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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 04 Apr 05 - 08:06 PM Piano Accordions are making a quiet comeback. They are more controllable than any other keyboard, due to the bellows! You get volume & rhythm control from the left shoulder. Even a small one produces a good sound (if in tune) - bigger ones allow a larger range of sounds due to the extra switchable banks of reeds. Many 'commercial' - i.e. professional, groups in Country, and even 'Pop' music have one - often tucked away in a dark corner, but they are increasingly being put on the front of the stage in the lights. I do notice however, that many groups only want them for the keyboard, as it is obvious that the Stradella bass is not being played. They also appear often in TV ads soundtracks. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Ebbie Date: 03 Apr 05 - 07:32 PM LOL Thanks, CarolC. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 03 Apr 05 - 05:09 PM Seamus Kennedy wearing a kilt. Seamus does like to have a bit O' fun with the Scots. But of all of the kinds of songs he sings, he sings the Scottish ones the best... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: gnu Date: 03 Apr 05 - 04:07 PM Agreed. May I also say about the prices, although they are a "sharp" looking outfit, SHITE!! I think I'll stick to my workpants and t-shirts. One of them there outfits is more than my whole year's budget for clothes! Some of us look good in a smock. Luck of the Irish, I guess. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: artbrooks Date: 02 Apr 05 - 06:28 PM Gnu, the kilt, as in the belted plaid, may not be "trad" wear in Ireland, but the Irish certainly do wear kilts, and there are a munber of places that would be glad to sell you one in the pattern of your choice. For example |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: gnu Date: 02 Apr 05 - 05:20 PM Irish do not wear "kilts", as are commonly known as the wear of a pleated, knee length skirt. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: artbrooks Date: 02 Apr 05 - 03:57 PM Azizi, the kilt is worn by both the Scots and the Irish (not to mention the Greeks and maybe the Samoans). The last time I say Seamus, last summer here in Albuquerque, he was wearing one in the, I assume, Kennedy plaid. He's also wearing it on at least one of his albums. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 02 Apr 05 - 08:29 AM Correction, 'mad" in the post above is supposed to be "made". |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 02 Apr 05 - 07:40 AM I have another question or two that might be considered ignorant. Why did some posters ask if Seamus was going to wear a kilt? I thought that kilts were only worn by Scottish males. Or was that an inside joke having to do with a [mild or not so mild?]rivalry between Irish and Scots [that I also didn't know about until I came to Mudcat] Also during his Pittsburgh sets Seamus mad several joking references to Scots concern for spending money. And he also called attention to some Scottish guys sitting in the front and asked if their were any others in the bar/restaurant. The guys in the front raised their beers in salute and the audience applauded them. So this doesn't appear to be a heavy duty rivalry. I would appreciate it if someone would share information about these tangential questions. Thanks. Azizi |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 01 Apr 05 - 04:04 PM Thanks, Amos and Carol C. I look forward to more opportunities to meet 'Catters. And as to my needing to travel to do so, at this time the spirit is willing but the wallet is weak. But where there is life there is hope.. Um, sorry, should I be posting these sayings in another current thread? **bg** Azizi |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 01 Apr 05 - 02:21 PM Sounds like a wonderful evening, Azizi. The good news is that there are many other kinds of opportunities to get together with talented and fun Mudcatters. The bad news is that it sometimes requires a bit of traveling to get to them. But the good news is that if you find yourself able to go, it's always worth it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Amos Date: 01 Apr 05 - 02:12 PM Great review, Azizi!! Welcome to the wonderful world of Meeting Mudcatters!! