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Steven Hollander

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Posts posted by Steven Hollander

  1. I think that another issue that can be considered is that there are differences within makers which include date it was made, model/grade of instrument. I have a 1914 6-sided Wheatstone english with raised ebony ends and metal buttons. Yesterday I got together with a friend who has a 1960's wheatstone english with metal buttons and flat metal ends (it seemed that it is aluminum) I found that my concertina played faster/smoother, and had more volume and a much different tone than my friends. In the past I owned a a 1920's wheatstone english with flat metal ends and metal buttons which I beleive was not as responsive,etc as my 1914 (current) english.

  2. Peter- This is somewhat off the original post,but I would like to take the opportunity to say how much I enjoyed this recording. I enjoyed the relaxed pace and tightness of the playing, and the great tune selection. The more years I play and listen to dance tunes the more I enjoy hearing tunes being played without accompaniment from rhythmn instruments as it allows the "internal rhythmn " and "groove" and phrasing of each tune speak for themselves. I want to add that the combination of pipes and concertina is one of my favorites. --- Steven

  3. Thank you all for your replies and good advice which I will use when I get the ends back. It is helpful to know that I did a few correct things before sending it off for repairs such as laying out which screw go in which hole, and having jewler's screwdrivers on hand. I'd like to add an additonal question: A friend advised (some years ago) to put some parafine wax on the threads to provide lubrication when tightening the screws which can also aid the reverse. Is this good advice? I have used this technique on some of my other concertinas and it seemed to work well--Steven

  4. Are there any guidelines about how tight/loose the endbolt screws should be? Can mistakes be made by how tight/loose you adjust the screws? If too loose, will it lose air more quickly or if too tight can it damage the ends; ie - cause the sides to warp. I am asking this question because I have sent the endplate units to get repairs done on the button mechanisms ( I still have the bellows and reeds/reedplate). I just got word that the repairs are done and the ends are on the way back. I want to make sure that I reattach them properly with the right amount of torque (or what ever that term is?)> any help would be greatly appreciated- Steven

  5. I got my copy the other day and listened to it all weekend. All I can say is WOW!! GROOVY!! I have been really enjoying it. The variety of players, styles and tunes along with the sound quality is quite outstanding. There is not a dud on the CD. My interest and exposure in Anglo playing is mostly Irish, so I appreciate the exposure to the other possibilities of Anglo playing-- I also aprreciated the way the various styles were organized on each CD which added to the fun of listening. I can't say enough good things about this CD. Alan Day, et al ;--thanks much for your hard work in releasing this project. --- Steven

  6. There are few things like a new instrument of great quality in the hands of a happy owner. May it bring you years of satisfaction and pleasure.

     

    Would it be too intrusive to ask the serial number of your new treasure? Some of us out here waiting on our own new Dippers might glean (or at least imagine) some insight as to when ours might be close to the head of the queue. Colin told me what my serial number would be, and I'd love to know where his current production is at relative to the one I'm anticipating.

     

    Regards,

     

    Bruce

     

    (I'm not sure I'll ever get the hang of this reply thing-but here goes)

    First of all, I'd like to say that I am loving the Dipper. I'm starting to get the hang of it. So far I've been relearning tunes that I had learned on my other Anglo,but I find that they're easier on the Dipper as it is more responsive and and less work. Also, the sound and the tone of the Dipper is wonderful. I'm looking forward to learning some new tunes that my wife plays on her harp. Although that will have to wait fo a few weeks as I am heading off to N. Carolina to emerse myself in my other music passion> old-time style Banjo at the Blue Ridge Old time Music week (outside of Ashville) !!!! I mentioned in my original post that Colin titled it as his "Bentley" model due to the wood ends being from the dashboard of an old Bentley. The funny thing is that it has that "new car smell" when you open up the case.

