For all ye Scots, Irish and Welsh who may, even subconsciously, despise or pity the English for having no culture left, or even English who find it an uphill struggle amongst compadres to steer the conversation away from Arsenal, please read this one - I enjoyed it, though not agreeing with all of it, most of the points made are what I have felt - and said for ages, but not nearly as eloquently {- and this coming from a Scot resident in London (me, that is)}. I thought I'd put it on here as a link, as I think it deserves a wider general audience. And one which responds directly.
BTW, someone remind me - what's the name of that composer of English tunes who was a black man, former slave who became a freeman, I think. Composed some cracking tunes. Name ended in "-o" - someone here must know.
Thanks very much Random. Yes indeed it is Sancho. His name is attributed to several English tunes and I wouldn't be surprised if a couple didn't find their way into the Irish canon. There are greater minds than mine and many who will also know a great deal more about the English tradition who could alert those sponsors. But I'll ask my English-music mates if I see them soon, weather permitting, as to what tunes he did compose. They hold him with great reverence.
I recommend you go on Chris Wood's EAC Summer School, I went on it about 18 months ago and it was highly enjoyable, Chris is an outstanding musician with so much knowledge that he is desperate to share.
Around forty years ago I was at an Easter Parade on an Easter Sunday in Battersea Park. London. Seemingly it used to be an annual event at the time. I remember in that particular parade they had floats with Music representing the culture of the 'British Isles' (as in the Weather Forecast) I remember seeing Irish, Scottish and Welsh floats, and a float with a steel band on it. I never did find out what part of the 'Isles that was supposed to represent. 'Cecil Sharpe House' was a well known location in those days for English folk music, but I doubt if the organisers of the parade knew that.
It's an excellent article - I hope to come back to it.
Meanwhile, my English (& British) icon is a proper toilet that works. What a relief (..?!) it has been to come back to these after a torrid spell trailing round the footprint countries of the Continent. Though it's got to be one whose lid is not designed to fall suddenly and give one's manhood a nasty slap while having a pee. The fact that so many do this is a melancholy testimonial to the abandonment of traditional spatial skills, and no doubt directives to curb galloping obesity by making houses / rooms / cubicles smaller and smaller and smaller...
I remember , in March 1966, going with my parents to a ceili at Kensington Town Hall in London to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Easter uprising. We were all there wearing our Easter lilies and the music was supplied by Frank Lee and his Tara Ceili Band. It was said that Frank had some involvement in those events of 50 years earlier. He used to wear a broad-brimmed hat, but I don´t know whether that had any significance !
Times have certainly changed. There was a very anti-Irish climate in Britain during part of the seventies but, even today when ethnic minorities are given recognition and financial assistance, I don´t think a commemoration like that would have such a high profile.
West London branch of Comhaltas held a fleadh in Cecil Sharp House in, I think, 1970.
England has (allegedly) been conned into paying billions for some unwanted Olympic games, by a Government that won't be there in 2012 (after spending more billions on an unwanted Dome).
Can we guess what will form the "English" theme of the entertainment at the Opening ceremony?
Boris Dancers (led by the London Mayor)
Bangra
Steel bands
We will not see
English country dancers (banned by DEFRA, Licensing and Health & Safety legislation)
Scottish dancers (too nationalistic - no swords H&S)
Northern Irish dancers (too nationalistic)
"England has (allegedly) been conned into paying billions for some unwanted Olympic games"
Tell me about it!
Everyone in Vancouver has been instructed to stay off the roads so visitors, officials, and dignitaries won't be delayed travelling between competitions and celebrations next month.
Hopefully I can get to sessions without being arrested.
I'm really puzzle why the people of Vancouver have to stay off the roads next month just because the Olympics are taking place in the East End of London in two and a half years time. Are the Canadians planning to start early?
Canada refers to the "Winter Olympics" as "The Olympics". Probably because they can play hockey at it which is apparently the greatest game in the world.
As an Englishman and fond enough of English music, I have to say I find a huge percentage of it, as so far recorded, literally, clinically unbearable.
This pearl of wisdom gathered round the grit of watching YouTube clips of one band or another famous in "Folk Roots" in its time.
I leave this thought with you, as time like an ever-rolling stream bears this thread into remote history, along I hope with lots of wacky attitude bollox bands of the Eighties. Slainte!
English music
English music
For all ye Scots, Irish and Welsh who may, even subconsciously, despise or pity the English for having no culture left, or even English who find it an uphill struggle amongst compadres to steer the conversation away from Arsenal, please read this one - I enjoyed it, though not agreeing with all of it, most of the points made are what I have felt - and said for ages, but not nearly as eloquently {- and this coming from a Scot resident in London (me, that is)}. I thought I'd put it on here as a link, as I think it deserves a wider general audience. And one which responds directly.
http://www.englishacousticcollective.org.uk/JMI/index.html
BTW, someone remind me - what's the name of that composer of English tunes who was a black man, former slave who became a freeman, I think. Composed some cracking tunes. Name ended in "-o" - someone here must know.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by Rudall the time
Re: English music
Mr. Wood is a fine musician, and raises some excellent points.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: English music
Danny, once you suss it out let these people know.