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 01 Apr 05 - 02:10 PM Sorry, my first sentence was supposed to be that I was delighted to meet two 'Catters last night. And BTW, Frogprince, I'm with you in that I have NO idea what Gargoyle was talking about in his post. Amos might be right in his assessment. If so, I hope he gets his medications adjusted [meant seriously and not facetiously}. And Frogprince, LOL! about the concert being in Bloomfield, Michigan and not in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylavania! My suggestion is to see if you can book Seamus in your area and then get some grants to fly LadyJean, Amos, me and other Mudcatters in for some highbrow music/folklore conference or something. I'm game!! ;o) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 01 Apr 05 - 02:03 PM I was delighted to me TWO 'Catters last night. As soon as my daughter Tazi, my friend Carol, and I entered the Harp & Fiddle, Lady Jean introduced herself to me -I wonder how she knew who I was ;O) LadyJean joined our crew as we found a table in the crowded bar & restaurant. There were singles, and couples, and groups of folks from age 30 to 81 years. [The 81 year old woman was celebrating a birthday and at Seamus' prompting we all sang Happy Birthday to her]. Seamus was GREAT! He started his first set off with 'Whiskey In The Jar' and went on from there singing and cracking jokes and getting the audience involved. There was no way anyone would want to remain just an interested observer-Seamus' songs and comments made you want to join in and sing along, clap along, hit the table in time with the music, and/or do the required hand motions...It was fun!! During Seamus' first set, I got to see and hear the brodhran that was lightly mocked in a recent Mudcat thread. Probably this is a testimony to Seamus' skill with that instrument, but I thought that drum sounded just fine so I still don't get the joke...[??] At the end of the first set, LadyJean and I introduced ourself to Seamus. What a nice man he is! He was so gracious and interesting- plus he has a great voice, and a personality that draws people to him. After talking to others during his intermission, Seamus came to our table, met my friend Carol & my daughter Tazi. We all spent some time talking about Mudcat. Seamus' next set was full of memorable moments-not the least of which was his yodelling {WONDERFUL!} and his impersonations of vocalists singing "Oh Danny Boy" [including Elvis, Harry Belafonte, and a rap artist!} Of course, Seamus sang "Oh Dany Boy" the 'regular way'. The song that I liked the best that evening was "Mary Mack [Gonna Marry Me]", my daughter liked "I'm A Music Man", and my friend Carol liked "Old McDonald Had A Deformed Farm" {which included an animal with Turette's Syndrome}. Seamus sang a Stephan Foster song for LadyJean and that might have been the only song that she didn't know. I was most impressed with the high level of group participation that Seamus as performer expected and that the audience seemed to expect that Seamus would ask of them. The only adult African American musical experiences that I belive is similar to this are some gospel shows or church services. I wish that we {African Americans had a comparable participatory adult music tradition for non-religious songs...Oh well, if wishes were something [however that saying goes].. After the second set, Seamus joined our table again and we briefly talked some more before we had to call it quits for that night {Seamus though had at least one other set to perform]. Seamus is truly a talented performer. I appreciate having had this experience. And though I won't be able to return to hear him tonight or tomorrow night, I plan to attend his 'show' again when he returns to Pittsburgh in May. Don't miss him if he ever comes to your town! PS. Sorry, I couldn't get a hold of a digital camera, so there are no photographs to share. And, for those who might wonder, Seamus didn't wear a kilt! Azizi |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Amos Date: 01 Apr 05 - 04:26 AM FP: It's just the meds, man. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: LadyJean Date: 01 Apr 05 - 02:13 AM I was trying to be funny about Azizi at the Polish Festival. Most of those who attend are Polish Americans. My mother was horrified that I would attend something so Slavic. Like most old Pittsburghers she looked down on Slavs. We had a great time at Mullaney's tonight. Azzizi has now played a bodhran. She bought two of Seumas's cds. He gave her a third. Seumas tells the most wonderfully sick jokes, and he sang my favorite Stephen Fostter song. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: frogprince Date: 31 Mar 05 - 06:59 PM Well, that was sure...colorful...?...:-) Got kind of a kick out of it, but wish I knew what half of it meant so as to know how to respond... I don't think Azzizi implied she feels inferior to me. Bloomfield isn't too far from us, and I thought for a moment maybe we could meet Shamus and Azzizi, but I'm afraid it's the wrong Bloomfield; ours is in Michigan. Well, maybe some sweet day.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: GUEST Date: 31 Mar 05 - 01:59 AM Go for a swmin, Mr. Fat Bastard, but include a decriminating crew that can recognize a miny bederhan from a floating kelly fish.
