sandpaper

Great photo of Adam English from Ookla the Mok, taken at OVFF.
Photo by Jim Leonard.


I've added some more pics to the Flickr Filking Photo page.

Still sick. Throat feels like I've eaten a bowl of sandpaper. Jeff's sick now, too. From the timing, looks like it was something I brought home with me from OVFF.

Yesterday I felt a bit better and went out and saw The Incredibles yesterday with Parki after brunch at Milestones. Wow. Really, really loved this movie. I came out wanting to see it again right away. Won't say more about it until more of you have had a chance to see it except that I adored all the characters, but especially Edna.

Looks like I'm going to be AN AUNT AGAIN; Jeff's sister Larkin is pregnant! Our trip to Italy has been postponed a year so that we can all be around for the happy event in May.

re: Irish session stuff. Just found out that at least one of the people on the message boards I'm reading knows over two thousand tunes from memory. Most of the experienced session-types seem to know several hundred. Holy toledo, I have a long way to go. I also received e-mail from someone in the Toronto area who saw my posting, letting me know about the Toronto sessions, said I'd be welcome to sit in. Woohoo! And Mary Bertke said that if she's able to make GAfilk, she could do a practice session with me. Double woohoo! I finished learning Cooley's Reel on the weekend. Next up: The Boyne Hunt.

Must go find throat lozenges now. Ugh.

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royal winter fair, irish sessions

Sleepy chick at the Royal Winter Fair.


Slept most of yesterday, feel somewhat better today. Today's Blatherpics are from the Royal Winter Fair, when I visited with Ruth, Sara and Annie.

For those craving more OVFF photos, do check out:
- The Flickr Filking Photo page (Beckett, Allison, Maya, JimP, Mary have all uploaded pics)
- Jim Leonard's OVFF photos: more coming soon (he took 600+ photos!)
- Rob Wynne's OVFF photos




Mutant vegetables.


To Mary and Bill: thanks for the Irish session tips!

To those not familiar with the Irish session tradition and wondering what the heck I'm going on about: I've recently gotten interested in this because of the fun everyone in the session always seems to be having. I also am intrigued by the idea of all the tune-players (whistles, fiddlers, flutes, etc.) playing the SAME TUNE in the SAME WAY; until I started doing some research, I always figured it was just one big improvisational session.





While there is room for some individuality (the twiddles and some interpretation, especially by those leading), it seems more like one big singalong, except the singalong is instrumental. Am I making any sense?

So far I've learned the following tunes by heart:

The Swallow Tail
The Donegal Reel
The Galway Rambler
part of Cooley's Reel




Ring-tailed lemurs and a fawn taking a nap. Lemurs
always remind me of my friend Lissa,
who is a big fan of ring-tailed lemurs.


It's easier memorizing than I expected, though obviously I need to polish these to the point where I'll be able to keep up with other musicians even if I screw up AND I'll have to keep practising these to make sure they stay memorized. I keep a whistle by my computer and play through a tune or two between tasks.

I've also noticed that there are different versions of these tunes, something that will obviously become more of an issue during an actual session. Ah well, I'll cross that musical bridge when I come to it.




Weird-looking pigeon.


Some useful reference sources I've found so far (or that have been suggested to me):

The Session: discussion board, tunes. I'm a bit intimidated by all the seasoned session pros here, but have introduced myself and am learning lots already.

Session Etiquette (thanks, Bill!)

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Traditional Irish Music Sessions

Virtual Session: hosted by the BCC. Very cool...you can learn the tune from sheet music, then play it with the "virtual session."

Toronto Irish Sessions: I'm going to try checking some of these out.

Also see Mary's list of resources.

I already own "120 Favorite Irish Session Tunes", but have ordered the accompanying CDs to replace my tapes as well as the upgraded book. Bill Sutton suggested the three volumes of Irish Traditional Music by Anthony Sullivan (I think Dave Clement also recommended these at OVFF), and rumour has it that I will be getting these for Christmas from a family member, yay! :-)

Ju Honisch suggested I try a Feadog penny whistle, and I just bought one for super-cheap on eBay.




Ruth and I met Krista of Dakotaroo.com, who said she
recognized Ruth from CANSCAIP meetings and me from Blatherings.

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christine lavin and tom paxton concert

Christine Lavin at Hugh's Room last night.


Woke up sick today. Blech. Slept until noon, will likely crash again this afternoon.

Had a fantastic time with Allison at Hugh's Room last night, though. See her report on the event here. We had a great table right beside the stage, and were also delighted to run into Kathy Johnson & her husband Larry of Sound Techniques studio, who produced "Castles and Skyscrapers," our first tape.

