Chris Timson Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) Hi all, As many of you know, my partner Anne Gregson is reading music at Bath Spa University and part of her course (the Professional Development module) requires students to create a "web presence" for themselves - having a web site, using Facebook, Youtube, Soundcloud, that sort of thing. Anyway, she's created a web site which will be assessed next week. She used Wordpress so you can leave comments if you want (which would be nice if you like the site). There's a video of her playing and singing one of her songs plus a recording of another by courtesy of Soundcloud. Oh, and the house concert she mentions is genuine so if anyone fancies coming then let us know. annegregson.wordpress.com Cheers, Chris Edited March 9, 2011 by Chris Timson
Mike Franch Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Nice site. I was curious about the phrase "a house concert like the ones we did in America." Are these small concerts, held in people's houses,unusual in the UK?
Irene S. Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Nice site. I was curious about the phrase "a house concert like the ones we did in America." Are these small concerts, held in people's houses,unusual in the UK? Mike, they are still fairly uncommon over here. I had never been to one until January, when I was the guest performer at one in Gloucestershire. The room that the performance was held in was quite large by comparison with most lounges/sitting rooms over here. (About 30 people could be comfortably accommodated, possibly 40 at a squeeze. ) The evening format was similar to that of a folk club (floor singers, interval etc) but the difference (other than it being held in someone's home) was the provision of baked potatoes, cheese, biscuits etc during the interval, and charge to the audience was by donation (amount by choice) in a pot which was circulated. I rather suspect that we don't have many more of these events because most people's houses really aren't large enough to accommodate them. I'd certainly go to a few more if the opportunity arose!
Chris Timson Posted March 9, 2011 Author Posted March 9, 2011 Nice site. I was curious about the phrase "a house concert like the ones we did in America." Are these small concerts, held in people's houses,unusual in the UK? Almost unknown. Part of the reason for this is that in the UK folk clubs can be found on any night of the week, so there isn't so much need for house concerts to provide performers with midweek gigs (note to the English - there are few folk clubs as we know them in the US, instead there are coffee houses on the weekend and house concerts during the week. It seems to work. We loved doing house concerts). If you like the site perhaps you could leave a comment. Maybe ask her about the house concerts we did in the States. It might help to impress the examiner Cheers, Chris
Chris Drinkwater Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Nice site. I was curious about the phrase "a house concert like the ones we did in America." Are these small concerts, held in people's houses,unusual in the UK? I agree, it is a nice site. Yes, I think house concerts, or certainly folk-based ones, are unusual in this country. The only one I have been to, was at Theo Gibb's house, near Gateshead, and featured Rob Harbron on concertina and guitar and Emma Reid on fiddle. It was a bit like a small folk club. There were about 15 people in the audience and I loved the intimacy of it. There were refreshments during the interval, consisting of some delicious snacks, and tea, coffee and fruit juice to drink. So, Ann's up and coming one, should be good. Chris
Chris Timson Posted March 9, 2011 Author Posted March 9, 2011 Thanks for that - that's a pint I owe you next time I see you. Now for your next pint can I persuade you to say that on Anne's web site ... Chris
Anglo-Irishman Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Chris, A really lovely experience! Starting with the Thames barges in the photo at the top - a type of ship that has always fascinated me. I really enjoyed the song "Quiet Harbour". Lovely voice, thoughtful lyics and a "real" accompaniment, not just chords. Is that one of Anne's own compositions? Now I must go back to the site and write that in the visitors' book ... Cheers, John
Chris Timson Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 (edited) I really enjoyed the song "Quiet Harbour". Lovely voice, thoughtful lyics and a "real" accompaniment, not just chords. Is that one of Anne's own compositions? Peaceful Habour? It is indeed. We also sing a version in two part harmony with two concertinas, and in that form it means a lot to us - we've sung it at both my sister's wedding and my mother's funeral. I took the photo of Anne with the Thames barges in the background at Maldon on our way to my sister's wedding. Thank you. Chris Edited to add PS: you can hear the duo version of the song here on Soundcloud. Edited March 10, 2011 by Chris Timson
OLDNICKILBY Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 No Irene House Concerts are not un-common its like most things Folkie we keep them farly quite. In fact ours this week will be our seventy somethingth and with a bit of luck and a following breeze Marian B will be here for the weekend. As I have said before, try it it is great fun and very rewarding . Two weeks ago we had a Master Class with a well known Northumbrian Tina player who was performing locally that evening. Utterly wonderful an honour and a privilege to be there
michael sam wild Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 very nice , thanks for intro to SoundCloud!
Chris Timson Posted March 20, 2011 Author Posted March 20, 2011 I really enjoyed the song "Quiet Harbour". Lovely voice, thoughtful lyics and a "real" accompaniment, not just chords. Is that one of Anne's own compositions? Peaceful Habour? It is indeed. We also sing a version in two part harmony with two concertinas, and in that form it means a lot to us - we've sung it at both my sister's wedding and my mother's funeral. I took the photo of Anne with the Thames barges in the background at Maldon on our way to my sister's wedding. Sadly, we shall be singing the song again next week at my father's funeral. Chris
Anglo-Irishman Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Sadly, we shall be singing the song again next week at my father's funeral. Chris, I am sorry to hear that. You have my deepest sympathy. Without having known your father, I know that you will miss him. And I know that he will be with you in spirit for a long time yet. I wish you strength to sing that lovely song at the funeral. Be warned - it is not easy. When my mother was already looking forward to meeting her Lord, she told me what music she wanted at her funeral. One piece was a solo, "One day the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing". I procured a copy of the music for this song, and worked it up to performance standard. But I was so grateful that an old friend of hers undertook to sing it at her funeral - I just couldn't have sung it, my heart was too full. She taught me my mother tongue, and she taught me to sing. I also think of my late son-in-law. He was an orchestral horn player, and the contact person for a network of horn players that string orchestras could hire. He died at 32, and 16 horn players played at his funeral. It was just as well that there were so many, because I doubt whether any one of them managed to play the pieces through without cracking. Anne sings the song beautifully - but be aware that she may have to sing it by herself. Blessings, John
Chris Timson Posted March 22, 2011 Author Posted March 22, 2011 Anne sings the song beautifully - but be aware that she may have to sing it by herself. Thank you, I very much appreciate that. I have had practice - we sang it at my mother's funeral just 4 months ago - but I agree, it is difficult. Chris
Woody Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Sadly, we shall be singing the song again next week at my father's funeral. Sorry to hear your sad news Chris. You and your family have my deepest sympathy. best regards Woody
Chris Timson Posted April 1, 2011 Author Posted April 1, 2011 Well, in the event I got through both songs at the funeral. All In Harmony was alright but Peaceful Harbour gave me problems, oddly more with my fingers than my voice. But Anne held it all together. It was a privilege to sing and at times like these being a singer and musician is a real blessing. Thanks to everyone who sent commiserations. Chris
PeterT Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 Thanks to everyone who sent commiserations. Sorry to hear the news, Chris; I've only just caught up with this thread. Regards, Peter.
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