http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/sponsors.html
Name ended in "-o"
http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/ignatious_sancho.html
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by Ben Steen
England has always had grand neighbors. Good someone is beginning to recognize the fact.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: English music
Thanks very much Random. Yes indeed it is Sancho. His name is attributed to several English tunes and I wouldn't be surprised if a couple didn't find their way into the Irish canon. There are greater minds than mine and many who will also know a great deal more about the English tradition who could alert those sponsors. But I'll ask my English-music mates if I see them soon, weather permitting, as to what tunes he did compose. They hold him with great reverence.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by Rudall the time
Re: English music
No, thanks go to you tv. Powerful article there.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: English music
I recommend you go on Chris Wood's EAC Summer School, I went on it about 18 months ago and it was highly enjoyable, Chris is an outstanding musician with so much knowledge that he is desperate to share.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by I ♥ Dow
Re: English music
thanks tv, good stuff i wouldn't have otherwise found
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by selston steve
Re: English music
Re this topic, can I recommend three great albums - Cruel Sister, The Bairns, Here's the Tender Coming by the Unthank sisters and friends.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by molaoch
Re: English music
Around forty years ago I was at an Easter Parade on an Easter Sunday in Battersea Park. London. Seemingly it used to be an annual event at the time. I remember in that particular parade they had floats with Music representing the culture of the 'British Isles' (as in the Weather Forecast) I remember seeing Irish, Scottish and Welsh floats, and a float with a steel band on it. I never did find out what part of the 'Isles that was supposed to represent. 'Cecil Sharpe House' was a well known location in those days for English folk music, but I doubt if the organisers of the parade knew that.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by Free Reed
Re: English music
It's an excellent article - I hope to come back to it.
Meanwhile, my English (& British) icon is a proper toilet that works. What a relief (..?!) it has been to come back to these after a torrid spell trailing round the footprint countries of the Continent. Though it's got to be one whose lid is not designed to fall suddenly and give one's manhood a nasty slap while having a pee. The fact that so many do this is a melancholy testimonial to the abandonment of traditional spatial skills, and no doubt directives to curb galloping obesity by making houses / rooms / cubicles smaller and smaller and smaller...
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by nicholas
Re: English music
I remember , in March 1966, going with my parents to a ceili at Kensington Town Hall in London to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Easter uprising. We were all there wearing our Easter lilies and the music was supplied by Frank Lee and his Tara Ceili Band. It was said that Frank had some involvement in those events of 50 years earlier. He used to wear a broad-brimmed hat, but I don´t know whether that had any significance !
Times have certainly changed. There was a very anti-Irish climate in Britain during part of the seventies but, even today when ethnic minorities are given recognition and financial assistance, I don´t think a commemoration like that would have such a high profile.
West London branch of Comhaltas held a fleadh in Cecil Sharp House in, I think, 1970.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by murfbox
Re: English music
England has (allegedly) been conned into paying billions for some unwanted Olympic games, by a Government that won't be there in 2012 (after spending more billions on an unwanted Dome).
Can we guess what will form the "English" theme of the entertainment at the Opening ceremony?
Boris Dancers (led by the London Mayor)
Bangra
Steel bands
We will not see
English country dancers (banned by DEFRA, Licensing and Health & Safety legislation)
Scottish dancers (too nationalistic - no swords H&S)
Northern Irish dancers (too nationalistic)
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by geoffwright
Re: English music
@ geoffwright: you really think Boris Johnson is going to win (will he even stand?) in May (or early June) 2012?
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: English music
"England has (allegedly) been conned into paying billions for some unwanted Olympic games"
Tell me about it!
Everyone in Vancouver has been instructed to stay off the roads so visitors, officials, and dignitaries won't be delayed travelling between competitions and celebrations next month.
Hopefully I can get to sessions without being arrested.
# Posted on January 10th 2010 by oldstrings
Re: English music
I'm really puzzle why the people of Vancouver have to stay off the roads next month just because the Olympics are taking place in the East End of London in two and a half years time. Are the Canadians planning to start early?
# Posted on January 11th 2010 by showaddydadito
Re: English music
It's a long way from Vancouver to London!
# Posted on January 11th 2010 by minijackpot
Re: English music
Canada refers to the "Winter Olympics" as "The Olympics". Probably because they can play hockey at it which is apparently the greatest game in the world.
# Posted on January 11th 2010 by Patkiwi
Re: English music
I went to a fight once, but it was abandoned when an ice hockey match broke out.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by showaddydadito
Re: English music
As an Englishman and fond enough of English music, I have to say I find a huge percentage of it, as so far recorded, literally, clinically unbearable.
This pearl of wisdom gathered round the grit of watching YouTube clips of one band or another famous in "Folk Roots" in its time.
I leave this thought with you, as time like an ever-rolling stream bears this thread into remote history, along I hope with lots of wacky attitude bollox bands of the Eighties. Slainte!
# Posted on January 14th 2010 by nicholas
Re: English music
(Not including The Oyster Band - I think they're fine!..)
# Posted on January 14th 2010 by nicholas