What a catastrophic event !! This may be the worst representation of traditional Irish music i have ever seen! Between bad singers, bad box players, bad backing and even worse fiddlers they brought our tradition to its knees. Both solos on fiddle and accordion started with tunes that weren't even Irish. This on an Irish traditional music show. I 've heard this young box years ago and he was much better, more music less tack (as in tacky things in his playing). I can actually hear a few nice techniques still in his music amongst all the bad habits he picked up, what a shame. The bad out weighs the good, pity. As for the fiddler, she hadn't one redeeming quality in her music. I don't know her personally, but she must be a very nice person to counter act that unimaginative , soul less abomination of reel playing.
Splendid Isolation! Maybe they should think about isolating her. I think when she ended her musical journey with Riverdance she took the endings of the tunes with her.
Da DA Da DA dd Da!!!!(speak aloud do not transcribe)
Very dramatic Niamh! How long has she been ending tunes like that? Don't you think she would be tired of it by now! Niamh i got a secret for you, it was pre-recorded... SHHHHHHHH! That means it was recorded at an earlier date and it was fatuous even then.
I don't know if it's Riverdance that drained the the respect for traditional Irish music from her or of it was never there to begin with.
"Irish Music" says: Please don't insult me, I have feelings too. :( Please take your music somewhere else and LET IRELAND BE!
I hope I am not the only musician/person here SICK TO DEATH of these kind of threads on thesession!!
Skinnylillegs, And all the rest from the other piece of sh*t of a so called discussion attached- Have ye nothin better to add here than trying to put good musicians down???
You speak of "Tack" above......You have none yourself as far as I am concerned with this kind of MUCK!
YAWN - bitching about muscians on a public forum. How very tasteful. And suprise, suprise no bio...would have seen that one coming. Don't suppose that there is any reason for bitching about people without a bio no? - not worried we might see how good you really are skinny?
two interpretations you can take from skinnylillegs' comment.
1) He is just being nasty and slagging musicians on a public forum for no reason other than to be malice. Or..
2) He/she is a person with a deep passion for trad and finds the poor portrail of the music on Geantrai frustating, annoying and offensive.
I'd like to think skinnylillegs falls into the second category; as I know I do.
There are dozens and dozens of excellent musicians in this country, yet they pick a handful of woeful ones and get them to play trazzy cross-polinised garbage on a show that supposed to represent local ITM. It should be sued under the Trades Description Act.
Worzel - the point is - there are heaps of musicians I hate, really hate their playing - but no matter what I feel - I don’t get on public forums and bitch about them. I especially hate it when it’s done with no bio and a fake screen name.
Also - all this is your option. I mean seriously - who died and made you guys the *keepers* of Trad music. Some people like the music that you refer to as garbage - I am one of those. I like alot of other things in trad too. I don’t go around referring to the musicians that you like that I may not like as garbage. Its frustrating being on a discussion board with so many self-righteous so and so's -really irritating.
Niamh hails from Killarney, where she started playing music at the age of 4. An All-Ireland Champion on both fiddle and concertina, Niamh had supported The Chieftains and Noel Hill, in addition to performing at festivals throughout France and England, before reaching her teens. She toured Europe, Asia and North America for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland where she is now based.
She has taught both fiddle and concertina at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann's national headquarters, An Culturlann, in Monkstown, and regularly gives workshops on both instruments. She released her debut album "On Da Thaobh / From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim - it was the only Irish album to make MOJO’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She was also presented with the “Best Trad Music Act 2008” award by The Irish World, the largest newspaper for the Irish community in Britain. Along with performing regularly as a solo artist, Niamh also tours extensively as a member of the Carlos Nunez band.
With her background and accomplishments does anyone here REALLY expect her to be playing like everyone else, or, rather, is she likely to be exploring other possibilities as a musician?
It sure sounds like she CAN cover the traditional, but that is not necessarily what folks want to hear from her, or pay for.
Let's lighten up on her a bit, maybe?
Rook - everyone has an opinion. Even if it isnt really thought out well - sadly.
I mean - can any of these people who are bitching actually play better than Niamh? Just a wild guess here - but I'm guessing a bit fat NOT.
She'd wipe the floor with me, on a performance level. She's done it for so long. Session stuff is a different thing altogether tho.
I saw her annihilate a lovely session Paul O'Shaughnessy was hosting once with his mother. It was pretty bad to watch.
I know a number of "members" here either personally or by reputation or association and can say with confidence that they're the sort of musician that I'd love to sit down with and have a few tunes. Whether the reverse is true is open to debate but they're superb ambassadors for the music nonetheless.
im agreeing with divasteed here. there are a good few people here who are certainly better players.
but why should someone who ISN'T better than 'niamh' not be allowed to voice their musical opinion on her? i think experience and general knowledge of the music stands for more here than being 'better' than someone. if that was the case we wouldn't be able to give our opinion on a whole RAKE of musicians. i know lots of people in trad that dont play but i have a huge amount of respect for them because they have spent there whole live in it. should they not be allowed to voice their opinion? for me i dont like her playing. ive heard lots of people at the fleadh play like her. she can play the fiddle, but apart from that i find it a bit uninspiring. i also didnt like the geantrai, i think TOO MUCH thought was put into it by the musicians. less is more.
