(e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06

Subject: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Oct 06 - 09:06 PM

Nice little radio essay by Chris Nickson on ceilidh music (pretty much e-) on All Things Considered today. Funny thing was it was definitely about the UK scene, but it didn't specify. (Funny, this being an American program...)

Mention of Spiers & Boden, Hecaty (spelling)?, Whapweasel...

[A USian's question: "Spiers" is "spy-rs" rather than "spears"? The commentator who sounded like a Brit used the former; I'd assumed the latter.]

I see on the web site that it's categorized under "world music."

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 09:24 PM

refresh, just in case

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 10:47 PM

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Ceilidh/

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: GUEST,dax
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 10:52 PM

I'll try again. I think there is a bit of misunderstanding about what a ceilidh is. This link should explain better.

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Ceilidh/

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 11:11 PM

I heard some of that story. I was meaning to go look it up to hear the rest. Thanks for the mention!

SRS

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 12:26 AM

dax, fantastic site, thank you!

Becky, thanks for the link.

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: Tootler
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 03:02 PM

The word ceilidh has been adopted in England for a social dance based on traditional dance patterns but with a caller to call the patterns. In that sense it has moved away from its original Gaelic meaning. AFAIK, this is particular to England. When I was younger what it is now called a ceilidh was often called a barn dance and there was a time when we regularly went to barn dances, often literally held in barns. My memory is that the dancing and playing was just as energetic then as it is now.

The radio essay gave a pretty fair sample of the type of music played. However the term ceilidh was adopted earlier than the commentator implied. There is some useful, if dated, information here

A USian's question: "Spiers" is "spy-rs" rather than "spears"? The commentator who sounded like a Brit used the former; I'd assumed the latter.

"Spy-rs" is how he pronounces his own name. I used to say "spears" until I saw Spiers and Boden perform this summer. They are very good, btw. If you ever get a chance go to see them.

Subject: RE: (e)ceilidh on NPR 24 Oct 06
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 03:33 PM

I saw Spiers and Boden perform this summer. They are very good, btw. If you ever get a chance go to see them.

I'd love to, but I doubt they'll ever get to my neck of the woods. If they made it to California, I'd consider making a special trip for John & Jon. Someday I'll get across the pond...

~ Becky in Tucson (Arizona)