    The serial number to my Dipper is 452.. I hope to post some pictures when I can get a friend to show me how--it's a good thing that I'm better at playing music than I am with playing the computer. ---Steven

  7. I started off my musical life on the 5-string banjo (clawhammer-style) over thirty years ago-About 20 years ago, I was playing in a contra dance band, and tried playing jigs and other Irish tunes on the banjo but I didn't think it fit. Around this time, I met a person who was passing through town that played a Wheatstone English. I feel in love with that "sound". I was hooked on wanting to play the concertina. I bought a Bastari (accordian reeded EC). It was okay to start on but didn't have that "sound" I had fallen in love with. I then got a "vintage" Wheatstone EC. Which I still play and love. About 6-7 years ago I thought about getting a button accordian to play Irish music. But after going to a festival and hearing someone play a Jefferies Anglo-I bagged getting an accordian--because I was once again drawn to that "concertina sound" , so I bought a Herrington c/g. Although I have enjoyed the Herrington, it did not have that "sound". So, I ordered a Dipper, and it came, recently. (see my new post). I'm thrilled because it has that "sound", although it is quite different than the sound of my Wheatstone EC (no better or worse,just different). So, to stay to the subject at hand, I quess the issue for me is that what drew me and still draws me to the concertina is that "sound" of the

    "traditional/english/vintage" reed instruments. The other allure of playing the concertina or any other bellowed free-reed instrument is how cool and fun they are to play--to quote an accordian player friend of mine: " Once you have gone bellows, there is no turning back"--Steven--

  8. :P :D :) My Dipper came about 3 weeks ago-Unfortunately< I had to suddenly leave town, 2 days after it arrived due to a family emergency. I got back about 10 days ago and I haven't put it down since arriving home. It is an 8-sided 32-button c/g anglo with raised wooden ends, walnut that came from the dashboard of an old Bentley. It's what Colin called his "Bentley Cottswold" model. I had originally ordered a County Clare model but I have always loved the look of the Wheatstone Aeolian so I changed my order--I'm glad I did-it's a beautiful looking instrument and has an incredible tone with a much balanced sound. The playability and response are quite good. I will likely get a further appreciation of this as my playing of the instrument improves. I cannot say enough about how happy I am with it. Colin is a wonderful craftsman and a wonderful person to work with. It was totally worth the wait!!!
  9. ..(PS- I hope I sumitted this post properly this time??--if not, I guess I just stick to reading the forum and playing tunes!!)

    No such luck. You did get it right, so now you're going to have to do some posting. ;)

     

     

    Well, my next step I guess will be to fix my spelling ( i.e.- submitted= not summited!) Well perhaps my excuse is that I have been a banjo player far longer than a concertina player?)--In response to Jim= Hopefully my next post will be to announce the arrival of my new DIPPER ANGLO><<YAHOO YIPPEE>> Yep-it's in its final stages of tuning and tweeking. I have sent Colin my $, I'm just waiting for a case to be made as the person who makes the cases has recently broken his arm--THE NERVE OF HIM!!! (HA! HA!!-just kidding)

  10. Thanks for your interest Derek,you and the rest of this site will be the first to know.

    It was always my intention to include an American Contra Dance band on this collection and I can now tell you that Jody Kruskal and friends have agreed to contribute.I have never heard Jody, but from the reports I have received I think we have an exciting new addition.

    Al :rolleyes: anticipating

     

    I have recently bought a CD of "Grand Picnic" which is the Contra Dance band in which Jody Kruskal is the Anglo Player. I had the tape but wore it out but I found this CD through the Button Box. It's a wonderful recording, and YES Jody Kruskal is a fine player. I highly recommend this CD if you are into this genre of music.

    ..(PS- I hope I sumitted this post properly this time??--if not, I guess I just stick to reading the forum and playing tunes!!)

  11. I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing/hearing Raynauld Ouellet in concert and at worshops. I think he's the finest Qubecois melodean I ever heard. I don't play melodean but attending his workshop just to hear him play up close. The point of mentioning this is that he makes the most beautiful and nicest sounding melodeans I have heard. Someone in this thread mentioned that they are interested in Quebecois Melodeans: well he would be the one to buy one from.I remember the cost was extremely reasonable.--Steven

  12. In those situations, I pull out oldtime standards these guys all know, and that are concertina friendly: Soldier's Joy; .....

    Any relation to the English standard, Soldier's Joy? I have an idea that the tune Redwing is another tune common both sides of the pond, but really I know diddly about bluegrass. Are there many tunes in common?

     

    Chris

    Are there many tunes in common?

     

    There are a few jigs that are played as reels/hoedowns in old time music: "New Rigged Ship"(jig) is "Green Willis/the Raw Recruit" ,and "Patsy Geary" (Jig:a-part) is the "Yellow Rose of Texas". Also, an Irish reel: "Bonaparte Crossing the Rockies" ( sometimes played as a march and/or hornpipe) is played as an fiddle tune in old time music sessions. And- --I know ther are a few others but I can't recall them right now.