Ah yes and what a mammoth contribution she has made to this site Floss:-
Number of tunes submitted: 0
Number of tunes requested: 0
Number of recordings submitted: 0
Number of links submitted: 0
Number of sessions submitted: 0
Number of events submitted: 0
Number of discussions submitted: 0
Number of comments submitted: 0
Tunes in niamhnicharra's tunebook: 0
Ok quite right floss we'll leave the personal out of it.
I just watched the Kerry Geantrai for the first time on tonights repeat and its repeating on me!
If I was to put together a Kerry show I would have Paddy Cronin, Donal O'Connor, Danny Mahony, Billy Clifford, Paul De Grae. They for me are a lot more Kerry (musically) than the musicians on Geantrai tonight.
Yes - I know what you guys are saying - I know there are some amazing musicains on this site. Its just that bitching about musicians behind a fake screen name is what I have a problem with.
"An All-Ireland Champion on both fiddle and concertina, Niamh had supported The Chieftains and Noel Hill, in addition to performing at festivals throughout France and England, before reaching her teens. She toured Europe, Asia and North America for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland where she is now based.has taught both fiddle and concertina at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann's national headquarters, An Culturlann, in Monkstown, and regularly gives workshops on both instruments. She released her debut album "On Da Thaobh / From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim - it was the only Irish album to make MOJO’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She was also presented with the “Best Trad Music Act 2008” award by The Irish World, the largest newspaper for the Irish community in Britain. Along with performing regularly as a solo artist, Niamh also tours extensively as a member of the Carlos Nunez band."
Why in the world has she wasted her time doing all the above, when she could be submitting discussion items to the mustard board about how terrible sheet music is, or how newbies are ruining all the sessions, or backers are killing ITM? Just no sense of priorities, clearly.
Look, if you perform in public, record, broadcast etc. then surely you have to accept criticism and comment.
I turned it on there just to see what all the fuss was about. It didn't seem all that bad really. Let's be honest, the standard of performance on Geantraí can be really hit and miss, and this was par for the course. Mullane's playing is good, but the gimmicky stuff in 'Mayor Harrison' was pretty crude. And Niamh Ni Charra's playing was as it was on her album. She's not the greatest fiddler in the world, but it's fine within her style. There are tons of nondescript tunes like the first one she played (Michael Rooney is a major offender here) and the second reel is fine but not my cup of tea.
As some other comment said, this *is* an anonymous forum, we are free to post what we like, and so complaining about it is a bit silly.
I really enjoyed the music on this program.
Despite wincing and cringing while reading some of the initial comments, I was at least pointed in the direction of an outstanding musical program that I'll look at regularly from now on. Can someone tell me the name of the last 3-part reel
that they closed the program with?
Agree with you cintinuo, it is an interesting discussion.Niamh is a good player, although Ive seen her live at sessions in Dublin and recently last year at Ballyshannon where she was OK, played the same stuff, some good some bad ,got the vibe that she was desperate to please.......
However she bombed at the World Fleadh in Portloise,Total car crash.She is currently in Germany with Beoga heard good reports not of he gigs but the pub sessions.
Mind you Kerry and Clondalkin were bad wait till you see the Belfast prog in the Duke of York...Ill say nothin you have been warned
Who are you?
Why is it that the only people bitching, are the one's with the FAKE names?
You must have something to hide!?!
I am sensing alot of bitterness.
I think what you all need is a big hug.
This could also be a childhood problem where ye might have been beaten with the trad stick and taught that anything outside of trad was the music of the devil and you'd go to hell if you enjoyed it.
It's ok guys i'm here for you. There are people out there that can help you with your disability to enjoy yourself.
Just to warn you all, i will be on the program at some point again with Frankie Gavin in Galway. I suggest you save yourself at revert your eyes from the tv as it might be very painful for all of those narrow minded people. God bless ye, it must be tough.
I better be off, very busy with gigs you see
When are any of ye playing so i can along and see how it's really done?
I wonder who will be the first to reply with their true identy?
Hi all....
Surprise surprise, but I'm NOT hiding behind any aliases etc. Just wanted to make a few points, before leaving this fairly over the top page.
1) Everyone is entitled to their opinion - my own is that it was not my best playing, but I got over it. However there is a big difference between voicing an opinion about music and making personal comments laced with badly disguised malice. It undermines every discussion and discussion board, however genuine the rest of the contributors are.
2) I have never had the pleasure of playing with Paul O Shaughnessy, so above comment is misdirected.
