Things said that make ya think... or at least... made me think...
25/07/10 10:55
I recently had one of my
fiddle students - come into the pub - to hear us play
on this past Tuesday evening. She came in with a few
friends - and said when she walked into
St. Stephen's
Green... it
was like stepping out of the NJ shore... and
magically into Ireland... I knew what she meant...
for the feel is definitely distiinct... and it's not
just in the cozy atmosphere of the rich wood, the
antique lamps & lighting, the warm colors, the
good food...
It's much more than that... it's the friendliness of the staff and the other patrons - as well. She was amazed that she was so quickly chatting away with folks she'd never met before, who were there to hear the music and pass the evening, and pleased to find she was enveloped into this large, friendly atmosphere - where everyone seems to belong... both young and old...
Then, she said something that made me think, which is what this post on my site is all about... She said, not only was the music & songs fantastic... but she loved watching the personal interaction between us musicians in the band as we played. The constant eye contact between us, the smiling... the laughing and the kinship we all hold - towards each other... is evidently clear. (Gee! See why i love them!)
This got me thinking a great deal, about the wonderful folks we play with each week. Both those who come in and join along in our session once in a while, and those that are regulars, and dwell within "The Boys of County O'Cean" on a regular basis & for gigs... and how fortunate we are... to have such great musicians, wonderful connection, and great friends...
(Here's Bob Schmidt... he monitors how much diet coke i drink... HE says, it's got caffeine in it... and makes me play fiddle - WAYYY too fast! lol... idk... maybe he's right... But what IS "too fast" when he's a former member of the 'Barn Burners'? LOL!!)
BUT ANYWAY... The 'core band' has become quite close knit in the 3.5 steady years we've been at St. Stephen's Green now. We know, and can usually expect - what each other is doing, or gonna do... We know our musical sets, though they're always evolving... and we just laugh when things accidently run amuck in a set of tunes, or a song... but either way, I think the key - is that we all listen acutely to each other intently... knitting together our melodies - and we end up balancing each other out... It's just such a cool thing... and a beautiful, and rare gift.
I think the beauty of what we have... is that we all try to bring out the very best - in each other... We don't ever try to PLAY OVER one another... or try to be louder, or better than anyone else... we just play to compliment each other... and augment what the others are doing... as best, and as beautifully as we each can... which i think... is why we always seem to gel so well, AND bring joy to the listeners and make them happy!
My student told me she loved watching us - as we connected with each other in our music... And that we laughed a lot, and it was easy to see we were having a good time... as we set out what we were gonna play.. be it - a tune set, or a song... OR... as we expressed our feelings on what we had JUST played... and our thoughts on that (usually saying.... THAT WAS WAY TOO FAST!) lol...
I realized also... that we've really focused not only on the 'band' but we've always tried to encorporate the patrons in our sights and considerations during the evening. For example... playing waltzes for the couples who come in and want to dance, or playing lively tunes for the children who come to the front of our platform to watch us... and we see their little feet moving their bodies to our music... And Lyn, our resident Bodhran/percussion member - always brings along her bag of musical goodies each week, and lends them to the kids... giving them egg shakers, or assorted percussion instruments - for the children to feel like they can play along and dance their little joyful dances, because they just can't sit still at the table anymore with Mom & Dad... and their parents are glad for their dancing - for it makes them sleep better when they get home!
So we mix the songs, jigs, reels, polkas... hornpipes... airs... so as to not only make it interseting for the band musicians... but pleasing for the customers... When there's a lull in the pub... and people are dining, or talking quietly... we try to play gentler... when it's picking up... and getting lively... and things have a 'party' edge... we crank it up a knotch... It's just being sensitive - to each other and to the environment of the pub in that moment... and of who's IN the pub... at that time... I just thought - it was a pretty interesting observation... Soo... for what it's worth... Read More...
It's much more than that... it's the friendliness of the staff and the other patrons - as well. She was amazed that she was so quickly chatting away with folks she'd never met before, who were there to hear the music and pass the evening, and pleased to find she was enveloped into this large, friendly atmosphere - where everyone seems to belong... both young and old...
