Does anyone have the footage from years ago ofthese three playing "Honeysuckle Rose" that was filmed years ago up in Shetland. There were several clips featuring Johnson - my favourite guitar player. I used to have a video tape of it but I lent it out and I have no idea to whom.
If any of you have it, can you post it on YouTube so we can all enjoy it!
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Forgive me if I appear rude, but surely, asking for something that has absolutely feck all to do with traditional Irish music on a traditional Irish music forum is not the full biscuit. I'm confused as to how you define "as good a place as any"?
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Hi Nigel!
Sorry I can't help with the film clip but I'd like to add that Willie was one of my favourite guitarists too. He certainly opened a few doors with his perception of rhythm and chordal progressions, some of which have been used in Irish music to great effect.
I was fortunate enough to play with him a couple of times, and far from having "feck all to do with Irish music" he had the most wonderful ear and always shaped his playing to the tune, be it Shetland, Scottish, Irish, whatever.
I remember vivdly when I was playing at Edinburgh Folk Festival in 1983 I played a hornpipe called The Groves. It's not the easiest tune I might add, and does not follow the standard chord tricks.
Willie went to the piano, NOT the guitar, and the first time through played a gentle left hand accompaniment. I'll never forget the beautiful rich but subtle arrangement he played on the repeat.
A lovely, talented and generous man. I feel truly blessed to have met and played with him.
It'd be great if someone could find a clip of him playing. All the best!
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
I can't comment on Peerie Willie's specific rendition of his chords to The Groves, bur I can say that that tune is absolutely grounded, embedded, solidly landed in nothing more than Gmaj. It's a brilliant tune. It stands on its own. And the harmony inherent is nothing more than 5, 4, maj3 and 1.
And if you want to bring in flattened fifths and ninths with walking bass lines then fair play to you. I'm not not complaining. Do what ever you want, it's a free world
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Lucky you for playing with him.
I've asked a good few of my Scottish pals and a few folk my way if they have a copy of the video and no- one seems to, and I've asked on a couple of other forums too. No luck yet. It would be such a bugger if no one had a copy,
My Grandad from Hexham, Charlie Ferguson taught me to play guitar but I never realised I'd been taught this "dance band " style until I saw this clip of Perrie Willie - I thought old Charlie was teaching me jazz! I've got no recordings of me Grandad unfortunatly so listening to Willie is the closest I get - his sense of timing, the whistfulness in his playing, and his chord voicing is very similar.
Anyway, I'd better stop talking about him on this forum incase anyone else gets upset. God forbid I cause a heart attack.
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Keep talking.
Nice memories to share. It's the Peerie Willies of all instruments that keep the life in this music.
And speaking of reminiscences, do some of the comments above remind anybody else of Statler and Waldorf? Who never seemed in any danger of cardiac troubles...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
You're some machine, Mr Llig.
Peerie Willie was a highly respected musician who also visited Edinburgh many times and played tunes(or accompanied them) in "your pub" with Scottish and Irish musicians alike.
This site is known as "The Session" and I don't see anything in the rules which states it should be used soley for the purposes of Irish music.
It is mainly a "de facto" Irish music site and I'm sure Jeremy was thinking along these lines originally as he specifically mentions Irish tunes. However, he has never objected to widening the scope of this site to include discussion of other types of music. His main dislike seems to be "non musical" topics and he doesn't seem to have much of an issue with us deviating a little as long as the discussions relate to music.
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Hi Mr. Llig
I agree that one should make sure he is well informed before one voices a stong opinion on thesession. This is too late for you, I'm afraid, but let me inform you that Peerie Willie Johnson recorded with Cathal McConnell on his first solo album, therefore he does have "feck all" to do with Irish trad.
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
I don't know much about Peerie Willie Johnson's work outside traditional music - I don't know to what extent he is known in the jazz world or elsewhere, only that he was a jazz musician. But it seems likely that, as he is known to many users of this site through his involvement with traditional music, a few might know a bit more about him and his work in other musical spheres.
Therefore, I don't think that this is an inappropriate place for this thread at all. So what if there's the odd discussion without any Irish Trad content?
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Anyone know anyone who may have the tapes in question? The tape I had was copied from well known Northumbrian musician Lynn Tocker, and I don't think she has her copy any more either.
Now Lynn is well known for being a superb player of Irish music. Would anyone kick off if she asked instead of me? I'm sure she'd love to see it again too.
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
I'd have thought Peerie Willie and his music were well within the site's radius of topics relevant to Irish music - whether individuals here actually like his style or not, or think it's kosher in ITM.
Put it another way - if one of those threads came up again asking "What else do you listen to / play?", and someone wrote a screed about Peerie Willie instead of, say, Nordic metal or gamelan, that person might seem, well, a bit of a home bird.
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
All the great Irish musicians that I have ever met looked up to Willie with the loved Willie and looked up to him with the utmost respect, pity some people on here dont know what they are talking about.
Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Does anyone have the footage from years ago ofthese three playing "Honeysuckle Rose" that was filmed years ago up in Shetland. There were several clips featuring Johnson - my favourite guitar player. I used to have a video tape of it but I lent it out and I have no idea to whom.
If any of you have it, can you post it on YouTube so we can all enjoy it!
Nigel
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com
# Posted on June 17th 2009 by NKForster
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Enjoy it as much as you like. But it's got absolutly feck all to do with traditional Irish music.
