PeterT

And you can't carry a piano into a session!

And now for the punch-line: m3838 thought you were talking a lot of................. Sorry to hear about this, Alan. I read John Wild's posting and was going to add that everyone likes a story with a happy ending. Regards, Peter. PS for John - thanks for sharing your story.

Hi Ann, That's odd, since I'm also running XP. I've posted the text here, in case anyone else has the same problem: Happy National Friendship Week! Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. Anger is only one letter short of danger. If someone betrays you once, it is his fault; if he betrays you twice, it is your fault. Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. He, who loses money, loses much; He, who loses a friend, loses much more; He, who loses faith, loses all. Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. Friends, you and me You brought another friend And then there were three We started our group Our circle of friends There is no beginning or end. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care.... Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends. WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER, YOU'RE REQUESTED TO SEND IT TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU.

Hi Ann, Can you view the text? I know that it's a poor substitute for both text and graphics. Regards, Peter.

Geoff, I've just checked the members list; remember, it works on christian name, not surname. Robin was logged in yesterday. Regards, Peter. PS - really liked the story/photos about the concertina which you recently made.

Hi Jim, Hover your mouse on the centre of the picture. The details show for about a second, then disappear. Regards, Peter.

Excellent, Leo, thanks.

To all my friends on Concertina.net, including those that I've not yet met. I couldn't have put it better myself. Regards, Peter.

I'm back from a long, but very relaxing day of filming in Canterbury. The Red Team left Croydon at 06.00, making the Auction House by 07.30 for an 08.00 start. Our first filming sequence was at 08.15. No concertina, today, just bikes, although I did manage one musical reference which links back to my playing from the first shoot. How did we do? "My lips are sealed". You'll have to watch the programme to find out. We filmed our final sequence using Canterbury Cathedral as the backdrop. I was happily wearing my red fleece, thinking "what's the problem" whilst most of the other looked like they had just got out of the shower! But I don't do cold weather! An added bonus was that our charming expert, Catherine Southon, specialises in mechanical musical instruments (amongst other things), so she showed a keen interest in my concertina. She lives with her husband and daughter, just about five miles from me, so accepted an invitation to visit, and look at my concertinas, at some stage. Who knows, she might be a useful contact. So, by now, you'll either be yawning, or sitting on the edge of your seats wanting to know the transmission date. At the moment, I can only say September or October 2006. The BBC will write to me approximately two weeks prior to the show going out, so I'll do a further posting then. I've loved almost every minute of the two filming days (obviously tolerated the waiting that goes with it), and would recommend that if anyone is given a similar opportunity, they take it. It's a chance to have a fun day, and to learn a few performance tips from the professional (plus that they are human, and make mistakes too! ) If 15 seconds of concertina music is used, it will have been worth it. Regards, Peter.

As most members will surely know, today marks the 90th anniversary of the start of this battle, with the terrible casualties which followed. Both of my grandfathers fought in the battle; luckily not in the first week, otherwise I doubt that they would have survived, and I would not be here today. So, I have a lot to be thankful for. Does anyone play the tune "Battle of the Somme", which was, as far as I am aware, written during the battle? I've played it for as many years as I can remember, but heard it played both as a slow march, and lament, whilst I lived in Scotland (1991/4). Regards, Peter.

Hi Paul, The photo caption suggests a Dipper, and I think that I recognise Rosalie's wonderful bellows. Regards, Peter.

If it's the Wool Centre just beyond the A66 roundabout at Cockermouth, I've used it as a race HQ, when racing on the very scenic course towards Keswick.

When are you coming down, and where will you be staying? It occurred to me that if you were down for the whole week, you would be in time for my monthly session (Tuesday 11th July), and I might be available to give a lesson if you wanted. Do I gather, from another posting, that you play Anglo? Reggards, Peter.

