies to the music of what would be a good selection of tunes to learn.
I listened again and I realized I don't know the names of all the tunes on the clip. Can someone provide the missing tune name?
Here they are in order on the clip as I know them:
Sonny's Mazurka
Shoe the Donkey
slide name?
Boys of Bluehill
Cronin's Hornpipe
Connachtman's Rambles
Rolling in the Ryegrass
I didn't recognize the slide that comes after Shoe the Donkey. Can someone tell me the name? I guess I'm still a newbie.
(I'd also never heard Shoe the Donkey before so that proves I'm still a newbie.)
Halfwaythere - As you have never heard 'Shoe the Donkey' before, allow me to give you a bit more information about the tune. The tune itself is actually a four part tune and I've seen it written as Versevianna, Valse Vienna and La Valse du Pav vre Garconnet. Around 1846 a dance called a Redowa was introduced to Britian from Paris and I'd imagine that is when the tune first put in an appearence because I've seen 'Tempo di Redowa' written on an old copy. When it came across to Ireland the tune lost the last two parts and became known as Father Halpin's Top Coat - Cock your leg up - Paddy Danny - La Va - Step Waltz - Have you seen my new shoes, and of course, Shoe or Shoo the Donkey. The Redowa is danced in 3/4 time and contains one long step and two small leap-steps. The couple performing a full rotation every six beats. There is a bit more to it than that of course. Incidentally the next time you see the movie 'Shane' listen for the tune that is played when Alan Ladd is dancing with Jane Arthur. Just another variation of the old tune in question.
The Biggest Session Ever !!
The Biggest Session Ever !!
Who said it couldn't be done- not 20, not 200 but 2,700 musicians all playing mazurkas, hornpipes and reels - not for the feint hearted! Click on http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_238_3_worlds_largest_traditional_irish_music_session/ to see the result.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
It's more together than most sessions I grace.
Maybe that's because I wasn't there to put a spanner in the works.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by nicholas
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Actually I was going to make the same comment Nicholas that I've often been at sessions that were less together, so it's nothing to do with putting a spanner in the works. Maybe it's because veteran sessioneer, Tony Smith (Antón MacGabhann) was fiddling away in the centre of the crowd that kept it all together.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
I'll have to take your word to it that Antón MacGabhann = "Tony Smith", because I know that is the general practice and also I know nothing about the Irish language. Maybe a more practical reason for this translation is that it is less confusing than calling him Andy McGann.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Hup
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
That looks like fun.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Marklar
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Beautiful. Reminds me of something The Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens once sang: "There will be no war in the world/with everybody joining the band."
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by cathrynb
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
That really was great fun - and hard work! 40 minutes solid we played for - my arm was falling off!
Fair play to Tullamore 07 - that was unforgettable.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by RockyRoader
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
I was just learning to play at the time and didnt know the tunes. I was broken hearted that i couldnt join in :(
Next time maybe!
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by session savage
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Hmmm.... I counted just 2,698.
And, as I've always said, I prefer small sessions.
But seriously, that looks like a lot of fun. And I love mazurkas anyway. Well done lads.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Alf Tupper
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Hey I'm there!! At about 4.28 in hat playing fiddle,next to Bertie Moran,(red button accordion)....so now you can see what I look like!
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by cathycook
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Whoops I've gone colour blind, I meant black button accordion.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by cathycook
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Wahey! your famous now
Any chance of an autograph??
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by session savage
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Mhuppert, I put in the two versions of Tony Smith's identity as it's always a bit confusing in that some recordings refer to Antón MacGabhann while just as many more use the anglicised version. Well done Cathy on finding yourself - must go and have another look as identifying someone in that crowd is a bit like the old puzzle, "Where's Wally?"
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
It's a bit like the Andy Warhol "everyone gets their little bit of fame" adage although here it's only two seconds or so! The hat looks good Cathy and I also found myself playing fiddle at 3.23 (lucky it was the Boys of Bluehill at the time where it would have been hard to get a wrong note!). Is there anyone else from the Yellow Board who took part in this mammoth event?
