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12 Jul 09 - 03:52 PM (#2678482) Subject: Macann duets- how many players? From: Paul Burke Noodling on the old wheezebox this afternoon, and it occurred to me that I don't see many other players of the Maccann duet. I'm married to one, there's Pam Bishop who played around Birmingham years ago, and that bloke I met at Sidmouth a long time ago. I'm worse than all of them, by the way. Who's out there, what sort of music do you play (mine's French/ English/ Swedish/ Irish in descending order of competence), how do you use the duettiness, do you accompany your own singing etc? Where and when can we get together for mutual recriminations? |
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12 Jul 09 - 04:24 PM (#2678511) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: ClaireBear I do, badly. I bought it a couple of decades ago in order to take advantage of its duettiness (I think in harmony), but I have never gotten comfortable with the left hand fingering so duetting hasn't happened. Can't say why, quite; the right hand is eminently intuitive for me. I bought a Crane a few years back and found I could play a tune and a harmony together at my very first attempt, so I know it's not a complete lack of skill -- just, perhaps, a mental block about the individual instrument's configuration. I've often considered switching to the Crane, but the fact that it's a three-finger system makes it slower than the McCann, so I've never made the switch I play mostly English music, primarily nautical songs at the moment, though previously I accompanied a morris team for many years. I also like to play French tunes when the opportunity arises (rarely). And I accompany my own singing. But unless you're in California, sadly I'm not a suitable candidate for mutual recriminations. A shame, really, because I'm sure my squeezing would make yours seem ever so much better! Claire (who has also met that bloke at Sidmouth, to her lasting shame as a McCann player) |
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12 Jul 09 - 04:38 PM (#2678522) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: The Sandman sounds like Ralphie? |
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12 Jul 09 - 05:27 PM (#2678563) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Paul Burke Funny you couldn't manage the left hand. I'm pretty chordally illiterate (ask the guitar playing brother), but at least for the 3 chord trick and a bit, I find the old Macann makes them naturally- it's a bit odd because the way I feel them is not at all the way they actiually lay out- I think of chords as vectors or shapes. No, sadly not West Coast- middle UK in fact. |
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12 Jul 09 - 05:28 PM (#2678564) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Richard Mellish I mainly play Anglo but dabbled with a Maccann at one time and still get it out once in a while. Clive Woolf, who has only his right hand in working order, plays one end of one. It's the Jeffries duet players who are really thin on the ground. Richard |
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12 Jul 09 - 05:58 PM (#2678588) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Ralphie I've only just seen this thread......Practice...Thats the way! The MaCcann is the king of duets, but it's a fickle lass! Treat her gently and she'll serve you well. Cranes are slightly odd, and Jeffrys are only for the bonkers people! All of this is in my humble opinion! Bottom line is.......Practice!! Or we are all doomed! Onwards Ralphie. |
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12 Jul 09 - 06:02 PM (#2678590) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: ClaireBear Paul, I have tiny hands, which is a large part of the problem. Also I want to play harmonies, not chords, and not usually in C. I don't find it lays out well for that kind of playing, at least for my hands. Alas! C |
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12 Jul 09 - 06:04 PM (#2678591) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Duet players are not necessarily Folk Musicians and many are scattered around the globe.I have been investigating Duet players now for about eighteen months for the Duet International project. There does not seem to be a depth of excellent players out there,but I continue to look. In and around Liverpool there is a group of Marching Bands ,some featured on Utube ,but I have had no response from them at all. I already have some excellent recordings, but the present prediction is that there is little chance it will reach three CDs like Anglo and English. Al |
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12 Jul 09 - 06:26 PM (#2678607) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Rowan Anglo is my main game but I'm trying (very!) on the MacCann. Some decades ago I worked at Old Sydney Town ( a recreated version of the original, for tourists) with inter alia a banjo player. Many years later he turned up at my daughter's school playing old Oz songs with a MacCann player whose name I cannot now recall; he was good but not as good as Phil Wilson, who was one of the National Folk Festival heavies during the initial "sedentary in Canberra" phase of the early 90s. Barb Scott (she of the superb tin whistle) also plays one rather well and was the person who first demonstrated to me the ease with which one could play it "upside down" using almost the same fingering as normal. Mudcat's Squeezeme also plays one and I know he knows of others in Oz. Cheers, Rowan |