Then, she said something that made me think, which is what this post on my site is all about... She said, not only was the music & songs fantastic... but she loved watching the personal interaction between us musicians in the band as we played. The constant eye contact between us, the smiling... the laughing and the kinship we all hold - towards each other... is evidently clear. (Gee! See why i love them!)
This got me thinking a great deal, about the wonderful folks we play with each week. Both those who come in and join along in our session once in a while, and those that are regulars, and dwell within "The Boys of County O'Cean" on a regular basis & for gigs... and how fortunate we are... to have such great musicians, wonderful connection, and great friends...
(Here's Bob Schmidt... he monitors how much diet coke i drink... HE says, it's got caffeine in it... and makes me play fiddle - WAYYY too fast! lol... idk... maybe he's right... But what IS "too fast" when he's a former member of the 'Barn Burners'? LOL!!)
BUT ANYWAY... The 'core band' has become quite close knit in the 3.5 steady years we've been at St. Stephen's Green now. We know, and can usually expect - what each other is doing, or gonna do... We know our musical sets, though they're always evolving... and we just laugh when things accidently run amuck in a set of tunes, or a song... but either way, I think the key - is that we all listen acutely to each other intently... knitting together our melodies - and we end up balancing each other out... It's just such a cool thing... and a beautiful, and rare gift.
I think the beauty of what we have... is that we all try to bring out the very best - in each other... We don't ever try to PLAY OVER one another... or try to be louder, or better than anyone else... we just play to compliment each other... and augment what the others are doing... as best, and as beautifully as we each can... which i think... is why we always seem to gel so well, AND bring joy to the listeners and make them happy!
My student told me she loved watching us - as we connected with each other in our music... And that we laughed a lot, and it was easy to see we were having a good time... as we set out what we were gonna play.. be it - a tune set, or a song... OR... as we expressed our feelings on what we had JUST played... and our thoughts on that (usually saying.... THAT WAS WAY TOO FAST!) lol...
I realized also... that we've really focused not only on the 'band' but we've always tried to encorporate the patrons in our sights and considerations during the evening. For example... playing waltzes for the couples who come in and want to dance, or playing lively tunes for the children who come to the front of our platform to watch us... and we see their little feet moving their bodies to our music... And Lyn, our resident Bodhran/percussion member - always brings along her bag of musical goodies each week, and lends them to the kids... giving them egg shakers, or assorted percussion instruments - for the children to feel like they can play along and dance their little joyful dances, because they just can't sit still at the table anymore with Mom & Dad... and their parents are glad for their dancing - for it makes them sleep better when they get home!
So we mix the songs, jigs, reels, polkas... hornpipes... airs... so as to not only make it interseting for the band musicians... but pleasing for the customers... When there's a lull in the pub... and people are dining, or talking quietly... we try to play gentler... when it's picking up... and getting lively... and things have a 'party' edge... we crank it up a knotch... It's just being sensitive - to each other and to the environment of the pub in that moment... and of who's IN the pub... at that time... I just thought - it was a pretty interesting observation... Soo... for what it's worth... Read More...
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A most unusual gig...
21/05/10 14:41
We played Saturday
afternoon, for most wonderful family…
An elderly man named John, hired us for an unusual, and rather heart warming gig. We were engaged to play for his family at a ‘party’ at his home… which we learned, was his very own… Irish Wake.
Finding out that he was terminally ill, John decided, rather than wait… he wanted to throw a huge party NOW… and celebrate life, and his family – while he could be there himself - to enjoy it. So with his beloved ones gathered around him, he gloried in the beautiful afternoon, spent with his family and dear friends who came from near and far.
Honestly, isn’t this what living should really be all about? Being with who you really love, doing what makes you happy? Everything else will fall into place... John didn't wait... he's living now and he celebrated life. What a beautiful lesson we can take from this… We must live each day, each moment like it really IS your last… and be with who you truly love… Just BE happy!
