Starts "In the right hands, the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses, and sometimes the oldest traditions can be entrusted to the care of younger generations. Irish folk music has reeled around the revolving door of popular approval numerous times in the past few decades. Now it’s rising again, like a rose through the concrete sprawl, tended by the immediate descendants of such frontiersmen as Christy Moore and Shane MacGowan."
I'm sure it's different on that side of the pond, but in America Irish music doesn't seem to be all that popular. However, "Celtic" music is becoming very popular.
The Pogues and Flogging Molly are very popular in America. I wish I had a pound (not a dollar, given the state of the US economy) every time someone said, "Oh yeah, Flogging Molly is awesome" in response to me saying something about playing Irish music.
I don't think the writer of this article cares about, much less write about, diddley tunes.
Yes, SilverSpear, before people go nuts it's worth pointing out that this article is about Irish music in general. It's not specifically about traditional Irish music.
Surely it should be, "...rising again, like a nose through the concrete sprawl..."
That's how I would have written it, anyway.
Funny how quickly yesterday becomes the ancient past; reading about someone's "folk-punk heritage", I could almost see it as some ancient fretted brass escutcheon one could take brass rubbings off.
Totally. I'll be discussing my own personal "folk-punk heritage" everywhere I go now. I had no idea it was so hip. I just thought I was an ex-skateboarder that loves to play jigs and reels on his fiddle and holler folk songs. [shrug]
"In the right hands, the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses" I note in particular the use of the words "In the right hands" in relation to the bodhran - do you think he's been here??
“The Pogues and Flogging Molly are very popular in America.”
Really? Where? New England? Left coast? I haven’t heard the Pogues on the radio or seen a CD in maybe fifteen years, and I never heard of Flogging Molly until someone on this forum mentioned them a few months ago.
This is no surprise, the formula works every time. You combine an ethnic music form with palatable mainstream forms and it projects you into the mainstream. The mainstream isn't savvy with the derivative ethnic form and has no idea how it might have been corrupted. All they know is that it's a unique flavor to eat along with their french fries. If you tried to explain to them how what their hearing is corrupted they won't care. If you showed them examples of the uncorrupted derivative music you might get a sprinkling of converts, but most would find it boring or lacking since it doesn't come with french fries and a coke.
It's very much like food in this way. Taco Bell sell a hellova lot more Mexican food than my favorite restaurant here in SF, but the food at my favorite restaurant is far superior to the crap Taco Bells shlops.
Maybe Flogging Molly is a generational thing. Most people I know in their 20s and 30s are at least aware of Flogging Molly's existence even if they don't like them. But I'd say most actually like them. I've certainly heard their stuff -- my roommate sophomore (second) year of college was obsessed with them and frequently played it in the room. Too much punk and not even remotely close enough to authentic Irish traditional music for my taste, but there you go.
Phantom Button - wait till you've eaten Mexican food in UK chain eateries - or rather, don't go looking for it: it seems to consist mostly of hellish tongue-skinning chilli gunk on various kinds of cardboard.
"In the right hands, the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses, and sometimes the oldest traditions can be entrusted to the care of younger generations."
My missus says: "No mention of any music then," and "obviously some hack wandered into a pub."
"I'm sure it's different on that side of the pond, but in America Irish music doesn't seem to be all that popular."
I]d say it depends on WHERE in America you are. Here in the northeast, specifically NYC (but broadly the area from Boston to Washington DC), there is traditional music (the real deal) in more than one venue every night of the week. And there are hundreds of young people (under 20) playing trad.... We are incredibly lucky to have such a wealth of talent, both home-grown and 'imported,' as well as dedicated teachers and mentors!
i don't think the ickiness with this article has anything to do with these bands. mixing rock, be it punk rock or otherwise, with roots music elements from various genres, is a longstanding and completely legitimate endeavor. (and let's not forget that conversely, there are all too many "itm" bands doing the reverse, and unlike the pogues, they ARE calling themselves traditional irish music.) i think the ickiness is the writer and/or editors of this article not having their terminology or packaging straight, and just making all the ignorance out there about this, even worse. nobody in flogging molly or the pogues is claiming to play traditional irish music. they are no different from The Knitters, which mixes punk with roots c&w/honkytonk, not to mention a current fave of mine, nyc's inimitable Gogol Bordello (get on youtube and check out their fabulous "Start Wearing Purple," but hide your glassware first) which mixes punk with Russian/gypsy stuff. when the band is good, this is a cool and honorable creative avenue. it's the mispackaging by idiots that sticks in the throat. like calling the music from "o brother where art thou" bluegrass.
