Was it me, or did it seem like they weren't trying to get good names to play this year?
minus Liz Carroll of course. She pretty much was a lifesaver.
Personally I hung around the Next Generation tent all weekend... there was a new comer from across the seas, a Sarah Hughes on fiddle, she was quite good. There were also all the Chicago Irish Music schools (Academy of Irish Music, Murphy Roche, Irish Music of Chicago) and they were all really good as well. There was also a brilliant singer from Chicago, a Jenne Lennon... she was singing with the Academy of Irish Music, and she had one of the most authentic irish voices I have ever heard! Great songs!
It's hard to find sessions during Celtic fest because everyone is either performing at the festival or attending it. Better to come on a non-festival weekend and take Monday off so you can drive home the next day.
I was at the Irish fest too and was disappointed to find there were no sessions as well as the talent. Though I did like the group Errigal, nice fiddler but then the guitar player started singing country songs *shutters*. I left at that point.
Of course, they're were good pipers and the schools, but I understand your complaint: there could have been more good trad bands. The Brock McGuire band was nice, but I'm not much into the jazz piano think he started doing half way through the set; again, left the tent at that point. Hmmm...maybe I'm picky, but I don't think so.
I found and heard of no sessions. I kept thinking-- where do all these people go to session on Saturday night? Surely, somewhere was on. I ended up going with a friend to a Sunday afternoon session out in Evanstan that was nice. A few good tunes and a lovely session leader.
For the general public, it was an awesome display of trad music. For a trad freak like myself, (being from Atlanta where there's hardly any trad music) I was hoping for more. I thought I might see little sessions on the streets here and there, like an Irish festival, but that didn't seem to be the case. I guessing that all the paid musicians, performers etc were hanging out in the private green room all day (a building behind the main vending tent.
Picking up the fiddle, you still there after all these posts? There was fine music to be had at the fest, not just in the Next Generation Tent!
Fiddle_around, CelticFest is meant to be a festival that represents more than "Irish" music, there are also representatives of traditional music from French speaking Canada, Scotland, the Breton region of France and Spain. That said, CelticFest is one of many festivals the city of Chicago presents in Grant Park and as such, sessions are not organized for Irish players. It might happen someday, but has not happened as of yet.
IMHO, the best traditional music happened in the Uilleann Pipe tent all day long on two days, great mix of pipers, fiddlers, flute players, and backers. Wonderful music and great fun was had!
As far as sessions on Saturday night, if you check this websites listings of music sessions, you will see many on Sunday, one on Monday, several on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and none on Friday and Saturday nights. Those same pubs have either live bands or don't book sessions on the weekend nights.
As far as the performers all hanging out in the vending area, I think that is for the Petrillo performers, not all the Irish players in Chicago.
BTW, the session you went to was probably Tommy Nevins, led by the fabulous concertina, box and flute player, John Williams. (if indeed he was there that particular Sunday)
well maybe i spoke too soon. while i'm still not too impressed with this years Celtic Fest, it may or may not be because of a single thing.
no one really seemed to have fun this year. i'm not talking about stage presence (though there were quite a few groups/soloists who looked like they couldn't be bothered playing a couple of tunes), but the overall atmosphere. maybe it was the weather, maybe it wasn't a good weekend in general, but all i know is that i've never seen more people complain or seem totally unexcited to be on stage. while the music may have been great, some of the performers just ruined it for me.
that was one of the reasons why i liked the NGT so much, you are dealing with children who rarely get a chance to be on stage, or at least are young enough to still appreciate the joy of playing in front of crowds.
i should also point out that i spent most of my time at the NGT on Sunday, so i may have missed some great acts... and great personalities, and that is truely my loss.
but i'm glad to hear that Celtic Fest was still enjoyed by other musicians. this may be a twilight zone case where i kept missing great performances by an act or two. :(
oh yeah, the Nevin's session is pretty good! i haven't been in a while... i need to remedy that!!!
Another great highlight was seeing Brendan Bulger and his band, The Sprigs. Very unique music! Bulger, the guitarist (his name please?!!) and James Conway have a very unconventional approach to Irish music and it really sets them apart from the typical trad group. Behind Bohola (but rapidly approaching) I'd say this is by far the best group coming out of the Chicago scene. Liz Carroll and Brock McGuire were exceptional too.
picking up: just goes to show you how subjective a festival experience can be. I did not hear musicians complaining, but maybe they were in the NGT? The folks I talked to were having a great time and really enjoyed playing and hanging out!
nelson36: Sprigs guitarist is Billy Knox and yes, they are a fun, energetic group. You should hear them play for a ceili when they pull out all the stops!
Frances: I agree, festival experiences are very subjective. I have been to many festivals, the majority have been excellent, a couple not so much. Thats life! Every year that I've attended and participated in Celtic Fest I've had an amazing, educational time. This year... not so much. I'm glad you had a good time though. Like I mentioned above, I might have missed some great groups by an act or two, and that is truely my loss.
The only complaint I heard from the NGT was when a WI group was a no show on Sunday. Too bad, they are a really energetic group! :(
Chicago Celtic Fest
Chicago Celtic Fest
Anybody go?
Was it me, or did it seem like they weren't trying to get good names to play this year?
minus Liz Carroll of course. She pretty much was a lifesaver.
Personally I hung around the Next Generation tent all weekend... there was a new comer from across the seas, a Sarah Hughes on fiddle, she was quite good. There were also all the Chicago Irish Music schools (Academy of Irish Music, Murphy Roche, Irish Music of Chicago) and they were all really good as well. There was also a brilliant singer from Chicago, a Jenne Lennon... she was singing with the Academy of Irish Music, and she had one of the most authentic irish voices I have ever heard! Great songs!
I'm bored at work... someone entertain me.
