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.

Unfortunately John's Website is down.
More Information and Samples on melbay.com

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.