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12 Jul 09 - 07:08 PM (#2678637) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Herga Kitty Ralphie - so my ex was bonkers....? I thought he played a Jeffries duet because he played a Jeffries anglo and it made the fingering easier.... Kitty |
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12 Jul 09 - 07:35 PM (#2678653) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Well I reckon Ralphie HAS to be "that bloke from Sidmouth" (although I notice he hasn't claimed that honour) . How many other Maccann players are there that frequent the place on a regular basis, I wonder? Mind you, his height and build have not been mentioned, and I would have thought that that was a thing that was particularly noticeable about him !!! I'm personally speaking here as a fledgling trainee Maccann player of around 18 months' standing who is getting back into the practice, practice, practice mode advocated by her mentor (who has already been mentioned and is apparently "that bloke from Sidmouth"). At the moment the duettiness of the instrument hasn't been greatly used by me, as I've been using it in order to play tune to Ralphie's pirouettes and arabesques around it for one or two numbers for a show that we've been (and are) performing (two duets playing together in one show for the price of one!! Do two duets duetting constitute a quartet, I wonder?) However, I am now getting back to cultivating the left hand again, which is going to require some hard work and concentration - but I consider it to be worth it!! The intention is to use it mostly for English traditional folk (or other) ... but I'm not averse to a bit of sightreading of other stuff when noodling. Ideally I would like to move towards being able to use it to accompany myself when singing. Other than Ralphie the main folk "name" I can think of who plays Maccann would, of course, be Iris Bishop .... makes a deep curtesy and motions of obeisance... Then, of course, there is Chris Coe, who plays a Lachenal Edeophone Maccann ..... and Jon Boden. I believe that Jim Moray possesses one, but whether he plays it, I know not. (All of these are UK players, I'm afraid Claire). I can also name another Maccann player - David Gardner who now lives in New Zealand (and posts to concertina.net forum as Dirge) , but, as it happens is over here in the UK at the moment. He tells me that he does not play much folk music - being more interested in the classical repertoire and jazz. As to getting together to discuss mutual recriminations, this was something that I was discussing with David ... but it was left a bit late in the year to arrange anything ... he was quite keen to have a Maccannics get together, I believe , and there was some thought that it might be nice to arrange something next year... but quite what, or where, or who would do the organising ... search me ? |
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12 Jul 09 - 07:43 PM (#2678660) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Re Alan's comments about the Liverpool concertina bands, I can confirm that. I recently purchased on Edeophone on ebay with Ralphie's assistance, and on meeting up with the vendor in Liverpool found that the instrument I had purchased had belonged to a gent who had initially played in a Salvation Army concertina band, and then in an Orange Lodge band... and that there are still several Orange Lodge concertina bands that march in the city on July 12th (and also on occasion from the ferreting about on the net that I have carried out seem to venture down to London as well!!) The vendor told us that these bands are largely composed of Maccann duet players - which was a pretty surprising thing to find out. But in fact, searches on Youtube do yield some of them up. One in Toxteth is quite clearly composed of players of both Anglos and Maccanns ... and I believe that my newly acquired beast was used for that purpose too!! The bands have a very heavy percussion accompaniment from drums ... and the music played seems to be mostly along the lines of Sousa marches. Oh and by the way, as Ralphie said ... Onwards!! (Not sure about the being doomed bit though!) |
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12 Jul 09 - 07:44 PM (#2678661) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Oh, and there's Sylvia Needham plays Maccann as well... |
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12 Jul 09 - 08:03 PM (#2678670) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger And Bill Whaley of Whaley and Fletcher also plays an 81 key monster of a Maccann for some of his accompaniments for Mr Fletcher ... |
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12 Jul 09 - 08:09 PM (#2678672) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,The other tom bliss Tom Bliss usually does/did a few on his Maccann Lachenal. He has two 38 buttons, thanks to advice from C Coe. I think he's even on Alan's CD...? Tom |
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12 Jul 09 - 08:10 PM (#2678674) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: SylviaN Not forgetting Iris Bishop and Tom Bliss - all members of the Maccann club. |
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12 Jul 09 - 08:13 PM (#2678676) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Iris already mentioned Sylvia ... I hadn't realised that Tom was a Maccannic as well (can't think why!!) |
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12 Jul 09 - 08:28 PM (#2678683) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: SylviaN Sorry, Irene, missed that one - I should go to bed, I need the selep. And I must have crossed e-mails with The Other Tom Bliss when I sent mine. |