3) I view this board under nnicharra as opposed to niamhnicharra, since I lost my original password a long time ago - you will see under the new name that I have indeed contributed, although with less regularity as my uninspiring playing seems to be getting me lots of work
Now can we all go back to playing and listening to some good music (whatever genre / style/ preference you like) and stop tearing others down while hiding behind fake names....
P.S. Thanks to those who rushed to my defense regardless of their own opinion of my playing. Nice to see this board isn't completely overrun with the begrudgers...
Good replies Damien and Niamh. Rest assured, not many folk take much notice of these parochial muppets. Their self appointed 'guardian of narrow minded trad' status prevents them from getting out of their own villages. They make fools of themselves regularly here. Keep up the great tunes!
To answer Damien,: Yes i do need BIG HUG, but i wasn't "beaten with the trad stick and taught that anything outside of trad was the music of the devi", i was beaten by the "appreciation of good music stick". I'm sorry that you do not fall into that category. I do know a few people that were beaten by the "i love all that is sh*te stick", and i think you may be able to flog a few albums to them when you release your debut!
I will not revert my eyes from the upcoming program you speak of(by the way sounds like the need of an insecure musician to shamelessly plug himself) because Gavin from time to time can actually play well, although i haven't seen/heard him do it in years. Also i would like to see how he copes with you musically.
I am happy that you are busy doing gigs , and i hope they are well advertised so that i know where not to go.
You did have "it" before please get "it" back!! When you do post to this site and let us know, i might even consider going to hear you myself if this happens. which i hope it does!
As for Niamh: She never had it to begin with, I seen her win an all ireland on the concertina years ago, the reel the Moving Cloud comes to mind. Don't know why, maybe she butchered it or another one like it.
And don't you mean Paul O'Shaughnessy never had the "pressure" of playing with you.
As for the less regularity of your contibutions to this site and More regular uninspiring playing at gigs...........WHO CARES!!!
I do see a benefit though, the more you are away(touring and such) the less you're here.
I would also like to say to you Niamh, I do like most genres of music, but there is one prerequisite. It has to be musical.
I am not a begrudger i hope that yourself and David Hasslehoff make it Big in Germany!!
Damien get "it" back, and Niamh try to find "it" if your not too lost in your own ego! I know it's hard to find something you never had to lose but "What do ya have to lose"......
No doubt Damien is too modest to draw attention to his own playing here on the web so I'll do it for him. For anyone who hasn't heard this outstanding young musician, tune in to http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_205_6_damien_mullane/. The music says it all and I don't think that any further comment is necessary.
Yes damien - there are actually people on this site who think you are awesome - I wouldnt worry about some nameless faceless tosser on some website. Good on you.
Here, Here SFP. And if anyone wants to know who some of these nameless, faceless losers are, then have a look at the recent thread on http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/20117 where some real rubbish comments were posted. However, there was also a lot of commonsense ones there too from the sensible posters who attempted to introduce some enlightenment and silence the knockers. Most of us would agree that it's the music that does the talking so please keep up the good work Damien Mullane, Zoe Conway, John McSherry, also (despite attitude) veterans such as Tony McMahon, Séamus Tansey and so many more who have done so much and no doubt will continue to do so in keeping the tradition alive and vibrant. I think it was Tansey that coined the term "B**ger the Begrudgers" which probably says it all - Happy Christmas everyone!!
Hmm - I wonder where someone could get this *it* that skinny talks of. Can one buy *it* from the shops? Or does one have to inherit *it*? I have a crappy tv - would someone like to swap it for a bit of *it*?? I would love a bit of *it*. Omigod - I hope I get some *it* for christmas. Then my dreams would come through.
And that's it Bannerman, you don't get the point- or indeed anyone's point unless they agree with you and your opinions.But then again anyone that disagrees with you is a "nameless,faceless loser" and a "knocker" as you call us. Talking of which, when you said earlier this year that you wouldn't attend the Clontarf Branch fund raising concert because you didn't really like concerts, did that include the ones you help organise out in Monkstown?Or are they different?
Look forward to your justifying Shane McGowan on the Christmas edition of Geantrai !
Now come on cp - we've been over this a trillion times, its ok to have a different opinion - its not ok to name call and call people sh*te behind a fake screen name just because you dont like the style. You are not guilty of this - alot of people are. Skip, skinny, vocal all spring to mind. I dont like lots of peoples playing - you dont here me calling them sh*t the whole time.
It seems to me like Concertina player has a massive chip on their shoulder, and would hijack any thread possible to get across their own agenda. What the hell has Geanntrai from Kerry got to do with the whole Clontarf issue and directing abuse at Bannerman?
Geanntrai is a great program.
Maybe you should make a program and entertain us with your deadly tunes...
I agree bb -that's why being categorised as a faceless loser or a knocker has nothing to do with having different opinions. I agree totally that is ok and probably important to have different opinions, to air them in a respectful way is ok too but to be called the above names because you have different opinions is offensive, especially as it was put- if you want to know who these faceless losers and knockers are, go to such a thread !!!
