Mark Evans

Wendy, you are on to something here! I once had a coon dog (sweet beast) who would sing along whenever I pulled out my banjo. I fear I missed a real career opportunity.

Yes! She enjoyed her first visit to Ireland. I understand there are plans for her return, 06' I think. Red hair....um.

It's a wonderful thing to dream of being a "professional" when you are young. The reality can be another matter. I "came off the road" got a real job, weekly paycheck no less, and have a life with gardening, koi pond, a bulldog and a relationship with my children! The most unexpected plus is that the fun of music making is back. My wife Dominique Labelle is still on the road and her stress level can at times get high, but it is what she feels completes her. She and the Sarasa Ensemble gave a wonderful concert at my college Friday evening. I stood in wonder of this person I live with. There is a side of her that only lives "on the stage" and it was magic to see and hear. I had forgotten that other person is within her...ooh, la, la! Of course when a presentor does not pay or holds up the check in some cases 60 plus days...well, not fun.

Safe and digging out here too. No 'cords' diminished or otherwise. Did however loose our phone and cable due to an overy zealous backhoe opperator . Serious CNet. withdrawal.

Exactement!

Oh Wendy, I'm "snowed in here too! The wind is just howling around this old house and I hope my big maple keeps all her limbs and does not desposit a diminished cord of wood on my roof . Back to coffee, 'cause baby it cold outside!

Stephen, thank you for the links. Was dissapointed that Evangelines bio in the first link simply refered to her playing guitar, harp and many other instruments. Lumping the concertina in there as if it were a kazoo...an outrage! A life well lived.

Perfection none the less. The eyes, would that they were green.

Oh I do Bill, I'm very proud to be of Peckerwood extraction. You know, Dubbya (after all It's Dubbya big day) is of Scott's extraction as well. Please don't take what I said about my own heritage as a "dis". 'Twas just my southern humor leakin' out... Dad burnit Maw you can't take that boy anywhere! Editoral note: In honesty, one of my ancestors was Henry Clay of Kentucky with all the good and bad that encompasses. Ain't it about time ya'll get back ta squeeze boxes? I'll shut up an' read from now on.

You bet Stephen! Even thought about givin' up strong drink for...a week in her honor! Red hair ya say...almost auburn I'd guess. Whew!

Bill you are correct...however, something happened to those immigrants: They incountered heat and BUGS baby. Men of my fathers generation even prefered long sleeve work shirts in summer for protection from sun and swarms of bloodthirsty, 24-7 BUGS! Also, the overly shame-based forms of religion prevalent in the deep south demanded modesty from male and female adults alike (past, get thee behind me! ). Jim, I like your thinking on the rope bit. Oh, Bill I hate to say this but the Scotts-Irish immigrants were Crackers...Peckerwoods...and my Auntie Maybel's favorite phrase...White Trash.

Well, no Jim. It refers to my relatives skin pigmentation. Dear ole' Dad and his side were very fair....one dare say white? Crackers (that would be a fair discription of most of the family) never take off their shirts while working outside. They never seem to tan, only achieve an angry reddish burn around the neck. On the few occations I saw Dad "sans" shirt the contrast between the red neck and the lily white torso was...well, remarkable. Momma an' nem' are a bit on the dark side as am I. We browns up right nice thank ye! Now 'bout dat' rope...

Jonathan, the old Irish communities in the states are in some quarters a closed society in all respects. An already marginalized people risked everything to come here and found themselves unwanted. "No Irish Need Apply" signs hung in shops in Boston during the middle to late 1800's as a warning to any cheeky "Paddys" not to cross the door looking for a job....They closed ranks, survived and flourished. Can be frustrating for a "mongrl" like myself whose ancestors came early in the 1600's (Irish, Welsh, Scots and yes even English) and settled in isolation down South (a whole 'nuther bit of baggage). Most of us are just now looking back to our heritage. For me it's one flowing thing that I find delight it, particularly the connections between the cultures. The bit about an EC winning a competiton in Cork was hopeful and at the same time depressing. Competition particularly in Irish Traditional Music and Dance has served to entrench rigidity into art forms that need creativity alive and well so they don't become museum pieces. Too much thought at this early hour...coffee!

You are lost an' gone forever, oh My Darlin' Klementine...Now forever known in my feeble mind as the Lost My Box Waltz...

Ouch! Recon' ah had that un' acomin'....Maw! where in tarnation did ja hide my corn squeezins'!

Point of order: As a card carrying Peckerwood from North Carolina, I have always prefered the more colorful "Yee-Haw" for bluegrass or CW. Very important that "W". Leaving the Rebel Yell in an open vowel somehow seems to be sacrilege.

Toads before breakfast? Ach no man! Just a wee dram a' Glennlevet 12, me box an' me pipe. Bravo Alan!

Brad, if Tina and Barry have progeny, I'd be more than happy to adopt one!

Oh Jeff, is that related to "Whiskey Before Breakfast"? Squeeze On!

Hey Stuart, I have really enjoyed your submission to the Recorded Links page. Great playing and very enjoyable voice. Don't know what Bruce will say on the ornament issue, but for me it has to do with the accordion reeds and the amount of pressure it takes for them to speak. I switch off and play a friends old Wheatstone EC at our weekly seisun from time to time. It is a bit easier to pull off ornaments at low bellows pressure with those concertina reeds. I've just had to adjust my use of the bellows to keep a goodly amount of pressure, then that spritely Morse action can ornament crisply and fast. When I first brought Tina (Albion) home, I would actually have a reed not speak during a gentle ornamental passage because I was so careful with the new bellows and used to my old Stone's response. Tina is a saucey creature and wants to be pushed.

No Bruce, I don't have this Dancing with Ma Baby. I'll do something about that. Now you write "heavy" as regards the action. I know this refers to the NM post Mr. Wakkers magic, but it resonated as a better descriptive word for my response to the Edeophone action. Springs perhaps? Any road sounds as if you have a lovely reborn instrument. Two concertinas...envy, get thee behind me!

Red hair...well that makes it perfect. I'm sure many a down an' out boozer put down his gin and followed the path to salvation just at the sight of her!

Thank you Stephen. I enjoyed both the thread and the page from Chris' site. Found myself very emotional seeing the Bristol band grow older in successive photographs. Evangeline Cory Booth however is beautiful! The delicate hand with long fingers confidently drapped over her concertina and that face! What a character she must have been. Ya know, hangin' around this bunch a' squeezers, might just teach me a thing er' two.

Well, you have been busy with the Albion to have the bellows worked in to that extent. Questions about the New Model: The action, how is it in contrast to the Albion? In my discription of the Edeophone I played the word sluggish was used and I think that's not really what I was feeling. The action was very different and didn't "feel" as connected. However, I was able to maintain the same tempi on the jigs I trotted out. Why did it take you some time to warm up to the New Model?