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13 Jul 09 - 02:38 AM (#2678822) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Valmai Goodyear Suzanne Higgins of the Spare Parts concertina band is based in East Ham, London, UK and plays McCann after having experimented with both Anglo and English. Bryan Creer runs a monthly free session in Lewes, Sussex, UK for all concertina systems - details are on the Lewes Saturday Folk Club website. I'm working and can't set up links to the site, but you could find it by googling for the club and going to Concertinas Anonymous on the Links page. Spare Parts has a website as well. We'll be at Whitby Folk Week this year running part-playing sessions for all concertina systems. Concertinas Anonymous meets on the second Tuesday of every month in the Elephant & Castle, Lewes, home of the Lewes Saturday Folk Club. That means we're meeting tomorrow night. Valmai (Lewes) |
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13 Jul 09 - 03:17 AM (#2678829) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: SteveMansfield If you're not on there already, a similar conversation on the forums at www.concertina.net should bring you lots of mutual MacCann support. I'm an EC player so can't be added to the MacCann roll call ... |
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13 Jul 09 - 03:55 AM (#2678843) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Ralphie We're a strange bunch us Duet players. (and no mistake!), My comments re other systems, were very much tongue in cheek. I have the greatest respect for the Hibberts, Laycocks, and Atkins if this world. Only took it up by accident. But, Can't put it down now... Remember...A Duet is not just for Christmas. It makes a darn good fire on Boxing day! |
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13 Jul 09 - 04:31 AM (#2678860) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day You will be pleased to know that all the names mentioned have been contacted plus Bob Webb and David Bernert (America)a concertina maker in Australia and a few other players.I have some recording promised of Alexander Prince and Ernest Rutterford. One prize is the recordings of a young player called Maurice Harvey son of the X Secretary of ICA recorded when he was about fifteen. These recording were once thought to be a number of players,but it has since been confirmed that it is just him. Truly incredible. I recently predicted that the Duet is the instrument of the future,played well it is a wonderful instrument. The potential of what can be played without the restrictions of air, direction and finger layouts is just breathtaking. A hundred years from now they will be the tops. Al |
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13 Jul 09 - 04:47 AM (#2678871) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: The Sandman Tim Laycock [CraneDue,plays some wonderful marches,and sings on Boxing Clever a concertina compilation cd that also features Harry Scurfield,and John Kirkpatrick Available from this website http://www.dickmiles.com .and also the button box. |
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13 Jul 09 - 05:04 AM (#2678883) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST Why he's the Guy that sings the Last Good-bye Don't be shy - free MP3 download at his site.
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13 Jul 09 - 06:58 AM (#2678932) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST "Remember ... a Duet is not just for Christmas.It makes a darn good fire on Boxing Day!" But a very expensive one at that. |
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13 Jul 09 - 06:58 AM (#2678933) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Surreysinger at work Whoops - that last one was me.... |
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13 Jul 09 - 09:40 AM (#2679054) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: G-Force I play a Maccann. There are some great players out there. I once heard a lady in UK called (I think) Lesley Henecker. And there is a brilliant American guy called David Cornell. The duet was originally conceived as playing a tune at one end and a countertune at the other, hence 'duet'. I've never played it like that, too difficult. I use the left hand end for chords, or bass-chord-bass-chord like an accordion, plus the odd bass run. The other end plays the tune, with such extra notes as I can chuck in. Suits me. |
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13 Jul 09 - 10:20 AM (#2679082) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Crane Driver As a player of one of the other duets (go on, guess) can I just say to Ralphie that I object to being called merely slightly odd. Enough of this in-fighting between duets, I say - we're surrounded by the EC and Anglo brigades, we need to stick together! Crane drivers, MacCannics, Haydonists and even the bonkers ones! Er - sorry, I think the tablets are kicking in now, I'll be OK in a minute . . . Andrew |
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13 Jul 09 - 10:40 AM (#2679095) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,surreysinger at work How strange - Jack Bradshaw has only today set up a Maccann group on Concertina.net - link here Maccann group link |
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13 Jul 09 - 11:58 AM (#2679154) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Ralphie Ah Mr Driver of Cranes!! I'm keeping my tongue firmly in my cheek! Look forward to hearing you play one day. As you say, us Duettists have to stick together, there being so few of us, against the monstrous regiments of English and Anglo players.. For we are a cut above such rabble, obviously!! Come the revolution, Mon Brave! Regards Ralphie |
