Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,Raibeart Ó Faoláin
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 01:11 AM

's toigh leam a bhith ag éisdeachd ri duine a' seinn anns a' Ghàidhlig fad na h-ùine ('s dòcha ged nach e Gàidhlig a th'ann). Tha mi a' feuchainn ri am brosnachadh cuideachd – 'se cànan brèagha a th'ann an Gàidhlig

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 03:05 AM

Footnote:
Sue will sing what she chooses to sing, which is as it should be - I am grateful to her for the opportunity to air my opinion on a subject that interests me.
I am a little disappointed that once again we find the need to revert to invective; this 'folk-police' (first cousin to 'folk fascist').
I do hope I live long enough to witness these discussions reach full maturity.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 07:38 PM

Gulliver - yes, I'm thinking maybe it's run its course... but I've liked hearing so much diversity of opinion, it's helped me to think it through. I have to say, I don't think I'm going to stop singing them! :)

Sue

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 02:52 PM

I've just come across this thread and can't help wondering whether it's making a mountain out of a molehill. I'd say: if you like the song, and the room doesn't clear of people after the first verse, go for it--the more you sing the Gaelic songs the more confident you'll become, and God knows we need a few people to sing Gaelic songs.

And I'd say ignore the folk police--their argument brought to its logical conclusion would mean that the Weavers should never have sung Guantanamera, Pete Seeger should have discarded Hava Nagila (Hebrew) and Tzena Tzena (Yiddish), Luke and the Dubliners shouldn't have touched Travellers' songs 'cos none of them was born in a caravan, Emmet Spiceland were wrong to sing Baidín Fheidhlimidh, etc., etc., and everyone in the rest of the non-English-speaking world is practically wasting their time singing folk-songs (or any other kind of song, for that matter) in English.

Which, of course, is rubbish.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 04:10 AM

Thanks Robert. Sadly I don't seem to be able to view this. But I just wanted to know if he used a different set of lyrics. Thanks anyway.

Sue

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 03:45 PM

Hi Sue,

I cannot say if it sounds like those others, I have never listened to either of those folks. I tend to be one of those crusty old traditional-lovers ( just got Around the Hills Of Clare and From Puck To Appleby and am in hog heaven).

Best way to judge would be to hear it for yourself.. this link is from the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage back in 2000, and is full of wonderful archied concerts. Frank's is not quite half way down the page, from May 20, 2000. Really wonderful stuff.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive_month.cfm?month=5&year=2000



Robert

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 02:47 PM

Big M

Still no message, perhaps you could send again?

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 01:43 PM

"And back on the subject...have to disagree with you there.."

Me too, actually, I just wanted to change the subject... ;-)

But as JTT says "But please do keep singing our songs. They need to be sung to live."

:-)

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 08:43 AM

You've come across the single factor that is most influential in endangering the Irish language - the fact that it's treated by many people as a contest, not a communication.

Perhaps what you should do is introduce any song in Irish (or Gaedhlig) with the proviso that you're not singing in your native language, but out of love for the song.

But please do keep singing our songs. They need to be sung to live.

(Incidentally, there's a scene in the book Bel Canto by Anne Patchett - a brilliant book - where a character is raving about an opera singer's superb phrasing in, I think, Italian: how perfect each word is, how distinct and pure. Another character, an interpreter, thinks to himself that while every word is perfect, few native speakers would understand the singer, because she is completely un-fluent. But not un-beautiful in her singing!)

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 08:15 AM

Effsee, the point I was trying to make about Runrig etc. was that they don't stick rigidly to a particular "correct" style all the time, especially with their accompaniment!
However, now you mention it, I have a vague recollection of hearing or reading somewhere that Karen Matheson of Capercaillie wasn't a native speaker, but I can't be sure about this.
    Something else I meant to say in case any of you don't already know is that if you go to www.bbc.co.uk you can probably find your way to Radio nan Gaidheal (I had to click on "Alba" last time to find it) from where you can print out the weekly Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh (letter to learners) and listen to it being read out (click on Eist a-Rithist).
    One thing I try to bear in mind is that when I went to listen to the Mod the judge complained that nearly every singer was failing to pronounce their broad and slender Ls correctly. This isn't the easiest of things to get right when singing, but I'm doing my best!