But living in Ireland like I have done for many years now, whilst you get to expect this narrow minded stuff from certain agencies and groups( i.e everything Irish is wonderful and you dare not criticise), you never get used to it, especially when you know , shall we say parochial truths about certain people.
Anyway you are right, we have been over it too many times and it is time to just accept the reality. And it can be seen from your posts that you are very serious about your music but yet have a live and let live attitiude.Fair dues.
Yeah - I used to live in Ireland too - I had the same experience. I'm glad everyone has different tastes in tunes. Otherwise I might find myself in the same session as skip or skinny - thankfully that is something that would never happen. Seeing as how I like devil spaw fake unirish traitor music and all. I've never had a problem with your posts cp. I think its pretty clear who I do have a problem with.
Skinnylillegs: who are you, what are you and what gives you the right to launch into one of the most misguided attempts at using the English language I've ever read.
You described the Geantrai performance as a "catastrophic event". I think your slightly over-exaggerating poppet, as a "catastrophic event", in most sane people's books anyway, would be something along the lines of Hurricane Katrina or the 9/11 bombings. Your expecting to be taken seriously when you place a recording of music on an Irish television station in the same sphere as something like that? Your clearly delusional.
You then go on to describe every musician present on the recording as "bad". Firstly, what gives you the right to set the criteria of whether music is good or bad? Apart from a few technical requirements (being in tune with everyone else, for example), what is good or bad music remains entirely up to the listener. The music may not be to your taste but you don't have to be a) so offensive and b) so quick to judge seeing as your not even giving those in the rest of the discussion an inkling as to who you are to make such vocal protestations at the standard of music on show.
Also suggesting that Niamh ni Charra should be put in isolation for playing a tune in a way that wasn't to your taste is, to be honest, a disgrace to yourself and any of those people above who agree with you. Such a description comes across as extremely ignorant, offensive and, in fact ring of the way Stalin's Communism controlled Soviet Russia. They isolated the artists there too, if they didn't produce the required form of art exactly as the Soviets wanted. Are you really the Stalin of "Traditional Irish Music"?
Finally, you end with "let Ireland be". I'm sorry that's just gratuitously Nationalistic; your suggesting that because the musicians on Geantrai (all accomplished in their own rights, which cannot be said for you as of yet) gave their own nuances to the music that their somehow a shame to their heritage or their country and should be banished because of it? You look more like Stalin every minute.
Geantrai from Kerry
Geantrai from Kerry
What a catastrophic event !! This may be the worst representation of traditional Irish music i have ever seen! Between bad singers, bad box players, bad backing and even worse fiddlers they brought our tradition to its knees. Both solos on fiddle and accordion started with tunes that weren't even Irish. This on an Irish traditional music show. I 've heard this young box years ago and he was much better, more music less tack (as in tacky things in his playing). I can actually hear a few nice techniques still in his music amongst all the bad habits he picked up, what a shame. The bad out weighs the good, pity. As for the fiddler, she hadn't one redeeming quality in her music. I don't know her personally, but she must be a very nice person to counter act that unimaginative , soul less abomination of reel playing.
Splendid Isolation! Maybe they should think about isolating her. I think when she ended her musical journey with Riverdance she took the endings of the tunes with her.
Da DA Da DA dd Da!!!!(speak aloud do not transcribe)
Very dramatic Niamh! How long has she been ending tunes like that? Don't you think she would be tired of it by now! Niamh i got a secret for you, it was pre-recorded... SHHHHHHHH! That means it was recorded at an earlier date and it was fatuous even then.
I don't know if it's Riverdance that drained the the respect for traditional Irish music from her or of it was never there to begin with.
"Irish Music" says: Please don't insult me, I have feelings too. :( Please take your music somewhere else and LET IRELAND BE!
Bye Now
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by skinnylillegs
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I think tradmoosic beat you to it
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/19695
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I hope I am not the only musician/person here SICK TO DEATH of these kind of threads on thesession!!
Skinnylillegs, And all the rest from the other piece of sh*t of a so called discussion attached- Have ye nothin better to add here than trying to put good musicians down???
You speak of "Tack" above......You have none yourself as far as I am concerned with this kind of MUCK!
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by seaniemcg
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Oh...And I see by the last, and only other discussion you stuck up here was also, in my mind, to slate other good musicians....Surprise surprise....
Go way and learn a tune for yourself or something!
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by seaniemcg
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
YAWN - bitching about muscians on a public forum. How very tasteful. And suprise, suprise no bio...would have seen that one coming. Don't suppose that there is any reason for bitching about people without a bio no? - not worried we might see how good you really are skinny?
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
GO SEANIE!!!!
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by banjoburger
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
two interpretations you can take from skinnylillegs' comment.
1) He is just being nasty and slagging musicians on a public forum for no reason other than to be malice. Or..
