"So, things were beginning to look up, when a sepulchral shadow appeared above my howling accordion. The music stopped. The Bat stood glaring at us, in silence. Fear fell down on top of us as tension rose. He reached both arms out to me, as if in supplication. ‘Give it to me’, he said, pointing at my instrument, bought a month earlier .... I handed him my accordion, he turned to leave, stopped, faced us again and said: ‘Music is the worst form of noise.’
That was my first official encounter with the Taliban."
His opinions of the music I don't always agree with, but that cannot take away from the fact that the extract I've read is powerful stuff. Unfortunately I'm old enough to have shared his memories of the classroom from that particular era in Ireland. Indeed I can feel his painful memories and his hatred for his persecutors. Should be a good book.
Hey ! conscientous objector that's a disgraceful thing to say, it says nothing about Tony McMahon but a lot about you . That comment should be removed immediately
"He made his own bed with his own disgraceful remarks." It's not even idiomatically correct usage. Are you trying to say something like "I think he behaved badly towards someone so that that entitles me to behave badly towards him"? What are you, five years old! His remarks are somehow "disgraceful" but yours aren't? See amhrán's or FreeRead's comments for example of how grown-ups express disagreement or disapproval in cvil society: with grace.
Fair play to you for responding. And yes, I credit you with implying a certain gracelessness on your part, though the implication is weakened by its distance from the original offending remark. I don't wish to pick on you, truly I don't, but no-one gains from the bald statement "it was written by an idiot". If that's really your opinion rather than an emotive bleat then tell us why. That way we can have an informed and opinionated discussion about such things as what he said, what he meant, what's his reasoning, etc, etc, a discussion that almost certainly won't end in consensus could be conducted in good grace and with a view to the participants learning something. This isn't Twitter after all!
I wouldn't know about Twitter PJ. My remark was out of place and crudely put but I have great difficulty with the way he publicly insults other musicians.
Look Tony MacMahon is entitled to his opinion regarding Irish traditional music and let the man have it!
After all until we've accomplished what he has from an early age who are we to kangaroo court him?
This man to me does his best talking with his fingers whether that's pressing button keys or pushing a pen end of.
Mostly, I like Tony MacMahon, he has his opinions and, probably more so than the majority of us on here, has earned a right to express them publicly. He speaks as he sees it and that is no bad thing. Criticism of fellow musicians is a sore issue and one that most people have done, well away from the glare of publicity, admit it.
it seems to me that people here are judging macmahon purely on this written piece and others he has done and the music he has recorded, which is wrong. its wrong to judge a person based on their music or prowess in certain areas.
judge him by he way he treats others and how he acts as a human being which i know for a fact he has not shown the greatest civility towards others, and has acted as a self appointed music policeman, not just the joe duffy incident, but there are numerous that many will have heard of for example the john kelly senior memorial concert last year.
And just for the record, theres expressing an opinion and then there is just pure insulting, and macmahon is the latter im afraid.
I must say, I tend to agree with you fiddleruairi.
When our race is run, I reckon we're far more likely to be judged on how we treated others here, than on any scribbles we left on paper or musical noises we left in the wind, no matter how artistic these might have been.
Im a fiddle player -- roles in the music etc. Tansey --- McMahon.The Christian Brothers showed McMahon how to write and the national school master in Gurteen showed Tansey how to write.
Both books will end up with the same message. If its musical history you want get Nickey Mc Auliff"s book.
fiddleruairi, Ptarmigan, who in their right mind could disagree with your thrust; of course an individual's music-making doesn't give them more rights or a greater licence to behave badly, and I'm not sure that anyone above is actually saying that (though perhaps they are). For my part, MacMahon has deeply held and informed opinions on trad that are worth engaging with but he does a poor job (you might feel a very poor job) expressing them. Of course, you don't have to agree with his ideas, and his choice of language doesn't make it easy to do so. Without a doubt he's a very poor communicator (I differ from several above in thinking he has an appalling writing style and would be well served by a good editor).
