markwil Posted January 16, 2008 Posted January 16, 2008 This is a beautiful CD. There is something (to my ear) distinctly different about her playing but I can't quite put my finger on it. Any insight from you Irish Anglo folks out there? Thanks Mark
ceemonster Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 (edited) different from what? from my subjective perspective, i experience her as one of the clare concertina artists whose technique is very polished and "modern" when it comes to across-the-rows fingering for the melody part of the tune, and very minimally and tastefully-rendered slap triplets or very light rolls, but who otherwise keep their extra-melodic embellishment choices very traditional and clean----a low ornament-to-melody ratio, an avoidance of beebee-gun hyperstaccato, and limiting bass embellishment to occasional light taps or occasional doublestops rather than following the current rage for accordion-like or ceili piano-like full bass chords. this aesthetic is also displayed exquisitely by older-style players who play their melody "on the rows," such as kitty hayes, mary macnamara, charles coen, etc. whether you are playing "on the rows" or "across the rows," letting the melody be the message, as it were, frees the concertina to shine as a gorgeous melody instrument, as opposed to a display of special-F/X that sound like a noisemaker at a New Year's Eve party. for some odd reason, the modern "across the rows" melody fingering has come to be stereotyped as always traveling along with hyper-busy bass and ornamentation, so that the busier style is what people think of when they think of "modern" technique. but many clare players use the newer "across the rows" fingering for their melody, and you are hearing an exquisitely polished and fluid melody technique in her playing, but stick to the cleaner less-is-more aesthetic when it comes to ornaments and bass embellishment. it is a style that to my ear is very "clare," at least as measured by descriptions by folks like martin hayes, of the hallmarks of clare style....and it is analogous to fiddlers who command a high degree of technique, but keep their embellishment choices minimal to let the melody shine....this is my favorite irish concertina aesthetic, and she is one of my favorite players....now, i am not saying that any of this is deliberate or a stance or "movement" or anything like that...i would have no clue about any of that....it is just the way i conceptualize to myself what it is i love about this style of playing by dympna o'sullivan and others such as claire keville, patsy lewis, kate mcnamara, miriam collins, sharon o'leary, ernestine healy of county mayo, etc. another note about ms. o'sullivan---dissection of technique aside, i find her to be a very expressive, emotionally subtle player... Edited January 17, 2008 by ceemonster
walt Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 Thanks for sharing your respective impressions. Were either of you able to listen to the CD before buying? I haven't found any clips of her playing solo. Just in larger groups, with Kitty Hayes, etc.. There was a link that somebody posted earlier to a download from Clare FM, but that is long gone. Regards, Walt
David Levine Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 And on the other end of the spectrum: Niall Vallely, also wonderful, if a bit tense... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCeZgjTQ7_E...feature=related
ceemonster Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 (edited) well, she may still be heard on a clare fm link, on the second "kitchen sessions" installment, the one at patsy o'grady's in kilmaley. i can't recall if she does a solo set, but for sure there are a couple of duets where you can hear her loud & clear....plus lovely concertina sets featuring patsy lewis, edel fox, and a young clare concertina player whose name i can't recall. that's my favorite kitchen sessions installment......hmmmm, describing it makes me think i should have yet another listen very soon.... Edited January 18, 2008 by ceemonster
michael sam wild Posted July 26, 2008 Posted July 26, 2008 I may have asked this eleswhere but does anyone know what keys her concertinas are in? she uses quite a few keys on her CD