This is how it should be; recognising ability, or that vital "spark" which may be there in one pupil, but not another. It must be great to help someone on their way to greater things, whilst, no doubt, stretching your own ability in a valiant attempt to stay just that one pace ahead. However, the most naturally gifted musicians (or athletes etc.) do not always become the highest achievers. If they find things too easy, they may become bored and try something completely different (where they might be equally good). Far better to encourage those with talent, but who will, through sheer hard work and determination, achieve great things (or maybe fall just short). Sounds like this is what you are doing. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, I'm sure that many of us are happy to talk about concertinas, players, and indeed many things which are only vaguely related to concertinas; hence some of the wonderful thread-drift. I guess that to the "man in the street", all concertinas are the same. As we Forum members know, this is far from true. Just go to any "ad hoc" Anglo workshop, and the first half hour can be spent finding out who's got which notes, and where. The other point is that some of these instruments are just so old; some in remarkable condition, others restored from near wrecks, giving discussion points (i.e. who overhauled it/replaced the bellows etc.). I don't know whether the same applies to other "box" systems, but I don't ever recall hearing the same type of debate. Maybe because "top quality" vintage concertinas can be restored to give a "high value" instrument, and there is a finite number, against an increasing demand, there is a scarcity element. I'm sure that members who have a foot in both camps will post suitable comments. Regards, Peter.

English page here: http://www.ojosdebrujo.com/english/index.html I'll have to explore this later (need to get out on the bike, and test the old hamstring). STOP PRESS: It's Saturday 15th July, Lloyd Park, Croydon. This is about three stops from East Croydon, by tram, on the New Addington line. If you go, could I ask that you take copious notes, just in case we want to use it as a model for the English County Music Weekend (only joking - see ECMW in another current thread).

It's tempting fate, but I hope that you get another week to practice!

I've just walked into town, to find that the annual three day French Market has arrived. There was a good variety of produce available, and it's nice to hear French being spoken (even if I didn't understand most of it!). In my part of Croydon, the various ethnic groups make up nearly 50% of the population, so most European and African languages can be heard. French is not that common, even though many of the Africans must have this as a second language. All that was missing was a strolling accordeonist (or concertinist); instead, there was recorded music of varying types. Still, it is England, not France, after all. Regards, Peter.

Juliette, Looks a good instrument. You might want to edit your posting to remove your e-mail address, and let Forum members contact you via the message facility. Regards, Peter.

I'll bow to the overwhelming demand, then. Mine you, should Flos read this, he'd be amused to find it posted under this thread title! Now, boys and girls, I want to tell you a story. It’s a true story, with a very sad beginning, but a happy ending, and I like happy endings, don’t you? Sidmouth 1987 had started badly; in fact, in the worst possible manner. John Gasson, talented multi-instrumentalist (including Anglo) had been killed in a car crash on the way down to the festival. I’d known John since 1979, and he was a good mate of Flos Headford (ace fiddler), who was booked at the festival with “Old Swan Band”, “Mellstock Band” and some duo work with Paul Burgess (fiddle). By Tuesday, Flos had almost lost his voice, which he put down to the shock from John’s death. A day or so later, after my concertina workshop, I arrived at the Radway, for a beer, and to play a few tunes, only to find a worried Flos, pacing up and down, and talking to one or two people. On a rare day off, Paul Burgess had set off for a few hours on Dartmoor, missing the daily festival newspaper which listed Paul and Flos as playing the afternoon arena Overture (despite it being their “day off”). This was in the days before mobile telephones were common. Flos wondered, aloud, what to do. After a while, he disappeared, returning some fifteen minutes later. “I’ve had an idea”, said Flos, “why don’t we take the Radway Session to the arena?” We quickly worked up an “arrangement” of three of four tune sets, and almost twenty of us walked up the road, leaving the Radway as a music-free zone. Flos went on stage, giving the audience the sorry tale about Paul, as only Flos can. “I’m supposed to be playing the Overture with Paul Burgess……only he’s not here……he’s on Dartmoor, looking for antique shops”. [audience starts to titter at this point; Flos is winning!]. “So, …..I’ve asked a few friends along”. At this point, we all trouped on stage, to a good reception. The performance went well, and we then walked back to the Radway to play a few more tunes before closing time. [Footnotes: (1) People might be wondering about the reference to closing time. All day opening, in England, was only introduced in mid August 1988. Prior to this, pubs used to close at 14.30; well 15.00 (ish) by the time we all finally left. (2) I actually played in the Mellstock Band for one night at this festival. The organisers again “got it wrong”, by booking the Mellstock Band for a dance in the Drill Hall, whilst booking the Old Swan Band in the main dance marquee. Flos and Paul are talented, but not talented enough to play in two venues simultaneously, so about three of us “sat in” with Dave Townsend and Ian Blake, who were the other Mellstock members at this time. With Dave T. calling, the line-up must have been: fiddle/clarinet/anglo concertina/cello +1 other.]