2) He/she is a person with a deep passion for trad and finds the poor portrail of the music on Geantrai frustating, annoying and offensive.
I'd like to think skinnylillegs falls into the second category; as I know I do.
There are dozens and dozens of excellent musicians in this country, yet they pick a handful of woeful ones and get them to play trazzy cross-polinised garbage on a show that supposed to represent local ITM. It should be sued under the Trades Description Act.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by WorzelGummidge
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Worzel - the point is - there are heaps of musicians I hate, really hate their playing - but no matter what I feel - I don’t get on public forums and bitch about them. I especially hate it when it’s done with no bio and a fake screen name.
Also - all this is your option. I mean seriously - who died and made you guys the *keepers* of Trad music. Some people like the music that you refer to as garbage - I am one of those. I like alot of other things in trad too. I don’t go around referring to the musicians that you like that I may not like as garbage. Its frustrating being on a discussion board with so many self-righteous so and so's -really irritating.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
"trazzy cross polinised garbage"
Hey Worzel, are you really seamus tansey?
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by banjoburger
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Sometimes good, sometimes bad, I'd sooner have Geantraí than not! My gripe is usually with sound and production.
As for slagging off Seanie said it all.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by newdeafman
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Haha - nice one banjo
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Here is the bio blurb on her from Niamh's site:
Niamh hails from Killarney, where she started playing music at the age of 4. An All-Ireland Champion on both fiddle and concertina, Niamh had supported The Chieftains and Noel Hill, in addition to performing at festivals throughout France and England, before reaching her teens. She toured Europe, Asia and North America for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland where she is now based.
She has taught both fiddle and concertina at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann's national headquarters, An Culturlann, in Monkstown, and regularly gives workshops on both instruments. She released her debut album "On Da Thaobh / From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim - it was the only Irish album to make MOJO’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She was also presented with the “Best Trad Music Act 2008” award by The Irish World, the largest newspaper for the Irish community in Britain. Along with performing regularly as a solo artist, Niamh also tours extensively as a member of the Carlos Nunez band.
With her background and accomplishments does anyone here REALLY expect her to be playing like everyone else, or, rather, is she likely to be exploring other possibilities as a musician?
It sure sounds like she CAN cover the traditional, but that is not necessarily what folks want to hear from her, or pay for.
Let's lighten up on her a bit, maybe?
Redundantly yours,
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Rook
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Rook - everyone has an opinion. Even if it isnt really thought out well - sadly.
I mean - can any of these people who are bitching actually play better than Niamh? Just a wild guess here - but I'm guessing a bit fat NOT.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Haha its a good thing we didnt play that peal jam number so
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by dessie banjo
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
You know what, im guessing that a small minority of people on here CAN play better than Niamh Ni Charra.
Would that be so surprising?
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Gerry1972
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
She'd wipe the floor with me, on a performance level. She's done it for so long. Session stuff is a different thing altogether tho.
I saw her annihilate a lovely session Paul O'Shaughnessy was hosting once with his mother. It was pretty bad to watch.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I know a number of "members" here either personally or by reputation or association and can say with confidence that they're the sort of musician that I'd love to sit down with and have a few tunes. Whether the reverse is true is open to debate but they're superb ambassadors for the music nonetheless.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Patkiwi
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
What wrong with pearl Jam Dessie?? Dont get me going again!! : ) He He
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by seaniemcg
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Was the session with Paul O'Shaughnessy's mother a Pearl jam?
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
im agreeing with divasteed here. there are a good few people here who are certainly better players.
but why should someone who ISN'T better than 'niamh' not be allowed to voice their musical opinion on her? i think experience and general knowledge of the music stands for more here than being 'better' than someone. if that was the case we wouldn't be able to give our opinion on a whole RAKE of musicians. i know lots of people in trad that dont play but i have a huge amount of respect for them because they have spent there whole live in it. should they not be allowed to voice their opinion? for me i dont like her playing. ive heard lots of people at the fleadh play like her. she can play the fiddle, but apart from that i find it a bit uninspiring. i also didnt like the geantrai, i think TOO MUCH thought was put into it by the musicians. less is more.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by fiddleruairi
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
My dad knows more about this music that anyone else I know, and he's never played a note. I'd trust his opinion over mine anyday
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I thought it was a fundamental principle here not to slag off the musical abilities of other mustard members - http://www.thesession.org/members/display/26428.
Seems I'm wrong.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Very wrong flossy, look at the treatment dished out to dickens!
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by the wicked hacker
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
And where should I look, jig?
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Ah yes and what a mammoth contribution she has made to this site Floss:-
Number of tunes submitted: 0
Number of tunes requested: 0
Number of recordings submitted: 0
Number of links submitted: 0
Number of sessions submitted: 0
Number of events submitted: 0
Number of discussions submitted: 0
Number of comments submitted: 0
Tunes in niamhnicharra's tunebook: 0
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Gerry1972
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
At least she's consistent!