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Found you bannerman ;)
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by session savage
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Hmmm... I counted three, maybe even FOUR bodhráns in that session.... it must have ruined it completely.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
What a grand mob. Hide your pints, lock up your pubs, there's 2,700 of us all in one place, look out!
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
As for bodhráns, I thought I could spot a Lambeg over on the right hand side but BB should be able to give a ruling on this - mind you it takes some muscle to wave one of those around in the air!
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Are there really 2700 musicians? There seem to be a lot of spectators mingling. How was the number validated? Great spectacle nevertheless.
# Posted on January 5th 2008 by deeor
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Music doesn't have to be about winning competitions, perfection of ornamentation techniques, a balance of instruments in a session or many other things that musicians get hung up about. Here we have all levels of musicians from veterans such as Antón Mac Gabhann (RTE's Céilí House comes live from Antón's house tomorrow night) to 10 year olds at their first Fleadh and the rest of us in between. This event proves what most of us have felt all along that the main element of traditional entertainment is about having fun - if that's missing then it's time to pack it in!
# Posted on January 5th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
This brings back a good memory. I had just arrived in town and didn't have time to get my instrument but I watched it happen and there was a great buzz about the whole thing. I too would have thought there were about 700 musicians and 2000 spectators, but maybe like me they hadn't their instruments. Thanks to the Compere there are now 2700 people who call that fine old tune 'Valse Vienna' by the name of Shoo the Donkey.
# Posted on January 5th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Or even 'Shoe the Donkey', unless you're telling us you're not really fond of the beasts, FR?
# Posted on January 5th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
2,700 people plus all those thousands of set dancers who've danced to this tune down through the years - if you don't believe me, ask Brendan Shine!
# Posted on January 5th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
This is a brilliant link that should appeal to all ages.
It's a reminder of what the music's really all about.
It's also a great hint for beginners or newbies to the music of what would be a good selection of tunes to learn.
# Posted on January 6th 2008 by halfwaythere
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
I listened again and I realized I don't know the names of all the tunes on the clip. Can someone provide the missing tune name?
Here they are in order on the clip as I know them:
Sonny's Mazurka
Shoe the Donkey
slide name?
Boys of Bluehill
Cronin's Hornpipe
Connachtman's Rambles
Rolling in the Ryegrass
I didn't recognize the slide that comes after Shoe the Donkey. Can someone tell me the name? I guess I'm still a newbie.
(I'd also never heard Shoe the Donkey before so that proves I'm still a newbie.)
# Posted on January 6th 2008 by halfwaythere
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
It's the Brosna Slide, also known as The Lonesome Road to Dingle.
# Posted on January 6th 2008 by cathycook
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Halfwaythere - As you have never heard 'Shoe the Donkey' before, allow me to give you a bit more information about the tune. The tune itself is actually a four part tune and I've seen it written as Versevianna, Valse Vienna and La Valse du Pav vre Garconnet. Around 1846 a dance called a Redowa was introduced to Britian from Paris and I'd imagine that is when the tune first put in an appearence because I've seen 'Tempo di Redowa' written on an old copy. When it came across to Ireland the tune lost the last two parts and became known as Father Halpin's Top Coat - Cock your leg up - Paddy Danny - La Va - Step Waltz - Have you seen my new shoes, and of course, Shoe or Shoo the Donkey. The Redowa is danced in 3/4 time and contains one long step and two small leap-steps. The couple performing a full rotation every six beats. There is a bit more to it than that of course. Incidentally the next time you see the movie 'Shane' listen for the tune that is played when Alan Ladd is dancing with Jane Arthur. Just another variation of the old tune in question.
# Posted on January 6th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Thanks for the info cathycook and Free Reed!
# Posted on January 6th 2008 by halfwaythere
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Also have a look at http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/2320 which gives more information on Shoe the Donkey including the dance steps
# Posted on January 7th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The Biggest Session Ever !!
Impressive. My favorite was the ever-present, lonely tambourine, which seems to cut through even this sort of a wall of sound...
# Posted on January 7th 2008 by matti