A few months ago when you could listen to “Blue Star Radio” on the web, I heard Cormac Breatnach’s version of “Si Beag, Si Mor.” I immediately fell in love with it and haven’t been able to get it out of my head.
However, I can’t find a recording of this version anywhere. I know it is on some compilation CDs–Celtic Twilight, and that sort of thing; but I don’t particularly want to buy a whole CD I know nothing about. I believe this tune is on Cormac’s former group Deiseal’s first album, “Long Long Note,” but I can’t find this for sale anywhere, either. I’ve emailed Cormac but I’m sure it will be a while before I get an answer as he is probably very busy.
Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this? I would really appreciate any info! I’ve done exhaustive internet searches and perused every music website I can think of.
Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this? I would really appreciate any info! I’ve done exhaustive internet searches and perused every music website I can think of.
Wow, Tony, that is certainly a lot of research/links. Thanks for your hard work! I listened to all of them and the 60 second or so clip from this link you found is the one I want:
Thanks for finding it. I wish they had the whole thing…then I could try to learn it by ear (Cormac’s version).
Philippe Varlet of Celticgrooves.com emailed me today and told me he could order Deiseal’s first CD for me. Has anyone heard this CD before? Is the whole CD as good as this tune? Thanks for your responses.
Cees, that was 15-20 minutes work… Tops!
I have you to thank…
One of those links I hit today was a musician with an unusual stringed instrument called ‘The Stick’ It was invented around 1970 but this is the first time I’ve seen or heard of it.
I’ve spent the last three hours researching websites of musicians using this instrument, listening to sound files and checking out some really awesome videos.
Cees - I found a full length MP3 of the tune… e-mail me if you’re interested and I’ll arrange a download for you.
Tony - I used to be a huge fan of a Canadian fingerstyle guitarist named Bruce Cockburn, and he had a fantastic stick player in his band named Fergus Marsh.
I’ve only seen one other person play one, but he isn’t worth mentioning… Fergus, on the other hand, is a wizard with the instrument.
Raindog,
it started with this link: http://www.leoagosselin.com/listen2.html
This guys music is awesome and he had a link back to the main page of the Chapman Stick: http://www.stickenterprises.com/
There are about 20 musicians featured (linked) from the stick website. Nearly all of them are using the stick to make some really nice sounds.
Yes it’s a GREAT version of the tune that was recorded for a series of 3 shows on Irtrad called ‘River of Sound’. It featured every major Irish artist you could think of - Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Mal Mercier, Cormac and countless others. It was presented by pianist Michael O’(Sullivan in Irish - can’t spell it).
There is a CD by the same name with all the highlights, but not sure if it’s still available.
By the way it’s played on a Goldie Overton Alto F. Beautiful…
Parkwood,
No, I haven’t heard the version you are talking about. The one I wanted is Cormac playing a whistle (or it could possibly be a flute) accompanied by someone on a guitar–no other instruments. Just about the loveliest tune I have ever heard! (This version of it, anyway.)
Raindog,
Words cannot thank you enough!! I’ve said it many times before, and I will say it again…the people on this board are the nicest, coolest, best people around. So willing to help others out, even when they don’t know them. Thank you so much! You have made my day!
PS Hey, does anyone know what key this version is played in? I guess I could go down to my piano and figure it out. I do know I don’t have any whistles in this key..(I’ve got D, C, and Bb whistles.)
MCM Transatlantic Whistle Detective Agency - no case too small.
Branches in London and Salt Lake City
[ This Message was edited by: Cees on 2002-09-27 10:46 ]
Stick, you want stick? Tony Levin, particularly his stuff with King Crimson. Tony has played with everyone: From John Lennon to Peter Gabriel. He even played in front of JFK at the ripe old age of 15 years old…er, but not with a stick of course.
Tony’s primarily a bass player, so if you want to hear the more unusual type Chapman Stick stuff, you have to look to his King Crimson or Solo stuff.
Now Bruce Cockburn, one of his songs often comes to mind while spending time here on the message board: “If I had a Rocket Launcher…” I better not finish that line…