  13. During the past 6 months or so, I have been doing gigs with my wife. I've been playing English concertina,bodhran,bones and 5-string banjo,and Ruth plays celtic harp and fiddle. We play a fair amount of English Country dance (Playford-type ) tunes,some O'Carolyn tunes and some Irish/Scottish hornpipes, jigs,etc; and old time Appalachian fiddle -banjo tunes. It's been a wonderful treat,and cool how much variation of arrangements,and sounds we can get. I think the combination of harp and concertina is a great sound. We both play in a few larger bands,but this duet thing has been a special treat for us.--Steven

     

    ----Also, Waltz tunes of all musical genres work well on English Concertina.

  14. Jim-the serial # of my Wheatstone english is 26520. The friend who sold it to me said it was made about 1904 or 1905. But when I looked up the serial # in some chart ( I can't remember where?) it put my concertina at about 1914, which is what led me to my question--thanks--Steven

  15. Why not play both an English and an Anglo. I had been playing English for about 15 years and then got an Anglo. For me it was a good thing as I find that it gives me the flexibility to choose which instrument to play a particulat tune as I find that certain tunes fit the english better and visa-versa. Also, I have found that learning the Anglo has given me ideas and techniques that have transferred to the English. In all honesty. I can't say that I prefer one system to the other. I love them both and will always play both.

  16. I thought the group Billy M. played with was called 'The Irish Tradition". Regardless, There is a great selection from one of those albums on one of the early Green Linnet compilation CDs. He does a great solo concertina version of the "The Corner House" followed by "My Maryann". (with Mick Moloney on banjo)

     

    --OOPS!--"Irish Tradition" is indeed the band name--I must have had my head up my bellows??

  17. There are severalrecordings available of Billy McComsky avaible on CD: He has a solo BA recording -"Making the Rounds" (I think that's the name ?), and 2 recordings of him playing with the band-In the Tradition (Billy plays both BA and anglo on these 2 albums). They're fine albums and he's a great player AND quite a likeable character: I had the pleasure of going to some workshops he gave at the Summer Solstice Festival in CA. Most of the workshops were for BA but he did do one for anglo,although he said that he doesn't play much Anglo these days and infact he didn't have one for the workshop so he used my Herrington--Boy it was nice to hear my anglo being played by a good player. If i'm not mistaken, these recordings are available through the Button Box--Steven--

  18. Great story Steven.

     

    What instruments do you and your wife play?

    Hi Helen- I play 5-string banjo (old-time clawhammer), English concertina, Anglo concertina, and Bodhran. My wife,Ruth, plays fiddle, Celtic harp,and piano accordian (and over the years has played some flute, clarinet, and mandolin. We are currently playing in an old-time band called :"Public Domain String Band", and we occassional perform and play for dances as a duet. I also play in a contra dance band called: "Loose Shoes".--Steven--

  19. My choices: First of all, I was going to list a few Irish ones, but Frank Edgely beat me to some of them--here's a few more--Noel Hill and Tony MacMahon- "Knock Na Gre (spelling?), Jackie Daly-Music of Sliabh Luchara, and JAckie Daly with Seamus Creagh (Jackie plays most accordian,but also plays tunes on Anglo). My favorite English Concertina recording is from Alistair Anderson-I think it's called "trad. tunes (?)---Steven

  20. Hi--I'd like to share my warm fuzzy experience: While on my honeymoon, which was a 3 week cross country trip, my wife and I brought our instruments with us. While we were staying at my parent's home, we had a dinner party with some of my relatives and old family friends. They asked us to play some music for them, so we played some old time and Irish tunes-which they liked okay (i think?). But then a neighbor of my parent's brought down a tune book of old Yiddish folk and Yiddish theater songs. As we started to sight read through the tunes, they all perked up and started clapping and dancing, and singing along--Wow -it was groovy--When I think about this experience,it brings joy to my heart. Unfortunately, most of these relatives are now deceased.. Luckily, a friend of mine,

    who was there, made a video of it--so I can revist this memory--when the mood strikes---Wow- I haven't shared this story in a long time--thanks for the oppotunity---Steven---

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