Somehow I was reminded today of a little choir concert a friend of mine was in that I went to recently. It was titled "Music of the British Isles" (I'm sure you're cringing already, as I did...). To start off and rant a bit, all the girls (and the few guys) are, of course, classically trained, which I love that kind of singing too. However, there were several instances where I wished I had a shotgun... Some of the worse moments were when their percussionist came out with, thankfully not a bodhran but, a darbuka! Nothing wrong with that, I love those drums but, the first time, he played it like a djembe, and the second time beat it with timpani mallets, which I wanted to shove somewhere were the light doesn't shine. The worst, or rather, most painful bit, was when they did (or sorry, tried) Puirt a beul (mouth music). I know that at least most of you on here know what that awesome stuff is, and they absolutely butchered it. See, in my opinion, when people do mouth music the right way, it sounds to me like their singing actual lyrics, but when these people did it, it actually sounded like giberish, and was just terrible. I don't know what tune they did, although they probably made it up, but I'm not sure I want to know anymore, as they will have tainted my view of it. It was all "oohs", "ahs", and "doos", and that kind of stuff. The other sutff I didn't like much was when they did songs like "Tell Me Ma", all in that classical style, or when they had the violins, flutes, pianos, guitars, etc. suck the life out of new and old tunes alike by playing them only a little bit better than a MIDI would...
So, the point of this discussion is how much it drives me crazy when people like to take our music, knowing nothing about it, and play it like theirs, and vice versa sometimes too...
Yes, I find it upsetting when people play it wrong. But not half as upsetting as when those people who play it wrong spout on endlessly about how right they are.
Now I've got indigestion and need to find something to settle my aching imagination... I shouldn't have read that, too many bad memories came flooding in... It also reminds me of food poisoning and kneeling next to the loo praying for it to be taken away, dear lord please ease my pain...
My gosh, I can't watch that video... I can tell how bad it is just by the first bit. She only sung in a few songs, actually, but if that kind of concert happens again, I'll probably turn it down, or maybe start playing along with them in the back...
Damn you Joe, I was already feeling ill... What's that type of rigor, you know, where your face freezes into a kind of wretched smile? That's scary stuff... "Celtic Fiddler"???
Holy African-American-Celtic-Spiritual, Batman. Wow. Swing low, sweet curragh. That was mighty good.
However, I'm ashamed that I thought the "Celtic Fiddler" chick was cute, dispute how formulaic her music sounded. Then again, I am approaching "Dirty Old Man-hood" (aged 36) so these feelings can be understood.
Reminds me of a show I saw at a respected university. It was supposed to be showcasing dances from cultures around the world. For the Irish bit, they played a trad rift badly cut from Dropkick Murphys and tapdanced around in weird costumes. I was speechless (which is a rare state for me).
I understand perfectly. What gripes me is a lush orchestral setting of a tune such as Banish Misfortune and an operatic soprano backed by said lush orchestra crooning, "Will you go, laddie, go..."
This weekend I turned on the tube randomly and discovered the horror of Celtic Fire. It's the coed version of Celtic Woman. Now, that's grim. When they do Moody Blues songs with bagpipes (no $$$t), I'm outta there.
Anyone seen "High Kings of Dublin"? Same thing there. Fake smiles and everything. It really is too bad, because I actually like their rendition of "Holy Ground" And isn't the Clancy lad the spitting image of Liam?
SWFL, check it out again but this time with your glasses on... I'm still trying to remember the name for that type of smile, is it 'rictus'? ~ Il Sorriso Della Jena / The smile of the Hyena...
What is it with 'Drowsy Maggie' (a lesson in repetition) that non Irish Traditional musicians seem to latch on to, and usually murder. Beats me??? But some of the comments on the Utube link really do it for me.eg:...I love that song...Is that the Swallows Jig...Doh!!!!
When they try to sing our music...
When they try to sing our music...
Somehow I was reminded today of a little choir concert a friend of mine was in that I went to recently. It was titled "Music of the British Isles" (I'm sure you're cringing already, as I did...). To start off and rant a bit, all the girls (and the few guys) are, of course, classically trained, which I love that kind of singing too. However, there were several instances where I wished I had a shotgun... Some of the worse moments were when their percussionist came out with, thankfully not a bodhran but, a darbuka! Nothing wrong with that, I love those drums but, the first time, he played it like a djembe, and the second time beat it with timpani mallets, which I wanted to shove somewhere were the light doesn't shine. The worst, or rather, most painful bit, was when they did (or sorry, tried) Puirt a beul (mouth music). I know that at least most of you on here know what that awesome stuff is, and they absolutely butchered it. See, in my opinion, when people do mouth music the right way, it sounds to me like their singing actual lyrics, but when these people did it, it actually sounded like giberish, and was just terrible. I don't know what tune they did, although they probably made it up, but I'm not sure I want to know anymore, as they will have tainted my view of it. It was all "oohs", "ahs", and "doos", and that kind of stuff. The other sutff I didn't like much was when they did songs like "Tell Me Ma", all in that classical style, or when they had the violins, flutes, pianos, guitars, etc. suck the life out of new and old tunes alike by playing them only a little bit better than a MIDI would...
