Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release - 2002

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Dani
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 08:49 AM

...and so when do we line up at our local record stores?

And does it include booking info for your Southeast US tour???

I'm pleased for you, Mick.

And Jeri, while cleaning out this (really) old building our new restaurant is in, we discovered a packages of phonograph needles that look like barbecue skewers~ They'll do for this job!

Dani

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 04:35 PM

Like Jed said, a good mix of tunes and a lot of energy. "Along the Famine Road" and "Sligo Musketeers" are two of my favorites on the CD. (Yes, I got a sneak preview too.)

Mick, it's scary enough knowing you do the driving-while-talking-on-cell-phone thing. Now I've got to worry about you speeding down the highway typing into a satellite-linked laptop plugged into the cigarette lighter? Sheesh! Log off and drive, man!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: GUEST,Big Mick on the road
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 03:58 PM

Thanks, Jed! Compliments like this coming from one who has such high standards and talent are high praise indeed. We are honored by them.

The other singer is Michael Scott. It is a pleasure to be in a band with a singer of this caliber. He brings a different sensibility to our song selection, which I think makes us a much more diverse and enjoyable band. Some of the songs that he brings, I never would have. And we are better for that. An example would be Isle of Hope. This is not the type of song that I would normally be attracted to, yet by his bringing it and all of us embracing it, it has become one of the best we do in live performance, as well as on the CD. He sings on Ballad of St. Anne's Reel, Old Dungarven Oak, John Williams and others.

Two of my favorites on this CD were the ones that have never been recorded before and came to us as a direct result of The Mudcat Cafe. One of them, The Sligo Musketeers, came to us from Dan Milner AKA Liam's Brother. He found it in an old 19th century songster, added a chorus and a tune, and originally was considering it for his "The Irish in America" CD. He ran out of room, and very graciously offered the song to me for use on ours. The way it came out is a joy to listen to. The instrumentation is spare...........a 22" bodhran, an Irish Bouzouki, and a jug.......but just right. I simply love that song. The other of my favorites came to me from my first FSGW Getaway. Mudcatters Kath Westra, Jeri Corlew and myself, at the Saturday night concert did a Brendan Nolan song called "Far From Their Home". In the audience sitting with our beloved Sandy and Caroline Paton was Ed Trickett of Bok, Muir and Trickett. He asked me where I got the song and I told him. He took me outside and taught me a song he had been carrying around for a while called "Along The Famine Road". It was written by and acquaintance of his by the name of Brian Flynn. Ed told me he was looking for someone to give it to and wondered what I thought. It is a beautiful song, stark yet full of hope. That is just how I recorded it. To be the first to record songs given to me by collectors/singers/performers of this caliber.....and to be able to call them my friends......is almost beyond my ability to comprehend. I so hope that you all will enjoy this CD, and these two songs especially. There is so much emotion involved in it, from Jim and Darla's death, Shelley's joining us, the receiving of these songs, that I am holding by breath to see how it is received.

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:52 AM

I just have to add; this is a great collection of songs! Good variety, and some good new material. This is a worthwhile recording!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 09:12 PM

Sorry I've been out of pocket and missed this conversation earlier (much happening in Dallas) ... but I've had the pleasure of listening to this CD prior to its release (Mick gave me a copy of the master a couple of weekd back). It is a fine CD with a great colection of songs. You will find it is quite enjoyable and listenable and I suspect you'll pick up a few new songs to boot! I was surprised to hear there are two quite distinct voices among the lead vocals; I usually think of Mick as the main man. Both Mick and his bandmate (sorry I forget his name) sing well and provide quality to the stories their songs tell. There are real gems in the mix; new songs or ones I've not heard before ... and a few old favorites. Great Job Mick, please pass on my congrats to the boys, and best of luck with the sales.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Dave Swan
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 09:07 PM

DeRe Mik,

You knoW I Want cop7y of kaylee Band for my CD palyer. BE sure you sign it TO My Gril KoKo. Love and Roomkeys, YOUr Big Mick.

I Lvoe Big Mick.

