Merry Christmas to all Bouzouki players and to everybody else, too

And so this is Christmas again.

I wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

I hope to find many interesting things to present and long to hear from you. So please comment!

All the best

Klickie

Irish Reel and Jig

Craigtoo is showing his right hand technique in the first video. Later on you can see his left hand technique, too.



In the second video you can watch him playing a jig.

O'Carolan

Craigtoo is playing an O'Carolan tune on his MacDonald 5 course zouk he learned from Roger Landes. No more information available.

Heather Frahn

Another female singer and bouzouki player. Heather is a sound artist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter from Australia. For more info look at her website:
http://www.heatherfrahn.com/

Forbesbell

What a great singer and player. I really like his playing of the cittern (a Fylde, isn't it?) and his singing.
The Black Leg Miner


Rothbury Hills, Hesleyside Reel


Boys of Blue Hill, Harvest Home


Redesdale Hornipe, Because he was a bonnie lad

Linde Nijland & Bert Ridderbos live on Indian TV

A live broadcast of Linde Nijland & Bert Ridderbos, a folkduo from the Netherlands (I think) anouncing their concert in Deheli on Nov 3rd. This was part of their tour through Serbia, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and india to Bhutan.

You can find more information about their journey at their blog:
http://roadtobhutanmusic.wordpress.com/



Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/lindenijland

Another fine Video:

Andy Irvine - Erin Go Bragh

This is the opening song of his concert in Nürtingen, Germany on Nov. 22nd 2008. It was a great night, Andy played as good as ever. So I hope you enjoy this video.

Andy Irvine - Bonny Woodhall, Germany 2008

My friend irishlike took this video of the rare song Bonny Woodhall, which Andy played on his tour in Germany in Nov. 2008. Unfortunately the video is rather short. But better than nothing.

Jim Richter - Octave Mandolin

Jim Richter is a mandolin player who has published a lot of mandolin videos at youtube. Here are two videos where he is playing his Will Kimble Octave Mandolin. It is tuned GDAE.

First a Pink Floyd cover of Wish you were here


And second a tune called Over The Waterfall


Look at his website for more information: http://www.jimrichter.com

Luke Ward Tara Breen Cathal King Sean McCarthy

This is irish trad music pure and clear. luke ward on bouzouki, tara breen on fiddle, cathal king on flute and sean mccarthy on pipes playing an amazing set of tunes. Thanks to aoifewho for posting it to youtube.

Planxty - The Jolly Beggarman

Another video post by bilko. This time it's Jolly Beggarman.

Cuanla

Baillekins posted this video. A traditional Irish lurve song! accompanied on Octave Mandolin and bouzoui. The sound quality is rather bad, but it's worth to have a look at it.

Andy Irvine on tour in Germany 2008

Andy is back on tour in Germany. Last time he visited us was in Oct. 2006, when I saw him in Kall/Steinfeld in an old Cloister. Today he will be playing in Nürtingen at Club Kuckucksei. I'm very curious which songs he is going to play this evening.

My friend Tom showed me links to some new videos from that tour:

The Braes of Moneymore:


My Heart's Tonight In Ireland


The Close Shave



Mother Jones


Thanks to the uploaders!

A guide to Octave Mandolin and Bouzouki

I just saw that I mentioned this book in one of my first entrys, but forgot to give it the credit it deserves. I think this is a real worthy publication. Lots of tunes included. Every tune is written down in notation and tab. You can find the melody lines plus backup for every tune. On the enclosed CD every tune is played with melody on one channel and backup on the other channel, so you can listen only to the line you want to practise. Very useful.
Most of the tunes are traditional Irish tunes. There are some original tunes from John and some american tunes and even 2 Jazz tunes to be found, too.
More infos on John's website:
http://www.johnmcgann.com/om.html

Here you can listen to a sample from the CD: man of ulster
http://www.johnmcgann.com/MP3s/MenUlster.mp3

Here's a video by his band "The Wayfaring Strangers"

Planxty - 3 Slip Jigs

It seems like bilko is posting a new Planxty video every day. I hope this will go on for some time. Here's a great video in which Planxty are playing 3 Slip Jigs without names.