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 31 Mar 05 - 01:56 AM Greetings Lady Jean, The fact that I "happen" to be an African American shouldn't keep me from broadening my horizons. That's why I'm going to see Seamus play {sing?} tomorrow..My school teacher daughter is going with me- she also 'happens' to be African American. A girlfriend is also going with us who happends to be White-but what "kind of White" I don't know..She has heard Irish music before and she said I am in for a treat. I have attended various international festivals in Pittsburgh, though not lately. I agree with you that much of this county [with a population of something like 12% African American] is polarized or at least racially distant..Like alot of the USA, I'm sad to say. Now if we could only get more people of color to actively post on Mudcat... Azizi |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: LadyJean Date: 31 Mar 05 - 01:11 AM Azizzi is African American. That explains Azzizi's absence from the Polish festival, which I used to attend, because a friend danced there. Accordion music is plentiful there. We have a large Eastern European population in Pittsburgh, and they're accordion enthusiasts. Pittsburgh is an interesting place. People talk a lot about the racial polarization here. There is a good deal of racial stupidity in the city. The lead candidate for mayor made some dumb remarks about the school board and African Americans. There have been some nasty incidents with cops. But my street is mixed, and, so far, the only neighbor anyone is complaining about is the woman next door to me, who is growing every weed known to man. She's white. That's not the problem. The weeds are the problem, and her dog, who is using my back yard for a rest room. The Pittsburgh Folk Festival happens over Memorial Day weekend. All the ethnic groups put together performances. A quarter of a century ago, I danced Gathering Pease and Old Mole with the English Country Dance Society. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Amos Date: 30 Mar 05 - 11:30 PM Upload the pictures to a computer and then e-mail them to Pene Azul (jeff@mudcat.org) for inclusion in the Events section. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: wysiwyg Date: 30 Mar 05 - 11:05 PM Oh Lord, you are going to have a good time. Please be sure to say hi to Seamus for me and Hardiman! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 30 Mar 05 - 11:01 PM Thanks! And as to the pictures..we'll see... If I can get a digital camera, I'll take some photos..but then I'm not sure how to post them in the photograph section.. Hey, I'm just learnin this new fangled stuff like posting comments and tryin to make blue clickies -my hyperlinks always turn out red for some reason even if I don't try them first to see if they work... PS: I take it you're most interested in seeing if Seamus wore a kilt? ;O) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 30 Mar 05 - 09:46 PM Have fun Azizi. Take pictures! (And then post them here...) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 30 Mar 05 - 09:11 PM I'll be back at ya with a full report tomorrow night! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Ebbie Date: 30 Mar 05 - 09:10 PM So far I haven't been in attendance upon Seamus Kennedy but I have it on good authority that not only is he a good musician but the man's a hoot. Gives an excellent show. (No, I am NOT referring to the kilt.) I have friends who still break into some song of his when his name is mentioned. And he has great CDs. Have fun, Azizi. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Alba Date: 30 Mar 05 - 08:32 PM Brilliant Azizi. Hope you all have a great time. Full report on what you think of Bodhran playing and how Seamus looks in his Kilt...:>) I hope you meet up with Art's Daughter too. Best of Wishes Jude |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 30 Mar 05 - 08:15 PM Tomorrow my daughter, another good girl friend, and I are going to Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle to hear Seamus. I look forward to it. Besides broadening my musical horizons, I will meet my first Mudcatter!! For a time there I thought that you guys {and gals} were a figment of my over active imagination..a real Mudcatter [besides myself??} WOW!!! :O) Azizi |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 15 Mar 05 - 09:42 AM Artbrooks, That's great news!! I'm gonna get a couple of 'folks' together to go to this event. Seamus, I look forward to the pleasure of meeting you and hearing you play! You'll be the first 'Catter who I would have met "in real life" !! And Artbrooks, if your daughter's in the audience, how will I know her and she know me? Well, I could wear a name tag..but that would be kinda tacky..Who knows, there could be other Black women in the room.. I guess if she knows Seamus and I get a chance to introduce myself to him, then he can introduce me to her. That'll work.. Now to figure out where the heck Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle is and who I can convince that they REALLY wanna hear some bodhran and other Irish music.. Thanks for the info!