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 07:53 AM

Brendy - It can?? :0

And back on the subject...have to disagree with you there...I can't see how delivering some songs in another language is going to help you to get fluent in speaking it. I'm not going to get fluent, unless I live there, which isn't practical. And I'm not wanting to develop a whole big repertoire of gaelic songs, I'm just learning a very small number as well as I can.

It's mostly been non-gaelic speakers responding so far, as far as I can tell - would be interesting to hear from some more gaelic speakers/singers (though perhaps they gravitate more towards forums (fora??) in the language...)

Guest RWM - does the Frank Harte version of I am stretched differ then from that sung by Seonaid O'Connor, Kate Rusby, etc?

Sue

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 07:30 AM

To the extraordinarily patronising one...

I have received no message from you, or I would have answered it. I am fully aware of forum etiquette, I have no wish to inflict this daft spat on others, and even as a mere fluff-head girly newbie, I cracked the skill of opening messages quite some time back, thank you. :)

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 12:05 AM

I think that communicating the intent of the song is vital no matter which language it is sung in.

Fluency in a song is entirely possible as long as it stems from a deep appreciation of the subject matter. Fluency in the language itself is never far away, if you can deliver a number of songs properly.

... same can go for a lot of things... ;-)

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 11:33 PM

Well???????

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:35 PM

Apparently you are so new, and have failed to read the FAQ, that you don't realize that I sent you a Personal Message (PM) the same day I last posted. That is the polite thing to do, take personal stuff out of the discussion.

Go to the top of this page, or any page, and as long as you are logged in, you will see a link that says, "You have **number** messages". Simply click it and you will be taken to your personal messages page.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:31 PM

He's gone scarily quiet...*taps foot*

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 08:58 PM

;-)

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 08:19 PM

I's a quakin' in me boots here... :)

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: MuddleC
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 10:05 AM

-mine's a pint!!

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,Seonaid
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 10:03 PM

Just musing on dialects after a marvelous Burns night party.....
Doesn't every singer take on a language or accent challenge at some time? Think of the mondegreens that have resulted when things haven't been written down by the original author (if any)! Many of these mistakes are, of course, now enshrined as "collected versions" of whatever trad song one's elders tried to remember....
I'll continue to mangle Gaelic in public, as I mangle Burns' and Adge Cutler's (not to mention Leadbelly's) English.
Suffer, ye snobs.
The rest of you, let's party!

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 01:35 PM

Go easy on her, Mick... ;-)

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 01:27 PM

Let's take this to the Personal Message area. I will send you a PM and let's let the thread go on.

Mick

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 01:04 PM

BM - I'd appreciate it if you'd be specific and not generalise about my behaviour. I've been through all my posts and I can't find anything "not nice" (whether or not in nice tone), so I'm baffled and I'd like to know what it is.

If singling out is responding to what someone says, I guess I did. How else am I sposed to refer to something specific?

I could respond more, but like you, I am not here to get into wrangling; this feels unpleasant enough. That was not my purpose in my response to what you said.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 12:37 PM

Because you employed one of those tactics that I think needs responding to. You say not so nice things in a nice tone, and then act injured when someone responds. BTW, once you start a topic on Mudcat, it goes where it goes.

I repeat, the comment was a response to Jim. You are only addressed in the broad sense of being a singer today. The sarcastic comment was deserved by virtue of your singling me out and no different than yours, just dressed different. BTW, I am also one of "todays singers" which means I am entitled to an opinion.

I don't know you, you may be a fine singer. I am surely not going to get into a slagfest with you. I notice that you have only posted 9 times so perhaps a bit of advice for you, ignore it if you choose to. Once a thread takes off, it is about the subject at hand. If you pay attention to the context of the conversation, you will avoid the misunderstandings.

I wish you well with your singing, let us get back to the fine discussion you started.

Mick

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 12:24 PM

BigM

I answered you (a) because I started the thread, and (b) because you replied to Jim's post regarding the "today's singers" he spoke of - as one of them, I was responding to what you said about them.