I saw this family throughout the day, leaning on each other, bonding, holding, supporting, loving, recalling the past, laughing over things, crying over things, and all the while, the children and grand children were romping & playing. The air rang with the children’s laughter, and our tunes…
This was a bittersweet day... Friends and family gathering together to celebrate life, and love and through the harder moments of scattered tears… But I saw through it all, that it was really about a love that will never be lost… and will – for certain, be found again on the other side - of this hard time they were facing…
The celebration of the life of a wonderful, and much admired man… who just wanted to be there, and to see it lived to the fullest, by his family.
Though I’d just met them, it seemed to be a beautiful life lesson he imparted. LIVE, LOVE and enjoy... this isn’t a dress rehearsal… do what you really want… now.
God Bless you John… and God Bless your family…
Read More...
An elderly man named John, hired us for an unusual, and rather heart warming gig. We were engaged to play for his family at a ‘party’ at his home… which we learned, was his very own… Irish Wake.
Finding out that he was terminally ill, John decided, rather than wait… he wanted to throw a huge party NOW… and celebrate life, and his family – while he could be there himself - to enjoy it. So with his beloved ones gathered around him, he gloried in the beautiful afternoon, spent with his family and dear friends who came from near and far.
Honestly, isn’t this what living should really be all about? Being with who you really love, doing what makes you happy? Everything else will fall into place... John didn't wait... he's living now and he celebrated life. What a beautiful lesson we can take from this… We must live each day, each moment like it really IS your last… and be with who you truly love… Just BE happy!
I saw this family throughout the day, leaning on each other, bonding, holding, supporting, loving, recalling the past, laughing over things, crying over things, and all the while, the children and grand children were romping & playing. The air rang with the children’s laughter, and our tunes…
This was a bittersweet day... Friends and family gathering together to celebrate life, and love and through the harder moments of scattered tears… But I saw through it all, that it was really about a love that will never be lost… and will – for certain, be found again on the other side - of this hard time they were facing…
The celebration of the life of a wonderful, and much admired man… who just wanted to be there, and to see it lived to the fullest, by his family.
Though I’d just met them, it seemed to be a beautiful life lesson he imparted. LIVE, LOVE and enjoy... this isn’t a dress rehearsal… do what you really want… now.
God Bless you John… and God Bless your family…
Read More...
May Day... Beltane Celebration!
02/05/10 09:13
On the
beautiful, balmy evening of April 30th... We
gathered with a few of our musical friends... and
welcomed in Spring time! After the long, cold,
snowy winter... Spring has come, curtained in the
wonderful scent of flowers, earth, moss and pine.
We welcomed it's imminent approach, and I
couldn't help but feel the anticipation - for the
wonderful evenings that are right around the corner and
so quickly approaching... and I can't wait to
feel the breezes that usually caress the evenings...
after working in the garden during the day here
at the shore.
So this evening... we played lively tunes... and sang OHHH so many wonderful songs - over at "The Irish Peddler" in Brick, NJ... This is a lovely shop run by Laura Seigel Lynch... And FYI... If you haven't checked out her Irish shop yet... you're missing a great treasure... she's got a lovely variety of nice items there, very moderately priced... and if you're looking for that perfect gift for someone... (or yourself!) you will probably find it there! I indulged myself... after we'd played a good part of the evening... when I discovered a most beautiful, Moonstone ring... set in stirling silver... that - struck me as a perfect accessory for the rather mystical, etherial feeling of the night... I'm NOT an impulse purchase kinda girl... but... this just CALLED me!
So now I guess you're wondering... WHAT IS Beltane? It's the celebration of what we refer to as "May Day" - is... But in the Celtic Genre... "Beltane" is the magical celebration of springtime & new life... In ancient Celtic times... it was believed that on this day - the veil between the human world and the magical world was the thinnest... so that the fairies could come and intermingle with us... and make merry and - of course... mischief! In preparation of this day... folks placed garlands of rowan and hawthorne around their doors to keep the mischievous fairies AWAY!
But for this evening... being the "Plan B" kinda girl i am... I figured... if the garlands didn't keep the mischievous fairies away... maybe the sight of what could possibly be perceived as an amazon sized - six foot tall 'fairy' - just might! No mischief goin' on here thank you!!! haha!
