BS: Magical Musical Moments

Subject: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 01:41 AM

I just got back from one of those experiences that are one of life's defining moments. Mudcat member KT is in town and this evening she sang at an outdoor salmon bake. KT has a lovely voice, a wide repertoire of songs and a remarkable ability to gather large groups of hungry travelers comfortably into her gentle hand.

At the very end someone someone asked for 'Annie's Song'. With the first notes I saw people reach out to each other and stand in tight embrace while they softly sang along. Down the long table from me were 4 or 5 young people (30ish) who found lovely harmonies in the song as they sang along. It was soft, it was loving, it was overwhelming.

Then the song ended and there was silence for a moment then quiet handclapping. And then someone said, Do you know Amazing Grace? Well, I tell you. I was glad it was dim light under the visqueen tent because tears spilled and flowed down my face. Beauty in song is almost more than I can bear.

I hope to be at Getaway 2004- if there are a lot of dense harmonies I'll need to bring a fresh box of kleenex.

Anybody else want to share?

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Teresa
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 02:26 AM

I've performed just a few times, and there is nothing to lift the spirit like a whole bunch of folk singing along in harmony! I live for that.

same goes for impromptu jams when you think you're just messing around by yourself. :)

I am totally blind. Once I was busking, and didn't think many folks were around. After one particular song, I heard about 40 people applauding, and I was astounded. :)

T

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: MBSLynne
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 02:59 AM

Some of the best moments of my life have been to do with singing and music. Sometimes because a song is so beautiful, or because a singer sounds so good; sometimes just because there is a sudden moment of total unity and sometimes just because. A lot of these moments have been in the Middle Bar in The Anchor in Sidmouth, which is why I (and all the others) keep going back.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 03:43 AM

The musical highlight for me this year was hearing the Folk Group CARA (who do get a few mentions on here)from North Lincolnshire, playing "The Faerie Queen" which when played with fiddle, pipes and guitar, was in total sync.
Gripping stuff. I am looking forward to getting a copy of their recently recorded CD to see if they have captured the "perfection" on it. I believe their website has been mentioned on the Cat previously and I don't know it so if anyone does could you please add it to the thread so people can access their great music.
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: mooman
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 03:57 AM

Quite a few magical moments over the many years.

An unusual and unexpected one was recently when I found myself sitting next to John Hume, a personal hero and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for his work in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, during a session. He was moved to sing a couple of songs including, very appropriately, The Town I Loved So Well and I had the great priviledge of accompanying him musically. I might add he has a very fine voice and we had a short chat afterwards.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 04:31 AM

Many wonderful moments over the years but some stand out above the rest. A stunning Saturday night at the Barge at Honey Street, the room crammed full and the choruses lifting the roof tiles - I swear that the walls expanded and contracted as air was drawn into lungs and then expelled in a wall of sound. Middle Bar sessions before too much ale is consumed. Singing the Wedding Song along with such voices as Herga Kitty, Dave and Anni etc. at the only wedding I've been to where we organised a raffle. Every Dog Days singaround. I could go on for ever.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: M'Grath of Altcar
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 05:00 AM

Watching the Bulgarian Womens choir ( Le mystere de voix Bulgares). At Liverpool Catholic Cathedral.

We stood in the rain for an hour and a half to make sure we got perfect seats - front row in the middle. The choir walked onto the altar and formed a semi circle with me at the centre. Perfect. The Conductor came out blew a note on the pitch pipes and the womens voice spiralled round the wonderful acoustics.

During the first number the entire front row was in tears. My breathing became erratic. I couldn't talk properly during the interval but I managed to give them a box of chocolates!

Shivers down the spine for a solid hour and a half.

Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

MofA

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: mack/misophist
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 06:06 PM

Maria Callas singing "Un Bel Di". Perhaps the most beautiful single melody, ever.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Padre
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 09:26 PM

1982 - The Boarding Party was in Britain for a tour, and we sang at Nettlebed (near Oxford). Among those who came to hear us were the late Eric Ilott, Jim Mageean and Johnny Collins. After the session ended, we adjourned to the hotel 'lounge' and sang for another 2-3 hours. Truly a magic night/morning.

