Saturday 9 April 2011
Reader's Choice
My co-author Joe Public's been browsing Youtube again. Not sure about the hat though.
This week's second video is Richard's choice of 'the best folk-rock ever'. Not quite sure if it is my top choice, although I was told I was singing it for hours after it was suggested. Of course I strongly denied this until I was informed it was also word perfect.
This music is part of my youth, an important part, and one impossible to disown.
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25 comments:
All the old 'classic' Steeleye Span albums have recently been compiled (in order) onto CD and released on cut price boxed sets.
(The first set has 3 albums, the second has the next five and I have just acquired the third, containing the next 5 albums).
I have greatly enjoyed hearing them without vinyl clicks. I wouldn't choose All Around my Hat as the example but it's great to revisit a simpler and gentler past.
I suggested AAMH as 'great folk-rock' and on consideration I could think of better examples, but I still like this stuff. It was Steeleye Span who got me into unaccompanied singing, and thereby into performing, thereby into choral music, and thereby into a couple of really good choirs, so I have a lot to thank Maddy Prior for.
I am tempted by the box set (as a bit of a completist) but it would make the CDs I already have redundant, which would be a shame. Thanks for the mention, Rosie.
Ewan Dobson - that's great technique and an interesting piece. Good find, Joe. I see that Dobson is part of the Candyrat Records stable. If he likes this, may I suggest another Candyrat guitarist, a young Canadian guy called Antoine Dufour? Stunning technique, such as this. I bought a couple of CDs of his on the strength of it. Lovely music, although it does get a little samey after a while, and I think there is a concentration on technique at the expense of musicality. And don't forget the amazing Dominic Frasca and his Impossible Guitar.
I'll keep an eye out for Ewan Dobson. Thanks Joe.
You're right Richard about making the existing CDs redundant, no point in that, but I didn't have all on CD.
What do you think of this for someone who I think puts musicality before technique, which is simplified almost to the extreme?
OOps!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReW9uUYm-DA
I probably have half of SS's output, so the box set may be justifiable! We shall see.
John Fahey is a legend, and you are right about the simple technique. It's amazing what you can do with open-chord tuning and a thumping right hand. I used to do a lot of this - anyone else remember Stefan Grossman's Book of Guitar Tunings? A goldmine for fingerpickers everywhere. Nothing Fahey does here is in any way difficult, and yet the result is memorable and musical.
Even as a crabby 40+ with teenagers I like this one. That year I came down the Grand St. Bernard Pass on the old road howling it as we rounded the bends with the trailer swinging with the music.
I remember it, I still have my 3 string dulcimer made in 1970 according to the John Pearce(?) book.
Still can't play it!
"3 string dulcimer"
Woodsy, you are da cool man. I always wanted a dulcimer.
Ewan Dobson - never heard of him but I shall certainly be looking him up. Excellent style and interesting technique. Thanks for bringing him to me attention.
All Around my Hat is a favourite of mine which I am recording at the moment in the style of Steeleye but with the original traditional lyrics. I'll let you know when I release it on my site and you can tell me what you think for better or worse.
Apologies for shameless self promotion of site which is at http://mymusicandotherstuff.blogspot.com/p/my-music.html
Thanks for your two suggestions Richard. Of the pair, it is the latter, Dominic Frasca, whose music most appeals to me.
Until now, I'd never heard of him.
The hat's cool .... ie
No gentleman leaves the house without a hat.
An interesting thread. My wife has been a SS fan for yonks (I'm more of a Planxty and June Tabor kinda guy). She still sings their songs to the grandkids so it's reassuring to learn that there are others out there who still enjoy this stuff.
Ewan Dobson I hadn't heard of - thanks for the heads up - good stuff. John Fahey - been listening to his stuff since the early seventies - not much on technique - but who cares - it's still music worth listening to. Antoine Dufour and Dominic Frasca? Will check them out.
My picks:
Pierre Bensusan -master of DADGAD
Leo Kotke
Andy McKee - great Canadian axeman
Bruce Cockburn - great Canadian axeman
Don Ross - great Canadian axeman
Martin Simpson
Steve Tilston
Don Alder
and many more.............
I was doing my bit earlier sending out coupons for free novels to deployed service personnel and wanted to remind people that Operation eBook Drop is open to all allied deployed service personnel including that of the UK-some are now receiving books, but many more could.
Here is a little info on Operation eBook Drop: Operation eBook Drop was created by independent author Edward C. Patterson who, with the cooperation of Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, set the program in action.
The web address is http://www.operationebookdrop.com. This dynamic web site is designed as a tool to facilitate interaction between publishers, authors and troops and nearly a thousand independent authors donate their work for distribution.
The forum is open to anyone interested in order to get information.
IMO Fairport Convention's Liege and Leaf album trumps most, particularly tracks Matty Groves, Tam Lin and Reynardine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD3F93v1Tdc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy3ihk205ew&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3RMut_8IxQ&feature=related
McGonagall, email me your favourite clips and I'll post them. If you don't then I'll choose it for you. :)
Jeanne, that's a great idea. Can I suggest you post about it on:
www.arrse.co.uk/forum
That's the British military unofficial forum.
They'll be included in the future davbrubu. Thanks.
Jings Demetrius, you haven't had a conversion have you? It's super music though and little of the digitalised sound we hear today.
Yer a brave man singing round the bends in that road. I've done it twice and never managed to even speak!
Charles, great site. I hope others visit and see it. I know I will. Thanks.
I'm sure you never leave the house without a hat Elby. :)
Woodsy, it's time you learned to play it. Now I'll go and search for teachers but I'm sure you know the best teacher is another dulcimer player.
Richard, it's a beautiful instrument. You're rather like me and enjoy pure sound. That's not the correct narrative but perhaps you know what I mean.
Thanks for the suggestion, Rosie. I posted there. We at OEBD are proud to have sent out more than a million novels since it was started. Some people in the US forget that it isn't just our people who need support--but not all of us. And, of course, some independent authors are from the UK, a growing number in fact.
And I tweeted about your chapter. :-)
Jeanne that's good. I could do a wee post about it if you like so as British military people know about it?
I was part of a UK wide book giveaway last month (a million books were involved) and it was a good experience.
That's for the tweet. I'm sure the author will be pleased. It's a super story.
Thanks for your kind comment - much appreciated.
I've now put my version of 'All Around My Hat' on my site so please give it a listen and leave me a comment as to what you think of it - good or bad, please be honest as I value genuine opinions.
http://mymusicandotherstuff.blogspot.com/p/my-music.html
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