The High Holy Day

Is TODAY!!!!

That's right boys and girls, it is St. Patrick's Day. The High Holy Day.

And for any o you naysayers, it IS A HOLIDAY. Here's proof.



And St. Patrick's Day would not be complete without a good pint of Guinness. And to properly enjoy a good pint, it should be drawn from the keg in a two-part pour.

Here, Fergal Murray, Brewmaster at the St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, where Guinness is brewed, explains the perfect pour.



So enjoy your pint with some good music.

Dubliners-Rising of the Moon


The Chieftains w/ the Kelly Family-Rocky Road to Dublin


Liam O'Maonlai-Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore


Planxty-The Jolly Beggar


Stan Rogers-Witch of Westmoreland


The Friars-Another Irish Drinking Song


And for your laughing enjoyment,

Tommy Tiernan on Duck Sex (NSFW)



If any of you are close by, at Budde's in Galesburg tonight, there will be corned beef and cabbage, beer, and Irish music (possibly or probably including me).


Slainte!

St. Patrick's Day is Coming!!!

And it will be here early in my hometown.

Mark your calendars for March 7, 2009. The Galva Arts Council in Galva, IL will be hosting their monthly coffeehouse a week early.

Due a scheduling conflict, the pub band, Exorna was not able to do their "St. Patrick's Day Warm-up" on the typical 2nd Saturday of March.

This is a great show that lasts about 2 hours. No cover, coffee and refreshments are free, but donations are accepted. Doors open at 7:00pm and show at 7:30.

If you live anywhere close to Galva, you should be there (Wil, Red, Dragonfly, Arkbuilder, Contagion, Wes).

Here's a couple of samples of what you'll hear.

Top Christmas Albums

Saw this story on Yahoo! tonight, and found it interesting.

While Elvis has the highest sales of a Christmas album in history, only two groups make several appearances on the top 40 list.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra with all three of their Christmas Albums (Christmas Eve and Other Stories-18, The Christmas Attic-40, and The Lost Christmas Eve-38).

Mannheim Steamroller hits the list 4 times (Christmas Extraordinaire-20, Christmas in the Aire-12, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas-4, A Fresh Aire Christmas-3).


Just thought I would share this for the last minute shoppers looking for good music. Any of these albums would be good for anybody on your list.

First Snow

Last night, as I left the local Arts Council Coffeehouse, the snow was starting to fall.

Snowed all night.

Snowed all day.

3-4 inches on the ground now.

I am kicking back, ready to watch Da Bears, and enjoying a Sam Adam's Winter Lager. (read about it at Contagion's as well)

All in all, a good weekend, except for having cattle out at 1:30am this morning when I got home. I will try to post some pictures of the Turkey Shoot yesterday. Got some neat shots of flintlocks at ignition.

To celebrate the season, I share a video of someone's Christmas light display synchro'd to the the Trans-Siberian Orchestra song, "First Snow."

RIP-Ronnie Drew

I logged on to YouTube tonight and saw a video that caught me off guard. It was about the release of "The Last Session: A Fond Farewell." A new CD by Ronnie Drew, released this month, following Drew's death August 16th.

I never heard that Drew had passed. Damn.

For those of you who don't know the name Ronnie Drew, he was one of the founding members of The Dubliners (originally known as the Ronnie Drew Group), one of the most famous Irish bands in the world. Luke Kelly was also a member of The Dubliners, who made an appearance in a Great Music Monday post and are on the list for several more visits.

Here a a few videos of Ronnie to appreciate.

First, very old footage of the Ronnie Drew Group performing McAlpine's Fusiliers. Drew is the singer sporting a dark and short beard which would become a sort of trademark for him over his life.


This next video is of Ronnie from the documentary movie The Dubliners' Dublin" which is described as a tour of great watering holes. "In the Rare Old Times."


Next, is one of MANY collaborations The Dubliners did. This one is with The Pogues performing "Irish Rover."


In 1995 Ronnie left The Dubliners and recorde solo. This video is of a St. Patrick's Day performance in London in 2003 of "I'll Tell Me Ma."


And finally, a tribute to Ronnie released actually shortly befor his death. This video is a bit of who's who of music from Ireland. U2, The Pogues, The Corrs, of The Dubliners, and several others that I don't recognize right off hand, performing as a tribute. "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew."

Ronnie Drew
1934-2008

1 Month

One month from tonight, December 13, I will be going to see this:

Bluegrass Sunday...

