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Post by andybrennan on May 12, 2013 8:07:07 GMT
Johnd.
"The Curragh of Kildare",
a song we are all mighty fond of, on the
B side another mighty fine song
"The Travelling People"
from your vast knowledge of all things musical, would it be fair to say both sides refer to our travelling brethren.
Andy
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Post by johnd on May 12, 2013 11:45:50 GMT
Hi Andy, The short answer to your question on the connection between the two songs is NO!But if you have the stamina and will to persevere here is a little background.
Thanks a lot for the compliment, but while I know a fair bit about music I realise how little that is compared to what is available. The song "The Curragh Of Kildare" has been around in one guise or another, including "The Lamenting Maid" & "The Irish Lovers", since at least the mid-18th century. Robert Burns (1759-1796) wrote a poem entitled "The Winter It Is Past" based on an earlier ballad about a highwayman named Johnson who was hanged on the Curragh in 1850 for a series of armed robberies in the county.
"The Travelling People" (1964)was written by James Henry Miller (1915 – 1989)born in Salford,Lancashire in the UK of Scottish parents. The name may not be familiar but his stage name surely is - Ewan McColl, who wrote "Dirty Old Town" (1949) about his home town - not sure how much they appreciated that. He wrote many other songs including "The Shoals Of Herring" (1960), popularised by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", made popular by Roberta Flack. He was also father of Kirsty McColl (1959 – 2000)of "Fairytale Of New York", "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" & "In These Shoes" fame. He was married to Peggy Seeger, an artist in her own right and a sister of Old Folkie himself, Pete Seeger.
Among my favourite concert memories was a rendition of "The Curragh Of Kildare" by the Johnsons at their reunion concert at the Thomas Liddy Theatre (TLT)Drogheda in June, 2011. I sang along as loud as anyone present (which I don't normally do) and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They also did a fine version of the Travelling People. By coincidence just four months later (October, 2011)I went to the Village Arts Centre in Kilworth, Co. Cork to see Peggy Seeger in concert. She was supported by Tommy Sands. Incidentally Peggy (almost 70 years old and brother Pete (94 just over a week ago) perform together tonight (12 May 2013) for the only time this year at Eighth Step at Proctor's in Schenectady. We'll hardly make it at this short notice. As usual apologies for the longwindedness and although it has proven ineffective so far, I'll continue to take the medication. Regards, Johnd
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Post by andybrennan on May 12, 2013 12:58:35 GMT
aha Johnd fountain of knowledge all things musical. Thanks for reply can assure you I am much wiser for it. Dirty old Town many assume wrongly that it is about Dublin instead of that coalmine town. Kirsty a sad loss to the musical industery and what a tragic way to go
Looking forward to further education on this topic from you.
Andy
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Post by johnd on May 13, 2013 9:48:01 GMT
Hi Andy, A little correction is called for yesterday's deliberate error which I'm sure you spotted but were too polite to point out: Robert Burns ("Rabbie") was a very talented poet, songwriter, etc. but, as far as I know he never made claims, nor were they made on his behalf that he was psychic. He wrote "The Winter It Is Past" based on the ballad of the highwayman Johnson who was hung on the Curragh nine years after the birth of wee Rabbie and not 50 years after his death as I cunningly insinuated yesterday. Well spotted young Brennan! Regards, Johnd
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Post by andybrennan on May 13, 2013 21:43:03 GMT
Johnd, Music so important in the pictures, many is the time I nearly leapt out of my skin at the pictures either the Curragh or Sandes when a horror would be showing and all because of a timely bit of music.
Watching "Its an Irish Thing " on bog 1 tonight and the wealth of musical talent from these Isles to great to count, both singers and poets whose poems were used in song, mighty stuff.
Andy
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Post by andybrennan on May 16, 2013 22:18:00 GMT
Johnd Not sure what proper title is, but I well remember the long note where the singer would draw out the last note for what seemed for ever. I remember Joe Dolan R.I.P as good or better then most singers for the length of time he could draw it out.
Had a peek at the Eurovision and the influences of past music, performances, dress etc is still there.
Andy
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Post by andybrennan on May 16, 2013 22:20:02 GMT
Johnd. While I am at it remember the drum solo, yes I know there was others in the back ground, " Dance with the Devil " some drumming on that record.