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: artbrooks Date: 15 Mar 05 - 09:06 AM Azizi, Seamus (who we all know to be an exceptionally modest and self-effacing person, and so would never mention this himself) will be at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle 3/31-4/2. If you go, you will hear some good songs, some exceptionally bad jokes and, probably, some bodhran playing. Just pray he decides to wear trou instead of his d**n kilt! My daughter, who lives in Bloomfield, may well be in the audience. Art |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Troll Date: 15 Mar 05 - 12:57 AM CarolC, there are no accordian jokes. It's all true. troll |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 15 Mar 05 - 12:16 AM In one word, thunder. But I like the sound of a bodhran if it's played well and in the proper contexts. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 14 Mar 05 - 11:57 PM Thanks for that information Seamus. Since I remember the Lawrence Welk show, I guess I should retract my previous comment that I have never heard accordian [accordion??] music except for Louisiana Zydeco CDs. But I KNOW that I've never heard a bodhran played. From these posts, it seems as if most people don't like the sound. Why?? Would anyone care to describe what a bodhran sounds like? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 14 Mar 05 - 11:25 PM Azizi, I think the accordian player on th old Lawrence Welk show was in fact old lawrence Welk. Until he turned the spot over to old Myron Floren - an accordian genius (now there's 2 words you don't often see together) if ever there was one. Seamus who plays a 16" fiberglass, and a really expensive Albert Alfonso tuneable real goatskin model. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 14 Mar 05 - 06:09 PM *g* Sounds like they're getting off on it, Shanghaiceltic. Might be interesting to see what they'd do if you gave them some catnip before you start playing your bodhran. If it's good, take a video of it and post it somewhere where we can see it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Shanghaiceltic Date: 14 Mar 05 - 05:58 PM Their motion when I play is totally random, no rythm to it, just sort of stood up hair, extended claws, and whipping round the room like little whirlwinds, bit like watching a pinball machine. Had thought of getting ear muffs for them, but have you ever tried to put muffs on a cat! When the bodhrans are bagged and in their opinion safe they like to tip them flat on the floor and sleep on them. They is philistines! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 14 Mar 05 - 05:03 PM Frogprince: no the thought that you were trying to put me down never came into my mind. Artbrooks: Since your wife is from Pittsburgh you can identify with what I'm sayin. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm tryin to expand my cultural horizons by joining this community [but I still can't quite call myself a folkie??!!]. And I promise I'll try to do better in the real[?] world about leaving the comfort of my cultural community to seek out cultural offerings that are unfamiliar to me. Skipy: Naughty! Naughty! Poor Lawrence Welk-He still gets picked on..His music show is still considered to be a joke, but I'm sure it had some redeeming qualities [well maybe I should say I GUESS it did..since I can't remember back that far!!] ;O)) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: GUEST,Skipy Date: 14 Mar 05 - 04:29 PM Azizi, is that welk or whelk? Skipy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: gnu Date: 14 Mar 05 - 03:44 PM Art... please share your knowledge of these bargains. I'm always looking for a bargain. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: artbrooks Date: 14 Mar 05 - 03:37 PM Azizi, while I own, and like, my Malachy Kearns' bodhran, his site is just a bit off. First, there is no reliable record of the bodhran in Irish (or any other kind) of music much before the 1930s, if that early. Second, his drums are at best B or B+ in quality...there are much better, and less expensive, ones out there. Keep trying to find International and other kinds of folk stuff in Pgh. Its out there, but that city, like many others in the Rust Belt, is more noted for its individual (and inbred) ethnic communities than for any kind of transfusion between them. My wife is from Pgh. and we've lived in both Erie and Cleveland, so we've had that experience. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: fat B****rd Date: 14 Mar 05 - 03:17 PM Actually I used to play the drums in a "Beat Group" but I had to give up due to........ skin trouble......sorry |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 14 Mar 05 - 01:23 PM Shanghaiceltic, the fact that they are "bouncing off the windows and doors" suggests to me that maybe they would like some bodhrans of their own to play. Is there any kind of rythm to their bouncing? That will tell you whether or not they have any ability, and hence, whether or not you would want to invest in getting them their own instruments. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 14 Mar 05 - 12:46 PM Good for you, shanghai. (May I call you shanghai?) The cats are probably objecting because the bodhrans are too loud. For some reason, a cat which is bothered by music doesn't just leave the room. Oh no! The cat must stick around, registering its disapproval. It's something to do with the fact that they are actually the bosses of the house. If I were you, I would just put the cats in another room and close the door. That way you can practice without worrying that you are hurting them. I shared a room recently with a cat who objected to my flute playing. Philistine! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Bunnahabhain Date: 14 Mar 05 - 09:33 AM Mittens or kittens..... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Peace Date: 14 Mar 05 - 01:10 AM Much can be made of a cat if caught while young. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Shanghaiceltic Date: 14 Mar 05 - 01:08 AM I have four lovely bodhrans, three tuneable and one big 22" beasty which is not. I must admit I would never turn them into litter trays for our three cats as they are plain scared of the site and sound of them. As soon as I get them out to practice the cats are bouncing off the windows and doors. Do they not appreciate what a fine set of instruments I have?? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: frogprince Date: 14 Mar 05 - 12:31 AM Actually, Azizi, even then back in Minnesota I couldn't take anything like a steady diet of polka myself. I never thought of polka as folk then; it was never promoted under that name; but in retrospect I guess it is "folk" to "folks" from a number of countries. Hope you know I wasn't meanin' at all to put you down; I was just stuck once again by what should be obvious; people in one country can "come from" very different "places" I'm not sure how old I was when I first heard a bodhran, but I'll bet I was far older than you before I knew the name for it. I was pushing 20 the first time I learned to recognize a classical composition by name (Well, I did know the real name for the Lone Ranger theme); Forty-some years later I sometimes think I'm not so naive anymore, but other times I'm not sure. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 14 Mar 05 - 12:12 AM To get back to the original question - yes, Fat Bustard, you should try playing your new bodhran. You might be like my dear husband, an absolute natural. There is nothing quite so fascinating as a really good bodhran solo. Go to a concert by a really good band and hear how much can be done on a bodhran, and see how everyone listens silently and intently. (Ignore all those jealous fiddlers.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: CarolC Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:12 PM You're welcome, Azizi. I understand what you're saying. Anyway, good luck in your endeavors, whatever they may be. BTW, lutes and harpsichords (and rebecs too, if I remember correctly) are generally grouped into the "classical" music category, "early music" subgroup - medieval, renaissance, and early baroque, although it does appear that some "folk" type musicians are using some of these kinds of instruments as well. A Google search using "early music" (in quotes) and "instruments" is a good place to start looking for information on those instruments. "early music" instuments |
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Subject: RE: BS: Dilemma From: Azizi Date: 13 Mar 05 - 08:27 PM THREAD DRIFT.. Carol, Re the folk festival..I haven't been in a while. When I used to put on my West African clothing and go to the annual folk festival, I usually didn't see many African American, African, Caribbean etc performers..Of course, I did find the other performers interesting, but still.... Though I'm not sure, I think the problem is 'moola'{money to pay the performers who may not be into volunteering year after year..} And then there's the unfortunate fact that we {African Americans} need to be get more comfortable about going places on our 'off' time where we'll be a minority. I didn't mean to make a pun..but maybe both common uses of that word ""minority" are applicable here. When African Americans in Pittsburgh area leave our neighborhoods we are ALWAYS seen as a minority racial group. Since only 10% of this county's residents are Black {and 20% of Pittsburgh's population are Black} when we leave our [usually segregated communities-some very nice, some nice, some not nice at all, some very much not nice at all]there are always going to be far fewer of us than there are of White people {there are few if any Latinos, and also few Asians, Middle Easterners etc in this county}. Does this matter?? Apparently for alot of Black people- YES. I've gone to cultural programs at institutions like the Carnegie Museum, the Science Center, and the Children's Museum and seen few if any other Black people...Some of this is because of the entrance fee and lack of private transportation to get to these places. But that's only a small part of it.. Besides a good number of African Americans here have money, so it's not just the money-I contend that much of it is pyschological.. It's a challenge, that's for sure... Anyway, thanks, Carol for the links. I'll check them out. Azizi |
