As some of you know, Tim O’Brien has been exploring his Irish roots in his Appalachian and bluegrass-y music; Kevin Burke, Seamus Egan, Michael McGoldrick, Karan Casey, and John Williams are a few of artists who have recorded with him on recent CDs, especially The Crossing and Two Journeys, and Tim was one of the artists joining The Chieftains on their Down the Old Plank Road. Anyway, I got this from a Tim O’Brien mailing list I’m on and thought I’d pass it along.
Tim will be appearing with the Chieftains in Washington DC at the big
July 4th celebration. The show will be broadcast live on PBS from
8-9:30 pm [eastern time] . The Chieftains portion will be in the first
ten or fifteen minutes–so don’t tune in late!
Also appearing with the Chieftains will be Earl Scruggs, Jerry
Douglas, Jeff White, Marshall Wilborn, and David McLaughlin {on
snare!}. The rest of the show will feature Dolly Parton, James
Ingram, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Of interest to Tim
fans: Tim’s cousin Tony Ames sits first chair percussion with the
NSO, so be sure and keep and eye out for him.
And here’s a link to Tim’s site. He, Maura O’Connell, and Bela Fleck have been doing a series of peace concerts, btw, as you’ll see.
http://www.timobrien.net/welcome.cfm
Carol
Heh. Well, I missed it. Anybody see it? How was it?
Carol
It was great, but it didn’t show until 9:30 here, maybe you can still catch it!
Robin
It came on at 9:00 (Eastern time) here. I could have done without the Music Man stuff at the beginning, but most of the program was a lot of fun, especially the Chieftains segment.
snorts --I think that the program could have done without billing that segment as “The Chieftains”. Some fool had the microphones so ill-mixed that you couldn’t even hear Moloney’s whistle at the beginning, nor Molloy’s flute -and a good trad flute should be able to overpower a mando any day if you give it a push. The techs involved ought to be embarrassed and think about finding another job. Paddy and Matt were both evidently aware of this unprofessionalism, and had the good grace to shrug it off and fulfill their end of the bargain in spite of all. Once in a while the pipes could be heard, almost. 
Of course, the bodhrán could be heard, no problem. :roll:
This rant being ranted (but not spent, believe me), I have to say that the segment was otherwise a fine example of American trad, the other musicians were fantastic and audible, and the pace was so smokin’ that I half expected to see the stage catch fire. They played Primrose Lasses in A, for Pete’s sake, and all I could do was watch Molloy’s relaxed and capable fingers fly, and weep…not so much out of envy, mind you, but that I COULDN’T HEAR HIM!!!. See? I told you that I’m still cheesed off. The dancers (both Irish and Appalachian) were super, and the evolution of one into the other could be detected, and it was true of the music as well. I will point out that the relationship might have been even more evident for the listener if the Chieftains themselves could have been heard. 
I couldn’t watch the rest. I played my flute instead.
Hmm, let me understand now, Nano. Could you hear the Chieftains or could you not?? You made your point with such subtlety I just wasn’t sure… 
Carol
OK, Carol, how’s this for subtle?
AAAAARRRRRRRRRRGH!
…there. I feel better now.
Oh, by the way, Carol, the show started here at 7:00 pm CST. Most likely 'twas the same for Chi-town. 
Thanks! And glad you feel better.
mops up
Carol