And what seems to be the problem with my screen name? Why the sarcasm? Uncalled for and undeserved, I think.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:23 AM

***Chuckle over Martin's comment***

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 07:39 AM

;-)

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 04:23 AM

Brendy

Lest there be any further confusion - "Scots(or Scottish) Gaelic" rather than "Scots"? This thread is tangled already!

Regards

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,Marie
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 04:05 AM

Jim's point is very true, most young people here in Ireland are not aware of any sean nós singers. Unless there is a keen interest of course. I myself think of Tom 'Phaidín Tom' Costello as a wonderful singer, also I enjoy hearing Tómas Jimmy Mac Eoin from an Cheathrú Rua in Connamara. He recorded with the Waterboys at some stage in his life. Great sean nós singer.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 09:30 PM

"They way they sing it is in a Donegal (northern) style of Irish which to a southerner is almost another language with its different pronunciation!

Where in fact, it's only another dialect.

Clannad sang in Scots from time to time.

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Nickhere
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 09:13 PM

Regarding pronunciation - I'm not expert, I readily admit; but just to illustrate that there isn't always one 'correct' way to sing something, take the Skara Brae clip posted on Youtube (An Chailin Rua). They way they sing it is in a Donegal (northern) style of Irish which to a southerner is almost another language with its different pronunciation. If I were to sing it I'd use a somewhat different pronunciation, even though we're both using the exact same words. Having said that, I really like the Skara Brae version.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 09:04 PM

I think you are the one guilty of assumptions, suewhatever. I was responding to Jim's post. But judging by your screen name, I can see why you think the comment must have been directed to you.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 08:47 PM

OK...a whole range of responses, from "anything goes" to "don't do it fer chrissakes" with a whole lot more in between - to be expected, I guess. For a few, I guess I will inevitably always fall short, given my experience. All food for thought and learning.

For the record...I'm not into singing as an "exercise in technique" nor "as entertaining with a good tune", though the latter can be a vehicle. I'm more interested in exploring the emotion of a song, what originally inspired it, to some degree reliving it, in the human connection to be found there... I'm struggling here to voice what I mean without sounding pretentious, so maybe I'm not clear enough on this yet. Singing "I am stretched on your grave" is like entering another world, and can be exhausting. And I'm aware this will be for some an argument for me not singing in gaelic!

What Jim C says about choosing Irish songs....interesting, as my own experience is the reverse, that singers choose far more of the up tempo cheerful songs than the slower deeper ones. For myself, I don't choose a song for the lovely tune (though I'm sure that can sometimes be an element), but for the lyrics and feeling. The reason I rarely sing up tempo ones is because I find it physically difficult; it's something I'm starting to work on with a teacher.

Such sweeping assumptions, Big Mick! I haven't gravitated towards Gaelic song because it's "trendy"; I have an instinctive aversion to "New Age" (always have done). And I didn't find them due to being well-known - I found them originally in the homes of Uist people and on recordings of unknown singers. So please don't "pigeonhole" me!

Next time I travel north, I'll be more aware of this issue, and asking people their views....

Sue

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 04:13 AM

Failte
"Why call Tom 'Pháidín Tom' Costello relatively unknown?"
It's been my experience that younger singers I have spoken to have not heard him. To my knowledge the CCE record is no longer available and the DeDannan album was.... well, the De Daanan album.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,Failte
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 12:25 PM

Why call Tom 'Pháidín Tom' Costello relatively unknown? After all he did appear on a De Dannan album which probably sold more than all the sean nos albums put together.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 11:19 AM

I play Tom Phaidin TOm and many other singers on my radio show, broadcast in Cleveland, but webcast as well,AND the shows are archive for a week, you can listen anytime you like,

www.wruw.org

go to program guide on the menu, then Saturday on the drop down, then Sweeney Astray click on the 56k to the right and it will begin streaming, OR you can right click and download it to your pc as an mp3, convert it and burn a cd , etc. I have a LARGE collection of Sean-nos material, AND I play requests. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 10:28 AM

Jim, I am with you all the way on this. I think it goes to the fact that it got (once again) trendy to sing "Celtic" or "Gaelic", so folks start singing. It is natural that they would gravitate to the well known. Also the unfortunate tendency, rooted in this "New Age Celtic" nonsense to want this ethereal sound and to pigeonhole all Gaelic singing into it. But the good news is that as the trend matures, young interested singers, encouraged by folks like you, will discover the incredible depth of the music of the Gael.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 09:52 AM