LOVED both Christine Lavin's and Tom Paxton's concerts. Hugh's Room is a wonderful venue. Great sound system ... I couldn't help but contrast the venue to the Sloan concert I attended with Rand months ago, where I couldn't understand any of the lyrics because of the bad sound, had beer spilled on me by screaming teenyboppers who kept pushing me from behind and left the concert with temporary partial hearing loss. Still enjoyed the concert (mainly because of the company, and I do love Sloan's music), but it's not the type of venue I'd want to attend regularly.

In contrast, Hugh's Room was intimate and comfortable, and it was wonderful to actually be able to enjoy the lyrics and excellent musicianship. I was already familiar with Lavin's music, found her immensely entertaining and easygoing; I could listen to her for hours.

Although I didn't know Tom Paxton's music (Allison's much more of a old-time folky), I thoroughly enjoyed his concert. What an incredibly benevolent and sweet guy; this showed in both his on-stage intros as well as his music. The musicianship was supremely professional, especially Ken Whitely's stellar mandolin solos. Several of Paxton's songs made me teary-eyed, especially a wonderful song at the end with the chorus "Peace will come, and let it begin with me" where he taught different vocal parts to the men and women in the audience.

And at the end of the show, this two-time Grammy nominated old-timer sat on a stool by the front door to chat with anyone who was interested; both Allison and I told him how much we enjoyed his performance.

Anyway, this concert definitely rates as one of my all-time favourites.

Royal Winter Fair photos tomorrow...




Ken Whitely and Tom Paxton.

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ovff highlights (part 3)

Me, Jodi, Marlene Lusk and Allison. It was Marlene's FIRST
filk convention!


(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)

More personal highlights...

- When Paul Kwinn played Homecoming on guitar so that Allison, Jodi and I could sing it. My tendinitis is much improved, but I'm still not up to much guitarstuff yet. As a result, we've had to drop several Urban Tapestry songs in which I play guitar. Homecoming is one of these. Paul did a wonderful job; not surprising, since his group Puzzlebox covers this song. Thank you, Paul!




Paul, Seanan and Alisa perform in the Pegasus nominees' concert.


- The Pegasus nominee concert. It does tend to be several hours long, but there's always a good variety of filk songs and performers, and sometimes you get to hear performers do songs they don't normally cover. I enjoyed hearing Paul Kwinn, Alisa Garcia, and Seanan Maguire do "Black Davies Ride" by Cynthia McQuillan, for example.

- Hearing Alisa and Paul (part of Puzzlebox) perform together again.




Alisa and Scott.


- Playing Lady of the Wood with Scott Snyder, Allison and Jodi. It's a gorgeous song (by Scott) and brings back a lot of great memories.




Part of our children's concert audience. We ended up
with far more adults than kids. :-)


- Our children's concert was WAY fun to perform with Rand & Adam, and I think the audience had a good time as well, both kids and adults. :-) The playlist included: Hockey Monkey song, The Rattlin' Bog, I'm Gonna Make A Rocket Ship (my new song), Math, I'm A Believer, Columbia, Still Can't Buy Me Love.




Katy and Ju in concert, Judy signing.


- Hearing Seanan and Merav's music group perform. Such wonderful harmonies! I heard them do a one-shot as well as perform in the open filk circle.

- Kathleen Sloan asking Urban Tapestry to write her bio for the GAfilk program book. (insert evil cackle of anticipatory glee here)




Irish session filk.


- The Irish session filk. I SO enjoyed just sitting in the middle of the room and listening, letting the music flow all around, lifting me up. The joy in that room was infectious. I'd love to play along someday, not just noodling but actually being able to play the melodies along with the other session participants. Part of the reason I'm choosing the whistle is that I figure it'll be easier on my arms than the flute and guitar. I was also starting to do a bit of Celtic stuff on my harp when the tendinitis hit. Haven't been able to play harp for two years now, not sure when I'm going to be able to again.

Just looking at my harp in the corner of our living room puts a lump in my throat and an ache in my chest. I miss playing my harp more than I can say. Even writing about it is difficult.

Instead of moping about it, however, I'm trying very hard to focus on expanding my musical horizons other ways. Like singing more and learning about the Irish session tradition!




Another Irish session filk photo.


In fact, maybe some of you out there with Irish session experience can help me. I'd like to do a LOT more listening and will definitely investigate Toronto area sessions, but are there any recordings any of you can recommend for a newbie?