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Gerry1972
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Whoops, she obviously didn't delete her previous identity - shame!
Try this one - http://www.thesession.org/members/display/26530.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Ok quite right floss we'll leave the personal out of it.
I just watched the Kerry Geantrai for the first time on tonights repeat and its repeating on me!
If I was to put together a Kerry show I would have Paddy Cronin, Donal O'Connor, Danny Mahony, Billy Clifford, Paul De Grae. They for me are a lot more Kerry (musically) than the musicians on Geantrai tonight.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Gerry1972
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Yes - I know what you guys are saying - I know there are some amazing musicains on this site. Its just that bitching about musicians behind a fake screen name is what I have a problem with.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
good show lad, well done damien, niamh,dessie, pauline, donogh, mike etc. great music, more of that and less of the begrudgers....
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by CFlood
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Yep CFlood and bb....Hope this ends it now.....
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by seaniemcg
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
"I thought it was a fundamental principle here not to slag off the musical abilities of other mustard members..."
People who live in glass houses...
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by Just a person
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
.....shouldn't walk around the house naked.
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by Gerry1972
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
And I always thought the need to slag off other musicians was an obligation. Seems I was wrong !!
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by Patkiwi
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
"An All-Ireland Champion on both fiddle and concertina, Niamh had supported The Chieftains and Noel Hill, in addition to performing at festivals throughout France and England, before reaching her teens. She toured Europe, Asia and North America for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland where she is now based.has taught both fiddle and concertina at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann's national headquarters, An Culturlann, in Monkstown, and regularly gives workshops on both instruments. She released her debut album "On Da Thaobh / From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim - it was the only Irish album to make MOJO’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She was also presented with the “Best Trad Music Act 2008” award by The Irish World, the largest newspaper for the Irish community in Britain. Along with performing regularly as a solo artist, Niamh also tours extensively as a member of the Carlos Nunez band."
Why in the world has she wasted her time doing all the above, when she could be submitting discussion items to the mustard board about how terrible sheet music is, or how newbies are ruining all the sessions, or backers are killing ITM? Just no sense of priorities, clearly.
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by ayedbl
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Dessie............hooray!!!
Everyone else.......Booo!!
You'd of had to have been there. Great night......
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by banjoburger
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Look, if you perform in public, record, broadcast etc. then surely you have to accept criticism and comment.
I turned it on there just to see what all the fuss was about. It didn't seem all that bad really. Let's be honest, the standard of performance on Geantraí can be really hit and miss, and this was par for the course. Mullane's playing is good, but the gimmicky stuff in 'Mayor Harrison' was pretty crude. And Niamh Ni Charra's playing was as it was on her album. She's not the greatest fiddler in the world, but it's fine within her style. There are tons of nondescript tunes like the first one she played (Michael Rooney is a major offender here) and the second reel is fine but not my cup of tea.
As some other comment said, this *is* an anonymous forum, we are free to post what we like, and so complaining about it is a bit silly.
And now back to the X-Factor and some real music!
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by continuo
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I really enjoyed the music on this program.
Despite wincing and cringing while reading some of the initial comments, I was at least pointed in the direction of an outstanding musical program that I'll look at regularly from now on. Can someone tell me the name of the last 3-part reel
that they closed the program with?
# Posted on November 16th 2008 by halfwaythere
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
just saw this weeks for dublin, not half as good as last weeks!!!
# Posted on November 17th 2008 by CFlood
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Agree with you cintinuo, it is an interesting discussion.Niamh is a good player, although Ive seen her live at sessions in Dublin and recently last year at Ballyshannon where she was OK, played the same stuff, some good some bad ,got the vibe that she was desperate to please.......
However she bombed at the World Fleadh in Portloise,Total car crash.She is currently in Germany with Beoga heard good reports not of he gigs but the pub sessions.
Mind you Kerry and Clondalkin were bad wait till you see the Belfast prog in the Duke of York...Ill say nothin you have been warned
# Posted on November 20th 2008 by belfastrab
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Hello to all.
I would just like to start off by saying this is Damien Mullane,
NOT............................................skinnylillegs, tradmoosic, WorzelGummidge, VocalDivaSteed, continuo ETC......
Who are you?
Why is it that the only people bitching, are the one's with the FAKE names?
You must have something to hide!?!
I am sensing alot of bitterness.
I think what you all need is a big hug.
This could also be a childhood problem where ye might have been beaten with the trad stick and taught that anything outside of trad was the music of the devil and you'd go to hell if you enjoyed it.
It's ok guys i'm here for you. There are people out there that can help you with your disability to enjoy yourself.
Just to warn you all, i will be on the program at some point again with Frankie Gavin in Galway. I suggest you save yourself at revert your eyes from the tv as it might be very painful for all of those narrow minded people. God bless ye, it must be tough.
I better be off, very busy with gigs you see
When are any of ye playing so i can along and see how it's really done?