Is he civil? More often not. Insensitive? Frequently. Is he rude, insulting? Sometimes. I don't think he was on Joe Duffy (I know Ptarmigan that here you and I differ, and I respect your opinion) though his language was clearly ill-chosen given the forum. As for the John Kelly Memorial, I've only heard third hand reports so I can't offer an opinion. Certainly on other occasions in my hearing he's been very rude to people standing right in front of him.
My starting point is to assume good faith, particularly with those of strongly held views, so I've always though that, as with Tansey, his passion for the music runs away with his tongue. And yes, he's been behaving the same way for donkey's years. Perhaps he is a boor, perhaps I'm being too charitable to the man and should revise my opinion, but MacMahon's behavior can surely be judged (as you've done here ruari ) without resorting to conscientous objector's intemperate language.
Tansy & McMahon have many things in common musically and otherwise. They are both very good musicians ( would be better if they did more listening in their youth ) with very strong opinions. The are both fairly well educated with huge concerns as to which of them will occupy the most important place in present day Irish music. We could get to know them better if we read the " Introduction " in Tansy"s book credited to Paddy Mor O Neill but written by himself. Read McMahon"s beautifully written sleeve notes about himself on his CD. " McMahon from Clare ". The Christian Brothers were great educators and Tony McMahon is living testimony to this.
Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
http://journalofmusic.com/article/894
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by journalofmusic
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Whatever we may think of his opinions on Irish music, he sure can write well...
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by amhrán
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Indeed, a great writer. Thanks jom. That was a very insightful read.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by 52Paddy
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Yeah, quite a writer...
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
He's full of Sh***te!
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Eh!
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Great piece
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by themush
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
It is a powerful piece isn't it.
- chris
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Tony MacMahon: Not toally a bollix
"So, things were beginning to look up, when a sepulchral shadow appeared above my howling accordion. The music stopped. The Bat stood glaring at us, in silence. Fear fell down on top of us as tension rose. He reached both arms out to me, as if in supplication. ‘Give it to me’, he said, pointing at my instrument, bought a month earlier .... I handed him my accordion, he turned to leave, stopped, faced us again and said: ‘Music is the worst form of noise.’
That was my first official encounter with the Taliban."
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by cocus
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Brilliant!! When will the book be published. I want to buy this now. Certainly explains a lot, thanks
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Steamwilkes
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Thank you for posting this extract. What powerful writing!
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Jim Younger
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
His opinions of the music I don't always agree with, but that cannot take away from the fact that the extract I've read is powerful stuff. Unfortunately I'm old enough to have shared his memories of the classroom from that particular era in Ireland. Indeed I can feel his painful memories and his hatred for his persecutors. Should be a good book.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Interesting article, pity it was written by an idiot.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by bogman
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
transference, c.o.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by justjim
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Hey ! conscientous objector that's a disgraceful thing to say, it says nothing about Tony McMahon but a lot about you . That comment should be removed immediately
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Red Robin
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
He made his own bed with his own disgraceful remarks.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by bogman
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
"He made his own bed with his own disgraceful remarks." It's not even idiomatically correct usage. Are you trying to say something like "I think he behaved badly towards someone so that that entitles me to behave badly towards him"? What are you, five years old! His remarks are somehow "disgraceful" but yours aren't? See amhrán's or FreeRead's comments for example of how grown-ups express disagreement or disapproval in cvil society: with grace.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by PJ Doherty
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
I didn't say my remarks weren't disgraceful. In fact my comment inferred they were. Such a pity I find myself feeling like that.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by bogman
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Fair play to you for responding. And yes, I credit you with implying a certain gracelessness on your part, though the implication is weakened by its distance from the original offending remark. I don't wish to pick on you, truly I don't, but no-one gains from the bald statement "it was written by an idiot". If that's really your opinion rather than an emotive bleat then tell us why. That way we can have an informed and opinionated discussion about such things as what he said, what he meant, what's his reasoning, etc, etc, a discussion that almost certainly won't end in consensus could be conducted in good grace and with a view to the participants learning something. This isn't Twitter after all!