...with and Celtic twist.

In this week's Great Music Monday post, I mentioned being inspired by the night before.

So, here in the words of Paul Harvey, is the rest of the story.

Sunday afternoon I headed down to Wil, Red, and Ark-Builder's house to work with Ark-Builder on his 1st Degree Catechism for Masonic Lodge. After a couple hours of practice and the arrival of Teme and the Man From Ohio, we had a good dinner of chili and then headed off to Budde's in Galesburg for Bluegrass Sunday.

Bluegrass Sunday is basically a jam session/open mic night for Bluegrass. Spoon River String Band played for a while, and then some other played. They were all good, except one dumbass, trying to do some sort of modern alternative music. It was all we could do to stop Wil from booing him off stage. At one point, I had to turn around because I thought a woman had started singing with him. But no. It was just this same guy. He was douche-worthy.

There was also some "guy" there who was just getting ready to start playing when we left about 10:30. He was wearing a sweater with flowers down the sleeves, just like your grandmother wears, accented with the scarf and a purse. And I do mean a purse! All the while, sporting a beard. Wil knew him.

Anywho, after a couple of hours, there was no one on stage so they told me I should go up and do a couple Celtic songs. First one out of the gate, "Goddamn Dutch." I don't know how many times I have sung this song in the past, but this night, I actually offended somebody. Come to find out, this guy had moved to the area from the Netherlands a little over a year ago.

After a little while I went up and did a couple of other songs, including the "7 Drunken Nights," "The Minstrel Boy," and "General Taylor." After I did one or two songs, I went back to my beer and another guy got up and did "A Nation Once Again." Then one of the bartenders got up and did a couple of humorous songs, including one called "Viagra in the Water" about a truckload of Viagra crashing into a town's water supply.

Then the guy from the Netherlands, who had been playing bass for a few numbers earlier got up and did a song native to his country. It was pretty dang cool. This was followed by the guy who had done Nation Once Again doing a song, I guess, from "The Sound of Music" and then following up with "Black and Tans." This of course forced me to do two more songs. I figured since my new Dutch friend was doing a song from his country, I would welcome him to the land of the Swedes (there is a HUGE Swedish population in this area), so I did my best rendition of the intro of "Swedish Chef" from The Muppet Show. Complete with the "Bork!Bork!Bork!" And then I followed up that with my final song for the evening since we were getting ready to leave, "The Parting Glass."

Evidently, the Celtic stuff went over pretty well, as I was heading for the door, the wife of the owner stopped me and said how much she enjoyed the stuff I had done. As we were going down the road, Ark-Builder, who also works at that bar, said the owner's wife told him he was responsible for bringing me back for the high holy holiday in honor of St. Patrick.



Looks like I need to get really serious about doing some guitar practice and song learning. I think I now have two places to play around St. Paddy's next year.

TSO Tour Announced

Great news for some Great Music.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra has announced their Christmas Tour Dates for 2008.

For those of you who have never seen them, the show is amazing. A mix of Christmas Classics with a rock twist, and a 1980's rock light show. The first half of the show is a Rock Opera for the Christmas season, and the second half is a showcase of several other pieces. Some of there own takes on Classic Rock, to stuff from their Rock Opera "Beethoven's Last Night," and even the only live version of "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's "Carmena Burana."

The shows close to me are in Peoria on Friday December 12, and in Moline on Saturday December 13.

If you want to see some video of what their concerts are like, check out their YouTube channel HERE. Or see the live video of Requiem below (caution-it may be seizure inducing).



I highly recommend, if you can, to go. Well worth the time and money. But as a note, if your eyes are sensitive to lots of flashes and such, bring your sunglasses.


(Any of my friends who want to join me at the show, let me know as I buy tickets in September)

I Took the Plunge

Well, I took the plunge yesterday. I had been debating with myself about buying a new gun. But just couldn't make the commitment. Then, as I was heading home from work, I stopped at Music Makers in Peoria, to see what they had for guitars.

I went through the selection looking over about 30 guitars to see if one caught my eye. I saw a nice Fender, which I picked up and played for a couple minutes. But the action of it was too tight and I wasn't impressed with the sound. So it went back to the rack. Then I picked up a beautiful black Takamine.

I sat down and played it for probably 20 minutes and really liked the sound (it does need a slight neck adjustment-but that is minor). Even with my sore fingers from really stepping up the amount I am playing here lately, it still felt good.