I wonder who will be the first to reply with their true identy?
As for everyone else, Thank you.
Damien Mullane
# Posted on November 24th 2008 by Damien Mullane
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Hi all....
Surprise surprise, but I'm NOT hiding behind any aliases etc. Just wanted to make a few points, before leaving this fairly over the top page.
1) Everyone is entitled to their opinion - my own is that it was not my best playing, but I got over it
. However there is a big difference between voicing an opinion about music and making personal comments laced with badly disguised malice. It undermines every discussion and discussion board, however genuine the rest of the contributors are.
2) I have never had the pleasure of playing with Paul O Shaughnessy, so above comment is misdirected.
3) I view this board under nnicharra as opposed to niamhnicharra, since I lost my original password a long time ago - you will see under the new name that I have indeed contributed, although with less regularity as my uninspiring playing seems to be getting me lots of work
Now can we all go back to playing and listening to some good music (whatever genre / style/ preference you like) and stop tearing others down while hiding behind fake names....
P.S. Thanks to those who rushed to my defense regardless of their own opinion of my playing. Nice to see this board isn't completely overrun with the begrudgers...
# Posted on November 26th 2008 by nnicharra
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Good replies Damien and Niamh. Rest assured, not many folk take much notice of these parochial muppets. Their self appointed 'guardian of narrow minded trad' status prevents them from getting out of their own villages. They make fools of themselves regularly here. Keep up the great tunes!
# Posted on November 27th 2008 by bogman
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
OooOooooooOOoooooOOoooooooooH!
# Posted on December 8th 2008 by skinnylillegs
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
To answer Damien,: Yes i do need BIG HUG, but i wasn't "beaten with the trad stick and taught that anything outside of trad was the music of the devi", i was beaten by the "appreciation of good music stick". I'm sorry that you do not fall into that category. I do know a few people that were beaten by the "i love all that is sh*te stick", and i think you may be able to flog a few albums to them when you release your debut!
I will not revert my eyes from the upcoming program you speak of(by the way sounds like the need of an insecure musician to shamelessly plug himself) because Gavin from time to time can actually play well, although i haven't seen/heard him do it in years. Also i would like to see how he copes with you musically.
I am happy that you are busy doing gigs , and i hope they are well advertised so that i know where not to go.
You did have "it" before please get "it" back!! When you do post to this site and let us know, i might even consider going to hear you myself if this happens. which i hope it does!
As for Niamh: She never had it to begin with, I seen her win an all ireland on the concertina years ago, the reel the Moving Cloud comes to mind. Don't know why, maybe she butchered it or another one like it.
And don't you mean Paul O'Shaughnessy never had the "pressure" of playing with you.
As for the less regularity of your contibutions to this site and More regular uninspiring playing at gigs...........WHO CARES!!!
I do see a benefit though, the more you are away(touring and such) the less you're here.
I would also like to say to you Niamh, I do like most genres of music, but there is one prerequisite. It has to be musical.
I am not a begrudger i hope that yourself and David Hasslehoff make it Big in Germany!!
Damien get "it" back, and Niamh try to find "it" if your not too lost in your own ego! I know it's hard to find something you never had to lose but "What do ya have to lose"......
# Posted on December 8th 2008 by skinnylillegs
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I think you should go back on the medication skinnylillegs. That amount of bile can't be much good for your digestion.
# Posted on December 8th 2008 by pavlf
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
It took 2 weeks for that reply.
Still no real name!?
I rest my case!
# Posted on December 9th 2008 by Damien Mullane
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
No doubt Damien is too modest to draw attention to his own playing here on the web so I'll do it for him. For anyone who hasn't heard this outstanding young musician, tune in to http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_205_6_damien_mullane/. The music says it all and I don't think that any further comment is necessary.
# Posted on December 9th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
fair play for sticking up for yourself damien.
# Posted on December 23rd 2008 by fiddleruairi
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Yes damien - there are actually people on this site who think you are awesome - I wouldnt worry about some nameless faceless tosser on some website. Good on you.
# Posted on December 23rd 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Here, Here SFP. And if anyone wants to know who some of these nameless, faceless losers are, then have a look at the recent thread on http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/20117 where some real rubbish comments were posted. However, there was also a lot of commonsense ones there too from the sensible posters who attempted to introduce some enlightenment and silence the knockers. Most of us would agree that it's the music that does the talking so please keep up the good work Damien Mullane, Zoe Conway, John McSherry, also (despite attitude) veterans such as Tony McMahon, Séamus Tansey and so many more who have done so much and no doubt will continue to do so in keeping the tradition alive and vibrant. I think it was Tansey that coined the term "B**ger the Begrudgers" which probably says it all - Happy Christmas everyone!!
# Posted on December 23rd 2008 by Bannerman
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Why didn't you post that comment on the discussion you refer to Bannerman?
