I just got home from attending a concert by Lunasa at the Phoenix Irish Heritage Center.
Both my wife and I were absolutely blown away. The group was absolutely on fire, and having a great time of it. BTW, someone really should warn Kevin that there are places where it’s not legal to have that much fun doing your job. However, I really didn’t have the heart to tell him myself. Kevin’s flute and whistle playing are breathtaking. (And his bodhran solo was great fun!) The sets where Kevin, Sean and Cillian all played whistle together were absolute magic.
All of the band hung around after the concert, signed autographs, and chatted with everyone who had a mind to. They were truly very nice folks, who were having just as much fun as thier audience was. There is no question that we will see them again whenever the slightest chance presents itself, and I highly encourage everyone else to do the same.
Sounds like the same set I saw them do at the Irish Centre in Hammersith a couple of months back.
Did they have a warm up act? For us it was young Fred Smith, a magical fiddle player, with his guitar accompanist (?) Phil. But Fred being only 14 or 15, he might not be allowed on world tours just yet.
On 2002-08-30 02:27, msheldon wrote:
I just got home from attending a concert by Lunasa at the Phoenix Irish Heritage Center.
Both my wife and I were absolutely blown away. The group was absolutely on fire, and having a great time of it. BTW, someone really should warn Kevin that there are places where it’s not legal to have that much fun doing your job. However, I really didn’t have the heart to tell him myself. > > Kevin’s flute and whistle playing are breathtaking. (And his bodhran solo was great fun!) The sets where Kevin, Sean and Cillian all played whistle together were absolute magic.
Oh sure, just rub it in. I just missed getting tickets, and Patrick put me on the waiting list, but no one was willing to part with their tickets.
However, I did get in to see Natalie McMaster when she was here a couple months ago. My girlfriend is an open championship level Irish Dancer, and she got invited with another girl to dance at the concert.
Have you been going to the friday Irish Concert series? I missed last week, was the first one I missed. So far my faves have been the Clare Voyants (I know some of the band members), and Afan, mostly because John Goode is so amazing on the whistle.
On 2002-08-30 12:57, Aodhan wrote:
Have you been going to the friday Irish Concert series? I missed last week, was the first one I missed. So far my faves have been the Clare Voyants (I know some of the band members), and Afan, mostly because John Goode is so amazing on the whistle.
Aodhan
No, I haven’t been. My wife works weekday evenings, and I haven’t had the heart to go to concerts without her. This one was special enough that she took a day off. Paul Knight and Billy Brett of the Clare Voyants are always at the Wednesday sessions at Bandersnatch, so I get to hear them pretty regularly.
I did get a CD autographed by all of the Lunasa members though.
No, I haven’t been. My wife works weekday evenings, and I haven’t had the heart to go to concerts without her. This one was special enough that she took a day off. Paul Knight and Billy Brett of the Clare Voyants are always at the Wednesday sessions at Bandersnatch, so I get to hear them pretty regularly.
I did get a CD autographed by all of the Lunasa members though. >
You go to the Wed seisun too? Hmm…which one are you? I’m usually the one hanging with the unders in that roped off section, too shy to play anything with the group.
On 2002-08-30 17:58, Aodhan wrote:
You go to the Wed seisun too? Hmm…which one are you? I’m usually the one hanging with the unders in that roped off section, too shy to play anything with the group.
Aodhan
I’m the one with the long hair and the low whistles. I don’t play much yet, but I’m working as hard as I can to improve. This week marks my first serious attempts at mastering a jig (The Swallow Tail). Though mostly I’m still concentrating on slow airs and songs.
Kevin’s flute and whistle playing are breathtaking. (And his bodhran solo was great fun!) The sets where Kevin, Sean and Cillian all played whistle together were absolute magic.