Planxty - Sally Brown, 1980 Abbey Tavern

You must have a look at this video,what a laugh. Bilko writes about this video: Christy springs this request for an old Sweeney's "Sea Shanty" on Andy which results in everyone cracking up!

Julie Fowlis photos Dorflinde, Germany published

While looking for some photos of Julie I found this photo stream by ceremony. He shot a lot of good pictures of Julie and her band at her only concert in Germany at the Dorflinde in Rüsselsheim. I was there and must admit it was a fantastic evening. So if you're interested here are the photos:

http://flickr.com/photos/lichtkrieger/sets/72157607959926067/

If anybody has got a live recording of this or other concerts of Julie please let me know.

Sea Side Shuffle

It seems as I am in the mood for Oldies. Today I came across an old favourite of mine: Sea Side Shuffle, I think this was 1973 by Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs, the band featured Jona Lewie, who later had hits like Stop the cavalry and Kitchen at parties. I had lots of fun playing that good old song. There are some mistakes in it, but who cares. Maybe I will post a better version some day.

Sorry, seems I had some troubles on uploading. Now it works. Don't take it too serious, it's all about fun!

Ruby Tuesday

A few days ago I found an old album by Melanie. I was about 10 years ago when I heard the song Ruby Tuesday for the first time. Years later I had the chance to listen to the original version by the Stones. I must say I was a bit disappointed. Melanie did a good job on that song.

I hadn't heard it for many years. So I took my Zouk and tried to play it. Well I think it works good on the zouk.

Hilary Schrauf and Eric Everson, aka Lawson

Two tunes: Eileen Curran's and The Rainy Day played on bouzouki and fiddle. Recorded at Troy Night Out, Aug. 2008.




Two hornpipes:

Ride On

This is my version of the Christy Moore classic "Ride On". Capo 3rd fret, chords just A-Modal (2202), F (2303) and G (4505) or (0020). You can find the words easily on the web.
Sorry, there are some mistakes in the lyrics of the 2nd verse.

Robin Bullock and Ken Kolodner

Robin is a zouk player extraordinaire. I found two videos in which he plays bouzouki. In the first one he plays the tunes Border Crossing/ Panhandle/ Cuckoo's Nest together with Ken Kolodner on hammered dulcimer.




Here Ken Kolodner, Robin Bullock, Colin Smith play Sean in the Mist/Glenberry Rant

Paul Doyle - Luthier

If you are looking for a bouzouki why not try one of Paul Doyle's? On these two videos he is presenting two of his instruments. On his website you can have a closer look. I like especially the bubinga and douglas fir top zouk in the first video:


In this video Paul plays a cedar top zouk:


Have a look at Paul's website at:
http://www.pauldoyleinstruments.com

Beth Patterson - Blue Blazes

A new video showing the great playing of Beth Patterson available on Youtube. I wish there were more videos available.

Andy Irvine Sandinos Derry

Yes, another video showing us Andy's playing bouzouki. My heart tonight's in Ireland.



Baneasa's Green Glades

Cyril O'Donoghue

Cyril is bouzouki player of the band Providence. I once saw them live in my hometown. Fine musicians.
Herè's what PRAK14, who posted this video to Youtube writes:
Cyril O Donoghue at Tom Steel's Ennis,Co. Clare Nov 2006

Cyril O Donoghue (vocals, bouzouki, and guitar) from Co Clare comes from a musical family with stong ties to the East Clare tradition via his father Paddy.

He has recorded with many musicians including Tola Custy, Alan Kelly, John Kelly, Michael Queally, The Mulcahy family, Fisherstreet, and Birkintree(Italy). Cyril played in Doolin in West Clare for years and has toured Europe, U S A and the Middle and Far East with various ensembles. He also recorded a solo album, 'Nothing But a Child', in 2003.