And it was on sale. $150 below normal list price. I asked if it came with a case, which it did not, but they had some options in stock. The guy I was talking to said he would knock $50 off the price of a hard shell case and throw in a stand or strap for free. So I bought it.

And tonight, I stopped at Don's Music Land and picked up a Levy's strap with a Celtic Cross Embroidered on it and a Kyser Capo.

Ain't it purrty. A Takamine EG341


It's an acoustic electric, with built in tuner.

Really, I bought it for taking to living history events so that I don't scratch my Yairi.

Jealous?

The Song That Started it All

So, for the High Holy Day of St. Patrick, I posted a LOT of videos of great Celtic music. However, one video I did not post yesterday is this one.



Yes, that is Garth Brooks singing. On the album Fresh Horses the last track on the CD was this song titled, "Ireland." I instantly fell in love with the song. I didn't actually have the CD, it was my older brother's and I would beg him to play it (I was in late elementary school when it was released). Truly, I believe this song is the root of why I listen to Celtic music all the time (I throw in stuff from across the spectrum, rock, oldies, classical, country, etc. pretty regularly). The CD case in my truck has 30-40 Celtic CD's in it, plus I have more in my desk at work, and a bunch of stuff downloaded to my computer at home and loads of videos saved on youtube.

So it is all Garth Brooks' fault. But I sure am glad it is.

One last time

I am just about to finish my last pint of the night. And tomorrow, the real world beacons. I have to finish a bid by 10:00, that I didn't get plans for until after lunch today.

So I leave you with these final thoughts of the day.

From the Dubliners:


And from the now disbanded Royal Irish Regiment Live at Ulster Hall:


An Irish Blessing:



And the classic Irish Blessing:
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
Until we meet again, May God hold you
In the hollow of his hand

(Evidently, I am going to have to record myself singing this song, as I can't find a version I like on you tube.)

And I will end the night with a group I just heard of yesterday and am impressed. One person even said they are the next generation's Clancy Brothers. So my final gift of the night, the High Kings performing their own arrangement of "Parting Glass."


Good night and God bless you all.

Because it just wouldn't be a party

Without some boobs.

So in honor of T1G, and for a fine finish to the party.

MAN DOWN!!!!

Help. I need help. There's blood.

I had to go and make my bladder gladder and the path to the pisser goes through the kitchen at my buddies place, which is where I am at tonight. Well, the kitchen is in pieces right now being remodeled. There is plastic and blankets over the doors. I went to duck under the plastic at one door and caught my head on the door frame. Hit it well enough to draw blood.

I need another Guinness and another song.

So, lets go to the "Sally Gardens" and maybe it will help the throbbing.



That is a little bit better.

A couple more

And that should do it for this pint.

First off, a visit with our old friends the Dubliners and the "Leaving of Liverpool."



So much better than the other 4 guys from Liverpool.

And while we are visiting cities, how about "Galway Bay" and dreaming of a return.



And it's time for another pint.

Back to the Music

I just poured another Guinness.

Laughed my ass off at Tommy.

But back to the music, with the Wolfe Tones again, and we take along "On the One Road."

I'm back

After a couple of hours away.

And with 3 more songs for you.

For starters, The Dubliners, and lead singer the great Luke Kelley with "Dirty Old Town."



Next, the Wolfe Tones to grace us with a song of Irish unity and rebellion to England, and maybe one day again, Ireland long a province, will be "A Nation Once Again."



And finally lets go to sea, as Barney McKenna and the Dubliners share the longing for the place where all good sailor's hope to one day go, "Fiddler's Green."



Now, excuse me, I need another pint of Guinness, a shot of Jameson, and dram of rum.

Alright

That's enough sad bastard music for a little while. Let's pick it back up with the Bard of Cornwall and "The Star of the County Down."



How's everyone's glass? Anybody about to run dry?

And One More

Another Toast.

To the great songwriter and performer and his profound influence on Celtic music in the 20th and 21st Centuries.

To Tommy Makem. R.I.P. 8-2-2007. For you, we sing of the "Four Green Fields."

Slow it down

Which one do you like better. Both are well done.

First up, in the battle of the "Song for Ireland" is Luke Kelley of the Dubliners,



versus, the Bard of Cornwall.



To Ireland, the Emerald Ilse we Raise our Glass.

Women

The downfall of man.

With their hair tied up in a "Black Velvet Band"



Why did the guy take the watch from the girl?

Because he was drinking WHISKEY!!!

The famous Black Bush.