Ookla The Mok during a practice.


Also, I realize that REAL Irish session musicians don't learn from sheet music but being a paper-trained musician, I think it'll save me time if I do, then memorize the tunes. Can anyone recommend a good sheet music collection? I already have a music book and tapes from Homespun Tapes.




Andrea Dale.


Ironically, I was mistaken for being Irish once on the phone during my Inkspot days. An advertiser said he noticed a slight Irish accent, asked me about it. I laughed and said he wouldn't be asking if he could see me.

Though maybe he thought my last name ("Ohi") was pronounced "Oh-HEE" with an Irish lilt. :-)




Carla Ulbrich and Joe Giacoio in concert, with volunteers. Note the classy t-shirts!


Allison has been posting con reports and photos in her Livejournal, by the way, including a page of photos which includes shots of our children's concert, the beaded rings that Amanda made us, and me on penny whistle.




Allison and Rand.


Please note that I've uploaded most of these photos and will be uploading more to the Flickr Filking Group.

Hey, Allison and I are going to see Tom Paxton and Christine Lavin perform at Hugh's Room tomorrow night! I've never seen either; I am pretty hyped.




Rob, Andy, Dave and Erica.


And another HEY...Jeff actually posted in Blatherchat last night (about the chocolate bars)! I don't think he's posted there in years.




Allison, Jodi, Amanda, Scott, Bryan, Rand and Mary,
just before Scott & Amanda left.

Again, many thanks to the concom for putting this convention together. It was so wonderful to get together with old friends, and I also very much enjoyed meeting several newcomers to the filking community.

It's always hard saying good-bye at the end of the convention, but then again it's part of what makes these events so special to me. Each convention weekend is unique with its own wonderful moments of music and fellowship; deep down, you know that though there will be other enjoyable conventions, there will never be another just like this one. And for those few days, the rest of the world is a million miles away.

A song Allison wrote expresses some of my own feelings so well that I might as well just quote it here; it remains one of my all-time favourite Urban Tapestry songs:

---

MONDAY

Words and music by Allison Durno Apr/1998

My thoughts are unfocussed,
My memories are rambling as
I move through the ordinary
World of everyday,
Warmed by our friendship
Sure in the knowing
That wherever you are
You're feeling the same way.

CHORUS:
'Cause I find that I'm missing you
Our time went so quickly
But today seems too long,
Restless and wistful
My heart is still with you
Feel misty when I think of your song.

I once didn't know
That a lasting affection
Could be sparked in a day
Could weather distance and time,
But there's no denying
The bond that we now share
Or my wish today
That you could have stayed awhile.

CHORUS:

The sharing of old tunes
Soft harmonies blending
Can't help but open
A path soul to soul,
Warm hugs and plum wine
And late nights of laughter
Bring closeness and love
That were not there before.

CHORUS:

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ovff highlights (part 2)

Me, Allison, Rand and Jodi on Monday morning.


UPDATE: Check out Jodi's cover story in the Newmarket Era-Banner! The tile box in the picture is the one that went into our Interfilk package.

(continued from Part 1)

So here's a list of just a few of my personal highlights from the convention, in absolutely no particular order:




Melissa and Daniel.


- Despite OVFF's multitracked scheduling, I did manage to get some casual hanging out time with some friends, mainly before and after the convention. Amanda Snyder sure knows how to throw a room party. :-)

- Finding out that my friend Michelle will be the Author Guest at FilKONtario next year!!!




Bryan Snyder (Scott's brother), Brenda Sutton, Scott Snyder,
Jodi Krangle, Bill Sutton.


- Meeting Scott Snyder's brother, Bryan. I tried very hard to get Bryan to give up some good blackmail dirt on Scott, but he remained stubbornly loyal to his older brother. However, I have his e-mail address now.

>:-)

- Friendship rings hand-beaded by Amanda!

- Meeting Erica Neely's friend, Andy.

- Hearing the Boogie Knights and finally getting a chance to chat with David Keefer; he had been too ill at Confluence.




Paul and Beckett.


- Talking Germanstuff with Alan Thiesen.

- Chocolate cherry wine from Michael Pereckas! He had brought some after I exchanged a couple of Livejournal comments with him about one of his postings. Yummy.

- Melissa Glasser's hugs.

- A case of Fast Break chocolate bars from Maya & Greg (thanks, eh?!) for Jeff, plus Lindt for me. Rand brought some more Fast Break chocolate bars from his girlfriend Erin as part of a chocolate swap she and I arranged...Jeff was VERY VERY happy when I gave him his loot. :-)




Allison, Alisa and Beckett.


