Connolly doesn't play traditional Irish music, but he'd be well familiar with - and appreciative of it - it from his time going round Scottish folk festivals in the 60s and 70s before Michael Parkinson made him famous. He's always been more into American "old-timey" music and banjo "frailing" in particular, at which he's pretty handy.
Sad day when he can't make a simple statement that he likes traditional Irish music - like the rest of us here - without being criticised and verbally abused for daring to have an opinion.
I happen to like the Big Yin. I still think he is incredibly funny. Why can't he like Irish music like many other people do? I don't understand the problem with some of the above comments.
I too like Connolly, not just for his humour, but for where he's from, and like Kenny wrote, that he started off in Folk Music.
Am I right in recalling that he started off at The Clyde Folk Club? Wasn't it a band called the Humbleweeds or something like that with Rafferty? I can't remember who else was with him, maybe someone can supply the missing bits.
Agree with the posters defending BC above. He started out on the folk circuit, I've seen him as a regular spectator at Highland games and he always comes across as genuinely respectful, even possibly in awe of traditional musicians. Even the tax inspector has the right to like traditional music, give him a break.
Ok I put my hands up to a bit of sour grapes there but it was in response to the notion of him promoting Irish trad. As a celebrity he gets to drop in on any musical gathering on the planet and with forlocks being tugged plays whatever he likes.
If I tried that at my session I don't think I'd get away with it- and I'm funnier than this man!
Let him pay his dues and learn the tunes like the rest of us.
Noel Murphy is the finest golfer who ever strummed a guitar.
And he finished the Main Stage at Cambridge FF on the Sunday night too.
And he has many tales to tell.
Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Kinda paparazzi this, but at least it promotes the music: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/the_keane_edge/billy-connolly-a-big-fan-of-irish-traditional-music-91842114.html
# Posted on April 22nd 2010 by ScratchYours
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
It promotes Billy Connolly
# Posted on April 22nd 2010 by Eòsaph
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
bollards!
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by mcknowall
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Connolly is a tool, he can be funny at times but is always attention seeking, like most comedians
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by .
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
but at least it pollutes the music...
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by Reverend
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Connolly doesn't play traditional Irish music, but he'd be well familiar with - and appreciative of it - it from his time going round Scottish folk festivals in the 60s and 70s before Michael Parkinson made him famous. He's always been more into American "old-timey" music and banjo "frailing" in particular, at which he's pretty handy.
Sad day when he can't make a simple statement that he likes traditional Irish music - like the rest of us here - without being criticised and verbally abused for daring to have an opinion.
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by Kenny
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Well said Kenny
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by gedpipes
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Well good on him, but I was hoping for jigs and reels on that banjo there.
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
I happen to like the Big Yin. I still think he is incredibly funny. Why can't he like Irish music like many other people do? I don't understand the problem with some of the above comments.
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by Rudall the time
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
I too like Connolly, not just for his humour, but for where he's from, and like Kenny wrote, that he started off in Folk Music.
Am I right in recalling that he started off at The Clyde Folk Club? Wasn't it a band called the Humbleweeds or something like that with Rafferty? I can't remember who else was with him, maybe someone can supply the missing bits.
All the best
Brian xx
# Posted on April 23rd 2010 by briantheflute
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
So true, Kenny, seems more like a snake pit at times doesn't it?
# Posted on April 24th 2010 by Phantom Button
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
I rather enjoyed it, everyone looked like they were having fun!
# Posted on April 24th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Agree with the posters defending BC above. He started out on the folk circuit, I've seen him as a regular spectator at Highland games and he always comes across as genuinely respectful, even possibly in awe of traditional musicians. Even the tax inspector has the right to like traditional music, give him a break.
# Posted on April 24th 2010 by bogman
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Brian - the Humblebums
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Humblebums
A great act but 2 totally different types of talent in Connolly and Rafferty
# Posted on April 24th 2010 by Rudall the time
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Ok I put my hands up to a bit of sour grapes there but it was in response to the notion of him promoting Irish trad. As a celebrity he gets to drop in on any musical gathering on the planet and with forlocks being tugged plays whatever he likes.
If I tried that at my session I don't think I'd get away with it- and I'm funnier than this man!
Let him pay his dues and learn the tunes like the rest of us.
# Posted on April 27th 2010 by Eòsaph
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Dues? He's already a much better player than many 'experts' on here.
# Posted on April 27th 2010 by bogman
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Billy? You want to get hold of Noel Murphy - he can tell a tale or two about the old days! There's a story about the Ugly Sisters as I've heard!
# Posted on April 27th 2010 by john knoss
Re: Billy Connolly and Irish sessions
Noel Murphy is the finest golfer who ever strummed a guitar.
And he finished the Main Stage at Cambridge FF on the Sunday night too.
And he has many tales to tell.
# Posted on April 28th 2010 by Guernsey Pete