Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: BobKnight
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:03 AM

In my very limited experience of Carrickfergus, I though Alison Moorer's version was excellent. Sounded a bit like Linda Rondstadt - and that's no criticism. The only jarring note being her strangulated vowels at "Ocea-ON."

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:32 AM

With respect to the parties debating "Carrickfergus", it seems to me that there's no end to such an argument. All it demonstrates is that musical tastes differ. And to put links to other, rougher versions on YouTube is no argument for the quality of the version under debate. (Actually, I quite warmed to the old boy with the beard singing his heart out - might be me one day...).

As far as my personal taste is concerned, I like my music a little rougher than this, and I think that, compared with TS3 - the whole of which I have on DVD - this series seems a little smoother and a little sweeter-flavoured. But - that's just my personal taste.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: evansakes
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:32 AM

John MacKenzie said "...it was all about her technique"

Damn right, it's all about technique. The one that very few of us have and that takes many years of dedication, blood, sweat and tears to perfect.

Same thing's true of Jerry Douglas on the dobro, Ronan Browne on the whistle and uilleann pipes, Aly Bain on fiddle, Donald Shaw on accordion, Russ Barrenburg on guitar and Danny Thompson on bass. These are the best in the business and they play with the best in the business. Listen without prejudice and put aside the fact that she's American and that she's what many people would call a "country" singer. She seems to understand that song and conveys it better than any Irish singer I've ever heard (with the possible exception of Noel Murphy)

You don't have to like that rendition of Carrickfergus but by any definition it's anything but vile and awful.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:39 AM

What I don't like is the "pleading" stresses she adds to certain notes. To my ears, it jars and seems out of place.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 09:52 AM

I can't understand why she had to alter the words so much, it ruined a good song, Margaret Barry did the best version.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: evansakes
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 10:46 AM

I'm not aware that she 'altered' many of the words? At least she included the middle verse attributed to Dominic Behan (which many singers sadly omit)

Which are the definitive lyrics for this 'traditional' song anyway, Dave?

Would they by any chance be the ones you first heard? :-)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 10:56 AM

next thing we'll be reading that she altered " THE " melody.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: evansakes
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 09:32 AM

Watching the latest one I was struck once again by the complete absence of ego among the musicians present at these sessions.

For me Donal Lunny summed it up perfectly last night "The song is the thing. I think everyone is there to serve the song and to support and facilitate what she's doing. That's our job"

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 10:18 AM

I was doing all right with Carrickfergus till she unleashed the winsome smile on "till I get a drink".

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: evansakes
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 11:14 AM

If you knew a little about her family background you'd realise the poignancy of that particular line to Allison, Greg.

I think you'll find her smile was anything but winsome...

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 09:08 PM

I've certainly heard poorer renditions! She's welcome to sing at our session anyday. That said Emily Smith's "Siver Tassie" still comes out tops for me.

CC

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 08:01 PM

Apart from the warbles it was the extra Hs:
Hi wish i was
Hand instead of and, etc
The accompaniment was very good.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 09:29 PM

I accidentally tuned into this halfway through a gorgeous song that in some way had Dan Tyminski involved in it...I have been trying ever since to find out what it was...(It wasn't man of constant sorrow but that was on the show)

If anyone has the show recorded would they mind posting the track names from this episode...I would be much obliged

Thanks

Bob

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 04:14 AM

even allowing for variations in taste, it defies comprehension that anybody could categorise Alison Moorer's rendition of Carrickfergus as "awful".

I agree, completely.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: evansakes
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 05:17 AM

Bob, the series will soon be released on DVD and there's a full track listing for the six programmes here

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 06:04 AM

OK maybe the word winsome was wrong. "Endearingly rueful" perhaps? Either way, it didn't do much for me. I'm afraid I've never heard of the singer concerned, so know nothing of her family history.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Rog Peek
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 06:28 AM

"even allowing for variations in taste, it defies comprehension that anybody could categorise Alison Moorer's rendition of Carrickfergus as "awful"."

I also agree.

And if this was a reference to my posting, we need to get something straight. I did not catagorise anything. If you read my posting you will find that I did not say "it was awful" but that "I thought it was awful", just as Guest Martin said he thought it was the best he had heard.

Will is correct when he says "All it demonstrates is that musical tastes differ", I was merely remarking on how broad the differences can be.

Rog

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 07:13 AM

Does one's family background add to, or detract from, the quality of one's performance?

Sorry, but I hope I never let someone's history, affect my criitical faculties.

JM

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: evansakes
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 11:59 AM

No-one said that it did add to the performance, John.

By the same token I would hope that no-one's critical faculties would ever be adversely affected by an artist smiling at a certain point during a performance.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Nedd_Ludd
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 06:25 PM

Many questions re latest series of Transatlantic Sessions -

Why was Julie Fowlis only given one song?

Why was the final session cut prematurely from iplayer?

Why did Dan Tyminski go home early?

And, what has happened to the 'TomT Scotland' clips of previous sessions on UTUBE - I was looking for the Karen Matheson's splendid version of Sandy Denny's 'One more chance' but couldn't find it.

It was good to hear Donal Lunny singing - it was like a flashback to Planxty in the 1970s.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Declan
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 05:00 PM

Just to let you all know that RTE are starting to broadcast this series on Friday next 15th at 7:30 and each episode should be available to watch on the web week by week from then onwards. As far as I know RTE does not put any restrictions on as to where you can watch stuff on its website, unlike the BBC.

If it is like the previous series, the RTE shows will be assembled differently and may well include material not broadcast on BBC.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 01:13 PM

OK! I know I'm two years late and what I wantto say has nothing to do with what you were all discussing, but, how does one ask the powers that be if they are likely to have Barbara Dixon on the programme . I think she would be perfect for it. She knows Ali and Phil and I know that she would love to appear on it but she hasn't been asked.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 01:23 PM

They may not pay enough!