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13 Jul 09 - 12:01 PM (#2679156) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Thanks G Force,I have the recordings in for Lesley Heniker,One of her recordings was that she played "Misty" for me,it will be one of the favourite tracks. I am also in touch with David Cornell. If you or any other player would like to send me recordings of their playing I would be very interested. I do not make the final choice on what is used however. If you are not sure let me make the decision. Sadly Irene, Jack Bradshaw has sold his Duet, I enjoyed him playing alongside Peter Trimming on one of those clips and followed it up. I saw Tim Laycock at Lewes a few weeks back Dick,I agree a very nice player. What was the name of that collection Dick? Al |
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13 Jul 09 - 12:21 PM (#2679184) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: The Sandman Boxing Clever. apologies for thread drift,but I am getting this crap about the last goodbye regularly on my website,I suspect its Gargoyle,he seems to be stalking me. |
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14 Jul 09 - 05:10 AM (#2679739) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: G-Force No-one's mentioned Will Hall. |
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14 Jul 09 - 05:20 AM (#2679742) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST "us Duettists have to stick together, there being so few of us, against the monstrous regiments of English and Anglo players.." Does that make us the red squirrels of the concertina world ? See you at the barricades, Ralphie. LOL! |
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14 Jul 09 - 05:34 AM (#2679748) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: G-Force Oh, and Alan Day, I am under no illusions at all as to my suitability for inclusion on a CD alongside the likes of Tim Laycock or David Cornell, but thanks for the invitation anyway. I am really looking forwatrd to Duet International, maybe it will finally put us outcasts centre stage. |
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14 Jul 09 - 07:05 AM (#2679795) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Ralphie "The Red Squirrels of the concertina world"...Lol! More like the Ceolocanth. Thought to be long extinct, and then found at the bottom of the sea! Mind you, I quite fancy a nice fluffy tail! And Yes. Will Hall. Top bloke! Strange hair cut...But, who am I to talk?! |
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14 Jul 09 - 07:06 AM (#2679796) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day I do hope so,A compilation of Duet players is long overdue. I have no details of Will Hall,I would be grateful for the information. There have been a number of famous South African players one of which was Nico Langeulot,some of his recordings I now have. Tommy Williams used to live about a ten minute walk from my house in Clapham where I used to live,I had the pleasure of seeing him play at one of the ICA meetings in London,a real character. He lived just off Queenstown Road Battersea a stones throw from Battersea Park where I suspect "Springtime in Battersea" originated. As a little boy I spent many an hour fishing in the lake there. Al |
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14 Jul 09 - 07:17 AM (#2679803) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Black belt caterpillar wrestler It's the Jeffreys duet players that seem hard to find to me, but having said that the only duet player I know in the Lancaster area plays Jeffreys system and has two in different keys! I think that his main interested is not folk so I don't see him so often. Anne and I decided to keep to English and Anglo respectivley and sold our Maccan. It's very difficult to learn an instrument with such a similar tone to the one you are proficient on. You want progress NOW! |
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14 Jul 09 - 07:19 AM (#2679804) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Ralphie Alan....Springtime in Battersea is actually German! Tommy probably nicked it whilst serving un the Great War! Played it at a concert in Belgium and was greeted by laughter (It's not even a funny tune!) Apparently the Belgiums use it to mock Gernams at football matches! (Probably has filthy words!) So It's connection with Battersea is tenuous! |
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14 Jul 09 - 07:38 AM (#2679812) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Surreysinger at work Alan ..Just to confirm Ralphie's comments re Schneewaltz (as it should properly be known) ... have a look at this previous thread Schneewaltz You can even groan at some of the Youtube videos that I put up. It appears to be a piece much beloved (?not) by brass band players. |
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14 Jul 09 - 08:41 AM (#2679865) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Tommy was always a bit of a wheeler dealer,but memory does play a lot of funny tricks. Jeffries Duet players include Gavin Atkin, Michael Hibbert,(Both UK)and Hidetoshi Yamashita (Japan) Al |
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14 Jul 09 - 10:47 AM (#2679952) Subject: RE: MacCann duets- how many players? From: SqueezeMe Quote from Rowan "Mudcat's Squeezeme also plays one..." No he doesn't. My duet weapon of choice is the Crane, though I'm very much out of practice....it's so easy just to reach for an anglo! Quote from Rowan "...turned up at my daughter's school playing old Oz songs with a MacCann player whose name I cannot now recall" I think I know who you are talking about, but that, too, would have been a Crane, ably driven by Ralph Pride. I know of few MacCannics in Oz, only Richard Evans springing immediately to mind. And I believe Mudcat's Bob Bolton began his concertina career on MacCann. MC |