So, the point of this discussion is how much it drives me crazy when people like to take our music, knowing nothing about it, and play it like theirs, and vice versa sometimes too...
# Posted on June 15th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Yes, I find it upsetting when people play it wrong. But not half as upsetting as when those people who play it wrong spout on endlessly about how right they are.
# Posted on June 15th 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: When they try to sing our music...
I wonder whether they actually like it, or do it because they think it's something light and cheerful that the punters will like!
# Posted on June 15th 2008 by nicholas
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Uhhh!
Now I've got indigestion and need to find something to settle my aching imagination... I shouldn't have read that, too many bad memories came flooding in... It also reminds me of food poisoning and kneeling next to the loo praying for it to be taken away, dear lord please ease my pain...
# Posted on June 15th 2008 by ceolachan
Our music...
You might want to let your friend know this. Before you get another 'choir concert' invite.
# Posted on June 15th 2008 by Random_notes
Re: When they try to sing our music...
I know, man. I'm still retching over this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7w65438PCGM
Wait - stand back!
bfflleeaahgghrrgrh.... yuck
# Posted on June 15th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: When they try to sing our music...
My gosh, I can't watch that video... I can tell how bad it is just by the first bit. She only sung in a few songs, actually, but if that kind of concert happens again, I'll probably turn it down, or maybe start playing along with them in the back...
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Damn you Joe, I was already feeling ill... What's that type of rigor, you know, where your face freezes into a kind of wretched smile? That's scary stuff... "Celtic Fiddler"???
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: When they try to sing our music...
She fiddles like a dead frog kicks when you send a jolt of electricity through it...
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: When they try to sing our music...
I kind of think that classical rendition of "folk tunes" is a genre all to itself. As long as they realise that and don't impose their style, ...
meanwhile, JosephofCK, have a listen to this to cleanse your lugs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQJeM1X8lDw&feature=related
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by Bren
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Holy African-American-Celtic-Spiritual, Batman. Wow. Swing low, sweet curragh. That was mighty good.
However, I'm ashamed that I thought the "Celtic Fiddler" chick was cute, dispute how formulaic her music sounded. Then again, I am approaching "Dirty Old Man-hood" (aged 36) so these feelings can be understood.
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: When they try to sing our music...
She can have Drowsy Maggie, I've never liked that tune and probably can't play it any better than she can.
But rather grim nonetheless.
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by nicholas
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Woah! Bren, that is nice!
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Reminds me of a show I saw at a respected university. It was supposed to be showcasing dances from cultures around the world. For the Irish bit, they played a trad rift badly cut from Dropkick Murphys and tapdanced around in weird costumes. I was speechless (which is a rare state for me).
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by tracywag
Re: When they try to sing our music...
I rather liked "Brigadoon" until now
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by mcknowall
Re: When they try to sing our music...
I understand perfectly. What gripes me is a lush orchestral setting of a tune such as Banish Misfortune and an operatic soprano backed by said lush orchestra crooning, "Will you go, laddie, go..."
This weekend I turned on the tube randomly and discovered the horror of Celtic Fire. It's the coed version of Celtic Woman. Now, that's grim. When they do Moody Blues songs with bagpipes (no $$$t), I'm outta there.
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by cathrynb
Re: When they try to sing our music...
What's wrong with Brigadoon? My favourite show ever.
... oh, OK, joint favourite with Carousel.
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Should not those who have borrowed also be prepared to lend ?
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by david_h
Re: When they try to sing our music...
"they played a trad rift badly cut from Dropkick Murphys "
a trad rift - was it played down in a valley?
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: When they try to sing our music...
"rift" has another meaning altogether in NE Scotland
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by Bren
Re: When they try to sing our music...
I believe the term "rift" means the same thing in the US also.
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by rob_handel
Re: When they try to sing our music...
It's none of these ones Rob, if that's what you mean:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rift
Up here, it means v."break wind" or n."an act of breaking wind"
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by Bren
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Anyone seen "High Kings of Dublin"? Same thing there. Fake smiles and everything. It really is too bad, because I actually like their rendition of "Holy Ground" And isn't the Clancy lad the spitting image of Liam?
Salt
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by saltcast
Re: When they try to sing our music...
SWFL, check it out again but this time with your glasses on... I'm still trying to remember the name for that type of smile, is it 'rictus'? ~ Il Sorriso Della Jena / The smile of the Hyena...
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Bren, I was afraid initially to click on your link. I'm glad I did. I love it, and I miss it...
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: When they try to sing our music...
Wow, thanks Mr. C, I stand corrected.
...and there's beer goggles in action. I had just gotten a ride home from a "Father's Day" pub session when I watched that clip.
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: When they try to sing our music...
What is it with 'Drowsy Maggie' (a lesson in repetition) that non Irish Traditional musicians seem to latch on to, and usually murder. Beats me??? But some of the comments on the Utube link really do it for me.eg:...I love that song...Is that the Swallows Jig...Doh!!!!
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by Free Reed