Padre

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Mudlark
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 11:55 PM

I was 19, first trip to Europe. NotreDame was one of the first things I wanted to see in Paris, and as I slipped in, awed by spectacular architecture and Rose Window, a funeral Mass began. I will never forget it. Sat thru the whole thing with tears running down my face.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 01:52 AM

I was new to teaching and I listened to a deaf girl perform her own compostiion on the piano for her music assessment - she was one of the best musicains I have ever heard she really lived the music and knew instictively whether notes were sharp or flat etc. and she was only 13, unfortuantely she went blind not long after and gave due her music due to her depression but I still have a tape of her playing

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: KT
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 02:12 AM

Awww, Ebbie......Thanks for your very kind words. I am so glad you were there!! It was truly magical, wasn't it? The thing that made it so, was the spontaneity....There, in the darkness of the evening, surrounded by ancient hemlock and spruce trees, a crackling fire fending off the chill of the night..... a gathering of people from all over, (several states at least, perhaps several countries)   who'd never met before, spontaneously raising their voices together in song, as one ...........

Once again, I am amazed and in awe of the power of music.......and deeply grateful.

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: KT
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 02:42 AM

Another magical musical moment.....

Years ago I worked at a camp whose purpose was to bring kids together from different economic and racial backrounds. I had been aware all week, and concerned, about one boy, around eleven years old, whose limited English and different ethnicity was isolating him from the other kids. Of course he joined in as best he could, on all organized activities, but spent his free time alone, watching as the other kids played. They just weren't interested in him.

One day we were on an outing at the beach, and while the other kids, around fifty of them, were engaged in a game of tag, this child, who'd been sitting nearby watching, came to me and asked if he could "see" my guitar. I said, "Of course," and handed it to him, expecting to hear a few plunks and twangs. I sat in stunned silence as he played flawlessly, a classical piece, and sang a beautiful song in his native tongue. No more than eight measures in, the game of tag abruptly ended, with the players, awestruck, surrounding my little friend. As he played, the other kids' faces were shining with admiration, as the adults' faces glistened with tears. I don't think he spent another moment in that camp by himself. The power of music..........

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:26 AM

Every now and then, but not always, when my wife sings in a new session you can hear a wave a silence go down the bar until it is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Great experience........ I still well up when it happens.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: alanabit
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:30 AM

I met Jan about four or five years ago. He was a street beggar. He sat out in all weathers in his shoddy clothes, drinking beer and asking for money from passers by. He could have been in his early thirties. His face was frequently cut and bruised from falls, fights and other misfortunes. I occasionally stopped by and chatted to him for five minutes and heard little fragments from his sad life - a tale of broken relationships, a lost daughter, drugs and and alcohol abuse and prison. His English was excellent, with a clear southern accent and he was surprisingly articulate in his clearer moments. If I had my guitar with me, he always asked me to play something for him. From time to time I did.
One day, I played him the entire eight minutes of a ballad called "Johnny Petto", which is about two teenage runaways. He listened in studied silence and then said at the end, "That's about people like me, isn't it?"
I don't think I have ever derived more satisfaction from singing that song.
I haven't seen Jan for about two years, which probably means that he is dead. I enjoyed being with him for those precious minutes though. You don't get an audience like that every day.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 02:12 AM

This is a wonderful thread, but shouldn't it be in the music section?

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 10:01 AM

You are right ... this is being quite a pleasant thread.

Years ago I was teaching beginning guitar classes at the local college. My students were of all ages, youngsters to oldsters, several family members together. As students progressed, I encouraged them to come to the front of the class and "perform." For many, this was very frightening.

One week, this eleven year old girl whispered to me before class that she'd like to "perform." (her parents sat in the back of the room). Close to the end of the class, I invited her down front. When she turned and looked up at the 30 some students staring down at her, she froze. She started to take her seat again, but I whispered to her, "why don't you turn your back to the 'audience', and just sing to me. We'll pretend that no one else is here."

She started singing, and playing guitar, a song she had written. She was very scared and nervous, but grew stronger as she continued.

When she finished, the room was absolutly silent. The everyone applauded. That was one of many magical musical moments I remember. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: GUEST,KT, cookieless at the moment
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 07:42 PM

Wonderful story, Bob. And you can be quite sure that that girl remembers that day, and has often reflected on that experience and the kind man who offered much - needed encouragement. It's very likely that as a result, she has learned to offer the same to others who need it.

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: alanabit
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 02:20 AM

Refresh. This is a positive thread and it needs to stay up.

Subject: RE: BS: Magical Musical Moments
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 14 Sep 04 - 02:41 AM

Not only should it stay up, but it should be up above the line.

What about it Joe Clones. Can you remove the BS designation?