Why worry about packaging or terminology? Let the teenagers and nerds fret over whether something is in the correctly-named pigeon hole.
There are about 52 categories of what all sounds like "hip hop" to me. No doubt there are people getting their knickers in a dreadful twist if they see a "garage" track in the "drum n bass" section (gawd I feel like a "Who are the Beatles?" judge in the 60s).
And we're all as bad when it comes to something we don't know that much about. I wonder if there are Russian or "gypsy" music purists out there who sneer at punters who like Gogol Bordello? What do you think is easier to find - a trad fiddler from the burgeoning multitudes of sessions and classes, or a genuinely-talented trad-influenced singer/songwriter with the common touch like Damien Dempsey?
London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4173414.ece
Starts "In the right hands, the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses, and sometimes the oldest traditions can be entrusted to the care of younger generations. Irish folk music has reeled around the revolving door of popular approval numerous times in the past few decades. Now it’s rising again, like a rose through the concrete sprawl, tended by the immediate descendants of such frontiersmen as Christy Moore and Shane MacGowan."
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by TomB-R
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
I'm sure it's different on that side of the pond, but in America Irish music doesn't seem to be all that popular. However, "Celtic" music is becoming very popular.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Marklar
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
The Pogues and Flogging Molly are very popular in America. I wish I had a pound (not a dollar, given the state of the US economy) every time someone said, "Oh yeah, Flogging Molly is awesome" in response to me saying something about playing Irish music.
I don't think the writer of this article cares about, much less write about, diddley tunes.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by TheSilverSpear
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Yes, SilverSpear, before people go nuts it's worth pointing out that this article is about Irish music in general. It's not specifically about traditional Irish music.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by bogman
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Surely it should be, "...rising again, like a nose through the concrete sprawl..."
That's how I would have written it, anyway.
Funny how quickly yesterday becomes the ancient past; reading about someone's "folk-punk heritage", I could almost see it as some ancient fretted brass escutcheon one could take brass rubbings off.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by nicholas
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Totally. I'll be discussing my own personal "folk-punk heritage" everywhere I go now. I had no idea it was so hip. I just thought I was an ex-skateboarder that loves to play jigs and reels on his fiddle and holler folk songs. [shrug]
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
"In the right hands, the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses" I note in particular the use of the words "In the right hands" in relation to the bodhran - do you think he's been here??
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by bowburner
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Somewhere I have a cheap guitar that I never learnt to play properly.
That, if anything, entitles me to call myself a punk.
Can I claim my folk-punk heritage? Pleeeeeez??!!....?!
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by nicholas
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
PBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBFFFFFFFTTTTT : P
I think that says it all.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
I assumed they were talking about a new U2 tour
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
“The Pogues and Flogging Molly are very popular in America.”
Really? Where? New England? Left coast? I haven’t heard the Pogues on the radio or seen a CD in maybe fifteen years, and I never heard of Flogging Molly until someone on this forum mentioned them a few months ago.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Yes really. Not my cup of tea but they are by far the most popular American Irish band with trad instuments.
http://www.myspace.com/floggingmolly
5.5 million profile views and their tracks have been played nearly 10 million times on myspace alone.
That makes them VERY popular.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by bogman
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
"the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses..."
Are we still talking about St. John's Night here?
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Reverend
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
This is no surprise, the formula works every time. You combine an ethnic music form with palatable mainstream forms and it projects you into the mainstream. The mainstream isn't savvy with the derivative ethnic form and has no idea how it might have been corrupted. All they know is that it's a unique flavor to eat along with their french fries. If you tried to explain to them how what their hearing is corrupted they won't care. If you showed them examples of the uncorrupted derivative music you might get a sprinkling of converts, but most would find it boring or lacking since it doesn't come with french fries and a coke.