Have a look at his myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/cyrilodonoghue

Lovely tune on a Freshwater Octave Mandolin

Here's Sherlock 1310 playing a lovely tune in GDAD tuning. The tune is "The rising of the moon", but not played as it is usually is (a march) but nicely rendered.

Andy Irvine @ éistmusic, Portlaoise

Here's an interview with Andy and some Music shot at his gig at éistmusic in Kavanaghs,Portlaoise on March 14th 2008 . Many thanks to eistmusic TV for posting on youtube.

Songs: Mother Jones and an unknown new song written for a friend musician from Oslo.

Peter Cox Bouzouki

Pgidley plays on his bouzouki made by Peter Cox. Arched cedar top, walnut back and sides, mahogany neck, maple fingerboard.

Níl Sé Na Lá - Mairead & Triona Ní Dhomhnaill

What a powerful performance. Mairead & Triona Ní Dhomhnaill featuring Donal Lunny singing Níl Sé Na Lá.

Jose Antonio Higuera (Connan5)

Really fine bouzouki playing here from Jose Antonio Higuera. Two tunes:

Juli, a Pettersson & Friedriksson song (who is that?) and a Nordic trad song from Sweden.

Beth Patterson - Chaos Mongrel/Dark Stranger's Ceili

Once again a lovely video featuring the great voice and bouzouki playing of Beth Patterson, one of my favourite Bouzouki-players. So sad I had no chance to see her live up to now. I hope this guy will post some more videos.

Sweeney's Men

What a remarkable reunion. After being apart for more than 40 years Sweeney's Men reunited for this single concert at The Fiddlers Green Festival in Rostrevor, Co. Down in Northern Ireland 2007. Sadly Joe Dolan could'nt join them so Paul Brady stepped in and took his place.

I wish there were more videos of that event available. This is Sally Brown.

Ceird and Cheoil-The Bouzouki

This fantastic RTE-Programme about the bouzouki finally found it's way to youtube. Split in four parts here's a lot of information on this fine instrument. I mentioned this programme before, but here it is in fairly good quality.

Drisheen - Out on the Ocean - Jigs

Some Jigs played on flute and bouzouki

Pelle Fors

FredFrederic is playing a polska from Östergötland after a legendary fiddler named Pelle Fors (1815-1908).

Louis-Simon Lemieux - The Foxhunter

An Irish Reel played on bouzouki and fiddle

Bulgarian Twist

Alan McGuire is playing a bulgarian twist on his bouzouki at the Cruiscin Lan, cavan Ireland 08/04/08. No more information available.

The girl I left behind

This is a song I heard on an album by Andy Irvine. The story of a man leaving his lover to earn money. In the meantime she marries another man. I vain he ships to America, where he meets a woman who treats him well. But he never forgets the girl he left behind.

I saw Andy performing that song live and tried to figure out his chords. Here it is. The tab is to be found here.

Elegwen on Bouzouki

Here's great singer and player. I don't know where he's from, but I like his playing and singing a lot.

The Little Drummer



The Drunken Priests of Donegal


Land of Shadows


Midsummer Day, The Tea Party (cover)

Andy Irvine - Rambling boys of pleasure / The blacksmith

Presented by dokmdk (who is he?) come two songs by Andy Irvine. He plays a mandolin tuned GDAD, so it is no problem to play it on a bouzouki. Fantastic playing. Good to watch and learn. I hope he gives us some more songs from Andy.

Folk Tunes from Northumberland

Forbesbell is a fantastic cittern player. Love to hear more from him.

First here's Boys of Blue Hill and Harvest Home


And here are: Redesdale Hornipe, Because he was a bonnie lad

Fylde Custom made guitar-shaped bouzouki

This bouzouki (or call it cittern) is for sale at ebay.



Look here:

The seller is from Spain. His description:

Fylde custom made guitar-shaped bouzouki-cittern. 5 course, 66 cm scale. Cutaway. Made on a Fylde Alchemist body with some upgrades: Englemann spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, neck: 5 piece laminated mahogany, walnut and ash, ebony bridge and fingerboard, with pearl position markers, gold gotoh tuners. Bindings: walnut, with marquetry purfling lines on front.

