Music in New England this trip

Subject: Music in New England this trip
From: jimmyt
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 11:09 PM

Just wanted to report in about some interesting music experiences this trip. Jayne and I have been messing around up here in New England for the last few days. We went to a session in a pub in Boston near Fanuel Hall on Sunday, what fantastic music! 2 guys from Ireland, one a fiddler the other played flute and whistle, joined a few others on Accordian/bodrhan, a Ullean piper and a fine guitarist. I have never heard anyone play whistle like this guy. He played crosshanded also on flute and whistle, ie he had the right hand on top. Quite pleasent experience.   Heard a nice evening of Jazz at the Top of the Hub in Boston also.

We then went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for an evening of music at the Pressroom. We arrived in time to see the end of the jazz session just finishing and the beginning of the hoot (open mike) The guy who hosted the session was terific but most of the performers were angry guys who played their own angry 2 chord (unrelated chords at that!) songs with lots of swearing. One guy did some nice old songs early but by the time we left Jayne looked at me and said,"you owe me big for this!" I wish we had been able to hear some of the scheduled performers as it is a great room. Did have a nice chat with a guy who had attended Dave Guard's funeral there in Portsmouth. He told me of another session or two but we were unable to attend.

Tonight we are in Concord New Hampshire and just returned from a Kingston Trio concert here and it was pretty fun. The opening group, The Shaw Brothers, were great. A pair of 50-60 year old identical twins who play very well and sing with identical tone qualities doing very nice old style folk music. The trio has no original members but they put on a great show. Just wanated to mention what music we have been listening to. Hope you all have had a good musical week. jimmyt

Subject: RE: Music in New England this trip
From: Pauline L
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 11:40 PM

I, too, had a lot of fun with friends and music in New England this past week. I visited Mudcatter Susan A-R in Montpelier VT. There is a lot of good folk music going on in and around Montpelier. Friday night we heard Tim O'Brien in concert. Saturday afternoon there was a small Celtic jam session in a local Mexican restaurant. Saturday night there was a larger and very good jam session at Susan's home. We had fiddles, guitars, mandolin, wooden flute, and recorder. Sunday night we heard Aly Bain (one of my heroes) and Phil Cunningham play. Many thanks to Susan for good friendship and good music.

Subject: RE: Music in New England this trip
From: Brían
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 08:42 AM

The flute player you saw in Fanuel Hall sounds like other than Seamus Egan. He told me he picked up the whistle when he could get his fingers around it. No one ever told him there was another way to hold it. I'm sorry you had such a poor time at the Press Room. If you had warned us, Bat Godess and Curnudgeon would have given you a warm welcome.

Brían

Subject: RE: Music in New England this trip
From: Brían
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 01:33 PM

That should be Curmudgeon. I stand corrected about Seamus. He came to mind when I saw that description of "the right hand on top."

Brían