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14 Jul 09 - 12:06 PM (#2679999) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST Hey guys, I'm not trying to chase you away, but have you checked out Jack Bradshaw's brand new 'McCann Website': Maccann-Mccann Concertina Players Cheers Dick |
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14 Jul 09 - 01:00 PM (#2680061) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day I cannot understand Dick why this site is restricted to Maccan players and not a Duet site. It may help me find a few more players, but for the reasons already mentioned it may be of limited interest. I hope however it proves me wrong. Al |
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14 Jul 09 - 01:14 PM (#2680075) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Ermmm Dick ... if you care to check further up the thread, you will see that I had already provided a link to that newly created group.And there's not a lot to see there at the moment. And Al - what's wrong with it being a Maccann players' site - that's what he intended it to be, and it's his site? Apart from the fact that they're all duet instruments (whether Hayden, Jeffries,Crane/Triumph or Maccann ... come to that one or two other more obscure varieties as well) it doesn't make them the same, any more than Anglo or English are. The interest may be limited, but it's limited to people that play the things - isn't that the point? |
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14 Jul 09 - 05:38 PM (#2680306) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day I have no problems with it being just a Maccann site. There are of course differences in the Anglo layouts but if someone wanted a purely Lachenal Anglo Site or Jeffries site,good luck to them. My own personal opinion is that why limit it to one type of Duet system ,but it is only my opinion. Maccanists unite. Al |
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14 Jul 09 - 07:30 PM (#2680369) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Maybe you ought to ask Jack ?? :-) |
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14 Jul 09 - 08:59 PM (#2680430) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Rowan Quote from Rowan "Mudcat's Squeezeme also plays one..." My apologies, Squeezemee! But you're spot on with Ralph Pride; I now recall his name. And Bob Bolton has frequently commented on his origins with MacCann Duet; he even went to great lengths to correct our various spellings of MacCann that have cropped up. Trouble is, I can never remember the correct one. I recommend you listen to Barb, the next time you're at Nariel; I'm pretty sure it's a MacCann she plays. On top of that, I should be keel hauled for forgetting the fact that, when my brother got interested in concertina (after seeing me get into the Anglo) he decided he wanted one; the first I saw available was a Lachenal MacCann system Duet so I bought it and gave it to him for his birthday. I think the first tune he played on it, despite being in Smith's Gully (a bush band where he did what I was doing with Flying Pieman), was "Misty". He later replaced it with a Crabb and also acquired another Lachenal but I think he's passed at least one of them to his son, for use in a rock band. Cheers, Rowan |
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15 Jul 09 - 03:27 AM (#2680523) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Thanks Rowan,have you got any details of how I can contact Barb, Ralph Pride and of course your Brother if he is still playing.I have Bob Bolton's details. If Jack is happy with just MacCans, I am happy Irene. The Duet project has been delayed due to the late release of English International and the economic situation.We expect Duet to be released about Spring next year,so I shall be chasing recordings late Autumn.I have not forgotten those players who I have already contacted, or have been in touch with me. Al |
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15 Jul 09 - 06:36 AM (#2680589) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,jadwiga Hi folks I started out with an English and a McCann six years ago and now have two McCanns. There was no contest once I got past single line tunes. I play in a ceilidh band but it's also fun to tackle David Cornell's arrangements. And even the simpler (?) Chopin pieces from my piano playing days. I haven't seen David Morgan's name on this thread yet. Another good McCann player and tutor. Stuart Estell plays McCann, Jeffries and Anglo (all well !!!!!)to accompany his singing. I'm delighted that the Duet project is still happening - and that we'll have recordings of Lesley Henniker. She doesn't 'perform' so her playing is a rare treat as those of us lucky enough to have heard her know. I trust the late, great Reuben Shaw will also feature.I'm listening to a tape he gave me as I type this. The Swaledale Squeeze (every May in Grinton) is an excellent place to meet other Duettists. This year the tutor was Iris Bishop, last year it was Tim Laycock. It's also the place where people discover they want to switch to McCann . . . there is now at least one player in Norway. In the end it all comes down to the instrument that says 'play me' every time you walk past it. Jadwiga (off to check out the McCann link) |
