Newfoundland

[DianeM]

Hello,

I am looking for people who play the anglo in Newfoundland, preferably with an inclination to sea songs (French and/or English).

thanks

dianeM

[Leo]

Hello,

I am looking for people who play the anglo in Newfoundland, preferably with an inclination to sea songs (French and/or English).

thanks

dianeM

Hi Diane

 

My paternal grandparents were born in Conception Harbour, and emigrated to the states in the late 19teens before my father was born in 1929. My tastes run to Ed McCurdy, Omar Blondahl, Wilf Doyle, and Stan Rogers. I also attempt at playing an English concertina. Does this count?

 

Thanks

Leo

Edited July 11, 2009 by Leo

[Bill N]

Hello,

I am looking for people who play the anglo in Newfoundland, preferably with an inclination to sea songs (French and/or English).

thanks

dianeM

 

Hi Diane

 

I don't live in NFLD, but spend a fair amount of time there visiting family, and have been learning anglo for about a year. I went to the Vinland music camp in Gros Morne last summer hoping to meet some other players. Had a great time, and learned a lot, but found out that the concertina was a rarity, having been replaced by button accordion. This after talking to dozens of professional musicians, the staff at O'Brien's music store, and attending a lot of different sessions in St. John's and the Rocky Harbour area.

 

Fergus O'Byrne is a wonderful English Concertina player of Irish and traditional Newfoundland music, and has recorded with lots of bands. His catalogue is on line. His son, Fergus Brown-O'Byrne is the only Anglo player I've heard there. He plays an Edgley, and seems to favour Irish style music. I was told that Bob Rutherford, accordionist with the Art Stoyles Band, has one, but don't know if he plays it much.

 

John Roberts isn't a Newfoundlander, but not too far away in the "Boston States". His CD "Sea Fever" is a collection of songs from Britain, Newfoundland, the Maritimes & New England, and he plays Anglo on most of them.

 

I'll be in Nfld. in August. Hope to get to the Ship Inn on the evening of the 5th for the pre-festival session, up to Bay of Exploits for a few days, then back for the Sunday of the folk festival in St. John's, and the Tues. afternoon session at Auntie Crae's. If you see a bearded bald guy with a Morse, it's probably me!

 

edited to add: Did we meet at Vinland?

Edited July 12, 2009 by Bill N

[Ken_Coles]

I'll be in Nfld. in August. Hope to get to the Ship Inn on the evening of the 5th for the pre-festival session, up to Bay of Exploits for a few days, then back for the Sunday of the folk festival in St. John's, and the Tues. afternoon session at Auntie Crae's. If you see a bearded bald guy with a Morse, it's probably me!

 

Unless it's me...I am scheduled to co-lead a geology field trip to Newfoundland in August. Unfortunately the schedule (designed by another professor) is so full I seriously doubt I can get off my leash long enough to meet up with anyone. But I'll be playing my anglo in a campground somewhere!

 

Ken

 

Edited to add: Sorry, that's August of 2010, not this year!

[Ken_Coles]

Diane tells me she is interested to hear from anyone else about this also, so I'm adding a reply here to bump the thread (and show her how!). Bon chance!

 

Ken

[MandolinRefugee]

Hello,

I am looking for people who play the anglo in Newfoundland, preferably with an inclination to sea songs (French and/or English).

thanks

dianeM

 

I`m thoroughly from Newfoundland, although I`m having an extended stint in Japan right now. When I left there 4 years ago, I didn`t play the concertina, but hopefully by the time I return, I`ll be proficient enough to take the instruments out of my kitchen (which pretty much describes my playing location so far in my concertina carreer...)

 

Do you currently have a concertina? Are you looking for a teacher, too?

 

Cheers,

 

Daunt

[Azalin]

Do you currently have a concertina? Are you looking for a teacher, too?

 

Diane has a C/G anglo Edgley, but is mostly interested in sea songs and related stuff. I think she is doing quite well for such a short time playing, and her challenge now is to find a good source for learning sea songs playing (chords, melody). It's very easy to get some irish music lessons on the concertina, not so much for sea songs it seems!

 

By the way Diane I'll be going in St John's probably in october, we might cross path there :-)

[Leo]

Hi Diane

 

A while back I bookmarked a site and forgot about it. Since then they've expanded it considerably, and might be worth a look to see the local music collected. They've included a lot of MP3 audio and a few transcriptions of the music.

http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/

 

Might give you some idea of what you'll find there.

 

Thanks

Leo