Saw the Cheiftains at the Ryman on Monday.....unbelievable!!

Whistle
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I’m very fortunate to have been in the audience at the Chieftains’ 40th anniversary TV taping at the Ryman in Nashville on Monday. It was unbelievable. The Chieftains were in excellent form and the guest performers were an added pleasure…Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Jeff White, Del McCoury Band, Tim O’Brian…on and on. Quite a show with Irish step dancers and the whole bit. The Chieftains, Jerry Douglas, Jeff White and several other excellent musicians were the “back-up” band for the featured performers.

The only performer who messed up and had to redo her song four times was Alison Krauss, but no one minded since we got to hear her do a beautiful song called “Molly Von” (basically the same song as “Polly Von” done by Peter, Paul & Mary). On one of the retakes, she stopped singing after a couple lines, apologized and said she was listening to Paddy’s beautiful intro on the pipes and completely forgot what she was doing. But she nailed it the fourth time and it was gorgeous. Most of the ‘country’ performers did the Irish songs better than the country music they’re famous for! I’ve never been much of an Emmylou Harris fan, but she did a slow Irish tune that blew me away, and did a phenomenal vocal job. She needs to start doing more Irish music! I’d certainly start listening to her more.

This is the first time I’ve seen the Chieftains live and they’re very humorous and just have a great time on stage…all incredibly talented musicians. Paddy was perfection on the whistle…which by the way is a Sindt D. I had my binoculars trained on his every move while playing whistle. He uses a fingering technique to get a very sweet vibrato that I’m going to work on.

It was a magical 3 hrs of Irish music, dancing, humor and musicianship, and I’m looking forward to seeing it aired on TV. There was no announcement as to when it will be aired, so just keep your eyes and ears open. You don’t want to miss this one.

Denny

Edited: Don’t know why I said Saturday in the original post. The taping was Monday evening.

[ This Message was edited by: DRC on 2002-10-02 15:39 ]

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The first time I saw the Chieftains was in that very room, 4 and a half years ago. That’s what started me on the whistle. At least 4 people I know were in the audience this Saturday night. I had considered flying in for it, but it was totally impractical so I didn’t. Paddy and the lads (or as he calls them, “girls”) put on quite a show.

Jessie

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Thanks for the review, sounds like it was an unforgettable concert! I read what you wrote to my co-worker who hosts a local folk & bluegrass show at the public radio station where we work. She was terribly impressed with the lineup! And we liked the story about angel-voiced Alison getting all human.

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Yes, they do put on quite a show. I hope you all know that they let random people play with them in the finale, which is cool.

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Ross…

It’s true they allow random people to join in the finale at regular concerts but not at TV tapings for obvious reasons. You all won’t even believe the finale in this one…spectacular would be a gross understatement!!

Denny

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I dont want to sound wrong, but is that when they had the dancers? I saw something with them on it and it was awesome. At first it was annoying and then I listened to it. Then I realized it was awesome.

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That sounds amazing, and I’m incredibly jealous!
I will indeed keep my eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils and anything else that might help, open… but if anyone hears the date for the TV airing, please try to remember to post it here!

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On 2002-10-03 17:56, Tradgirl wrote:
I dont want to sound wrong, but is that when they had the dancers? I saw something with them on it and it was awesome. At first it was annoying and then I listened to it. Then I realized it was awesome.

The finale is the last medley, obviously when the Chieftains get everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) that performed back on stage to take a solo for him/herself. If you have a ticket to one of their shows and you show up for the sound check, they will let you take a solo in the finale.