It's very much like food in this way. Taco Bell sell a hellova lot more Mexican food than my favorite restaurant here in SF, but the food at my favorite restaurant is far superior to the crap Taco Bells shlops.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Maybe Flogging Molly is a generational thing. Most people I know in their 20s and 30s are at least aware of Flogging Molly's existence even if they don't like them. But I'd say most actually like them. I've certainly heard their stuff -- my roommate sophomore (second) year of college was obsessed with them and frequently played it in the room. Too much punk and not even remotely close enough to authentic Irish traditional music for my taste, but there you go.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by TheSilverSpear
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
I am *so* out of touch.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Phantom Button - wait till you've eaten Mexican food in UK chain eateries - or rather, don't go looking for it: it seems to consist mostly of hellish tongue-skinning chilli gunk on various kinds of cardboard.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by nicholas
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Two weeks in a row people have asked me to do a song called "The Galway Girl". I have never heard of it.
Fortunately last night the child was able to tell me it is a country song by Steve Earle, performed mostly at country weddings.
Fortunately I try to avoid weddings, they are usually miserable. I prefer the craic at funerals.
This article is about "folk" music, rather than traditional.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
I wouldn't trust anything spewed out by a Murdoch-owned rag.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
"In the right hands, the bodhran and the bouzouki can still inflame the senses, and sometimes the oldest traditions can be entrusted to the care of younger generations."
My missus says: "No mention of any music then," and "obviously some hack wandered into a pub."
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by mutatis mutandis
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
"Galway Girl":
I ask you, man
What could I do?
Cuz her hair was black
And her eyes were blue
Amen, and Kee-roist.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
"I'm sure it's different on that side of the pond, but in America Irish music doesn't seem to be all that popular."
I]d say it depends on WHERE in America you are. Here in the northeast, specifically NYC (but broadly the area from Boston to Washington DC), there is traditional music (the real deal) in more than one venue every night of the week. And there are hundreds of young people (under 20) playing trad.... We are incredibly lucky to have such a wealth of talent, both home-grown and 'imported,' as well as dedicated teachers and mentors!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Ceolagusrince
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
i don't think the ickiness with this article has anything to do with these bands. mixing rock, be it punk rock or otherwise, with roots music elements from various genres, is a longstanding and completely legitimate endeavor. (and let's not forget that conversely, there are all too many "itm" bands doing the reverse, and unlike the pogues, they ARE calling themselves traditional irish music.) i think the ickiness is the writer and/or editors of this article not having their terminology or packaging straight, and just making all the ignorance out there about this, even worse. nobody in flogging molly or the pogues is claiming to play traditional irish music. they are no different from The Knitters, which mixes punk with roots c&w/honkytonk, not to mention a current fave of mine, nyc's inimitable Gogol Bordello (get on youtube and check out their fabulous "Start Wearing Purple," but hide your glassware first) which mixes punk with Russian/gypsy stuff. when the band is good, this is a cool and honorable creative avenue. it's the mispackaging by idiots that sticks in the throat. like calling the music from "o brother where art thou" bluegrass.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by ceemonster
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
I think ceemonster is right - the article's a bit callow. And Gogol Bordello are indeed something!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by nicholas
Re: London Times - "Irish music takes off again"
Why worry about packaging or terminology? Let the teenagers and nerds fret over whether something is in the correctly-named pigeon hole.
There are about 52 categories of what all sounds like "hip hop" to me. No doubt there are people getting their knickers in a dreadful twist if they see a "garage" track in the "drum n bass" section (gawd I feel like a "Who are the Beatles?" judge in the 60s).
And we're all as bad when it comes to something we don't know that much about. I wonder if there are Russian or "gypsy" music purists out there who sneer at punters who like Gogol Bordello? What do you think is easier to find - a trad fiddler from the burgeoning multitudes of sessions and classes, or a genuinely-talented trad-influenced singer/songwriter with the common touch like Damien Dempsey?
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Bren