PeterT

In an attempt to lighten Alan Day's load on the ever increasing International albums, here's one which should require minimal work. We might, eventually, need a POLL (not had one for a while) to select our favourite 20 tracks, but I'll start off with this offering: William Kimber playing "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba", on English concertina, complete with chords.

Harpsichord for the Morris; there's a thought!

Sounds like you could sell at least one copy of Chemitzer International! I don't recall hearing this system played, although I've heard Bandonion both in England, and Austria. I remember the late Pat Robson talking about both systems, but only recall hearing him play Bandonion. Regards, Peter.

Or you could do what another Forum member did at Sidmouth; carried his concertina around in a bag with his dirty washing. He claimed that the washing provided adequate protection, and a bag of dirty washing was less likely to be stolen than a concertina case . Don't know what he did on day 1 of the festival, though .

Fair point, Jim. Regards, Peter.

I've used Barry's cases for a number of years. They are "made to measure" for specific instruments, so Barry will request the appropriate dimensions.

Latest offering looks like a nice one. Would I be right in thinking that metal hand-rails date from early 20th century (i.e. replacement ) whilst the fretwork suggests a pre 1893 instrument? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...mMakeTrack=true

I started Chris on this route about 15 years ago, when I put an ICA advert into "In Britain". Chris spotted it, and was interested to know that several new ICA members had been recruited as a result. Regards, Peter.

Oh my!!! Found this review (maybe it should be posted under the Anglophilia thread). Did Alan Day really say that? Anglophilia Brian Peters, anglo corncertina. Pugwarsh PUGCD 006. 2005. A co'nucopia of moosic played on Anglo-corncertina" is how multi-instroomntalist an' singer Brian Peters dexcribes his long-awaited CD focussin' exclusively on th' Anglo (39-button C/G Crabb). Instroomntals includin' English dance moosic, slow airs, ragtime, an' Peters' origeenal composishuns, is interspersed wif songs rangin' fum tradishunal t'Beatles an' Music Hall, ah reckon. Also two arrangements fo' multiple corncertinas wif Ebenezer Walker (treble an' baritone English). Reviews/Notes: "Richly varied seleckshun of moosic an' song, acco'din' t' th' code o' th' heells!... a superb release" fRoots "An impo'tant corntribushun t'concertina cornciousness" Stirrin's "Outstan'in' playin' an' corntent.... it is players like Brian who is pushin' Anglo playin' fo'ward, cuss it all t' tarnation." Alan Day, Anglo Internashunal Peter.

UK 1861 Census has the Lachenal family living in London.

1861 Census gives Louis Lachenal's age as 39, with place of birth as Geneva (NB Subject). Louis' wife was French (Ferney). If I can find a format which the Forum will accept, I'll post the Census entry. Regards, Peter.

A little closer to home than that (three members live in Croydon); they dropped into my monthly music session earlier this year, and a good time was had by all. http://www.folkicons.co.uk/flychau.htm

Do they smell different in the country?

I sense a Monty Python thread-drift coming on.

Reminds me of the following song from the 60's: A Windmill In Old Amsterdam A mouse lived in a windmill in old Amsterdam A windmill with a mouse in and he wasn't grousin' He sang every morning, "How lucky I am, Living in a windmill in old Amsterdam!" Chorus: I saw a mouse! Where? There on the stair! Where on the stair? Right there! A little mouse with clogs on Well I declare! Going clip-clippety-clop on the stair Oh yeah This mouse he got lonesome, he took him a wife A windmill with mice in, it's hardly surprisin' She sang every morning, "How lucky I am, Living in a windmill in old Amsterdam!" Chorus First they had triplets and then they had quins A windmill with quins in, and triplets and twins in They sang every morning, "How lucky we are Living in a windmill in Amsterdam, ya!" Chorus The daughters got married and so did the sons The windmill had christ'nin's when no one was list'nin' They all sang in chorus, "How lucky we am Living in a windmill in old Amsterdam!" Chorus A mouse lived in a windmill, so snug and so nice There's nobody there now but a whole lot of mice. (Dicks & Rudge)