# Posted on June 17th 2009 by ...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
It always amazes me how rude people can be on forums. I've been guilty of it myself from time to time. Never mind.
Now can anyone help? This seems as good a place as any to find what I'm after.
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by NKForster
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Forgive me if I appear rude, but surely, asking for something that has absolutely feck all to do with traditional Irish music on a traditional Irish music forum is not the full biscuit. I'm confused as to how you define "as good a place as any"?
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by ...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Hi Nigel!
Sorry I can't help with the film clip but I'd like to add that Willie was one of my favourite guitarists too. He certainly opened a few doors with his perception of rhythm and chordal progressions, some of which have been used in Irish music to great effect.
I was fortunate enough to play with him a couple of times, and far from having "feck all to do with Irish music" he had the most wonderful ear and always shaped his playing to the tune, be it Shetland, Scottish, Irish, whatever.
I remember vivdly when I was playing at Edinburgh Folk Festival in 1983 I played a hornpipe called The Groves. It's not the easiest tune I might add, and does not follow the standard chord tricks.
Willie went to the piano, NOT the guitar, and the first time through played a gentle left hand accompaniment. I'll never forget the beautiful rich but subtle arrangement he played on the repeat.
A lovely, talented and generous man. I feel truly blessed to have met and played with him.
It'd be great if someone could find a clip of him playing. All the best!
Brian x
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by briantheflute
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
I can't comment on Peerie Willie's specific rendition of his chords to The Groves, bur I can say that that tune is absolutely grounded, embedded, solidly landed in nothing more than Gmaj. It's a brilliant tune. It stands on its own. And the harmony inherent is nothing more than 5, 4, maj3 and 1.
And if you want to bring in flattened fifths and ninths with walking bass lines then fair play to you. I'm not not complaining. Do what ever you want, it's a free world
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by ...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Lucky you for playing with him.
I've asked a good few of my Scottish pals and a few folk my way if they have a copy of the video and no- one seems to, and I've asked on a couple of other forums too. No luck yet. It would be such a bugger if no one had a copy,
My Grandad from Hexham, Charlie Ferguson taught me to play guitar but I never realised I'd been taught this "dance band " style until I saw this clip of Perrie Willie - I thought old Charlie was teaching me jazz! I've got no recordings of me Grandad unfortunatly so listening to Willie is the closest I get - his sense of timing, the whistfulness in his playing, and his chord voicing is very similar.
Anyway, I'd better stop talking about him on this forum incase anyone else gets upset. God forbid I cause a heart attack.
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by NKForster
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Keep talking.
Nice memories to share. It's the Peerie Willies of all instruments that keep the life in this music.
And speaking of reminiscences, do some of the comments above remind anybody else of Statler and Waldorf? Who never seemed in any danger of cardiac troubles...
Let us know if you find the clip
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by EnDaC
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
You're some machine, Mr Llig.
Peerie Willie was a highly respected musician who also visited Edinburgh many times and played tunes(or accompanied them) in "your pub" with Scottish and Irish musicians alike.
This site is known as "The Session" and I don't see anything in the rules which states it should be used soley for the purposes of Irish music.
It is mainly a "de facto" Irish music site and I'm sure Jeremy was thinking along these lines originally as he specifically mentions Irish tunes. However, he has never objected to widening the scope of this site to include discussion of other types of music. His main dislike seems to be "non musical" topics and he doesn't seem to have much of an issue with us deviating a little as long as the discussions relate to music.
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by Johnny Jay
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Am I trying to shut you up?
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by ...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Did I suggest you were?
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by Johnny Jay
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Just make sure they are informed
# Posted on June 18th 2009 by ...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Hi Mr. Llig
I agree that one should make sure he is well informed before one voices a stong opinion on thesession. This is too late for you, I'm afraid, but let me inform you that Peerie Willie Johnson recorded with Cathal McConnell on his first solo album, therefore he does have "feck all" to do with Irish trad.
# Posted on June 19th 2009 by patrick cavanagh
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
The chieftans recorded with Frank Zappa.
Your piont, caller?
# Posted on June 19th 2009 by ...
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
I don't know much about Peerie Willie Johnson's work outside traditional music - I don't know to what extent he is known in the jazz world or elsewhere, only that he was a jazz musician. But it seems likely that, as he is known to many users of this site through his involvement with traditional music, a few might know a bit more about him and his work in other musical spheres.
Therefore, I don't think that this is an inappropriate place for this thread at all. So what if there's the odd discussion without any Irish Trad content?
# Posted on June 19th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
Anyone know anyone who may have the tapes in question? The tape I had was copied from well known Northumbrian musician Lynn Tocker, and I don't think she has her copy any more either.
Now Lynn is well known for being a superb player of Irish music. Would anyone kick off if she asked instead of me? I'm sure she'd love to see it again too.
Nigel
# Posted on June 20th 2009 by NKForster
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
I'd have thought Peerie Willie and his music were well within the site's radius of topics relevant to Irish music - whether individuals here actually like his style or not, or think it's kosher in ITM.
Put it another way - if one of those threads came up again asking "What else do you listen to / play?", and someone wrote a screed about Peerie Willie instead of, say, Nordic metal or gamelan, that person might seem, well, a bit of a home bird.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by nicholas
Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge
All the great Irish musicians that I have ever met looked up to Willie with the loved Willie and looked up to him with the utmost respect, pity some people on here dont know what they are talking about.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by tirvaluk