Now, folks here in our good old USA use to celebrate Beltane - but we had known it as "May Day"... and we use to put up a "May Pole" to dance around... bedecked with shimmering ribbons of vibrant, brilliant multitudes of colors... Each dancer would hold the end of the ribbon... and circle the pole, dancing for joy... We also used baskets brimming with flowers... for decorating, and then... sometimes even create a little gift of some sort... usually a basket with a few Spring flowers bound in a pretty ribbon... and leave them on a door step for a favorite friend to discover first thing in the morning... or some kind of small token, mystery surprise that you felt might bring a smile to someone you adored... It was a fun distraction from our every day lives... that we'd hope would bring a smile and unexpected joy to a friend. But now I think... why did we stop doing this? Have our lives gotten too busy to remember to do a ramdom act of kindness... perhaps... Hum... just something to think about!
So enjoy your day! Embrace beauty! Show someone - a random act of kindness... and more likely than not... it will come back to you ten fold...
Read More...
So this evening... we played lively tunes... and sang OHHH so many wonderful songs - over at "The Irish Peddler" in Brick, NJ... This is a lovely shop run by Laura Seigel Lynch... And FYI... If you haven't checked out her Irish shop yet... you're missing a great treasure... she's got a lovely variety of nice items there, very moderately priced... and if you're looking for that perfect gift for someone... (or yourself!) you will probably find it there! I indulged myself... after we'd played a good part of the evening... when I discovered a most beautiful, Moonstone ring... set in stirling silver... that - struck me as a perfect accessory for the rather mystical, etherial feeling of the night... I'm NOT an impulse purchase kinda girl... but... this just CALLED me!
So now I guess you're wondering... WHAT IS Beltane? It's the celebration of what we refer to as "May Day" - is... But in the Celtic Genre... "Beltane" is the magical celebration of springtime & new life... In ancient Celtic times... it was believed that on this day - the veil between the human world and the magical world was the thinnest... so that the fairies could come and intermingle with us... and make merry and - of course... mischief! In preparation of this day... folks placed garlands of rowan and hawthorne around their doors to keep the mischievous fairies AWAY!
But for this evening... being the "Plan B" kinda girl i am... I figured... if the garlands didn't keep the mischievous fairies away... maybe the sight of what could possibly be perceived as an amazon sized - six foot tall 'fairy' - just might! No mischief goin' on here thank you!!! haha!
Now, folks here in our good old USA use to celebrate Beltane - but we had known it as "May Day"... and we use to put up a "May Pole" to dance around... bedecked with shimmering ribbons of vibrant, brilliant multitudes of colors... Each dancer would hold the end of the ribbon... and circle the pole, dancing for joy... We also used baskets brimming with flowers... for decorating, and then... sometimes even create a little gift of some sort... usually a basket with a few Spring flowers bound in a pretty ribbon... and leave them on a door step for a favorite friend to discover first thing in the morning... or some kind of small token, mystery surprise that you felt might bring a smile to someone you adored... It was a fun distraction from our every day lives... that we'd hope would bring a smile and unexpected joy to a friend. But now I think... why did we stop doing this? Have our lives gotten too busy to remember to do a ramdom act of kindness... perhaps... Hum... just something to think about!
So enjoy your day! Embrace beauty! Show someone - a random act of kindness... and more likely than not... it will come back to you ten fold...
Read More...
Music on the water - April 2010
19/04/10 17:52
With our instruments and
my bike we headed out in search for a bit of warmth
& sunshine…
We spent - one of many lovely mornings… playing tunes on the stern of the ship, while the crew went through their routine, emergency procedures… (FYI… the emergency horns sound in the key of G)
I felt briefly - like the fiddler on the Titanic… playing as the crew lowered the life rafts into the water... It was a little creepy, so I stopped thinking that way -cause I was starting to seriously freak myself out!
We travelled with some lovely friends
and had a marvelous time of fun, laughter and exploring the entire time…
The ‘boys’ had way too much fun… uh...oh wait… IS there such a thing? I think NOT...
We got back to Flagler Beach, Fla... First chance i got, I grabbed my bike and headed out for some exercise - to work off some of the indulgences from the cruise...
