MAD PARROT CEILIDH BAND: Kevin Findlay (fiddle), Helen Forbes (whistles), Lindsay Duncan (guitars), Ewan Hayne (bass), John McAdin (drums)
FON A BHORD: Mike Ward (fiddle), Helen Forbes (whistles), Barbara Dymock(vocals, bodhran), Ian Kinnear (pipes), Paul Campbell (guitar), Patsy Reid (fiddle), Declan Hegarty (harp)
THE KICKASS CEILIDH BAND: John Curran (guitar), Mike Ward (fiddle), Helen Forbes (whistles), Kenny Irons/Kevin Skelly (bass guitar), Johnny McAdin (drums)
THE CAREFUL MOVERS: Gordon Douglas (lead vocal, rythmn guitar), Lou Lewis (lead guitar, vocals), Alan Barty (fiddle, mandolin,vocals), Helen Forbes (whistles, vocals), John Fitzgerald (bass guitar, vocals), Ged Handy (drums, vocals)
BLO NA GAEL: Helen Forbes (whistles, vocals), Shirley Potts (vocals, fiddle, bodhran), Karen Valentine ( mandolin, guitar, banjo), Marie Fielding (fiddle, viola), Jae Austin guitar, bodhran, banjo, vocals)
Far too many to mention but include my dad Peter, Mary Bergin, Willie Clancy, Donald Macleod, Micho Russell Matt Molloy, Sean Potts, Brid O'Donohue, The Bothy Band, Junior Crehan, Frankie Kennedy, Johnny Doran, De Dannan, The Tannahill Weavers, The Battlefield Band, the two Bobs (Brown and Nicoll), Pentangle, Fairport Convention and, of course, The Headboys.
Helen Forbes from Dundee is regarded as one of Scotland's finest tin whistle players. Her father, Peter, a well known Highland piper who later took up uillean pipes, was a major influence on her playing but she was also lucky enough to be taught by Mary Bergin in Spiddal and also by her at the Willie Clancy School in Miltown Malbay. At the moment Helen plays with the totally "Mad Parrot Ceilidh Band" but she has also played with Fon A Bhord, The Kickass Ceilidh Band, The Careful Movers, the all-girl Blo Na Gael, Heritage and the Foundry Bar Band. She has also performed on a large number of recordings including fellow Dundonian Michael Marra's acclaimed album Posted Sober. As well as playing with the band Helen performs a fair number of solo gigs sometimes accompanied by her partner Lou Lewis who's really a song writing rock guitarist (ex Headboys) but hey...who's counting. She also does LOTS of teaching. Dundee Wighton Centre on Saturday mornings, Kennoway Community School on Sunday afternoons, Feisean Nan Gaidhael during school holidays, festival workshops and the rest of the time she's a music lecturer at Dundee College.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Our first single, Drunk Tonight EP, and our first DVD Drunk Rock Videos DVD is now available for pre-order from the store section of our website. Go to http://www.thebloodyirishboys.com for more info.
Thanks for all your support! If you weren't able to make it to the Medicine Show at the Laugh Factory last week, I have uploaded seven ten minute clips from the show to my profile. Give it a look...It'll make you feel better!
If You Are In The Area - We Need You! Saturday June 20th at The Outer Limits we are playing one night only and will be shooting 3 camera angles for our upcoming video for "Whole Lotta Waitress". Not only do we need to make sure this bar is wall to wall packed for the good of the video, but also to show the owners that we can pack their club. Click the link above for directions to the bar via google maps. The Outer Limits is located at: 8095 N. State Rd. Davison, MI We appreciate it very much!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Hello
<br />Thanks so much for your friendship it’s a real pleasure for me- I am very impressed by your profile – wow really amazing stuff. Currently I am pretty excited as I have just now released my first solo double album “An Ocean Of Dreams”. It would be a real honour and pleasure for me if you could give it a listen and if you have some time leave me a comment with your thoughts about my baby.
<br />I say thanks in advance and wish you a beautiful day
<br />Mindmovie
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<br />
Welcome to Friendship.
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<br />Thank you for sharing your time,
<br />Creativity
<br />And love.
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<br />Love your creative mind. You are very talented.
<br />AIM HIGH….NEVER COMPROMISE ON DREAMS.
<br />ALWAYS DREAM ABUNDANTLY…AND WORK TOWARDS MAKING THEM COME TRUE…AND THEY WILL AND ALWAYS DO
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<br />Have a good day…enjoy my poetry and music
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<br />Love and warm regards
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<br />Biri
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Check out our website www. festnfurious. co. uk for the first of our FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS from festival artists, kicking off with Luva-Anna's Ballad o Boaby Smith.