KoKo

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 09:35 AM

I think you will love the cover photo. The year before he passed, Jim (along with Mike Scott of our band)took a trip to Ireland. They stayed at an inn on the shores of a lough (not sure which one). The picture was taken as Jim was walking on the shore one morning. It is a stunning picture. One of the relatives at Darla's funeral showed it to me and asked me what I thought. It was obvious, and I said "It looks like the cover of the CD to me". Ironically, Jim (who had never been to Ireland before) said to Mike "Now I can die".

The back cover is a photo of the first gig we played after Jim passed.

Memories...............I miss the old man. Cranky, old bastard.........I do miss him.

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: GUEST,karen k
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 01:31 AM

Hey, Mick. Whoopieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I can't wait to get one. Congratulations!!!!!

love,
karen

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:57 PM

Gosh Mick, I forgot you said you were recording a CD. Now that I look back to when you said it was coming out, I think records cost about $5. I'm glad you were able to transfer the original recording to CD though.

Congratulations, dear friend! You KNOW I wanna buy one.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: harpgirl
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:27 PM

...I deserve a free one!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:22 PM

good!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:12 PM

great glad to hear it, mick!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 06:57 PM

I can't believe it, but it is true!! There really is a CD and we got it back yesterday. The graphics and layout were the problem, that and the schedule of the folks doing it, but it is done, it is pressed and we have them in our hands. I must say that I am pleased with the end result.

I will post the details on how to order it here as soon as I have them, including price and shipping. This should be by the end of the week.

It has been a long wait, and I hope it will have been worth it.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 May 02 - 02:01 AM

Thanks for asking, Amergin. We had a holdup on the liner notes, but that is resolved and the graphics guy is putting it together and then off to be pressed. We are getting close.

Just came in from a gig, and am going to bed. I will post more later.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Amergin
Date: 19 May 02 - 12:41 AM

just wondering if there are any updates....and to refresh this in case some one missed it....

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 10:22 PM

Great big congratulations Mick. Loolin' forward to hearin' it.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 09:02 PM

"The Conklin Ceili Band" - it sounds like a Percy French song already. Sort of more musical variant on Slattery's Mounted Foot.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: KT
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 02:44 AM

I've been away for a long while, and was so happy to read this tonight, Mick. At last.

I'll be eagerly watching this space for ordering info. Good on ya, my friend. KT

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:47 PM

Put me down for a couple, Mick. Congratulations!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:31 PM

I'm looking forward to this Mick. Keep us all advised.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:15 AM

Nope, Pete. Ain't had enough time on it..............yet. Tom is handling the 'zouk work. But I am closing in on the basic performance competency mark, so it won't be long before I will be using it onstage and in the studio. The first official release party will be at Pete Brown's Office in May sometime. You will be right at the top of the list.

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: GUEST,PeteBoom (at work)
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:11 AM

Hey there, Mick - Not playin' bazooka on this one? Ah well - there's always the next! Let us know when the official "Release" is - 'k?

Pete

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 02:43 AM

Put me down for a few copies, Mick. Looking foward to hearin it.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 12:52 AM

Parting Glass/Over The Waterfall/"There". The day that Jim left us, Mick and Mike went over to his house to sing and just spend some time with him. As they were leaving, Jim let us know in his own way that he wanted one more song. That song was "The Parting Glass". We will never sing it again without our beloved friend in mind. We had an old take of Jim playing "Over the Waterfall". The association is obvious.

Tom's mother, who is Jim's Aunt Eileen Verlin, is the matriarch of a wonderful family. Jim loved his Aunt Eileen dearly, as we all do. There is a tradition in their family. When someone is in need of prayers and Mother Verlin calls for the Rosary, all will be there. As the last prayer is said, all sit quietly and reflect until Mother Verlin simply says "There". It implies so much, about love and faith, about caring and giving, about finishing and "see you next week", or at the next need, about the love of friends and family. So we end the CD by having Aunt Eileen say to our dear friends, Jim and Darla, ….. "There"…..

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 12:51 AM

Thanks for all of your very kind comments. Yes, it is a huge relief to have it in the can. We are now just finishing graphics and will have it out this week to be pressed. I will post ordering details as soon as they are available. In the meantime, hold on to your cash.