- Getting to hang out with some West coast friends I miss terribly, like Beckett & Paul, Alisa & Luis, Scott & Amanda. We used to see each other more often, but busy family lives and changing lives (and my sprained elbow earlier this year, forcing me to cancel my trip to California) have gotten in the way. This past weekend, all of them showed up without kids. While their children are wonderful, it was also REALLY great to be able to have some adult time. :-)

- Checking out Kathleen Sloan's collection of beaded creations, some of which are truly amazing.

- Esther Price chocolates from Jim Poltrone! Yummmmmmm...




Scott & Amanda.


- Seeing Andrea and almost not recognizing her! Her new hairdo looks great. She looks great.

- Ditto for Melissa Glasser re: looking great. Wow.

- Getting a penny whistle lesson from Dave Clement. Dave also gave me two David Francey CDs, including his newest one. One of the CDs was autographed: "Where is your heart, Debbie-O?" :-) (refers to an evil song that Tom and Dave wrote a while back in revenge for a song I wrote about Tom)





- Watching Allison with her new camera.

- Hearing Bob Kanefsky sing his parody of Jodi's song, "The Lady." Kanef's parody was called "The Goslings."

- Hearing Daniel Glasser's "Close Your Eyes" for the first time.

- Some great half-hour concerts by Maureen O'Brien, Andy Eigel, Carla Ulbrich & Joe Giaccoio, and Katy & Ju.

GUEST CONCERTS:





- Scott's concert and seeing him in Toastmaster mode. Scott had a brief scare at the beginning of the convention when Air Canada lost his guitar, had no idea where it was. He got it back the next day, fortunately.





- Heather Dale's concert. What gorgeous songs, and incredibly moving. Allison, Jodi and I were bawling by the end; it was pretty pitiful. :-)





- Ookla the Mok's concert. Good sound, great tunes, and fun to see the rapport between Adam, Rand and Luis. I was happy that they sang some of the oldies as well as songs off their newest album.

- Seeing Luis performing with Ookla the Mok again!





- Rand's 16-year-old nephew played the trumpet solo in Mr. Potato Head:





- Brunch with Rand. And at the Pegasus Awards ceremony, we found that we had both worn Japanese-theme garb: Rand in a haori, me in a kimono:





- Getting addicted to Screaming Yellow Zonkers. Curse you, Seanan! :-) We're going to do a Zonkers-Coffee Crisp swap.

- Meeting Tom's girlfriend, Marlene. And hearing the story about how Marlene brought one of her horses into the house up to a webcam for Tom to see.

- Meeting Rand's brother Dan, sister-in-law Betsy and nephews. They were there with their children to see Ookla the Mok's concert.




Allison and me.


- The Interfilk auction. From Judith Hayman's LJ: "The Interfilk auction was rather more challenging when the (required by Ohio law) professional auctioneer came to the con and left immediately, far too ill to even be out of bed. Wheeee... fun to try and arrange a WRITTEN auction within, literally, minutes. Kudos to Marty Fabish for coming up with the plan we actually used and Bill Roper for making an excellent "auction facilitator" and a host of Interfilk Wenches, many of them former IF guests, for getting the plan to actually work. It felt a lot like Saturday night in ER instead of a con."

- Thanks to Merle for supporting Interfilk: the Urban Tapestry Interfilk package went for US$275 (I think that was the amount)





- Seeing Tom Jeffers get his fingernails painted with green glitter by Alisa.

- Singing lead for the first time on an Urban Tapestry song. I was way too nervous about it to mention this in Blatherings in advance. :-) We performed I'm Gonna Make A Rocket Ship at the children's concert with Ookla The Mok.





- Beckett drawing very cool designs on people's arms and legs with a tattoo marker. Alisa, Luis, Scott, Erica Neely and Dave Clement all got Beckett-tattooed:




Luis and Erica.





Dave Clement in the filk circle





Alisa' leg.


- Hanging out a bit with Katy and Ju. Getting a penny whistle lesson from Ju, and trying out her low whistles.

- Visiting The Book Loft in Columbus with Mary. A wonderful bookstore with a zillion (okay, maybe 42?) rooms and a maze of twisty little passages, all almost alike.




Scott & Allison.


More photos and highlights soon.

Please note that I've uploaded most of these photos and will be uploading more to the Flickr Filking Group.

November 2004 comments: Read Blatherchat | Post in Blatherchat | Livejournal comments