Took a long... glorious ride all along A1A… from Flagler Beach, north to the Matanzas Inlet in St. John’s County… it was a spectacular 32 mile ride… even after that... i didn't want to stop riding!!! It was freaking fantastic!
But I did learn - that you can’t smile - when you ride your bike down in Florida… or you get some serious bugs - stuck in your teeth!
So friends... we'll be BACK this Tuesday, 4/20 leading session, & playin' our wild Irish music as usual, but we'll be Juuussttttt a little bit tanner! So, See ya at the "Green" (if you're cool) 7 to 10 pm !
We spent - one of many lovely mornings… playing tunes on the stern of the ship, while the crew went through their routine, emergency procedures… (FYI… the emergency horns sound in the key of G)
I felt briefly - like the fiddler on the Titanic… playing as the crew lowered the life rafts into the water... It was a little creepy, so I stopped thinking that way -cause I was starting to seriously freak myself out!
We travelled with some lovely friends
and had a marvelous time of fun, laughter and exploring the entire time…
The ‘boys’ had way too much fun… uh...oh wait… IS there such a thing? I think NOT...
We got back to Flagler Beach, Fla... First chance i got, I grabbed my bike and headed out for some exercise - to work off some of the indulgences from the cruise...
Took a long... glorious ride all along A1A… from Flagler Beach, north to the Matanzas Inlet in St. John’s County… it was a spectacular 32 mile ride… even after that... i didn't want to stop riding!!! It was freaking fantastic!
But I did learn - that you can’t smile - when you ride your bike down in Florida… or you get some serious bugs - stuck in your teeth!
So friends... we'll be BACK this Tuesday, 4/20 leading session, & playin' our wild Irish music as usual, but we'll be Juuussttttt a little bit tanner! So, See ya at the "Green" (if you're cool) 7 to 10 pm !
St Paddy's Day Session - 2010
18/03/10 14:36
As much anticipated...
the night of the St Paddy's Day - Session - at St.
Stephen's Green was purely magical!
So many friends... old friends, new friends and friends we've just met and shared a laugh, a song or a smile with... all came out to enjoy the evening and celebrate! Below - is Matt and his son... their lovely wife was the photographer on this evening...
Joanne O'Shaughnessy - Photographer! Check out her site!
As always... ‘Dave’ the Chef at St. Stephen's Green was in high gear, whipping up his marvelous delights for everyone... and the lovely bartenders and wait-staff were buzzin around - busy as bees... keepin’ everyone happy - while the patrons laughed... danced and chatted the night away.
The music was fun and lively as always… and the night flew by… as if on the wings of song…
Phil & Frank held some ‘reel’ solid melody… Phil with his most expressive, and sometimes humorous uilleann pipe tunes… and Frank playing his most magical flute…(it’s the ‘luck of the Irish’ you know) or singing songs in his fine, Irish voice – some in his native Gaelic tongue… and some good old favorites - that had us all – band and patrons… laughing and singin’ along.
Put both the ‘boys’ (Phil & Frank) onto their whistles… and they make people dance with their whistle duets that just demand a solid, heart beat of a drum and here comes Lyn & I in “Stereo Bodhran”… haha… I love fooling around with the drum… but Lyn’s the steady one… and she’s most patient while I just horse around!
But my fiddle was itchin’ to get playin' yesterday… I swear it almost held a spirit - all of it’s own, I could FEEL it… and I was merely the one who just happened to have - the key to unlock that ancient power…
There were whisps of rosin - rising off my strings - as I played, for I could see them - drifting up into the lights… but I wasn’t sure if it was really rosin rising up… or smoke from the heat at which we played our tunes… ‘Cause I think - at one point - the strings got rather hot to the touch… Oh yes… we were in high gear… (the band HATES it when I drink Coke with Caffeine!!!!) and the tunes got going a weeeee bit fast & rockin'…
BUT… I slowed it down - here and there - with a good song… lowering everyone’s pulse rates down - just a bit… that - and I was kinda afraid Bob’s arm was going to bust into flames from the speed at which he was playing rhythm guitar… keeping up with us…
Ah yes… Bob… always laughs at getting thrown ‘under the bus’… yet somehow comes up – with amazing accompaniments - every time - on that EE-GADS guitar of his… for even tunes he’d never heard me play before… His quick ear and solid mastery of this wild Irish music we make… leaves us amazed at his skills, whether guitar or octave mando… he’s a #1 champ…
Then... there's Rich - yes, the Banjo is last... but he had fingers & toes tappin’ with his lively, sparkling banjo medleys – and his always surprising song or two… And we had a friend come join us – Rich Carty from the Pineland’s Folk Music & Basketry Center… with his Bouzouki… (here's Rich B... & Rich C.)
