NPR: new album from Christine Balfa

Subject: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:35 PM

I'm late getting this up, and nobody else has?!?

NPR All Things Considered article about Christine Balfa's new album.

It seemed to have been broadcast late (in the month), too...

~ Becky in Long Beach this week

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:36 AM

Give it a try kids, "Christine Balfa Plays the Triangle". Even if Cajun is not your thing, you'll be astounded. :-)

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:26 PM

I sure am astounded---what an annoying sound. Most of the comments made by listeners were negative---to put it kindly.

I am not a fan of bagpipes but this (and her shrieks) make them seem almost listenable.

As to the triangle---it makes a nice emphasis instrument for full orchestras. Period.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:42 PM

"Melodic or harmonic content just gets in the way of, you know, what the triangle can really ... The nuances that can really be brought out ... You'll notice the nuances and the differences," Justus [the producer] says. "Each song has a story all its own."

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 01:32 PM

I think I didn't make the thread title enticing enough -- folks, you're really missing out:

"For those who think all Cajun music sounds exactly the same, a new CD tries to dispel that pervasive and dangerous myth. Christine Balfa Plays the Triangle offers up a whopping 55 minutes of pure, unadulterated solo triangle, performed by a woman with an impeccable Cajun pedigree. Balfa is the daughter of the legendary Cajun fiddler Dewey Balfa, and she's the leader of the Cajun band Balfa Toujours."

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 03:08 PM

What else would the producer say?   But, hey, all in the "ears" of the beholder--one person's taste is not anotherr person's taste.

Glad I did not have the radio too loud when NPR played that thing---my neighbors might have called 911 had they heard the awful shrieks amidst the clanging.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Suzy T.
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 03:19 PM

Er...this should have aired on April 1!

A very well known and accomplished musician (who is also good friends with Dirk and Christine) was at our house and asked to hear the CD, but he begged for us to stop it in the middle of the second track.

It's gotten an incredible amount of press coverage, including a review in the NY Times Arts & Leisure section. They can probably put the girls through college on the proceeds.

Suzy T.

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 03:23 PM

Did they really produce the album? I thought it might have just been put together for the NPR story.

Bill, are you really taking this that seriously??

April 1 was my thought, even though it aired on NPR on April 14...

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:36 PM

Well, on further investigation it seems NPR was really late out of the gate -- from the Valcour Records site, dated December 4, 2008:

Our first annual limited edition Holiday Release is here!

Announcing Christine Balfa Plays the Triangle, featuring Christine Balfa. Nearly an hour of pure, unadulterated classic Cajun triangle. Seriously, its an idea so simple and so brilliant, we had to get Cajun royal lineage involved! This is sure to become a collector's item, as we're only going to print a limited amount, and it features Christine Balfa's playing, the production of Chas Justus, and the engineering of Joel Savoy.

No one will ever do this again.

At only $6 (plus shipping) a piece, it's the perfect gag gift or stocking stuffer for all of your friends and family who are Cajun music fans. Pre-order your copy today for a gift that's sure to create quite a noise! At only $6 a piece you can finish all of your Christmas shopping on a budget (perfect for these rough economic times, eh?) with the ease and convenience of our online store right here.

---

Apparently there was a deal on -- order two cds and get this one free!

Maybe someone at NPR was "regifted" the cd this April Fool's Day. ;-)

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Suzy T.
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:52 PM

This is a real existing CD -- I bought one for ourselves, a couple more for joke gifts, and one to give to a drummer who we've been playing some Cajun music with, who wants to know the correct way to play triangle. I bet Dirk and Christine will manufacture as many as they can sell, so if you want one, go for it and order yourself several!

The liner notes are worth the price of the album.
Suzy T.

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 06:26 PM

I'd swear she skipped a couple of bars in that second piece on the NPR site.   ;-)

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: GUEST,Judy H.
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 03:37 PM

My kids and I thought this was funnier than most stories in The Onion, and just as absurd.

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 04:31 PM

From the NPR site:

NPR STAFF:

Melissa Block (MBlock) wrote:

I'm having such quiet fun reading all these comments, I almost hate to step in. But hey, someone writing here accused me of being overly culturally sensitive. Them's fighting words. SO - to set the record straight - yes, it's a gag CD. Yes, I was fully aware of the joke when I suggested we do the interview. Yes, I played it straight - but, as a listener pointed out, with a smile in my voice - figuring that listeners could figure it out for themselves (pyramids? Pythagoras? Ornette Coleman?? hmm...), and would either think it's funny... or not.

Thursday, April 16, 2009 5:02:10 PM

SRS

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 07:14 PM

Well then---NPR should have aired it on 4/1.   Many listeners took it seriously and, just having gotten out of psych facility after 911 replied to a call because of her shrieks and thinking I was ill, I must say it was taken seriously by many,   

My comments about bagpipes still stand.

Now let us root for Susan Boyle and hope it is more real than that triangle nonsense

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 07:16 PM

By the way ---does anyone want to join me at the next Carnegie Hall concert wbere the Triangle is featured instead of a cannon in the 1812 OVerture?

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 07:21 PM

I'd love to, but I can't travel right now, I strained my hypotenuse.

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 07:07 PM

A good doctor can square it for you.

Subject: RE: NPR: new album from Christine Balfa
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 08:58 PM

Hafta get yer legs squared, first, though...