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15 Jul 09 - 07:12 AM (#2680600) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger I wish you hadn't mentioned the "Play me" bit Jadwiga ... I've been trying to ignore the plaintive "noises" from the corner of the room and get on with the tidying up of the house !! I too had wondered whether Al had got some Reuben Shaw to put onto Duet International (but am assuming that that must be the case?) |
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15 Jul 09 - 07:32 AM (#2680609) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,jadwiga oops, misspelt Lesley's surname - it's Henneker in my address book. Alan - the recordings that Reuben gave me are a tape of himself playing with Wilfred Pearce, I think it was a radio broadcast, and another of Alexander Prince. The quality's not perfect but are these of use to you? Jadwiga |
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15 Jul 09 - 07:45 AM (#2680614) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: G-Force Alan, I think you gan get to Will Hall via Steve Dickinson - I believe there's a family connection. |
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15 Jul 09 - 07:49 AM (#2680616) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: The Sandman yes, he is his brother in law. |
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15 Jul 09 - 09:02 AM (#2680670) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Valmai Goodyear Jadwiga, good to hear from you! We usually bump into each other at Concertinas at Witney in September - once on the point of trying to effect a burglarious entry into the grounds of the Henry Box School, if my memory serves me right. The annual Concertinas at Witney weekend is run by Dave Townsend and is thoroughly recommended, with different levels of tuition for all the main systems and the chance to try some orchestral-style playing if you want. Inspect the Hands-On music website - I'm at work and can't set up a link from here. Did my old eyes deceive me, or have I seen Jon Boden at the controls of a McCann? Valmai |
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15 Jul 09 - 09:48 AM (#2680709) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Old Vermin Very noble of SurreySinger to give herself jet-lag whilst corresponding with New Zealand. The web-site quoted says no more than 50 players world-wide. Anyone counted those mentioned in this thread so far? |
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15 Jul 09 - 10:20 AM (#2680734) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day I will try and deal with these points in order. The Reuben Shaw recordings I have,although lovely playing are spoilt by either errors (only a few and I can live with that) but people slamming or opening a door or dropping things.jadwega I would love the recording you have of Reuben and Wilfred, once again I have a recording of the two of them, but sadly it is not good enough. Certainly Reuben should be on this collection.I would also be interested in hearing some of your recordings also. I have just checked my list of names and John Morgan is not on it so any details would be fantastic. Thank you all for your suggestions ,most of the criticism aimed at Anglo and English has been for players not included, at least this helps to avert a bit from the Mudcat direction. Finally Stuart Estell was one of the first I contacted when commencing this project and sadly he is at the moment not playing his Jeffries Duet and asked not to be included. If he changes his mind I will let you know. Al |
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15 Jul 09 - 11:03 AM (#2680764) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Valmai Goodyear Alan, do check with Jon Boden. I definitely saw him play a concertina one Christmas Eve a few years ago in Sussex - either a duet, or an English played with a terrifying number of chords. Valmai |
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15 Jul 09 - 11:46 AM (#2680793) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Whoops I thought I had replied to Alan's posting, but haven't.Jon Boden does indeed play a Maccann ... he was one of the featured guests at the Bradfield Traditional Festival last month - there as a Maccann player.And I think I have a photo of him around somewhere playing that particular instrument at Whitby a couple of years ago or so. |
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15 Jul 09 - 12:23 PM (#2680822) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: The Borchester Echo Jon Boden was playing a Lachenal Edeophone last time I saw him, playing with Rob Harbron with his English. |
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15 Jul 09 - 12:51 PM (#2680848) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Sorry I did not reply to this one. I spoke to Jon at Bradfield and saw his brand new concertina ,he is on board. In passing what a lovely voice his Wife has.Their little Daughter was bewildered by the one man band and eventually smiled, but was still not sure. Al |