David Levine Posted July 27, 2008 Posted July 27, 2008 I may have asked this eleswhere but does anyone know what keys her concertinas are in? she uses quite a few keys on her CD I know she's playing C/G and Bb/F. I also think she's playing an Eb/A. Do you have The Amazing Slowdowner? It's a great help in learning tunes and deciphering just exactly what it is that she's doing. Mike, have you given thought to coming to The Bradfield Musical Weekend? Even for a part of one day? The focus will be on playing and talking about concertinas. It bids fair to be a great occasion. BRADFIELD TRADITIONAL MUSIC WEEKEND 2008 PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME THESE ARE SUGGESTED VENUES WHERE GUESTS MAY LIKE TO PERFORM.AS A ROUGH & READY GUIDE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH & THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD,SINGING IN THE CLUB ROOM,THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD. THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 8.00PM ROYAL CONCERTINAS PLAYERS MONTHLY GATHERING-THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST 8.00PM MAINLY ENGLISH INSTRUMENTAL SESSION-THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 8.00PM MAINLY SINGING SESSION-THE CLUB ROOM,THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD 8.00PM MAINLY IRISH INSTRUMENTAL SESSION,THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD FINISH THE EVENING IN EDGEMOUNT BARN-EVERYONE SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 10.00 AM: EDGEMOUNT STABLES CONCERTINA REPAIRERS FORUM LEAD BY GEOFF CRABB 10.00 AM: EDGEMOUNT BARN ROGER DIGBY'S "ANGLO HOUR"-PLAYING & CHATTING LUNCHTIME:SESSIONS 12.30PM THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 12.30PM THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD 12.30PM THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD(USE POOL ROOM) 4.00 PM EDGEMOUNT BARN JODY KRUSKAL "COOL AMERICAN STUFF ON THE C/G ANGLO" 7.30PM THE NEW BRADFIELD VILLAGE HALL,LOW BRADFIELD DANCE WITH BRACKENRIGG AND THE HANDSWORTH SWORD DANCERS PLUS GUEST SPOTS SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 10.00AM EDGEMOUNT BARN DAN WORRAL "THE BEGINNINGS OF ANGLO CONCERTINA PLAYING IN ENGLAND 1830-1920" 10.00 EDGEMOUNT STABLES ANDREW & MARGARET WATCHORN "MUSIC FROM THE BORDERS" 10.00AM EDGEMOUNT STABLES CONCERTINA REPAIRERS FORUM LEAD BY GEOFF CRABB LUNCHTIME:SESSIONS 12.30 THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 12.30OM THE OLD HORNS CLUBROOM,HIGH BRADFIELD 12.30 THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD(USE POOL ROOM) 4.00PM- EDGEMOUNT FARM BARN GRAND FINAL SESSION EVERYONE PLUS GUESTS 8.00PM THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH-A MIXED SESSION WITH WHOEVER IS LEFT IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT MARK DAVIES AT ANY REASONABLE TIME HIS MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 07850475067
michael sam wild Posted July 27, 2008 Posted July 27, 2008 I may have asked this eleswhere but does anyone know what keys her concertinas are in? she uses quite a few keys on her CD I know she's playing C/G and Bb/F. I also think she's playing an Eb/A. Do you have The Amazing Slowdowner? It's a great help in learning tunes and deciphering just exactly what it is that she's doing. Mike, have you given thought to coming to The Bradfield Musical Weekend? Even for a part of one day? The focus will be on playing and talking about concertinas. It bids fair to be a great occasion. BRADFIELD TRADITIONAL MUSIC WEEKEND 2008 PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME THESE ARE SUGGESTED VENUES WHERE GUESTS MAY LIKE TO PERFORM.AS A ROUGH & READY GUIDE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH & THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD,SINGING IN THE CLUB ROOM,THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD. THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 8.00PM ROYAL CONCERTINAS PLAYERS MONTHLY GATHERING-THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST 8.00PM MAINLY ENGLISH INSTRUMENTAL SESSION-THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 8.00PM MAINLY SINGING SESSION-THE CLUB ROOM,THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD 8.00PM MAINLY IRISH INSTRUMENTAL SESSION,THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD FINISH THE EVENING IN EDGEMOUNT BARN-EVERYONE SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 10.00 AM: EDGEMOUNT STABLES CONCERTINA REPAIRERS FORUM LEAD BY GEOFF CRABB 10.00 AM: EDGEMOUNT