SCAD THE BEGGARS ~ TRADITIONAL MUSIC & SONG from North Antrim .....................................................................................................................................Musically, North Antrim's musicians have historically listened more to the Music of Scotland, which has wafted over the airwaves across the Irish Sea, than most other parts of Ireland, with the exception perhaps of Donegal, whose music also shows a strong Scottish influence.
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Through constant sea travel between the Western Isles & the lowlands of Scotland & the coastal areas of County Antrim, especially amongst the fishing folk, but also the many migrant workers who crossed the water for seasonal employment, songs and tunes have been traded, leading to the unique Scots / Irish mix we now have in the Music of North Antrim.
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This band of traditional musicians & singers, bring a diverse musical experience to their appreciation, & interpretation, of the music, song & rhyme enjoyed by folks throughout North Antrim. As well as many fine singers, they also bring a wide variety of instrumentation including, Harp, Fiddle, Northumbrian Pipes, Fife, Flute, Concertina, Hammered Dulcimer, Harmonica, Scottish Smallpipes, Guitar & Percussion. So we're guaranteed to keep your feet tapping.
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We play the music, song & rhyme, made popular in Antrim by such local worthies as Joe Holmes of Ballymoney, Frank McCollam of Ballycastle, Alec McAllister of Glenarm & Paddy ‘Stumpy’ McLuskey of Cloughmills.
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Please note that Scad the Beggars meet informally in various licensed premises along the Causeway Coast, at least once a week & we always give a warm welcome to any passing musicians & singers & insist that they share their musical talents with us ...... just as long as they are willing to buy the Beer! :-)
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We are also available to play in concert, for all manner of events & functions throughout the year & we can tailor our mix of Irish, Scottish & Ulster Scots material to suit your needs.
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Incidentally, the expression 'Scad the Beggars', is a local term for mealie-crushie, which is oatmeal fried in bacon fat, known in Scoland as creesh-mealie - so now you know!
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Hi Folks, thanks for being friends in the endless depth of MySpace. Great to hear Sam Hall being played - and of course, the one about the wee bit of water in Scotland, ye know? No need to say, that it is one of my favourites, as you perhaps detect on my playlist ;-) Greetings from the Bonnie Banks of the Ruhr in Germany to the lil' bit greater steps in Northern Ireland, Sláinte, Cheers, Prost,
How goes it? Thanks for the kind words about GFL - it's been a favourite song amongst us all for years but it's taken us a while to reach the point where we can give it a right good saraching! Speak soon!
Hi Dick -wish I had been there for that one! Re: Road to Drumleman, I think we are on the verge of including it in our set, but it's a tricky one around here - it has to be the original words and tune or nothing! I'm afraid the Tony Cuffe version (which we love) cuts no ice in these parts and the two versions are so similar that they are very easy to mix up when singing. It's a shame, because Tony freely admitted that he wrote down the words on a scrap of paper at the end of a heavy night in the pub and did his best to read his handwriting /recall the tune the next day. Anyway, we'll get there - and the ultimate irony of course is that it is the TC version that is known and loved throughout the Celtic music world.......
Re: the ferry, it seems as if there is a stumbling point over on your side of the water - I'm afraid they are not convinced so the Scottish Government is prepared to play a long game, but realistically can't do it for too long.
Good to hear from you .. looking forward to catching up with some of you at Downhill at the end of the month ... then you can judge our accents for a Leitrim lilt for yourselves!
Hello Dick, great to hear from you, we don't play any more, haven't done for a long time, but will never forget our trip to play for you! Did you get a copy of the album from me? If not, let me know and I'll send it on. all the best
Hey Dick. I'll say hi to John for you. Have you requested the 'saratogapancelticsession' site yet? He'll approve you there as well, I'm sure! Slainte...Vonnie from 2 Bits (hammered dulcimer and piano)
Hello Dick and thanks a million for droppin' in. Sounds like a lot of fun over by! Have you any contacts we could chase up for the odd gig? Awrabest. Mick