I have been digitising many of my early recordings lately, which include a considerable amount of Irish language material. One thing that has struck me is the many different styles of those songs; fast, slow, intermediate, introspective, outgoing, heavy, light, humourous, serious,.... the whole gamut of manners of delivery. I have particularly been taken by the singing of the relatively unknown Tom 'Pháidín Tom' Costello from Spiddal, in Co. Galway, a wonderful singer whose repertoire covered many of these contrasting forms.
I can't speak for Scotland, but Ireland has been experiencing a considerable renaissance in Irish language singing over the last decade, thanks in part to such events as 'The Ennistymon Singing Weekend, where Irish language singing sessions were held to make the visiting Sean Nós singers feel at home.
While it is great to see the songs coming back into popularity, it's hard not to notice that many of today's singers are choosing only a small corner of the repertoire, namely the slow, introspective, highly ornamented ones; the lighter, up-tempo songs very much taking a back seat. I believe that the main reason for this is that singers are being attracted to the magnificent tunes rather than the combination of text and tune, which, for me, is the great strength of Gaelic singing.
The effect on the listener, especially those of us who have no Irish, is that it is rather like wading through syrup – the ears and the brain stop working and we cease to listen - the songs become musical wallpaper. This impression was confirmed recently by an American friend, a Sean Nós singer and expert who has written a well-received book on the subject and who all but fell asleep during a Sean Nós competition last year.
If you are going to learn Gaelic songs, please consider the whole repertoire and not just the pretty tunes.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 08:55 AM

I don't think that is the point, Marc.

B.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 08:38 AM

I don't know,there are an awful lot of Eupopeans who make their living singing in English, And How many professional opera singers do you suppose grew up speaking French, German and Italian. I don't know any one with 3 first languages, though I know several folks who speak many. Just because you didn't grow up with something doesn't mean you can never learn it.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Effsee
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 09:31 PM

Guest, HughM..."I wonder what she would think of Runrig, Capercaillie or (from what little I've heard) the Vatersay Boys."...are you suggesting that these are not native Gaelic speakers?

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 04:37 PM

Sue, I'm in much the same position as yourself in that I'm not a native speaker, but I can't resist singing in it because there are so many good Gaelic songs. In my opinion you're doing the right thing by trying to understand a song as well as you can before singing it. That way you'll probably emphasise the correct syllables, pause in suitable places, etc.. I wouldn't be put off by what your Dutch friend said: different well-respected native speakers won't necessarily sing the same song in the same way or pronounce words the same way. I wonder what she would think of Runrig, Capercaillie or (from what little I've heard) the Vatersay Boys. I doubt if there are many native Gaelic speakers who would vote to disband Runrig, even if they disapproved of Runrig's departure from tradition. I think most of them would be pleased that Runrig are helping to raise the profile of their language.
   Most native speakers seem supportive, such as Julie Fowlis, who checked my translation of an Irish song into Scottish Gaelic while selling CDs in the interval although her show was already running late and her band were going to have to drive through the night to their next gig.
   I can understand that some people might think there was no point in singing Gaelic songs to non-Gaelic-speaking audiences, but strangely this doesn't seem to be a problem in my experience. They seem to lap it up. (As recommended above, I try to give a good introduction). Sometimes I'm actually asked to sing a Gaelic song.
   Don't be put off if you are sometimes told you're doing this wrongly or doing that wrongly. It can be difficult to get two people to agree on what is "right" and "wrong". I recall hearing a recording of a duo singing a song about the Isle of Mull on Radio Scotland once, after which the presenter said something like "I thought they would have reached an agreement on the pronunciation of Fionnphort!"

