Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music

Subject: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 04:28 PM

There it goes again! Does anybody know who/what this recording is? My husband (Jack) really wants to get a copy of it. He thinks it may be Capercaillie? I know British 'Catters will be able to put me on the right 'track'!

Thanks in advance - and Festive Greetings to All.

Polly

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Effsee
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 04:34 PM

Patrick St. - Music for a found harmonium.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 04:40 PM

Music For A Found Harmonium composed by The Penguin Café Orchestra.
I only know that because somebody told me the tatty furniture store was using it to try and sell their junk.
Whether or not it's them playing it I wouldn't know since:

(a) I rarely see any television
(b) wouldn't watch any which features ads
(c) wouldn't listen to the tune as it's one of the most annoying ever.

What Simon Jeffes should have done is put said instrument straight back into the skip where he found it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Brakn
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 05:27 PM

Previous thread.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,Mike Heron
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 06:37 PM

I found the name of the tune thanks to this site & google, thus shall probably never be back again. I also discovered the most arrogant, uptight, narrow minded forum post to a genuine question I've ever seen thanks to Diane.

If you don't like it fair enough, however posting your pretentious attempt at irony (or perhaps ironic attempt at pretentiousness) added nothing. I really do hope you weren't serious; but if so, please, get over yourself.

Diane, what Simon Jeffes really should have done was extract whatever musical instrument you have lodged in your lower colon, (I'd imagine a tuba, cello or some such).

Kudos to the peoples who found out what the music was, much appreciated. I'm not that keen on it myself, but it was bugging me where I had heard it before, (Napoleon Dynamite for those that lower themselves to watch television).

Oh and happy non-denominational festivity!

Ta rah!

MikeH

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Rumncoke
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 07:30 PM

I happened to be reading this just as the ad came onto the TV. It is a catchy tune and I am glad to know the origins too.

I find that there are some people who are fundamentally unable to conduct themselves in a civilised manner. When using the internet they put down what they think is a put down, and they have no idea that it makes them look like total numbskulls.

Still I supose if they can't be good examples then they can serve as an awful warning.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Effsee
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 09:30 PM

Mike H, don't pay much attention to Diane...nobody else does!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Dick The Box
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 04:07 AM

Hear hear. There are a number of people on this forum who can't resist publishing their sour, and often bigoted, comments at every opportunity. Much like the sad writers who get their ranting letters published in the local newspapers every week. They are as annoying as the other group who can't resist turning every thread into a personal slanging match (but please note that this is a general comment not my first salvo directed at Diane).

I enjoy mudcat as a source of information and a forum for civilised debate. Let's keep it like that please.....

Merry new boxing day etc to you all

Richard Ashe

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 04:27 AM

Ha! The brigade who got new pairs of DMs in their stockings are out in force today to reveal thir inability to recognise that the piece is question is poorly constructed musically as it fails to resolve. That it is being employed to try and sell equally poorly constructed, tasteless furniture may be strangely appropriate.

To the idiot who mistakes my comments for irony, they were not. MFAFH is not Irish Trad as the misinformation is generally spouted, but fairly recently composed English, inspired by the author having found said instrument in a skip, exactly as described.

Do sod off and play with your plastic penguins.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,John
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 04:46 AM

I think it's a nice piece of music. Others may not.

I find your posting to be rude, unpleasant and unhelpful. Others may not.

It's all down to personal opinion.

John

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 05:11 AM

I provided accurate and relevant information about the tune, its origins and what's wrong with it musically.
Not an opinion.
OK, I was quite wrong to do this.
I was mistaking this site for a music forum when all along it's a place to yack about where to get crap furniture.
Oh, and if you are THAT Mike Heron, you can go and play with your hedgehogs.
All the rest of you, back to penguins.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: stallion
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 05:32 AM

mmmmmmmm merry christmas Dianne

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Dick The Box
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 05:37 AM

I rest my case......

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 06:12 AM

When reviewing the Café del Mar series I may well have ventured opinions on the music thus included.
In fact, I did, it being my job to do so.
Here, I responded to a simple question with factual information.
As usual, the orthographically and contextually-challenged are far too dim to spot the difference.
Ah well. You'd best all stick to buying plastic rubbish from the sheds that blight the landscape.
My life is full of music, not irrelevant tripe.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: LesB
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 06:23 AM

Ah! A clever dick.
Cheers

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 08:13 AM

I see now, it's just another Boxing Day punch up - had them in my family too...


:-P

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 08:44 AM

Let's break this down:


"the tatty furniture store was using it to try and sell their junk." - that's two opinions there.

"Whether or not it's them playing it I wouldn't know since:
(a) I rarely see any television" - that's your lifestyle, don't judge everyone else by it.

"(b) wouldn't watch any which features ads" - so your set is never switched from anything other than the BBC channels? Hard to believe.

"(c) wouldn't listen to the tune as it's one of the most annoying ever." - that's another opinion.

"What Simon Jeffes should have done is put said instrument straight back into the skip where he found it." - And that makes four opinions... not quite the response "to a simple question with factual information" you say you gave.