# Posted on September 19th 2005 by picking up that fiddle
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
They had Pat Cannady and Jim McGuire on uilleann pipes- what more do you need????
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by I_Fel
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
And Kieran O'Hare
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by I_Fel
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Jeeeezzz -
Enda & Fergal Scahill, Maire NiChathasaigh & Chris Newman, Tim Britton, Elliot Grasso, and KEVIN HENRY and you say there were no good names?!?!?
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by freakonthefiddle
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Not to mention Tim Britton and Elliot Grasso- how could I forget them?
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by I_Fel
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Were there good sessions there this time?
If so, where? We went some years back and it was tough to find a session...
(freakonthefiddle - REALLY looking fwd to seeing you in Cincy)
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by stv culchie
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
It's hard to find sessions during Celtic fest because everyone is either performing at the festival or attending it. Better to come on a non-festival weekend and take Monday off so you can drive home the next day.
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by Hanley
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
I was at the Irish fest too and was disappointed to find there were no sessions as well as the talent. Though I did like the group Errigal, nice fiddler but then the guitar player started singing country songs *shutters*. I left at that point.
Of course, they're were good pipers and the schools, but I understand your complaint: there could have been more good trad bands. The Brock McGuire band was nice, but I'm not much into the jazz piano think he started doing half way through the set; again, left the tent at that point. Hmmm...maybe I'm picky, but I don't think so.
I found and heard of no sessions. I kept thinking-- where do all these people go to session on Saturday night? Surely, somewhere was on. I ended up going with a friend to a Sunday afternoon session out in Evanstan that was nice. A few good tunes and a lovely session leader.
For the general public, it was an awesome display of trad music. For a trad freak like myself, (being from Atlanta where there's hardly any trad music) I was hoping for more. I thought I might see little sessions on the streets here and there, like an Irish festival, but that didn't seem to be the case. I guessing that all the paid musicians, performers etc were hanging out in the private green room all day (a building behind the main vending tent.
# Posted on September 21st 2005 by fiddle_around
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
was that Tommy Kearney ?? in Evanston's, almost right off the El??
# Posted on September 21st 2005 by I_Fel
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Yeah. It was nice. Were you there??
# Posted on September 21st 2005 by fiddle_around
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Picking up the fiddle, you still there after all these posts? There was fine music to be had at the fest, not just in the Next Generation Tent!
Fiddle_around, CelticFest is meant to be a festival that represents more than "Irish" music, there are also representatives of traditional music from French speaking Canada, Scotland, the Breton region of France and Spain. That said, CelticFest is one of many festivals the city of Chicago presents in Grant Park and as such, sessions are not organized for Irish players. It might happen someday, but has not happened as of yet.
IMHO, the best traditional music happened in the Uilleann Pipe tent all day long on two days, great mix of pipers, fiddlers, flute players, and backers. Wonderful music and great fun was had!
As far as sessions on Saturday night, if you check this websites listings of music sessions, you will see many on Sunday, one on Monday, several on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and none on Friday and Saturday nights. Those same pubs have either live bands or don't book sessions on the weekend nights.
As far as the performers all hanging out in the vending area, I think that is for the Petrillo performers, not all the Irish players in Chicago.
BTW, the session you went to was probably Tommy Nevins, led by the fabulous concertina, box and flute player, John Williams. (if indeed he was there that particular Sunday)
# Posted on September 23rd 2005 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
well maybe i spoke too soon. while i'm still not too impressed with this years Celtic Fest, it may or may not be because of a single thing.
no one really seemed to have fun this year. i'm not talking about stage presence (though there were quite a few groups/soloists who looked like they couldn't be bothered playing a couple of tunes), but the overall atmosphere. maybe it was the weather, maybe it wasn't a good weekend in general, but all i know is that i've never seen more people complain or seem totally unexcited to be on stage. while the music may have been great, some of the performers just ruined it for me.
that was one of the reasons why i liked the NGT so much, you are dealing with children who rarely get a chance to be on stage, or at least are young enough to still appreciate the joy of playing in front of crowds.
i should also point out that i spent most of my time at the NGT on Sunday, so i may have missed some great acts... and great personalities, and that is truely my loss.
but i'm glad to hear that Celtic Fest was still enjoyed by other musicians. this may be a twilight zone case where i kept missing great performances by an act or two. :(
oh yeah, the Nevin's session is pretty good! i haven't been in a while... i need to remedy that!!!
# Posted on September 23rd 2005 by picking up that fiddle
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Another great highlight was seeing Brendan Bulger and his band, The Sprigs. Very unique music! Bulger, the guitarist (his name please?!!) and James Conway have a very unconventional approach to Irish music and it really sets them apart from the typical trad group. Behind Bohola (but rapidly approaching) I'd say this is by far the best group coming out of the Chicago scene. Liz Carroll and Brock McGuire were exceptional too.
# Posted on September 23rd 2005 by nelson36
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
picking up: just goes to show you how subjective a festival experience can be. I did not hear musicians complaining, but maybe they were in the NGT? The folks I talked to were having a great time and really enjoyed playing and hanging out!
nelson36: Sprigs guitarist is Billy Knox and yes, they are a fun, energetic group. You should hear them play for a ceili when they pull out all the stops!
# Posted on September 27th 2005 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Chicago Celtic Fest
Frances: I agree, festival experiences are very subjective. I have been to many festivals, the majority have been excellent, a couple not so much. Thats life!
Every year that I've attended and participated in Celtic Fest I've had an amazing, educational time. This year... not so much. I'm glad you had a good time though. Like I mentioned above, I might have missed some great groups by an act or two, and that is truely my loss.
The only complaint I heard from the NGT was when a WI group was a no show on Sunday. Too bad, they are a really energetic group! :(
# Posted on September 27th 2005 by picking up that fiddle