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by PJ Doherty
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
I wouldn't know about Twitter PJ. My remark was out of place and crudely put but I have great difficulty with the way he publicly insults other musicians.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by bogman
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Look Tony MacMahon is entitled to his opinion regarding Irish traditional music and let the man have it!
After all until we've accomplished what he has from an early age who are we to kangaroo court him?
This man to me does his best talking with his fingers whether that's pressing button keys or pushing a pen end of.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by upmine3
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
And just to p*ss you off conscientious objector can you emulate this piece?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdXRX9VEqaQ
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by upmine3
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
'but I have great difficulty with the way he publicly insults other musicians' quoth CO.
Pots and kettles.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Mostly, I like Tony MacMahon, he has his opinions and, probably more so than the majority of us on here, has earned a right to express them publicly. He speaks as he sees it and that is no bad thing. Criticism of fellow musicians is a sore issue and one that most people have done, well away from the glare of publicity, admit it.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by strayaway
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
it seems to me that people here are judging macmahon purely on this written piece and others he has done and the music he has recorded, which is wrong. its wrong to judge a person based on their music or prowess in certain areas.
judge him by he way he treats others and how he acts as a human being which i know for a fact he has not shown the greatest civility towards others, and has acted as a self appointed music policeman, not just the joe duffy incident, but there are numerous that many will have heard of for example the john kelly senior memorial concert last year.
And just for the record, theres expressing an opinion and then there is just pure insulting, and macmahon is the latter im afraid.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by fiddleruairi
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
I must say, I tend to agree with you fiddleruairi.
When our race is run, I reckon we're far more likely to be judged on how we treated others here, than on any scribbles we left on paper or musical noises we left in the wind, no matter how artistic these might have been.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Ptarmigan
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Im a fiddle player -- roles in the music etc. Tansey --- McMahon.The Christian Brothers showed McMahon how to write and the national school master in Gurteen showed Tansey how to write.
Both books will end up with the same message. If its musical history you want get Nickey Mc Auliff"s book.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Lord Gordan
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
fiddleruairi, Ptarmigan, who in their right mind could disagree with your thrust; of course an individual's music-making doesn't give them more rights or a greater licence to behave badly, and I'm not sure that anyone above is actually saying that (though perhaps they are). For my part, MacMahon has deeply held and informed opinions on trad that are worth engaging with but he does a poor job (you might feel a very poor job) expressing them. Of course, you don't have to agree with his ideas, and his choice of language doesn't make it easy to do so. Without a doubt he's a very poor communicator (I differ from several above in thinking he has an appalling writing style and would be well served by a good editor).
Is he civil? More often not. Insensitive? Frequently. Is he rude, insulting? Sometimes. I don't think he was on Joe Duffy (I know Ptarmigan that here you and I differ, and I respect your opinion) though his language was clearly ill-chosen given the forum. As for the John Kelly Memorial, I've only heard third hand reports so I can't offer an opinion. Certainly on other occasions in my hearing he's been very rude to people standing right in front of him.
My starting point is to assume good faith, particularly with those of strongly held views, so I've always though that, as with Tansey, his passion for the music runs away with his tongue. And yes, he's been behaving the same way for donkey's years. Perhaps he is a boor, perhaps I'm being too charitable to the man and should revise my opinion, but MacMahon's behavior can surely be judged (as you've done here ruari ) without resorting to conscientous objector's intemperate language.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by PJ Doherty
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
Tansy & McMahon have many things in common musically and otherwise. They are both very good musicians ( would be better if they did more listening in their youth ) with very strong opinions. The are both fairly well educated with huge concerns as to which of them will occupy the most important place in present day Irish music. We could get to know them better if we read the " Introduction " in Tansy"s book credited to Paddy Mor O Neill but written by himself. Read McMahon"s beautifully written sleeve notes about himself on his CD. " McMahon from Clare ". The Christian Brothers were great educators and Tony McMahon is living testimony to this.
# Posted on November 9th 2009 by Lord Gordan
Re: Extract from Tony MacMahon memoir-in-progress
And they are both military men
# Posted on November 12th 2009 by Lord Gordan