Here is the song/tune listing:

1.        Billy O' Shea/Whiskey Before Breakfast/Soldiers Joy
2.        Ballad of St. Anne's Reel.
3.        The Old Dungarven Oak.
4.        The Sligo Musketeers
5.        Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
6.        Risin' of the Moon/Foggy Dew/Come Out Ye Black & Tans
7.        Along the Famine Road
8.        Free Born Men
9.        Follow Me Up To Carlow/The Swallowtail.
10.        John Williams.
11.        I Wish I Were Back Home In Derry.
12.        Ashokan Farewell
13.        My Lovely Rose of Clare
14.        The Scotsman/Scotland The Brave.
15.        The Ferryman.
16.        Parting Glass
17.        Over The Waterfall/"There"

I promised I would include the liner notes on each cut. I am going to start with the last song. You will understand why as you read it in the next post.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 12:13 AM

Congratulations Mick!! I can't wait to hear it. What a great feeling to have the CD in the can and ready to go.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 11:37 PM

Good going, dear mon, congratulations! Be sure to keep us posted so we know where and when to ransom our firstbor....er...to send the check.:-)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 11:22 PM

Congradulations you Big Mick. I can see how the public might let you push a CD on them (after all you're not to shabby) but I can't understand how your family let you out of the house, even for a minute, to do it. Good Luck & LOL. Barry

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Dani
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 10:22 PM

Hey, I'm a fan! A BIG fan!! Will you sign my....

Oh, never mind. It'll have to wait for October. But I won't wait 'til then to listen to it! Will we get them faster if we send you $$$ now?

Dani

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: bbc
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 09:18 PM

What nice news, Mick! I couldn't be happier for you. Yes, naturally we will want to hear it, too.

love you,

bbc

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 06:58 PM

I am looking foward to hearing the finished product, Mick. All the best with it!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: karen k
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 09:14 PM

Add my name to the list, Mick. I can't hold my breath much longer waiting for it. My pen is in hand waiting to write the check.

How about a lits of all the songs real soon, PLEASE!

Much love,
k

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Dave Swan
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:52 PM

If the CCB has played it, you want to hear it. I've traveled to their habitiat to hear their native song, and it's worth your time.

Good on ya Mick. Can't wait to hear it.

Cheers,

Dave

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:03 PM

looking promising big mick.PM for a swap with the Boat band's latest? Congratulations, its agreat feeling to get it done isnt it?

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Peter T.
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 07:44 PM

Congratulations, Mick, what a great moment. You must be chuffed (as the British would say). yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: DMcG
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 05:52 PM

Presumably you'd be happy to sell a copy into the UK - work out the price + postage please!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: GUEST,still cookieless paddymac
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 04:19 PM

Just tell me where to send the check.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 04:18 PM

All the best of course and I am as anxious as anyone to hear it...........But more, I had thought about Jim and knew Shelley was doing it now and wondered how you would handle it. Not surprisingly, you did it well and in the only way it could rightly be done. A beautiful expression of your feelings and I expect it will be a beautiful testament to Jim and Darla. Bless you Bro.....Ya' done good.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 03:30 PM

Good on you Mick. Congrats to you and the rest of the band.

Don

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 03:19 PM

well i am pissing my trousers in excitement, Mick! can't wait to lay my hands on a copy!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 02:56 PM

Special thanks:

The Conklin Céili Band would like to give a special thanks to the following people without whom this CD would not have been possible.

Mr. Norm Byrne of Byrne Electric.   This fine gentleman has been supportive, personally and financially, of this band and his heritage for as long as any of us can remember. Long before the band came into being, Mr. Byrne would offer, without solicitation, to support the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations and various cultural events that centered on his heritage. He would say that he has been blessed and seeks to share that. We would say that he and Rosemary are a blessing to have among us.



Mr. Dan Milner of New York City, for the use of "Billy O'Shea" and "Sligo Musketeers". Having your support and friendship means more to us than you know. Thanks Dan, for all you do to keep the music alive. We recommend Dan's CD's, "Irish Ballads and Songs of the Sea" and "The Irish in America", as well as the songbook he co-authored titled "A Bonny Bunch of Roses". All are available through Folk Legacy Records at www.folklegacy.com.