"provided accurate and relevant information about the tune, its origins and what's wrong with it musically. Not an opinion." - The original poster asked for the artist (who/what), You told us the composer and ventured an opinion about a man and a skip and how bad the tune was.

No-one had even mentioned Irish tradition on this thread and it was made pretty clear in the previous thread that Brakyn linked to that it was a modern composition and the advert edits it pretty drastically. Provenance and culpability were firmly placed in the hands of the Penguin Cafe orchestra and Irish tradition/sesisons were only mentioned as an outlet for the tune.

As it happens, I share many of your opinions about the previous quality of some MFI products and also your feelings about juxtaposition of harmonium and skip. As they're my opinions though, I try to keep them to myself and not ram them forcefully down the throat of someone asking a perfectly decent question.

LTS

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 09:41 AM

Hmmm, the batteries in someones' personal amusement devices must have run down....

Merry Chrisslepud!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Rumncoke
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 02:59 PM

Oh well, it is still a happy little tune. I mean, what's not to like? It is better than most jingles - well I think so.

It is hardly setting itelf up as some sort of symphony.

It's a snatch of music from an advert, a bit of a tune someone made up and sold. It seems exactly appropriate to its situation.

I see that Ms Easby calls herself a reviewer. Oh well - 'nough said there then.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: John J
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 03:02 PM

I seem to recall it was the intro music for Jim Lloyd's BBC R2 folk program. A pleasant piece.

JJ

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Bernard
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 03:25 PM

So... someone asked for information, and was insulted for their troubles... I'm at a loss to understand the motivation for such a needlessly scathing 'reply'. Thanks to Squeaky for putting it into perspective so eloquently! ;o)

As for the tune, it is pleasant enough to listen to, especially in the Patrick Street arrangement under discussion, and good for dancing.

However, I've always found it very dull from a player's point of view, as it doesn't exactly go anywhere. There are, of course, tunes which are great from the player's point of view but dull for the listener!

So I find myself agreeing and disagreeing with Diane at the same time...! Aaargh!!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Les from Hull
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 04:10 PM

Polly Squeezebox:

Here's a bit more information about the tune. Theme for a found harmonium

I like the tune as well. So does my girlfriend. So do quite a few other people I know.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 04:46 PM

It might be construed that I insulted shoppers at MFI rubbish sheds and those who read and believe the crap written at thesession.org where everything not otherwise instantly recognisable is lazily categorised as 'Irish Trad'.
Good.
The OP wanted the origins of MFAFH.
Given.
Composer Simon Jeffes is 10 years dead so cannot be consulted about why the melody lacked resolution (or as Bernard puts it, 'doesn't go anywhere').
I could have speculated that this was where where Mr Jeffes was in his life at the time.
THAT would be opinion.
I didn't offer it, nor did I say it was a 'bad tune'.
Though I don't know anyone who doesn't find it irritating.
As for my tellywatching habits, I'm puzzled at LTS's assumptions.
She's never been here . . .
For the information of all those apparently interested, I might see News At 10 on BBC1 if in (unlikely), or Newsnight on BBC2 (marginally more likely) and EastEnders on Sunday on 1 (again if in).
That's it. I might get a digibox again when I really, really have to (like when the analogue signal goes).
Doesn't mean I'll watch more than the odd hour per week solely from the BBC.
Which will certainly continue to preserve me from crap adverts.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,Kiss Me Slow, Slap Me Quick.
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 05:02 PM

I got my kitchen units from MFI. Damn good value.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 06:33 PM

Eh, and what abput all those penguins skating aboot on BBC1 at the moment, advertising further BBC progs?
AS for "unresolved", several classical composers used this little ploy to good effect: it is not necessarily a fault of musical construction, but may be a intentional component of a composition.
Right, off to put flak jacket on, but like Effsee said, water off duck's back.
Oh, and yes, I also LIKE MFAFH, as do plenty of other critcally-bereft musicians.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 03:06 PM

God help uz, Tattie B! Aah'm bereft!! And aah'm a musician! Is it critical??

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 06:08 PM

Thank you 'Catters for your assistance in solving this mystery for my husband - who is neither a musician nor a shopper at said MFI store!

This thread has now served it's original purpose, and as the instigator I ask for the privilege of closing it before any more unnecessary comments are added.

Happy New Year to All - may we all be more forgiving of each other in 2008, and I wish us all the gift of humility!

Polly

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 06:41 PM

I did a big long reply which went and disappeared:-(

Boiled down to, good lass D. The tune DOES fizzle out. Every version I have does the same. Keep up the good work. Not that you need my approval!

Give us a PM on other matters.

D.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 07:16 PM

Ok, Polly, flak jacket AND humble pie. Happy New Year to you too, and go on enjoying the tune, as will I.
Geordie-Peorgie: neither critical nor fatal.
TB

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 08:46 PM

Hello Dave. Blimey, Whaddya say?

I have once more learned (though whether I will adhere to a resolve never again to attempt it remains to be seen) that it is an utter and complete waste of time to try and impart basic musical information to the wilfully ignorant.

