(Musical) Thought for the Day

Subject: (Musical) Thought for the Day
From: Midchuck
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 09:57 AM

From an interview in the new Flatpicking Guitar magazine, on Chris Newman:

Q (Dan Miller): Since there are not too many lead guitar players in Irish and Scottish music, do you find that other musicians will typically want you to stay in a rhythm role when you get together to jam?

A (Chris): Absolutely. It is one of the reasons I don't play sessions in pubs and things like that. Sessions in pubs on guitar playing Irish and Scottish music is the most boring job in the world. I've got no objection at all to playing rhythm all night. I actually enjoy doing that. But playing rhythm to eight fiddle players who are all trying to play louder than you, I can't be bothered. I hate all that and avoid it like the plague. But in a good situation with a couple of other musicians, especially if you are the only guitar or chord player there is great fun.

My only comment would be that this is not limited to Irish and Scottish sessions. New England is also prone to mass fiddle freakouts.

(For those who don't know who Chris Newman is, he's the best acoustic guitar flatpicker in the world who isn't from the US, unless Beppe Gambetta is. Too close to call.)

Peter

Subject: RE: (Musical) Thought for the Day
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 01:23 PM

He's in Dallas next weekend at the North Texas Irish Festival www.ntif.org. I'm looking forward to seeing him again.