Celtic connections 2014

[Globaltruth]

During the break Iarla looked nervous checking notes and mikes and sitting by the wee harmonium unsure. I found myself thinking that he's not so used to being in a band as the others and he certainly looked the most ill at ease as The Gloaming came out on stage.
But his voice sends shivers - the band are magnificent and matched his songs. I understood Padraig's concerns of him singing in this different tradition and it looked hard for him when the band was in full flow and he sat uncomfortably joining in quietly on the harmonium. Pianist Thomas Bartlett was stunning playing the outside and innards of his grand; Dennis Cahill a grand guitarist; Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh wonderful on 10-string hardanger with Martin Hayes just magnificent as leader of the band and raconteur and fiddler extraordinaire. The Gloaming play something very Irish but I've never heard it before played like that.
By the encore Iorla was in full voice and sang a Peadar Ó Riada piece which had me back in Iona Abbey last summer listening to Cór Cúil Aodha, before the band finished us all off with a beautiful jig to send the crowd delighted into the wet Glasgow air. I felt honoured to have seen them - hope you get the chance.

Glad you enjoyed them (said through gritted teeth enviously)

The album is now on Spotify...

[johncorrigan]

Glad you enjoyed them (said through gritted teeth enviously)

The album is now on Spotify...

Iarla and the lads re-imagined the poem 'A Necklace of Wrens' - An Muince Dreoilíní - by the late Michael Hartnett. Here's something from the Guardian a couple of years back when it was poem of the week.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/apr/02/poem-week-michael-hartnett

[Padraig]

The wheels turn slowly, John - at least mine do. I've just caught up with Celtic Connections, and have found that there was something I wanted to say.
The recent state visit by President Higgins has come and gone. A remarkable success in every way, not least in the grand ceiliúradh at the Albert Hall. Everybody who was anybody was there to fly the flag.

I particularly liked the Tom Moore segment where the Minstrel Boy had a stirring outing; and Silent O Moyle was performed beautifully by Eimear Quinn and West Ocean String Quartet - not unlike this performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UYkztfoPvI

http://www.james-joyce-music.com/song02_lyrics.html

But, of course, Iarla and The Gloaming were give pride of place in the finale, and they gave a magnificent performance of what they call Opening Set. It has everything a body could want - tradition, innovation, melody, harmony, rhythm, passion, sensitivity - I've just had the CD on and it could be a live performance! As Heaney says elsewhere 'you're neither here nor there', but you still know what's happening. Opening Set is too long, but here is a short piece included on that CD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMgmjs68LYU

It was a good concert which had other highlights as well.

[johncorrigan]

The wheels turn slowly, John - at least mine do. I've just caught up with Celtic Connections, and have found that there was something I wanted to say.
The recent state visit by President Higgins has come and gone. A remarkable success in every way, not least in the grand ceiliúradh at the Albert Hall. Everybody who was anybody was there to fly the flag.

Thanks Padraig...It was great to see President Higgins on his visit. Took me back to his visit last summer to Iona for the 1450th anniversary of Columba's arrival and having just returned from the island I am well aware from the locals of how well thought of he was on his visit; and he certainly brought wonderful music and poetry with him that day to Iona Abbey, not to forget the music from the Scottish side of the sea.

But, of course, Iarla and The Gloaming were give pride of place in the finale, and they gave a magnificent performance of what they call Opening Set. It has everything a body could want - tradition, innovation, melody, harmony, rhythm, passion, sensitivity - I've just had the CD on and it could be a live performance! As Heaney says elsewhere 'you're neither here nor there', but you still know what's happening. Opening Set is too long, but here is a short piece included on that CD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMgmjs68LYU

It was a good concert which had other highlights as well.

That Gloaming record is terrific, Padraig, and has had plenty plays in the Corrigan household...and carhold. When I saw The Gloaming in Glasgow they opened with 'Opening Set' and set the place alight...I tell you, it didn't feel too long that night...but they followed it by being a gentle band, as Martin Hayes put it, and at times when you hear the tunes, it is almost impossible to believe there are only 5 of them in there. It's still my favourite record of the year.

[Padraig]

Thank you for that, John. You're right, of course, to remind me that it's The Gloaming - my mistake to single out Iarla; they are all outstanding musicians.
I think the concert ended in a way we would recognise - a last chance to get a word in, or a note; and a generosity from the performers to each other and to the guests on stage.
I love the way The Parting Glass ends... or does not.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YpOWFbATBc

[johncorrigan]

Thank you for that, John. You're right, of course, to remind me that it's The Gloaming - my mistake to single out Iarla; they are all outstanding musicians.
I think the concert ended in a way we would recognise - a last chance to get a word in, or a note; and a generosity from the performers to each other and to the guests on stage.
I love the way The Parting Glass ends... or does not.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YpOWFbATBc

Thanks for that Padraig - that was a fine reading of Heaney by husky Fiona Shaw. By the way I see that The Gloaming are Mary Anne's guests this coming Friday on Wo3...she'll be liking that.

[Padraig]

Thanks for that Padraig - that was a fine reading of Heaney by husky Fiona Shaw. By the way I see that The Gloaming are Mary Anne's guests this coming Friday on Wo3...she'll be liking that.

Me too John.
Oh, and Fiona Shaw is Sarah Walker's guest on Essential Classics this week.
The Gloaming, MAK, F.Shaw, S.Walker all at once. Does it get any better than this!

[Padraig]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w7cjXAtpJ4

I'm learning this on the whistle..... well, kind of! You know the slow bit at the start? That's the boy!

[Padraig]

Whilst I found Riverdance exciting at the time, and marvelled at how it fairly raised the profile of Ireland and Irish dancing, I enjoy this much much more. Is this the real McCoy? Or am I a bit weird?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lMBQPr8Y9w

[french frank]

Whilst I found Riverdance exciting at the time, and marvelled at how it fairly raised the profile of Ireland and Irish dancing, I enjoy this much much more. Is this the real McCoy? Or am I a bit weird?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lMBQPr8Y9w

Made me instantly want to know the orgin of the word 'deft' - 'neatly skilful' seems right (don't know why it has the same origin as 'daft'). I was trying to pick out a recurring pattern but it wasn't obvious.

[Padraig]

Made me instantly want to know the orgin of the word 'deft' - 'neatly skilful' seems right (don't know why it has the same origin as 'daft'). I was trying to pick out a recurring pattern but it wasn't obvious.

Thanks for that, f f. A reply was not anticipated; and such an interesting reply.
Deft is right. It's a complicated looking hornpipe and can draw out the showy side of the dancer. But not with Ms Tubridy.

I notice that the tune has a complicated form too, which may explain the difficulty in picking out a recurring pattern. Tunes typically have two strains, say A and B, each consisting of eight bars, giving a tune of AA BB, itself repeated. However here A is a typical eight bars repeated, but B is a 16-bar strain, repeated. Having suggested that variation, I have not yet discovered the full pattern of the dance.