Andy
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Post by johnd on Oct 3, 2013 22:44:31 GMT
Hi Folks, Recently received a message from the proboards people telling me that this posting will cease to function (or something similar) as it had not been updated in a while, so rather than becoming a lapsed poster I am submitting this message. There have been several mentions of Joe Dolan's 'Tar & Cement' in recent postings and it was one of my favourite Irish records. In relation to the discussion some time back on 'The Curragh Of Kildare' Christy Moore was interviewed on Radio 1 during the week as part of music week on that station and he mentioned that he obtained a book of old songs from Newbridge Library and discovered 'TCOK'. He shared his finding with friend and neighbour Donal Lunny (former Curragh Boys NS) and between them came up with a new chorus for the song. It was the first time I heard that story, though Eddi Reader did mention that after she sang the song at a show in Dublin (I think) and attributed the song to Rabbie Burns she was disabused of the idea by two Irish guys afterwards in the dressing room. Presumably Christy was one of the protesting pair. Now that the forum has been updated a bit perhaps the eviction from the site will not now take place. Regards, johnd
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Post by Metronome on Oct 4, 2013 13:42:18 GMT
It's your own fault (johnd) that we are to be deprived of your exceptional contribution to this forum. You are guilty of speaking above some peoples heads on a regular basis. You may fall out NOW. I for one, will miss your input. Thank you (johnd).
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Post by johnd on Oct 5, 2013 14:47:03 GMT
Thank you Metronome for you kind comment. You also say that I am guilty of speaking above the heads of some people and I don't believe I do that. Certainly I would admit to waffling on a bit which I am trying to curb. As for falling out perhaps I gave the impression that this thread had ceased which is not the case. A thread will cease if it is inactive over a period (perhaps six months) and that is why It was reactivated by the previous contribution. For personal reasons I was not in the best position to pay too much attention to the forum but am better able to do so now. If I may relate a joke I heard many years ago - an old folkie was singing in a bar one time and at the break the barman whispered to him that he was singing above the heads of the crowd, in response the O-F asked for an smaller stool. Don't blame me I'm only passing it on. Judging by your moniker you would appear to have an interest in music. Why not contribute musical memories of your own for the enjoyment of others. Regards, Johnd
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Post by johnd on Jan 26, 2014 21:05:04 GMT
Hi there,
Attended a bluegrass concert last night in County Offaly - a band called Nation & Blackwell featuring Chuck Nation (vocals, fiddle & mandolin), Susan Nation (vocal & double bass), Curtis Blackwell (vocals & guitar) [former vocalist with Bill Monroe] and Gary "Biscuit" Davis (banjo)the latter producer and instrumentalist with Dolly Parton. A terrific gig, just to let you know you can see them at the Stage Inn Ballymore Eustace on Monday, 27th January @ 9.15pm (doors at 8.30pm) Admission €12. Worth it to hear even a tiny portion of the show including a great version of Eleanor Rigby by Gary Davis. They also appear at Cunningham's Kildare town the following night, Tuesday, 28th January, doors at 8pm and gig at 9pm.
Regards,
Johnd
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Post by andybrennan on Jan 27, 2014 8:06:51 GMT
Hi John D,
You are getting around, were you the youngest groupie there. Andy
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Post by johnd on Mar 2, 2014 23:13:58 GMT
Hi Andy, Just for the record I was not, by a long shot, the youngest groupie there, other longer toothed grey beards supported the gig. A few supporters actually drove to Kilworth a few nights later to see them, yet again, (3 times in 9 days)- you would be hard pressed to see a better band in any genre. However, apologies in advance for the longwindedness yet again, if you have ever wondered what the marriage of heavy metal and classical music would sound like try this: two Croatian cellists named 2cellos have put together a tune entitled 'Thunderstruck' by the heavy metal band AC/DC. They, like the audience, are decked in 18th century gear for the video. Even though you might have reservations about such a marriage, have a look and it just might bring a smile to your face [ www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk ]. Unsurprisingly there are one million hits a day for this video. If the trauma of the previous video is a little too much to bear, take a look at the treatment by the same two chaps of a tune entitled 'Benedictus' from "The Armed Man" - a Mass by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, subtitled "A Mass for Peace". The piece was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum and incorporates elements of various religions { www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_RjlIPuqyc }. Copy the "http: " and following between brackets and paste in to the search box for Google or the URL on your search engine. Goodnight and pleasant dreams, Regards, johnd
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Post by johnd on Mar 2, 2014 23:17:08 GMT
Hi Andy,
The references within the posting are hyper-linked so disregard the last paragraph.
Regards,
johnd
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Post by andybrennan on Mar 2, 2014 23:24:08 GMT
Hi John D thanks for the input I will have a gander at them, hyperlink you lost me on that one. Keep it simple you know I missed out on the lessons at school as I was so intent on dodging the slaps I missed out. Had a listen to Nana and the White Rose this morn on KFM brought back memories of her TV series fado fado.
Andy
OOPs your camera skills missed at the hop part 2
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