# Posted on December 23rd 2008 by concertinaplayer
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Hmm - I wonder where someone could get this *it* that skinny talks of. Can one buy *it* from the shops? Or does one have to inherit *it*? I have a crappy tv - would someone like to swap it for a bit of *it*?? I would love a bit of *it*. Omigod - I hope I get some *it* for christmas. Then my dreams would come through.
# Posted on December 24th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Don't get your point CP. The post was in response to SFP's comments. Anyway I think enough has been said on the other thread at this point.
# Posted on December 24th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
And that's it Bannerman, you don't get the point- or indeed anyone's point unless they agree with you and your opinions.But then again anyone that disagrees with you is a "nameless,faceless loser" and a "knocker" as you call us. Talking of which, when you said earlier this year that you wouldn't attend the Clontarf Branch fund raising concert because you didn't really like concerts, did that include the ones you help organise out in Monkstown?Or are they different?
Look forward to your justifying Shane McGowan on the Christmas edition of Geantrai !
# Posted on December 24th 2008 by concertinaplayer
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Now come on cp - we've been over this a trillion times, its ok to have a different opinion - its not ok to name call and call people sh*te behind a fake screen name just because you dont like the style. You are not guilty of this - alot of people are. Skip, skinny, vocal all spring to mind. I dont like lots of peoples playing - you dont here me calling them sh*t the whole time.
# Posted on December 24th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
It seems to me like Concertina player has a massive chip on their shoulder, and would hijack any thread possible to get across their own agenda. What the hell has Geanntrai from Kerry got to do with the whole Clontarf issue and directing abuse at Bannerman?
Geanntrai is a great program.
Maybe you should make a program and entertain us with your deadly tunes...
# Posted on December 25th 2008 by pj johnson
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I agree bb -that's why being categorised as a faceless loser or a knocker has nothing to do with having different opinions. I agree totally that is ok and probably important to have different opinions, to air them in a respectful way is ok too but to be called the above names because you have different opinions is offensive, especially as it was put- if you want to know who these faceless losers and knockers are, go to such a thread !!!
But living in Ireland like I have done for many years now, whilst you get to expect this narrow minded stuff from certain agencies and groups( i.e everything Irish is wonderful and you dare not criticise), you never get used to it, especially when you know , shall we say parochial truths about certain people.
Anyway you are right, we have been over it too many times and it is time to just accept the reality. And it can be seen from your posts that you are very serious about your music but yet have a live and let live attitiude.Fair dues.
# Posted on December 25th 2008 by concertinaplayer
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Yeah - I used to live in Ireland too - I had the same experience. I'm glad everyone has different tastes in tunes. Otherwise I might find myself in the same session as skip or skinny - thankfully that is something that would never happen. Seeing as how I like devil spaw fake unirish traitor music and all. I've never had a problem with your posts cp. I think its pretty clear who I do have a problem with.
# Posted on December 25th 2008 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Skinnylillegs: who are you, what are you and what gives you the right to launch into one of the most misguided attempts at using the English language I've ever read.
You described the Geantrai performance as a "catastrophic event". I think your slightly over-exaggerating poppet, as a "catastrophic event", in most sane people's books anyway, would be something along the lines of Hurricane Katrina or the 9/11 bombings. Your expecting to be taken seriously when you place a recording of music on an Irish television station in the same sphere as something like that? Your clearly delusional.
You then go on to describe every musician present on the recording as "bad". Firstly, what gives you the right to set the criteria of whether music is good or bad? Apart from a few technical requirements (being in tune with everyone else, for example), what is good or bad music remains entirely up to the listener. The music may not be to your taste but you don't have to be a) so offensive and b) so quick to judge seeing as your not even giving those in the rest of the discussion an inkling as to who you are to make such vocal protestations at the standard of music on show.
Also suggesting that Niamh ni Charra should be put in isolation for playing a tune in a way that wasn't to your taste is, to be honest, a disgrace to yourself and any of those people above who agree with you. Such a description comes across as extremely ignorant, offensive and, in fact ring of the way Stalin's Communism controlled Soviet Russia. They isolated the artists there too, if they didn't produce the required form of art exactly as the Soviets wanted. Are you really the Stalin of "Traditional Irish Music"?
Finally, you end with "let Ireland be". I'm sorry that's just gratuitously Nationalistic; your suggesting that because the musicians on Geantrai (all accomplished in their own rights, which cannot be said for you as of yet) gave their own nuances to the music that their somehow a shame to their heritage or their country and should be banished because of it? You look more like Stalin every minute.
To quote you for a final time...
"Bye Now".
# Posted on January 8th 2009 by Ciarán Fitzpatrick
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
ha ha ha ha ha, well said!!!
# Posted on January 9th 2009 by CFlood
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
Thank you Mr. Flood.
# Posted on January 10th 2009 by Ciarán Fitzpatrick
Re: Geantrai from Kerry
I agree, bravo Ciarán, Bravo!
# Posted on January 30th 2009 by ryan murphy