If anybody's out at a session tonight, playing music and having a wee drink, you might like to raise a glass in memory of a couple of friends of mine - whom I know some of you also knew. Many more of you certainly knew their music.
It's 7 years ago today since Tony Cuffe left us, and 5 years past Monday since Johnny Cunningham joined him. Both sadly missed.
I have a tune of Johnny's I'd like to post, but it's way beyond my "abc" capabilities. Would someone like to help with the transcription, please ? Dow, Will, "ceolachan" maybe ?
I could possibly send it as an "mp3" or on a CD by surface post. I don't think it was ever recorded. Help appreciated. Thank you.
Absolutely, anything for you anyway Kenny... And I'll raise a drink too... You can know too, as it's Johnny and you, I'd spend a good amount of time checking my results, and enjoying the listen...
I will do just that Kenny, in the Springhill Bar, Portrush.
I was listening to the first Bairns LP just the other day & thinking it must be, if not the best then certainly, my favourite recording of Scottish Music & Song ever & of course Tony played a huge part in that overall sound.
I can never think of Bells either, without being reminded of wild, wild Fiddle sessions with Johnny & Dougie blasting away, with their long hair waving all over the place.
I will soon have the profound honor of sitting in front of the fireplace in Tony Cuffe's living room in Arlington, Mass. as his wife Cath always invites his former students over for Christmas cheer and some tunes. He taught traditional Irish and Scottish tunes at the Cambridge Center of Adult Education for many years and I couldn never quite believe my good luck in being there.
He will always be deeply loved and sorely missed. He gave so many of us a toe hold in the music. I never pick up an instrument without thinking of Tony. A wonderful and generous musician.
Forgive me if my memory is misfiring, but I've only ever heard Tony Cuffe sing and I'm sure I remember a lovely take on "Danny Boy"? Are my braincells misfiring, and if not, did he ever cut it to a recording? I, sadly, haven't any recordings of Tony Cuffe, but remember liking his singing and guitar accompaniment, again, if I'm remembering rightly...
Thanks for the reminder, Kenny. I'll be joining the rest in my toast.
Johnny sat in on a session I host and borrowed my fiddle for the evening, the night before he broke his wrist in "a bizarre surfing accident" on the beach in San Diego. That was in late 2002, just a year before his untimely passing. I crossed paths with him several other times in the '80s and '90s, and always found his warmth and musical generosity to be a real inspiration.
Thanks for that Jumper, much appreciated. It just seemed natural, if you got to spend time with the wit, to fall in love with him... I do hope there is a place for us all to meet again when our time is up here...
Thanks Kenny, when I've got it and given it a good listen, and then done a transcription I'll send it your way first, and if it works for you, then add it here... Again, thanks for the thought. Johnny was a lovely man, who also was a lovely fiddler...
Tom Morton on Radio Scotland had Phil on his programme last night, talking about Johnny. I think you can listen to the programme via the BBC Radio Scotland website for a week.
Many thanks to Will CPT for transcribing the tune I was referring to above - I'll post it tomorrow, a Christmas present from Johnny.
"ceolachan" is also on the case, so we may get 2 versions.
Absent friends...
Absent friends...
If anybody's out at a session tonight, playing music and having a wee drink, you might like to raise a glass in memory of a couple of friends of mine - whom I know some of you also knew. Many more of you certainly knew their music.
It's 7 years ago today since Tony Cuffe left us, and 5 years past Monday since Johnny Cunningham joined him. Both sadly missed.
I have a tune of Johnny's I'd like to post, but it's way beyond my "abc" capabilities. Would someone like to help with the transcription, please ? Dow, Will, "ceolachan" maybe ?
I could possibly send it as an "mp3" or on a CD by surface post. I don't think it was ever recorded. Help appreciated. Thank you.
# Posted on December 18th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Absent friends...
Absolutely, anything for you anyway Kenny... And I'll raise a drink too... You can know too, as it's Johnny and you, I'd spend a good amount of time checking my results, and enjoying the listen...
Thanks for the reminder and the thought...
# Posted on December 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Absent friends...
I will do just that Kenny, in the Springhill Bar, Portrush.
I was listening to the first Bairns LP just the other day & thinking it must be, if not the best then certainly, my favourite recording of Scottish Music & Song ever & of course Tony played a huge part in that overall sound.
I can never think of Bells either, without being reminded of wild, wild Fiddle sessions with Johnny & Dougie blasting away, with their long hair waving all over the place.
Well reminded Sir.
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on December 18th 2008 by Ptarmigan
Re: Absent friends...
I will soon have the profound honor of sitting in front of the fireplace in Tony Cuffe's living room in Arlington, Mass. as his wife Cath always invites his former students over for Christmas cheer and some tunes. He taught traditional Irish and Scottish tunes at the Cambridge Center of Adult Education for many years and I couldn never quite believe my good luck in being there.
He will always be deeply loved and sorely missed. He gave so many of us a toe hold in the music. I never pick up an instrument without thinking of Tony. A wonderful and generous musician.
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by Steve L
Re: Absent friends...
Forgive me if my memory is misfiring, but I've only ever heard Tony Cuffe sing and I'm sure I remember a lovely take on "Danny Boy"? Are my braincells misfiring, and if not, did he ever cut it to a recording? I, sadly, haven't any recordings of Tony Cuffe, but remember liking his singing and guitar accompaniment, again, if I'm remembering rightly...
What recording(s) of his would people recommend?
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Absent friends...
Kenny, I'd be surprised if anything is beyond your abcs ability, but I'm more than happy to help out.
Johnny was an early, face-to-face inspiration for me.
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: Absent friends...
Thanks for the reminder, Kenny. I'll be joining the rest in my toast.
Johnny sat in on a session I host and borrowed my fiddle for the evening, the night before he broke his wrist in "a bizarre surfing accident" on the beach in San Diego. That was in late 2002, just a year before his untimely passing. I crossed paths with him several other times in the '80s and '90s, and always found his warmth and musical generosity to be a real inspiration.
Amazing how he could make that fiddle speak.
http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=25223
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by Jumper
Re: Absent friends...
Thanks for that Jumper, much appreciated. It just seemed natural, if you got to spend time with the wit, to fall in love with him... I do hope there is a place for us all to meet again when our time is up here...
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Absent friends...
"C", and Will - many thanks for your kind offers to help. I,ve just tried sending the tune to you both. Good luck!
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Absent friends...
Thanks Kenny, when I've got it and given it a good listen, and then done a transcription I'll send it your way first, and if it works for you, then add it here... Again, thanks for the thought. Johnny was a lovely man, who also was a lovely fiddler...
# Posted on December 19th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Absent friends...
Tom Morton on Radio Scotland had Phil on his programme last night, talking about Johnny. I think you can listen to the programme via the BBC Radio Scotland website for a week.
Many thanks to Will CPT for transcribing the tune I was referring to above - I'll post it tomorrow, a Christmas present from Johnny.
"ceolachan" is also on the case, so we may get 2 versions.
# Posted on December 24th 2008 by Kenny