New videos from michaelr's band

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 11:41 PM

I know about the dance thing - our fiddler, Jon Berger, is a leading light in the Californian ECD scene. Me, I don't think I'd enjoy playing for dances, but he's great at it. Cheers!

Allan, thank you from the guy in the green shirt.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: Will Fly
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 04:05 AM

I appreciate where you're coming from, Michael. It's horses for courses, as they say, and our band raison d'etre - dancing - is somewhat different from yours, I guess. I suppose I noted the byeline "Celtic with a kick" on the YouTube channel page and expected something a bit more like us! We need to have a fairly repetitive melodic structure and a strong rhythm to lead the dancers, and you're freed from that constraint.

Anyway - do your own thing and have fun!

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 03:16 AM

And there is plenty to like about the videos. I like the fiddler and flautist and the singing is good too - especially impressed by the guys. I really like the Admiral Benbow song and that guys voice would be an addition to any session - and the guy in the green shirt has a lovely tone to his voice!

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:50 PM

Well done, Will! I take your point about the bass and drums.

We made a conscious decision early on not to use a standard trap set, so as not to be classed as "folk rock" or "Celtic rock"; rather we want to project a "world beat" sensibility (we've only had a bass player for the last 5 years, as well).

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 04:45 AM

Bum - forgot the link!

The Star Above The Garter - Unreel

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 04:43 AM

Forgot to add this one for a listen - once again playing for a dance but with our box player.

The bass and drums are particularly effective - IMO of course!

Regards,

Will

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 04:22 AM

Sorry - I wasn't being clear - perhaps not quite enough for my taste. It's not a question of tempo - more a question of energy and attack. But that's just my personal taste - my idea of energy and attack may be quite different from yours!

Could I be very cheeky and offer a track from the band I play in? We've just lost our box player - gone to live in France - so the lead instruments here are fiddle and mandolin. The drummer and bass player also play in a punk band, so there's a lot of attack there! The track itself is "Glen Kabul" by the Scottish band Old Blind Dog - the original, played on pipes, is well worth a listen.

I'm not saying our playing is any better than yours - and we play for dancing, rather, than in concert - but we do bring a kick to the music.

Glen Kabul - played by Unreel

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Jan 16 - 06:21 PM

Out of curiosity, Will: Too much punch and drive, or too little?

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 03:30 AM

Good points Allan. Music of any style is not the exclusive property of anyone - not even the originators. We, as performers - amateur or otherwise - all have to interpret it and play it in a way that suits us. And the devil take the rest. As my great-granny from Kildare used to say, "Have what you will - and pay for it". In other words, do just what you want to in this world - and live with the consequences.

As far as Credentials: I entered Fleadh competitions in my teens; I've sung for as long as I can remember; I'm a wizard on the whistle; one of my cousins is a member of a very famous Irish band; my father can be heard singing on one of the Donegal compilations. I know a lot about that of which I speak. is concerned, have you been measured for a hat recently? Do you too have stuff on YouTube or elsewhere that we can see and comment on - just for the pleasure of seeing your genius, GUEST, Modette?

As it happens, Michael, I thought the videos were pleasant, but not quite my thing in terms of punch and drive - but so what. Do what you want to and have fun.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,#
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 08:03 PM

". . . it won't make me stop doing what I (and our audiences, as well) enjoy."

Nor should it, Michael. Keep up the good work.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 07:20 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Yes, we are an American group. We love Irish, Scottish, English and other folk music and have a good time playing it to the best of our ability.

I've heard it said before: statements to the effect that you can't play Irish music unless you've lived there for four generations and have crawled around the floor at the kitchen ceilidhs, etc. Whether that's true or not, it won't make me stop doing what I (and our audiences, as well) enjoy.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Another guest
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 05:59 PM

GUEST,Modette LOL
Credentials: I entered Fleadh competitions in my teens; I've sung for as long as I can remember; I'm a wizard on the whistle; one of my cousins is a member of a very famous Irish band; my father can be heard singing on one of the Donegal compilations. I know a lot about that of which I speak. LOL

Confidence is a great thing so is alcohol.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 05:45 PM

Wasn't being snide. There is giving an opinion and there is being plain rude. There is a difference. The band is not an Irish band anyway. They seem to be an American band playing some Irish tunes along with some of their own and some Scottish and English etc. Heavens and the tunes don't belong to any one country. Irish bands are happy enough to take songs from other countries and reinterpret them including interpretations of American country music etc. Fair enough to say it is not really to my taste because blah blah blah - but your initial two posts were just plain rude. Sure if you are posting vids of yourself then you are leaving yourself open to criticism. You might have to take the criticism as well as the plaudits - but there is no need for such blunt rudeness. Just my opinion..........

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 02:57 PM

Another point, Allan, it's very easy to be snide when you've no idea what's being discussed.

Michael, your band's playing of Irish traditional tunes indicates that the musicians have little concept of phrasing and rhythm (two of the most vital elements - indeed, they're intertwined). Such understanding can only be achieved by full immersion in Ireland's music, and not by listening to, for instance, a few De Dannan CDs.

You should ditch the bloke 'playing' percussion (my first drum-kit?), lose at least one of the two tuneless singers (I'd go for the one in the wispy dress), and just scrap the bass guitar completely.

Credentials: I entered Fleadh competitions in my teens; I've sung for as long as I can remember; I'm a wizard on the whistle; one of my cousins is a member of a very famous Irish band; my father can be heard singing on one of the Donegal compilations. I know a lot about that of which I speak.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 07:05 PM

One thing is for sure. It is much easier to make nasty comments than it is to actually go out and do something constructive.

I was walking through Kelso Square one night when two lads stopped to talk to me. "was that you playing in the pub tonight?" after I confirmed it was they retorted "aye you were shite!"

It is easy to take it with a smile when you think of the people who come back to hear you over and over again :-)

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 06:51 PM

Good stuff, but I don't think the audio showed the band in the best light. The interplay between the fiddle and flute on Cavan Potholes was especially nice.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: olddude
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 06:13 PM

I like it Mike you did good.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 03:06 PM

If you'd care to be more specific about what it is you find objectionable, yours might become constructive criticism.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 02:51 PM

It's not abuse, Michael. Your band really does know how to murder Irish tunes and songs.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 02:07 PM

Refresh -- looking for more abuse ;-)

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 12:37 PM

Sorry, it's all horrible. Get rid of everyone except the fiddler. My country's music should really not sound like your efforts.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: olddude
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 09:32 AM

I like it great job

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 08:33 PM

I like the woman with the flute. Lots of oomph.

Using smaller subgroups more often would add more variety. The sound tends to the monolithic.

Subject: RE: New videos from michaelr's band
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 08:30 PM

Thanks. I like the Potholes set best.

Subject: New videos from michaelr's band
From: michaelr
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 06:56 PM

I just uploaded to YouTube eleven videos from a recent concert by my band Greenhouse. Some English songs, some Irish, and an eclectic mix of tunes. Check it out!