BARN ROGER DIGBY'S "ANGLO HOUR"-PLAYING & CHATTING LUNCHTIME:SESSIONS 12.30PM THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 12.30PM THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD 12.30PM THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD(USE POOL ROOM) 4.00 PM EDGEMOUNT BARN JODY KRUSKAL "COOL AMERICAN STUFF ON THE C/G ANGLO" 7.30PM THE NEW BRADFIELD VILLAGE HALL,LOW BRADFIELD DANCE WITH BRACKENRIGG AND THE HANDSWORTH SWORD DANCERS PLUS GUEST SPOTS SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 10.00AM EDGEMOUNT BARN DAN WORRAL "THE BEGINNINGS OF ANGLO CONCERTINA PLAYING IN ENGLAND 1830-1920" 10.00 EDGEMOUNT STABLES ANDREW & MARGARET WATCHORN "MUSIC FROM THE BORDERS" 10.00AM EDGEMOUNT STABLES CONCERTINA REPAIRERS FORUM LEAD BY GEOFF CRABB LUNCHTIME:SESSIONS 12.30 THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 12.30OM THE OLD HORNS CLUBROOM,HIGH BRADFIELD 12.30 THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD(USE POOL ROOM) 4.00PM- EDGEMOUNT FARM BARN GRAND FINAL SESSION EVERYONE PLUS GUESTS 8.00PM THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH-A MIXED SESSION WITH WHOEVER IS LEFT IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT MARK DAVIES AT ANY REASONABLE TIME HIS MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 07850475067
michael sam wild Posted July 27, 2008 Posted July 27, 2008 I may have asked this eleswhere but does anyone know what keys her concertinas are in? she uses quite a few keys on her CD I know she's playing C/G and Bb/F. I also think she's playing an Eb/A. Do you have The Amazing Slowdowner? It's a great help in learning tunes and deciphering just exactly what it is that she's doing. Mike, have you given thought to coming to The Bradfield Musical Weekend? Even for a part of one day? The focus will be on playing and talking about concertinas. It bids fair to be a great occasion. BRADFIELD TRADITIONAL MUSIC WEEKEND 2008 PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME THESE ARE SUGGESTED VENUES WHERE GUESTS MAY LIKE TO PERFORM.AS A ROUGH & READY GUIDE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH & THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD,SINGING IN THE CLUB ROOM,THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD. THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 8.00PM ROYAL CONCERTINAS PLAYERS MONTHLY GATHERING-THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST 8.00PM MAINLY ENGLISH INSTRUMENTAL SESSION-THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 8.00PM MAINLY SINGING SESSION-THE CLUB ROOM,THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD 8.00PM MAINLY IRISH INSTRUMENTAL SESSION,THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD FINISH THE EVENING IN EDGEMOUNT BARN-EVERYONE SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 10.00 AM: EDGEMOUNT STABLES CONCERTINA REPAIRERS FORUM LEAD BY GEOFF CRABB 10.00 AM: EDGEMOUNT BARN ROGER DIGBY'S "ANGLO HOUR"-PLAYING & CHATTING LUNCHTIME:SESSIONS 12.30PM THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 12.30PM THE OLD HORNS,HIGH BRADFIELD 12.30PM THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD(USE POOL ROOM) 4.00 PM EDGEMOUNT BARN JODY KRUSKAL "COOL AMERICAN STUFF ON THE C/G ANGLO" 7.30PM THE NEW BRADFIELD VILLAGE HALL,LOW BRADFIELD DANCE WITH BRACKENRIGG AND THE HANDSWORTH SWORD DANCERS PLUS GUEST SPOTS SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 10.00AM EDGEMOUNT BARN DAN WORRAL "THE BEGINNINGS OF ANGLO CONCERTINA PLAYING IN ENGLAND 1830-1920" 10.00 EDGEMOUNT STABLES ANDREW & MARGARET WATCHORN "MUSIC FROM THE BORDERS" 10.00AM EDGEMOUNT STABLES CONCERTINA REPAIRERS FORUM LEAD BY GEOFF CRABB LUNCHTIME:SESSIONS 12.30 THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH 12.30OM THE OLD HORNS CLUBROOM,HIGH BRADFIELD 12.30 THE PLOUGH,LOW BRADFIELD(USE POOL ROOM) 4.00PM- EDGEMOUNT FARM BARN GRAND FINAL SESSION EVERYONE PLUS GUESTS 8.00PM THE ROYAL HOTEL,DUNGWORTH-A MIXED SESSION WITH WHOEVER IS LEFT IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT MARK DAVIES AT ANY REASONABLE TIME HIS MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 07850475067
michael sam wild Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 Thanks cocusflute for the info on Dympna and her concertinas We are going to Bradfield so I'm sure we'll meet up Looks good!
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