Well done, Queenie!
- Not a bad tune, eh?
- Is it folk?
- Is it traditional?
- Does it matter?
A chronicle of 'doings' for posterity... and other things of little consequence!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Being Friday the 25th of May, 2012 ...
A warm, balmy evening:
We had to keep the doors open to create a refreshing draught.
A songbird in a neighbour’s tree seemed to enjoy the music
and regularly accompanied in precisely the correct pitch!
Berry knows about birds: even without seeing it, he
authoritatively declared that it must be a fringilla coelebs. (That’s a
chaffinch to you and me; nobody argued.)
I Could Easily Fall in Love with You: Berry & Ken
Hey Jude: Paul
Bruton Town (Bramble Briar): Colin & Laura
Rare Old Times: Lynda
Stagolee: Roland
J'ai Deux Amours: Angela
Songbird: Elayne
Waiting for the Times to get Better: Mick & Marion
Somewhere Along the Road: Laura & Colin
Grey Funnel Line: Nigel
North Country Maid: Mave
Leaving London: Ken
Hold on Tight to Your Dreams: Berry
Battle of New Orleans: Paul
My Lover's Gone: Laura & Colin
Orphan Girl: Lynda
Liverpool Judies: Roland
Geordie: Colin
Things We said Today: Berry & Ken
Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone: Angela & Paul
The Ash Grove: Elayne
Peg and Awl: Mick & Marion
The Climber: Marion & Mick
Lord Franklin: Nigel
Waiting at the Church: Mave
Fan-Light Fanny: Ken
Crying, Waiting, Hoping: Paul
Clever Tom Clinch: Laura
Dancing at Whitsun: Colin
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Lynda
Five Years' Time: Angela
Scarborough Fair: Elayne
Your Are my Sunshine: Mick & Marion
Good Old Apple Wine: Marion & Mick
Pleasant and Delightful: Nigel
Our Singing will Never be Done: Mave
Let's all hope that Mave's closing contribution is prophetic!
Addendum:
(01/06/2012)
I wrote that 'nobody argued', but Angela subsequently contended that it was a song thrush, (renowned for mimicry,) that shared our entertainment ...
Addendum:
(01/06/2012)
I wrote that 'nobody argued', but Angela subsequently contended that it was a song thrush, (renowned for mimicry,) that shared our entertainment ...
 |
| turdus philomelos |
If you follow this link - turdus philomelos - I think you'll agree.
Shame about that generic name: it has no relationship to vulgar Anglo-Saxon useage.
Philomela was an Athenian princess who, after being raped by her brother-law, had her tongue cut out so she couldn't tell of her defilement. Then, according to Ovid, she became a song bird. Her name in ancient Greek possibly translates as 'song-loving'.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A Tribute to Robin Gibb ...
The New York Mining Disaster, 1941 ... never happened!
However, in 1966 we were all shocked at the news of the landslide of a spoil tip in Aberfan.
Barry Gibb wrote a plaintive song that was inspired by that tragedy. The song and title do not refer to that catastrophe: perhaps because it was first released for the US market.
(There's a better video on youtube here, but embedding is disabled.)
Of course, it came to my mind yesterday upon the announcement of Robin Gibb's death.
Is this folk music?
Perhaps not, but it could be.
Just luxuriate in Robin's fine tenor voice and harmonies.
This was music of our time.
Will our grandchildren be singing/playing it in 100 years from now?
Will they know what it's about?
If not, why not?
However, in 1966 we were all shocked at the news of the landslide of a spoil tip in Aberfan.
Barry Gibb wrote a plaintive song that was inspired by that tragedy. The song and title do not refer to that catastrophe: perhaps because it was first released for the US market.
(There's a better video on youtube here, but embedding is disabled.)
Of course, it came to my mind yesterday upon the announcement of Robin Gibb's death.
Is this folk music?
Perhaps not, but it could be.
Just luxuriate in Robin's fine tenor voice and harmonies.
This was music of our time.
Will our grandchildren be singing/playing it in 100 years from now?
Will they know what it's about?
If not, why not?
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Being Friday the 18th of May, 2012 ...
So, what did happen in Dogsbody's absence?
... apart from this:
Lynda and Angela took charge of infrastructure and logistics, while Mike was cajoled into being MC at short notice.
Thank you to them, and to everyone else who undoubtedly contributed to the evening's proceedings.
Angela diligently documented the following musical doings:
Down Where the Drunkards Roll: Mike
I'll Fly Away: Angela
All Over the World: Lynda
Off to California: Roland
Now that the Buffalo's Gone: Les
Wild Mountain Thyme: Eddie
Medieval Feast: Lorna
The Bells of Rhymney: Tony
12-String Tune: Mick
Pilgrim Song: Jane
All of Me: Berry
If had a Hammer: Mike
Why There's a Tear in my Eye: Angela
Leaving London: Lynda
Universal Soldier: Les
Will the Circle be Unbroken: Eddie
Planxty Hewlett: Lorna
Itzikel: Mick & Mike
Where Have all the Flowers Gone: Jane
I Just Want to Dance with You: Berry
I'll be Your Baby Tonight: Mike
Liza up in a Simmon Tree: Angela & Roland
Farewell, Farewell: Lynda
Blow the Man Down: Roland
People are Crazy: Les
Galway Shawl: Eddie
Waltzing Matilda/Lord of the Dance/Click go the Shears/Captain Pugwash: Lorna
Kerfunken Jig: Mick & Mike
His Eye is on the Sparrow: Paul (in sartorial elegance!)
Compline Hymn: Jane
Heart of Hearts: Berry
So, what's a 'Simmon Tree'?
The American Persimmon (diospyros virginiana) bears fruit that is quite edible to humans, provided you don't eat them prematurely. The astringent tannins in an unripe Persimmon will turn your mouth inside-out for a small eternity.
You have been warned!
... apart from this:
Lynda and Angela took charge of infrastructure and logistics, while Mike was cajoled into being MC at short notice.
Thank you to them, and to everyone else who undoubtedly contributed to the evening's proceedings.
Angela diligently documented the following musical doings:
Down Where the Drunkards Roll: Mike
I'll Fly Away: Angela
All Over the World: Lynda
Off to California: Roland
Now that the Buffalo's Gone: Les
Wild Mountain Thyme: Eddie
Medieval Feast: Lorna
The Bells of Rhymney: Tony
12-String Tune: Mick
Pilgrim Song: Jane
All of Me: Berry
If had a Hammer: Mike
Why There's a Tear in my Eye: Angela
Leaving London: Lynda
Universal Soldier: Les
Will the Circle be Unbroken: Eddie
Planxty Hewlett: Lorna
Itzikel: Mick & Mike
Where Have all the Flowers Gone: Jane
I Just Want to Dance with You: Berry
I'll be Your Baby Tonight: Mike
Liza up in a Simmon Tree: Angela & Roland
Farewell, Farewell: Lynda
Blow the Man Down: Roland
People are Crazy: Les
Galway Shawl: Eddie
Waltzing Matilda/Lord of the Dance/Click go the Shears/Captain Pugwash: Lorna
Kerfunken Jig: Mick & Mike
His Eye is on the Sparrow: Paul (in sartorial elegance!)
Compline Hymn: Jane
Heart of Hearts: Berry
So, what's a 'Simmon Tree'?
The American Persimmon (diospyros virginiana) bears fruit that is quite edible to humans, provided you don't eat them prematurely. The astringent tannins in an unripe Persimmon will turn your mouth inside-out for a small eternity.
You have been warned!
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