and we had Tom Geary come in with a few songs, as well as Pam Pertgen - to share her “Fields of Athenry” in her lovely, crystalline voice…
So it was a very - very good night… and now we’re all looking forward to a weeeee little bit of a rest… BEFORE NEXT TUESDAY… when we’ll kick it up again! Thanks all you folks for comin' out! It's ALWAYS a party!
Read More...
So many friends... old friends, new friends and friends we've just met and shared a laugh, a song or a smile with... all came out to enjoy the evening and celebrate! Below - is Matt and his son... their lovely wife was the photographer on this evening...
Joanne O'Shaughnessy - Photographer! Check out her site!
As always... ‘Dave’ the Chef at St. Stephen's Green was in high gear, whipping up his marvelous delights for everyone... and the lovely bartenders and wait-staff were buzzin around - busy as bees... keepin’ everyone happy - while the patrons laughed... danced and chatted the night away.
The music was fun and lively as always… and the night flew by… as if on the wings of song…
Phil & Frank held some ‘reel’ solid melody… Phil with his most expressive, and sometimes humorous uilleann pipe tunes… and Frank playing his most magical flute…(it’s the ‘luck of the Irish’ you know) or singing songs in his fine, Irish voice – some in his native Gaelic tongue… and some good old favorites - that had us all – band and patrons… laughing and singin’ along.
Put both the ‘boys’ (Phil & Frank) onto their whistles… and they make people dance with their whistle duets that just demand a solid, heart beat of a drum and here comes Lyn & I in “Stereo Bodhran”… haha… I love fooling around with the drum… but Lyn’s the steady one… and she’s most patient while I just horse around!
But my fiddle was itchin’ to get playin' yesterday… I swear it almost held a spirit - all of it’s own, I could FEEL it… and I was merely the one who just happened to have - the key to unlock that ancient power…
There were whisps of rosin - rising off my strings - as I played, for I could see them - drifting up into the lights… but I wasn’t sure if it was really rosin rising up… or smoke from the heat at which we played our tunes… ‘Cause I think - at one point - the strings got rather hot to the touch… Oh yes… we were in high gear… (the band HATES it when I drink Coke with Caffeine!!!!) and the tunes got going a weeeee bit fast & rockin'…
BUT… I slowed it down - here and there - with a good song… lowering everyone’s pulse rates down - just a bit… that - and I was kinda afraid Bob’s arm was going to bust into flames from the speed at which he was playing rhythm guitar… keeping up with us…
Ah yes… Bob… always laughs at getting thrown ‘under the bus’… yet somehow comes up – with amazing accompaniments - every time - on that EE-GADS guitar of his… for even tunes he’d never heard me play before… His quick ear and solid mastery of this wild Irish music we make… leaves us amazed at his skills, whether guitar or octave mando… he’s a #1 champ…
Then... there's Rich - yes, the Banjo is last... but he had fingers & toes tappin’ with his lively, sparkling banjo medleys – and his always surprising song or two… And we had a friend come join us – Rich Carty from the Pineland’s Folk Music & Basketry Center… with his Bouzouki… (here's Rich B... & Rich C.)
and we had Tom Geary come in with a few songs, as well as Pam Pertgen - to share her “Fields of Athenry” in her lovely, crystalline voice…
So it was a very - very good night… and now we’re all looking forward to a weeeee little bit of a rest… BEFORE NEXT TUESDAY… when we’ll kick it up again! Thanks all you folks for comin' out! It's ALWAYS a party!
Read More...