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15 Jul 09 - 06:05 PM (#2681042) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,jadwiga Valmai - as I remember we not only attempted an assault on the Henry Box gates but succeeded in getting in. Nothing stops determined concertina players. Alan, my recordings sound better that the ones you describe. I'd be surprised if there isn't something you can use. Since I posted the info earlier I found the handwritten notes Reuben gave me with the tapes. The recordings of R and Wilfred Pearce (7 pieces) were recorded during practice sessions in the Greasley Church Hall during 1956. I think they're wonderful and he obviously thought highly enough of them to pass them on to me for encouragement. The other tape is of 14 pieces by Alexander Prince recorded between 1910 and 1925.Again,Reuben had taken the trouble to make the selection. How do I get them to you? I've transferred them to minidisk for myself, I could do that for you or copy onto cassette, but I am very aware that loss of quality and distortion occur at each tranfer so advise me please. John Morgan lives in Wales - possibly Cardiff - I think he's the tutor at Witney this year so you can get his details from Dave Townsend. He's also been tutor at Swaledale so Jane Edwards will have a contact address for him. I can find out for you if need be. I'll mention the project to Stusrt E next time we correspond - I hope he'll change his mind. He'd come up with something unexpected! Jadwiga |
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16 Jul 09 - 03:58 AM (#2681231) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Sounds fantastic Jadwega,you can contact me on alan_jennyday@ticali.co dot UK I cannot PM you as you are writing in as a guest A mini disc would be great.I will contact Dave Townsend regarding John Morgan,thanks for that info. I am pleased to inform you that as part of Tom Bliss farewell year he has sent us a couple of recordings. Apologies Paul for taking over your posting but it will be something beneficial to the MacCann players eventually. Al |
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17 Jul 09 - 02:25 AM (#2681977) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Paul Burke Jadwiga: the next transfer should be from the originals if possible, into your computer, in a non- compressed format e.g. .wav- then at least they won't deteriorate with copying. I'm sorry I started this thread: I've now heard of lots more Maccann players, and they are ALL better than me! |
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17 Jul 09 - 04:34 AM (#2682013) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Valmai Goodyear Having mentioned Concertinas at Witney I thought I should provide a link. There is a picture which includes The Snail on the front page. John Morgan is one of the tutors this year. The event is on 26 & 27th. September and there are a couple of good sessions on the Friday evening, including one organised by the International Concertina Association; that one usually has some dots for a bit of part-playing. Another feature of Witney beyond the tuition and the highly enjoyable social side is the trade fair, held on the Sunday, to which concertina dealers come with a large selection of instruments. If you are looking for an instrument this is a good place to compare several. Stalls are taken by Barleycorn Concertinas (Chris Algar) Marcus Music, sometimes Hobgoblin, and others. You can also contact the traders in advance and explain precisely what you are looking for so that they will bring specimens with them, possibly saving you a journey. I bought a very beautiful baritone English this way by asking Chris Algar first rather than just hoping that one might turn up on the day. Valmai |
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17 Jul 09 - 06:56 AM (#2682072) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: GUEST,Surreysinger at work Paul - despair not.Why be sorry? At least I've found out the names of one or two more Maccann players, which satisfies my curiosity (having been told that the number of players is fairly small) - and I bet you're better than me! |
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18 Jul 09 - 03:57 AM (#2682668) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Another one Irene is Peter Honri son of Perci,he has been seen in a few plays/films playing his concertina. I have not heard anything of him for a long while ,he played at one of the concertina weekends. He also plays miniature. Al |
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18 Jul 09 - 04:54 AM (#2682691) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Surreysinger Thanks Al. I've been aware of Peter Honri for a while. I have had his book "Working the Halls" for a time now. When last heard of, I understood, he was in a nursing home (if what I've been told by at least two people, one of whom met him, is correct). Incidentally, googling his name I came up with the Free Reed site which informs that Dave Townsend was in possession of recordings of him and Reuben Shaw playing; (and the fact that it appears that he made an appearance in "Dad's Army" in 1974 as Private Day in the episode called "The Godiva Affair" - I'm assuming there could only be one show bizzy person with a name like that? ). In the googling I also came across reference having been made by Sean Minnie (who is coincidentally a member of the new Maccann social network group) to 33rpm recordings having been made by Morgan O'Kennedy (another new name to me. A geneaology site records his date of birth as 1898, and records him as being acknowledged as the best concertina player in South Africa - I suppose you've come across details of him?) |
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18 Jul 09 - 09:28 AM (#2682776) Subject: RE: Macann duets- how many players? From: Alan Day Not come across that name Irene.(Morgan O'Kennedy) Sean helped me a lot with Anglo Int so I must get back to him. I remember the Dad's Army episode. Sorry to hear about Peter being in a nursing home. I have, I think, the recording of him that Dave has and sadly it is not good enough. Nice to get Hidetoshi on board ,the first featured Japanese Duet player. Al |