Includes a Hiscox Liteflite hard case and a Headway FEQ pick-up.

The instrument is in "as new" condition with the exception of a few plectrum marks as it's been played a bit. The sound is really open, with a huge sustain, and very balanced bass and ringigng trebles.

Unfortunately I don't like guitar shaped bouzoukis a lot.

The old bush

I don't know anything about this zouk player. Fine playing, have a look.

The Well Below The Valley

I thought it's time for another zouk video from me. This time I tried to figure out an accompanyment for the old irish song "The well below the valley". I first heard this song on an old album by Planxty. Since then it was one of my favourite songs of them. But I never liked playing it, because the accompanyment is a bit boring, because if you want to you could only use one chord and it sounds correct. In Christy Moore's songbook there is only the chord Dm given.
So I tried to find my own accompanyment. Here it is, I hope you like it. PDF follows soon. Chords used: gm, F, C in different shapes, Capo 3rd fret.

Patrick Street Beo 1-3-08

What a present. A live concert of Patrick Street. Split in 4 parts.

Dead or Alive (200th entry!!!)

Wow, this is my entry no. 200!!! More than a year irish bouzouki blog.

This is a nice song played on mandola and vox. It's a song from Bon Jovi. Good work, boys.

F-Rocks - Newry Highwayman

Nice version of the song well known by Solas. Filmed live at the Bridge House in Copsale. I've got no more information so far.

French dude and his cittern

Down by the sally gardens played on a freshwater Bouzouki. Really nice.


French dude and his cittern

Andy Irvine & Paul Brady -Celtic Connections 2008

Here's a little video I found at myspacetv.com.11 minutes Andy and Paul, not very good quality, but worth a listen. Arthur McBride and the beginning of Bonny Woodhall, so sad the rest is missing.


Paul Brady & Andy Irvine

Finger Gym

Well, ok, this is a guitar lesson, but nevertheless it can help bouzouki players to strenghten the fingers of the left hand. Justin Sandercoe is the guitarist of Katie Melua's band. He's got a fine website where you can lots of information and tutorials about playing the guitar. There are some lessons which might be useful for players of the bouzuoki as well have a look, if you like at:
www.justinguitar.com.


Here's the direct link to the pdf file for this lesson:
http://www.justinguitar.com/images/TE_images/TE-001-FingerGym-tab.pdf

Another Lesson: The Spider



Here's the direct link to the pdf:
http://www.justinguitar.com/images/TE_images/TE-002-TheSpider-tab.pdf

Scale Picking, another lesson:



Here's the pdf:
http://www.justinguitar.com/images/TE_images/TE-003-ScalePicking-tab.pdf

This is a video I really enjoyed: The rolling technique:



The pdf isn't finished, yet, so we have to wait a while for this.

I think this site is really useful, not only for guitarists but also for everyone who is playing a stringed instrument. So have a look at it.

Mandocello

I like his style of playing the Mandocello. Real groovy. This song is called: "My Jaded Valentine"



"I Am Green" & "I Got A Lucky Charm"


"I'm Back Out on the Road Again"


"I Set My Sights On Timbuktu"


Dear Dave, please forgive to post your videos here, I know you requested youtube to not enable them to embed them, but I like them so much I wanted to post the here. By the way: do you want people to look at your videos or not? I think this blog is a good forum for your music.

Dominique Rivière

I already posted a video by Dominique. Here's another fine one. You should also take a look at his website:http://riviere.auzeau.org where you can find information about the bouzouki and DADGAD Guitar.

Aaron & Nathon Jones at Celtic Connections 2008

Aaron Jones on Bouzouki together with his brother Nathon on Dobro. This video has been shot at a session in the residents bat at the quality hotel at Celtic Connections 2008 in Glasgow. Poor sound, nevertheless worth a look.