Hi Peter, Wearing my "archive" hat, will this programme be made available in a format which can be kept by, for example, the ICA, and other associations? I recall, years ago, having a disagreement with a BBC Folk Music producer (whose name escapes me) when I asked for access to archive material which I suspected would be deleted. At the time, I had in mind a sound archive, and material like this I viewed as important. Regards, Peter.

Hi Max, Did you have any joy finding a concertina player? Regards, Peter.

Didn't think that I'd seen Anne with a fiddle, before, and was surprised to see her playing one at Chippenham. Still, I've been away a long time. I feel a Flos Headford thread-drift coming on (great musician, great guy). May have posted this before, but did you hear about the time when Flos and Paul were down to play the overture, at Sidmouth Arena, only it was their "day off" and no-one had checked with Paul, who was away visiting antique shops on Dartmoor? If not, I'll tell you what happened...................... Regards, Peter.

Hi Juliette, Well, I had one strange experience, on my first trip to Ireland. It was 1991, and I was living in Scotland at the time. My friend, Ian Munro, suggested a trip to the Willie Clancy Summer School, as he had just started playing Irish style on the Anglo. Anyway, after a nightmare trip (I was in Croydon, on business), I met up with Ian and we duly arrived in SW Ireland (miracle, as we both fell asleep while Ian was driving, and were only woken up by a car passing in the opposite direction!). I had always wanted to go to Ireland, to see Irish music played by the traditional musicians, on "home turf". We had a great week, but back to the story. We both finished up in the bottom class, after Noel Hill had heard our playing, and asked whether we played jigs/reels. This is what I expected, since the tutors were teaching the "Irish Style", not how to play the concertina. There were a couple of Europeans in the class (who both turned out to be German). On the second day, the girl said to me "I've seen you before". This was no great surprise, since, at the time I was travelling to many UK festivals (and you can't remember every face, let alone name). Anyway, I made a response along these lines. "I've never been to England", came the reply. Puzzled look on my face . "But I've definitely seen you before", she continued; "maybe in Ireland?". "I've never been to Ireland, before", I replied. Puzzled looks on both faces, now . This rather bizarre conversation continued in the same fashion for a couple of minutes. I then asked her where she was from. It was France, but close to the German border. "But originally, I come from Germany", she added. At this point, a metaphorical light came on "I've been to Germany; where are you from?". She told me that she was from Paderborn. "I've been there, I exclaimed!". Finally we were making progress. I was still a bit puzzled. I had been to Paderborn for a week over the New Year 1980/1, with an old school friend (Ray), who had spent 18 months in Paderborn whilst in the army. Unlike most army lads, Ray had mixed with the local community, formed a guitar duo with one of the local lads, and generally got on well with all the girls (when we arrived there, one girl threw herself at Ray, found him a guitar, and requested that he played "Stairway to Heaven", which was his party-piece). Anyway, I had met all of Ray's friends, and this girl was not one of them. Anyway, the conversation continued. I then asked her where she drank in Paderborn (clutching at straws by this time). "The Red House", she replied. "I went there, once!" I said. Finally, we had the location. So, having seen me once, ten years previously, she remembered me. I can only conclude that as Ray spoke fluent German, with the Paderborn accent (and with cropped hair/glasses, he looked German), this girl would have seen him in the small bar, speaking German with his friends. I can manage English, and am useless at other languages, so on the occasion when I was in the bar, much of the conversation was in English. So ends a bizarre tale. As they say, once seen, never forgotten. Regards, Peter.

Well, not having a TV, I find this difficult. I do, however, listen to the radio whilst playing, and find this quite a good way to utilise my time. I'm now trying this with the tennis, but keep having to stop to hear the score (even with the volume turned up). I could listen on-line, whilst playing, but my typing is slow enough already! Regards, Peter.