Mr. Ed Trickett, for giving us the song by Brian Flynn titled "Along The Famine Road". To have a singer of this caliber teach us this wonderful song is an honor for which we are very grateful. Ed is another singer that the serious student of the folk genre simply must hear. His CD's are also available through Folk Legacy Records at www.folklegacy.com.



Mr. Rick Emelander, for being the type of husband and friend that he is. The band knows that this CD would have been something less without Shelley's participation and that couldn't have happened without you, Rick.

Mr. Andy Mitchell of The Audio Bay Recording Studio. Andy took a personal interest in this project far beyond just recording the tracks. We want to acknowledge his devotion to getting it right. We recommend his services highly.

To all our fans, thanks for your patience and your loyal support. You are what this band is really all about. We hope you enjoy listening to our music, and where we have taken it so far. And we look forward to introducing you to more of this wonderful music in the future.

And finally, to Katherine Jorgensen Koeze, Mary Lou Rinke-Lane, Leona Scott and Debbie Verlin. This band and this CD are as much a testament to your dedication as it is to ours. Thanks you for your loving encouragement and sacrifice. We hope you take as much satisfaction in it as we do.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 02:49 PM

The Band:

Jon Koeze (bass guitar, 48 button concertina, jug, backup vocals)

Mick Lane (6 & 12 string guitars, bodhran, lead & backup vocals)

Michael Scott (banjo, lead & backup vocals)

Tom Verlin (mandolin, Irish bouzouki, 6 string guitar, backup vocals)

James Goldsmith (hammered dulcimer, guitar)

Shelley Emelander (hammered dulcimer, guitar)

Guest artist:

Katie Stratton (whistles on "Risin' of the Moon" and backup vocals on "Isle of Hope")


Liner Note

I remember the conversation. Tom Verlin came up to me and said, "Mick, you know how guys go to the woods during deer season, and spend five days together hunting, talking and playing cards?" "Yeah", sez I. "How would you like to do that, except with music?" sez he. "I'm in", sez I. That is how it all started. We got together in an old cabin in the woods on the weekend after New Year's in 1996 to make music. We have been together ever since.


That first weekend there was Tom Verlin on mandolin and guitar, Jon Koeze on guitar, Jim Goldsmith on guitar and fiddle, and myself on 12-string guitar . A few weeks later Mike Scott joined us on banjo and vocals. Our world hasn't been the same since. We have become a band, but even more importantly, we have bonded in a way that speaks of friendship, family, and the love of the music. We have had great times and we have faced adversity, including the loss of one of our own. But the music lives on.



Jim Goldsmith, one of the founding members left us unexpectedly in March of 2001. This band would have never jelled as it did without him. Originally the CD had a different a concept to it, but with Jim's passing we knew it now had more to do with the legacy of his family than anything else. We asked his daughter Michelle (Shelley to us) to step in and help us to complete the CD in her Fathers place. Shelley plays the same instruments as Jim and, bless her heart, she agreed to do it. Shelley and Rick have 4 kids under the age of 7 at home, so this was a major commitment on their part. The CD would not have been possible without them.



This CD is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Jim Goldsmith and his wonderful partner and wife, Darla. They passed away within one year of each other. They both touched our music, and indeed helped to shape it. We are thankful for the time we had with them, and sincerely hope that this collection will serve to keep them alive forever in the hearts of those that loved them.


--Mick Lane--

February, 2002

Subject: Big Mick's Conklin Ceili Band CD release
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 02:48 PM

Hi folks! A little shameless self promotion here. The band, of which I am a founding member, The Conklin Céilí Band, has finally finished our CD. I just received the mastered version back yesterday, and we are off to have it pressed next week. I would say that around the first of May it will be ready for sale. In the interim I thought I would share a little with you about our band, and the CD.

The name of our band is a bit of a misnomer. More correctly we would use InOBU's Sorcha Dorcha designation of "ballad and céilí band". The name comes from a very small village in Michigan and was a joke based on the more famous groups like Kilfenora Céilí Band and Kips Bay Céilí Band.

I am going to start by posting the opening background piece from the liner notes, as well as the "Thanks" section, and then daily I will post the notes from another song or two. When we get the CD's back, I will post purchase info.

Several of you have heard the pre-mastering mixes, and if you have any comments, please feel free to make them.

Mick