Friends, music and playing the fiddle. I especially like friends who play music on the fiddle!
I like: Ceilidhs, morris dance, rapper sword, clog dance, freshly made real coffee, toast with Marmite and grilled cheese, curry, real ale, single malt scotch whisky, pretzels, going to gigs, going to the pub, eating out, listening to music, a good book, surfing the web, the Fiddle Forum, getting home from work, weekends and other such simple pleasures.
I dislike: Instant coffee, finding a wet towel in the bathroom, going to work, standing in a queue, inconsiderate drivers, irresponsible dog owners, discos, bad beer, smoky atmospheres, full car parks, empty fridges, soggy batter, web sites that have been under construction for ages, slow internet connections and loads of other irritating stuff.
Music
English traditional fiddle tunes, especially those rooted in the north west of England. After that I like most types of traditional music, especially instrumental stuff. I also listen to Jazz and classical music. I have a massive cd collection, so here a few artists that you might find on my shelves.
Dave Swarbrick, Eliza Carthy, Cathrine Tickell, Chris Leslie, Emma Reid, Jenna Reid, Spiers & Boden, Natalie McMaster, John McCusker, Tom McConville, Morris On, John Kirkpatrick, Pete Cooper, Blazin' Fiddles, Alasdair Fraser, Boys of the Lough, Nancy Kerr, La Bottine Souriante, Salsa Celtica, Altan, Nickel Creek, Gregor Borland, Battlefield Band, Lunasa, Danu, North Cregg, Martin Hayes, Kevin Burke, The Chieftains, The Dubliners, Maxim Vengerov, Nigel Kennedy, Joe Pass, Martin Simpson, Barney Kessel, John Scofield, Martin Taylor, Django Reinhardt, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and loads of others.
============<>============
You've got to be a damn good fiddler to clown around like this
My mate Nick is the fiddler in this next vid
Chris Leslie plays and dances Jockey to the Fair
I can play the tune, I can tap my feet, but I'll be blowed if I can do them both together :(
I wish I could say I'm related but I'm not. Two very talented ladies all the same
Television
Don't have time to watch it.
Books
The Bible.
I don't read many books, but when I do I like a big book with loads of pages that will keep me busy for a long time.
The island of the day before, Traitor to concience, the da vinci code, Jig, In search of the craic, In search of Albion, Shogun, Girlfriend in a coma and lots of others that aren't worth a mention.
About me: I'm married with four kids and two dogs. I'm a Christian and a member of Carnforth Free Methodist Church.
I'm a fairly quiet sort of person; shy, but with a very dry sense of humour, (I suppose that's part of my English heritage). My humour is often seen as rudeness by folks who don't know me well, so I tend not to say much. I enjoy talking to friends on the web because it gives me time to think about what I want to say before I say it. However, I still manage to put my foot in it on occasions.
My main interest is playing the fiddle, I also play mandolin and bodhran. I play in a couple of bands: ROOTED the ceilidh band and the Lakeland Fiddlers. I used to play fiddle for the John O'Gaunt Morris Men but found I had too many music projects going at once, something had to give. I really miss playing for the morris. You can check out my bands profiles in my Top Friends; check out the tunes and leave a comment.
I go to the regular fiddle and folk session hosted by the Lakeland Fiddlers at the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall in Staveley.
I like getting out and about and playing a few gigs with the bands. It always seems to rain when we do an outdoor gig.
Then there's the dogs, Jack and Maggie. They are both named after drinks; Jack Daniels and Magners cider.
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.
Choonz entered in an Irish Music Battle of the Bands!
Hi, Choonz have entered an Irish music battle of the Bands competition online Youtube Link
The winners get 5 nights playing at the Monte Carlo Casino in Las Vegas. This would obviously be quite nice. Seriously though, we would really love this opportunity and this would give us the publicity needed to start our career as a touring band. WE NEED YOUR VOTE!! Please take the time to forward this to some people in your address book. Voting ends in a few days so please don't delay. It only takes a minute to register your vote! Anyway, enough grovelling from us. To vote for us Click Here and select Choonz. Cheers!
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..?
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.
Every time that we listen & write music... play an instrument... dance... act in a play... or work in some audio/image/video engineering process... something is healing inside...
When we share it with friends... something is healing all over...
cada vez que escuchamos o escribimos musica... tocamos un instrumento... bailamos... o trabajamos en procesos de ingenieria de audio/imagen/video.... algo se sana por dentro...
Cuando lo compartimos con amigos... algo se sana en todas partes...
El Amor puede conducir... de manera simple... todo...
hey martyn, that's so funny you found me that way! the internet is an interesting thing. well, I'm not familiar with the term "dots." Does it refer to musical notation? If so, I learned it by ear... I have a recording that is a bit slower I believe... I can send you that if you want...(?) cheers, Zoë
Thanks Martyn. Perhaps it will be a bit quieter next time...and I will remember to play Stybarrow Crag (one of my favourites, how could I have forgotten!). Best wishes, Diane x
Online Now!