(1) MFAFH actually WAS inspired by a harmonium which its composer rescued from a skip. This is fairly well-known though those who didn't could quite easily verify it by using a search engine. Not hard.

(2) It is a tune which lacks resolution, thus musically "irritating" by definition. A far cry from the supreme tunesmith's craft that pushes a maggot encapsulating an idea through the head and out again in 32 bars. Kevin Burke (who really should know better) dragged it into sessions where those who don't even try to know better have labelled it "Irish trad". Which it isn't. Obviously.

(3) Currently it is (apparently and uninterestingly) being used in a tellyad to push sales of unbelievable crap from a chain of sheds which ought to be nuked out of the known universe. Therein lies a certain justice.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,Perplexed
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 11:11 PM

What is "wilfully" ignorant about asking for the name/performers of a piece of music? People do that all the time in this forum. Or is the ignorance only wilful if it applies to tunes you don't approve of?

The question was answered in the first reply, so you didn't need to trouble yourself at all. The original poster didn't ask for the origins, she wanted to know what the recording was, and Effsee beat you to it. By your own admission you didn't even KNOW who was playing, so why post?

No one asked you for your opinions on the furniture shop, what you think SJ should have done with the harmonium, or whether or not you watch TV ("I rarely see any television" is probably what gave Liz the idea that you rarely see television). You weren't called on to impart "basic musical information" (so you can show off your music theory terminology) and NOBODY CARES whether you like this piece or not. That wasn't the question. If the circular nature of its structure offends you, fine, don't listen to it. But stop being such a fascist about what everyone else is allowed to like.

I know this will come as a shock, but your personal value judgments do not constitute fact.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 01:12 AM

The 'wilfully ignorant' (an expression coined not by me but by another increasingly pissed off person of this parish) are a small but vociferous coterie hiding behind invariably silly pseudonyms who wear their contempt for the value of our cultural heritage with some sort of horrific, misplaced badge of pride.

'Good enough for f*lk' is their tedious mantra. Any old singalong, dumbed-down, MOR trash (good grief, tellyads, purleeeese) as opposed to the carefully researched (and rehearsed) repertoires of the fine musicians it is their forte to slag off seems to constitute the extent of their listening choice, to be imposed (were it up to them) on everyone else. Well, to quote a different pissed-off ex-poster, 'if excellence = elitism, long live elitism'.

The OP asked a question which I answered in considerably more detail than the first respondent. It took longer to write and thus appeared 2nd. That's all. Origins and provenance were indeed not asked for, but provided because they are important. While it was not 'wilfully ignorant' to ask the question, those who would deny that all subsequent available knowledge matters are coming pretty damn close to such an unblissful state.

MFAFH has been recorded extensively since the PCO, though not one 'goes anywhere'. It is, therefore, of no great relevance which particular recording was sampled for the ad. Once in possession of the title, all that's needed is a trip to the South American river to choose any recording. They all sound the same. That isn't a 'personal value judgment', just a sad truth. As is a description of MFI's entire stock as crap.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,Passing through
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 05:09 AM

Saw a billboard advertising the MFI stuff today. The tag-line was 'Stunning.' 'Stunned?' 'We've changed, have you?'

To which the answer applied to the above poster can only be 'no, and never likely to.'

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 05:47 AM

Just because they say it is so - doesn't necessarily mean that it is so.

Ever seen the word "new" on an advert? And was it?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Rumncoke
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 06:12 AM

Well this has turned out a pathetic as I thought it might.

Folk music set up on a pedistal is going nowhere - if you want a tune with no ending 'to resolve' then what you do is make one up - because that is what happens when musicians make music. A tune will get away, it runs like water or sand, from one player to the next, from one playing to the next, gliding between instruments and keys and modes and minds and from one playing to the next and never quite the same always taking a little but leaving more, and always from one playing to the next so it is not and never will be what one person thinks of it, because it is always something old and new and borrowed and you can even blue it ... recording it is just like making water into ice, a pause, nothing more.

If it is music then play it, dance it, sing it, whistle in the shower feel it in the street, take it with you when you go -

just stop whingeing, please.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: John J
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 10:09 AM

Well said Rumncoke. This really has gone on quite long enough, it was only a civil question about a tune, all it needed was a civil answer, nothing more.

JJ

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 10:29 AM

...........'tis, 'tisn't,'tis,'tisn't,'tis,'tisn't,'tis,'tisn't,'tis,....ad infinitum!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,shed
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 10:42 AM

What about the vick ad is it not a Nick Drake tune. I think its rather fine to have folky stuff popping up on mainstream telly

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice & Family
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 01:17 PM

and thanks to Mike Heron for that...made our non-denominational festivities let me tell you *LOL*

Subject: RE: Tune Req: MFI Sale Background Music
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 01:32 PM

If you all would restrain yourselves and NOT post replies to the trolling, it wouldn't go on and on. Just resist that urge and let it pass. Lack of audience/argument discourages the vitriol.

As per Polly's request, this thread is now closed.