Hi Dick!
Did I ever send you my CD? As you will see, if you don't have it (and PM me and I will send it to you...) it is not simple music to play... dynamics in Irish music aren't in the simple three cords, but in the dynamics that good araingements make. One band member, for example, a fine musician, used to miss a break ever time we played it, where the whole band would drop out leaving the Uilleann pipes playing alone, (for those of you with the CD, the break in the first track, between Lietrim Thrush and An Phis Fluch...) well, as a result the change between the tunes, in stead of sounding tight and fine, would sound ragged and sloppy. I'd remind the fellow as we set out into the tune, and watch his face as he'd space out during the playing, and well, it is not a matter of just accompanists, but finding folks who are behind the meaning of the songs and the sence of the music. Fact is, I put serrious thought and human rights messages into music that makes people think. Frankly I am sick to hell of apathetic folks who just don't get it the way audiences do. I am damn near chucking in the whole damn thing. I write because I can't help it, but to hell with playing for anybody else.
Happy new year,
Larry