Ceird an Cheoil - The trade of music instruments - Bouzouki

I once posted a link to this tv series. Now you can watch it online. It's a wonderful documentary about the Irish Bouzouki from Irelands TG4. You can see Joe Foley, Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Brendan O’Reagan, Gary Ó Briain. Get it while you can.



If the video preview does not work here's the direct link:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-1080888958353361287&q=Ceird+an+Cheoil&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=1&type=search&plindex=0

The Next Chapter

Today I got an e-mail from Jeanne Page. She found my bouzouki blog and saw the video featuring her son Adam Page. I love to get messages or e-mails from blog readers, because it gives me the feeling I'm not doing all this just for myself. So please feel free to post your messages here.

Jeanne also gave me the link to a video by her band "The Next Chapter" which also features her son Adam. This video was filmed for a television show called “Southwest Sounds”. The Next Chapter performing two original songs. "Old Time Mountain Jam" and "In The Zone." The second one features Adam on Bouzouki. The first one features a fine Hammered Dulcimer. Well worth to have a look at.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Singer from Danu

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, singer and musician of Danu fame sings "An Spealadóir" (a West Kerry song) together with Michelle Mulcahy onn accordion and Billy Mc Glynn on Bouzouki. It is followed by two reels: "The Caucus" and "The Wind That Shakes The Barley".

Recorded at the Peig Ryan Tribute Concert held in June of 2007.

Cold Frosty Morning played on Gibson Mandocello (1913)

Jimmy Moser just has bought this gem. Here's a little tune played on it.

Folk Friends present the Irish Bouzouki

Folk Friends,Germany present their Irish Bouzouki and Octave Mandolin. Have a look. They are similar to Fender or Tennessee Bouzoukis.Website: http://www.folkfriends.de/

Beth Patterson explains the tuning of a Bouzouki

In this video Beth Patterson explains the tuning GDAD of her bouzouki. She gives some examples of the advantages of this tuning.



On this video she sings a few songs and talks to her students


Here' s the song Apona


The song Quicksilver


The White Hare of Howden


Musique a Bouche


Look at: http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/musician+beth+patterson+on+tuning+and+playing+the+bouzouki

Andy Irvine & Paul Brady Baneasa's Green Glade/Mominsko Horo

Andy Irvine & Paul Brady @ Celtic Connections, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 30th Jan 2008. Baneasa's Green Glade/Mominsko Horo.The quality isn't very good, but nevertheless worth watching.

Monaghan Jig

Here's a version of the monaghan jig. I don't know anything about the zouk player.

Another chordfinder

I thought I had added this link before, but seems I have forgotten. Here's a lovely chordfinder you can use with 4-stringed instruments. It's very useful if you use the button: start at fret ...

http://chordfind.com/4-string/

Dervish

One of my favourite bands. OK, the last album is a bit disappointing. Nevertheless this is a brilliant video.



And here's "The cat she went a hunting"

Dan Beimborn - Cittern Jig

"I Buried My Wife and Danced on Top of Her" and "the Mooncoin". These were played on a 21" scale Sobell cittern. Tuning is GDAEA with a 4-course capo on the 5th, to make (G)GDAD. You must see this video, it's brilliant!

Bailliekins-Farewell to old Ireland

A new post from Bailliekins. Great playing and singing as ever. The melody is different from that of Andy Irvine.

Folk Friends Guitar Cittern

German manufacturer FolkFriends (http://www.folkfriends.de/) announcing their new Guitar Cittern. This is a cittern in guitar tuning, 6 or 12 string available. Have a look. I will try to get my hands on one of these.



Here's another fine video starring Guitar Cittern and Geyerleier:

Bodhrannf

Here's another version of a song I posted some time ago: Three drunken maidens. Bodhrannf is a teacher living in Newfoundland. Well done, sir! I like your style of playing the zouk. Here's his website: http://bodhrannf.blogspot.com/



The Lakes of Pontchartrain


Catch the wind (Donovan)


The maid behind the bar

Octave Mandolin

This is a fine piece played on an Octave Mandolin. Olivieruldry is playing an own tune, influenced by traditional music.