Review: 2008 - Random Good Things

Subject: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:36 PM

Is it too early for an end-of-the-year round-up of magical musical moments? I don't think so. So this thread is not necessarily about album of the year, gig of the year, festival of the year or so on (though it might be if you want it to be). Really it's just a celebration of things, big or small, that happened this year and made you go "Bugger me! so that's why I like this folk music carry on" ...

Here's a couple to be going on with:

Watching Mike Waterson singing "The Scarecrow" stood only a few feet in front of me at Bury Met as part of the "Frost and Fire" show. One of my favourite songs ever, I never thought I'd see its original singer perform it. I had goose bumps ricocheting up and down my body and wore the strangest smile. Thank you Mr Waterson!

Spending the first Wednesday of the month in the Beech in Chorlton at the the "mainly but not exclusively traditional folk" singaround. I know of few things to compare with the combination of several pints of Taylor's Landlord and a large group of lovely people belting out the chorus of "Hal-An-Tow"... Thank you Les and all the regulars at the Beech!

The climax of the Ralph Vaughan Williams concert at Cecil Sharp House with Eliza Carthy, Jackie Oates, Jim Causley, Fay Hield, Jon Boden, Lisa Knapp, Jim Moray and Tim Van Eyken (I think that was the lot) finishing of the night with a phenomenal version of "Bushes and Briars". Another moment of spine-tingling beauty... Thanks to the singers and (I think I'm right in saying) to our very own Ruth Archer for organising the event!

Thanks also to Jon Loomes for introducing me to the joyful sound of French people grooving ecstatically with bagpipes and hurdy gurdies!

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:41 PM

I discovered Odetta due to the thread on MC. Now enjoying load of brilliant CDs.

I rediscovered Silly Sisters due to MC thread.

I am learning Appalachain dulcimer and mandolin thanks to encouragement from catters.

I made some new friends and learn so much from so many people about a thing I love. MUSIC.

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:45 PM

There was a moment about 4:00 AM on the long Getaway Weekend, when Big Mick turned his soul inside out in front of Gawd and a few others still up at that hour. There were several moments playing with Lonesome and Peter T., and the Bobert Blues fest. For my own part, I got a real moment of pleasure out of finishing the Skipper's Song, which was well received.

But I think the highest point, musically, was a concert at Mills College of "New Music", in which Barky performed a magical rendition of a piece called "Cascades" on the trumpet, and made the room feel like a waterfall.


A

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 08:44 AM

As the year is nearly over, I thought I'd have a go at reviving this thread that I clearly caught no-one's imagination with first time round. Could a friendly elf retitle it something like "Best of 2008", please? I think my original title was possibly a bit obscure...

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:43 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 09:24 AM

A pair of refugees from Chorlton turning up at Swinton Folk Club. If I remember rightly one could sing but the sartorial elegance of the other overshadowed him...

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: GUEST,KevBoyd
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 09:31 AM

Spleen Cringe wrote:
Watching Mike Waterson singing "The Scarecrow" stood only a few feet in front of me at Bury Met as part of the "Frost and Fire" show.

Well, you must have been sat quite close to me down the front then SC, as I had EXACTLY the same experience at the very same show. Splendid!

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 11:36 AM

Muchas gracias, Senor El Gnomo! Unfortunately any sartorial elegance that might have existed back them has since been drowned in mince pies, spuds in goose fat and other hearty fare...

Kev, I was a couple of rows back on the right, right in front of the delectable Devil's Interval as it happens. Which was nice...

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 05:29 PM

2 concerts & a musical family's christmas dinner

Hat Trick - especially when Bernadette & Mary play "Devil came down to (name of town where they are performing!)

my friends Lyrebird The Battle of Agincourt is Lyrebird's stirring war ballad where Kate used the recorder to make a wonderful simulation of battle pipes. She then performed it's companion piece, Twenty-four - a very poignant, finely crafted song about newly weds parted by war. They'd been married 24 days; he was 24 years old; 24 years later she sees her son, who had never known his father, debating whether to leave his wife & family and set off to war. (review of concert)

I spent christmas with Kate & Pete - her father & siblings & nephew & daughters are all talented musicians & singers. Her youngest daughter (12?) & her cousin (around same age) were playing music they had composed themselves (piano & guitar)

And not forgetting the magic of a singing session - not so many since we lost our regular venue a few years back, but they are all fantastic, especially when we have a visitor who has new songs & picks up our songs.

sandra

Subject: RE: Review: 2008 - Random Good Things
From: Amos
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 05:46 PM

The joy of the Getaway -- playing with Lonesome EJ and PeterT on the afternoon lawn by the shore of the wide river, jamming with Bobez, and executing the Mountains of Mourne with Mick.