Hi Alan, Thought I had detected a lack of posts in recent days! My mother has two cats; the mouser is really patient, waits for hours in the garden, and is a deadly killer . The other cat gets so excited when she does actually catch a mouse, that she takes it into the house, just to show mum how clever she is . More times than not, the mouse is still alive at this point, although some have been known to escape back into the garden. Mum has rescued others. A couple of years ago, I visited a day or two after such an incident. Mum was concerned because the heating was not working, due to a lack of pilot light under the gas fire. "No problem", I said, "I'll press ignition and get it running again". We could smell a feint trace of gas at this point. Well, half an hour later, still no joy, and an open window had not cleared the smell of gas . We then consulted the neighbours, who very kindly suggested that the fuse might have blown (happened to them, a few years earlier). I replaced the fuse; joy, oh joy, the pilot light came on , and the heating worked. I went home at this point. Next day, mother was still concerned about the smell of gas. I returned, and yes, it was bad. So, we called in the British Gas engineer . An hour later, he confirmed no leak at the point of supply, and that we should call in the heating engineer to check gas fire and boiler. Next day was a family 25th Wedding Anniversary party, some miles away. I called around for mother, and the smell was even worse. Still, we set off, having closed the windows, hoping that there would be a house to come back to . Several hours later, we were back in the house, and I detected that the smell was very localised. I moved the freezer unit, and, yes you've guessed it, there were the remains of the mouse which had sought shelter a few days previously! I left mum to clear up the remains, as a telephone call summoned me home; friends had arrived early, and were waiting on the front door-step.

Very interesting point, Theo, which caused me to carry out a Google search. This link may be of interest, and seems typical on the subject of corrosion: http://www.snelsons.co.uk/aluminium_corrosion.html Regards, Peter.

My dictionary says: ambidexterity. Reference the problem of the "box going out of tune", I'm sure that this problem would not have occurred early on in the evening. However, you should have noticed that the air valve was "missing" . Never mind, it's cheered up our evening .

My mother has a left-handed (pawed?) cat. Of all the cats she has had over the last 50 years (sample of seven), this is the only one to display that preference. The cat's sister does not appear to favour either paw, and the two are totally different in temperament; aged 14, one was charging up and down a tree last night (more like a monkey, especially when swinging on the branches), whilst the other prefers to sit quietly, and jump on mice! The mouser is the left-handed cat.

Hi Jim, I have a set of jeweller's screwdrivers, the largest of which seems ideal for end-bolts. If the bolts are worn, you have to be very careful, to avoid the screwdriver slipping. Your mail has just reminded me to get out the small "repair kit" for Saturday's trip to Chippenham. The kit also consists of a tiny screwdriver, plus one of intermediate size. In addition, I take two small pairs of pliers, two small files, some spare springs and a couple of valves and pads. One time I forgot the kit, I was playing for "Old Palace Clog" at Towersey Festival. Main stage, and my box developed an unexpected drone due to a broken spring . Luckily, I was one of three musicians, we were on our last dance of the set, and "Hobgoblin Music" were close at hand, enabling me to carry out a repair, using their tools, before the next dance spot. Regards, Peter.

I hope that was because they were playing 20 key boxes, not because they couldn't be bothered to use the c#. ;-> No, at least 30 keys on each one. Sitting opposite, I just loved that look of panic!

If they are that good, perhaps they should be fitted to all concertinas, irrespective of make. Concertina equivalent of "go faster stripes" . Serious point though, they do look good!

Ian Goodier was telling me, years ago, that he walked into a pub at one festival, only to find twelve bodhran players waiting for a melody instrument. He turned round, and walked out .

Welcome, Bob and Leo. I did several things right, in hindsight: * Bought a mid range instrument to start, then upgraded to an excellent one just a year later (even though my playing didn't justify it). * Used the instrument quality as an incentive to practice, to justify the financial outlay. * Got persuaded to play for a dance team, even though I wasn't quite ready. Improved my playing literally within two or three weeks, and gave my practice a focus (i.e. practice to perform for the Morris, rather than practice for practice sake). * Listened to other musicians who played music that I liked (recorded some, too) and tried to see whether the tunes would fit comfortably on the concertina. However, what I would have done differently, in hindsight, would have been to look at more diverse types of music rather than just traditional tunes and airs. These provide more of a challenge, even now. I like to play the more standard type of traditional dance tunes in sessions etc., but prefer to practice, and work on, other tunes which I would term "Party Pieces", for performances and the like. This, hopefully, continues to stretch my ability. Regards, Peter.

Hi Chris, I'm glad to hear this. I have fond memories of Mick Tems and Pat Smith playing C/G Anglos in tandem, Pat being as Welsh as they come, and Mick (from London) having picked up a soft Welsh accent. Funniest thing that I remember about Mick and Pat was one year at W.C.C.P. Halsway Manor (prior to current venue of Kilve Court), when they were booked to teach Anglo. In a bar session, I started a tune in D, at which point they both dropped their C/G boxes and simultaneously grabbed their one G/D box . I can't remember who "won", but I guess that Pat would have finished up with the G/D! Regards, Peter.