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 03:07 AM

Sue - 'Extension of thought'
Basically it is the idea that, rather than just seeking to 'entertain' with a good tune and fine poetry, a singer is using the song to express their own emotions and opinions. I was introduced to the idea through the work we did with MacColl in the Critics Group, but later, when we started to collect, found this was common with a number of 'big' traditional singers (ie those with large, traditionally based repertoires which had been acquired from family and neighbours), the three main ones being Walter Pardon of Norfolk, Tom Lenihan of West Clare and Mikeen McCarthy, a Kerry Traveller.
Mikeen furnished us with full descriptions of the characters in his songs and the surroundings in which the action took place, none of which was contained in the song text.
Walter pointed out the areas in his neighbourhood where he envisaged the action of some of his songs taking place (The Pretty Ploughboy; the opening sequence of Van Dieman's Land).
In all the cases where we got this information, we were left with the impression that the songs were not just pieces that had been learned to be performed, but had become part of the singers lives and being relived rather than remembered; MacColl referred to this as 'emotion memory'.
It was difficult to attempt to gather this type of information without making the singer self-conscious, but we did such work over a great length of time; in Mikeen's case, over thirty years, with Walter and Tom, between 15-20 years.
My reason for becoming involved with collecting in the first place, was that I believed that we knew virtually nothing about traditional singers and why they sang. I know some work has been done, mainly in the U.S., and there are flashes of such involvement by singers here and there in recordings and manuscript collections, but nowhere near enough to give us a reliable picture.
My doubts about singing songs in a language you are not familiar with are simply that it virually impossible to make this sort of connection with such songs unless you understand, not just the general objective of the songs, but the nuances and significance which is contained in them. You can perform them successfully as 'nice tunes' well executed, but for me, this would be superficial.
I think I still have some of the early Topic records of Scots, English and American singers singing in German, Russian, Yiddish and Mandarin Chinese!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: GUEST,RWM
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 09:02 PM

Poppa..

I asked John Moulden about macaronic song sources a few years back and he suggested the only title of the only source book he knew
Diarmáid Ó Muirithe An tAmhrán Macarónach Baile Atha Cliath 1980.

One downside of doing translated Irish songs into English is that that don't sit easily on either tongue nor ear. I do Frank Harte's version
of "I Am Stretched Out On Your Grave" which is a wonderful translation,
but also "Fair Hills Of Eireann O" from Donal O'Sullivan's "Songs Of The Irish" and it just sounds..lacking.

So perhaps songs that have been purposely crafted in both languages offer the best of both worlds. Back to Buntus Cainte....
(Dia dhuit Nora, Dia Mhuire dhuit Caitlin... oh lordy...)

Robert Mouland

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Jim Lad
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 07:24 PM

Suegorgeous -
You said.. "I'd be interested to know what native Gaelic speakers/singers think about this, but also anyone else who wants to respond."

I'd fall under the "Anyone else" category.
No. I don't think that anyone needs to be unkind nor are you deserving of it. However, even I have to admit to sugar coating my response on this one. I was actually looking for a way to reply without making you feel picked on but as so often happens in Mudcat, there is no knowing how the other party reads the criticism. No matter how constructive it may be.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: PoppaGator
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 06:07 PM

Yeah, Sue, I was gonna say ~ anyone who finds you on MySpace or whatever might form their own opinion as to you gorgeousness!

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 06:04 PM

Thanks Poppa.....err, we're talking inner gorgeousness here! :)

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 04:32 PM

If Camsco doesn't stock Allan Macdonald's CD/booklet "Dastirum", maybe they ought to - it's his argument for reinterpreting piobaireachd as an evolution of Gaelic song. But he isn't arguing you shouldn't play it if you don't know Gaelic (he is far too tolerant and welcoming a person for that), simply saying what a knowledge of Gaelic song adds to the music.

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: PoppaGator
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 04:20 PM

Sue: Just noticed that you joined up; I failed to take note of your new name yesterday.

Welcome! And, nice pseudonym ~ pretty daring, I'd say...

Subject: RE: Gaelic songs & non-gaelic singers
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:57 PM

Jim lad:
The point of my singing them is because I find the language extraordinarily beautiful both to listen to and to sing. Equally, I would sing a non-gaelic Scottish song if that's what I came across and it moved me - that's my primary selection criterium - corny but true. It's a heart thang... Not sure what you mean about "too kindly" - people here have been pretty upfront as far as I can see - should they have been unkind with it, then?

Jim Carroll:
I'm interested to hear more of what you mean about singing being an extension of thought... some examples if you can?

All these perspectives are great! thank you.

Sue