As some of you know I work with Carnival Cruise Lines as a stand-up comic. I was unable to be home for St. P’s to play with my band Sigean, but tonight, after my show, before I leave the stage, I will strap on the pipes and play a few tunes.
Wendell’s Wedding
and a set of jigs… Buried my Wife,etc./Jimmy Ward’s/ Rolling Waves
The orchestra will be backing me up, well the rythym instruments (guitar,bass,and drums)
That is going to take some getting used to Larry. On this St. Paddy’s day, I will enjoy the comforts of home… as I have for the last 5 years. I do not miss the chaotic goings on of the local pubs on this, the second biggest ‘amatuer night’ of the year.
Did a gig with the band in the cafeteria of a Seagate Technologies R&D center. We were there thanks to their “diversity program”, which is something that escapes me a bit as it’s, like, Saint Patrick’s Day, you know? Any other day I’d get the diversity thing.
Did a gig down the coast. Drank lemonade. Drove home, went to bed, 5 hrs later woke up, now I’m at work trying to stay awake. A class of 30+ school students should help.
Played a gig at the local bar in town. I thouraly enjoyed myself and others seemed to enjoy my piping. One of the local musicians who was performing after me came up and asked if I was tought by Willie Clancy (if I came from Ireland). This a transcriped of the conversation.
“You recognised my style of playing then” I said,
“The Old Bush gave it away…I was a big fan of the Clancy brothers”
"No I’m self tought, Willie died about ten years ago . I learn’t it of a Gael Linn recording made by him."
An exchange of numbers took place and he asked me if I could join in later. Unfortunatly I had some assignments to do when I got home . I would have thouraly enjoyed the session though. Maybe next time.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I was on the local channel seven news too. Forty seconds worth of advertsing (for free) .
Wow, that’s quite a compliment, being mentioned in the same breath as Willie Clancy. A Happy St. Patrick’s Day indeed.
No E
I’ll never ever be as good as the great Willie Clancy. Although the style I’ve developed myself is very simmilar to that of the great Clancy. It’s a cloased style of fingering with a flowing feel. I’ve always liked that about Clancy’ playing. I’m going to go into my friends recording studio next week. So maybe I can post a recording on Clips & Snips.
I did a 3 hr. afternoon gig at the local brew pub and was finished before the noise got out of hand. Sat in with friends at their Borders gig which was very quiet. In my jammies by 9:45 tonight and feeling mellow.
Just got in for the night(morning). Started at 8:00am, a fundraiser at a hotel in Port Huron, then down to a local hospital in the Detroit area for two hours, then out to New Baltimore(7pm-midnight). Great crowd, had a table of copter flyboys with the Coast Guard, they kept the night going well…the band has now definitely left the building…to bedlam ZZZZZZZ!
I’m just about to hit the cot after 7 gigs. Its 1.05am in St. Louis and my first gig was at 7 am the morning before.
But thats what I do for a living and I’m not complaining but a long feckin day.
You make hay when the sun shines!!!
For me, the bar crowds were crap tonight. Semi-rude and disinterested. I can’t bitch because I still walked away with $560 for the night and a fair few pints in my gut, but I’ve seen better years. Does it kind of drag you guys down when you look out into the crowd and can tell quite obviously that they could give a whack?
Marc
Played on Tuesday night and again lastnight. Lastnight was a bit wild. The pub where we play is small. We’re always stuck in the corner. I play guitar mostly with the group and had to do so standing up (rare for me). I have 4 or 5 piping pieces I normally play with the group. I had to get a chair brought in so I could play the first one. It was so much hassle, I didn’t play pipes again for the evening. Pity, since I had practiced those pieces quite a lot.
One more gig on Saturday night. This time we have a stage - plenty of room for seats and pipes!! Yahoo!!
The pub was too loud. The only time the crowd quieted down and cheered like mad was when our band played a set of French Canadian reels. I didn’t bother to even play the B pipes, except for a handful of curious people at the end when the chatter died down. Shame too, because I finally got them purring like I want, thanks to a very talented reed maker from France who has ¾ set like mine and lives in the Alps where the climate is similar to mine.
But we did bring a fantastic guest along, and he really stole the show. Keirnan Doohan–one of the top Irish step dancers–who placed 4th in nationals and 2nd in world comps (he married a gal here in town, so lives here now). He and his twin brother were both members of Lord of the Dance. The crowd seemed to loose interest in the band after they watched him. He nearly kicked the lights out in the ceiling. We had fun playing for him though…that was fun.
Playing in pubs can be a pisser. Either the crowd is totally uninterested or they think that they’re your best friend. Last night, when we finished our set (12.30am) two guys came up to me and wanted to borrow my guitar for a sing-song. They also wanted to “try playing that thing”.
Next time I play in a pub, I’m going to wear a t-shirt that says “Please don’t ask to borrow my pipes as a punch in the face often offends”
I played at the Faculty Club at the Univ. of California, Santa Barbara. It was rather mellow so at least we could hear ourselves. It was a grand time and my reeds were working just right. (Helps being near the ocean and the UCSB lagoon)
. I would have thouraly enjoyed the session though. Maybe next time.
.
I didn’t bother to even play the B pipes, except for a handful of curious people at the end when the chatter died down. Shame too, because I finally got them purring like I want, thanks to a very talented reed maker from France who has ¾ set like mine and lives in the Alps where the climate is similar to mine.