By road, it’s less than a day’s drive, but musically I live a world away from my roots. If I was to depend on local media, or the choice in the record shop, I’d never hear the sounds of my culture, with one exception. This has been ECMA night, and CBC brought me two hours of a great musical weekend. Thank you.
posted in music | Comments Off on Only five hundred miles away from home | 255 words
Tonight the Global network carried the “Canadian Urban Music Awards”, from Toronto I assume. At least, the little video headers showed subway cars with destination plates for Downsview… that sounds sufficiently Queen City to me.
posted in music | Comments Off on When culture is alien | 256 words
Some things are an acquired taste. Some are inborn. My love of a good concert band and choir is a combination. I did my years “in the pit”, and have no regrets other than the single one that my time has passed. Now it’s the time for my children.
posted in music | Comments Off on An evening of sound pleasure | 236 words
I don’t practice my many musical instruments enough. In fact, this whole blog started as a tongue in cheek reminder to myself to get busy. Schedules shouldn’t interfere with the basics of one’s culture.
posted in music | Comments Off on When the fiddle brings on the thunder | 179 words
This week is Festival d’Été here in Quebec City with a wealth of talent showcased on a number of stages around the city centre. Admittedly, not as rich in Celtic talent as a few years back, but Dublin wasn’t built in a day. Anyhow, I’ve not been up to the “real shows” given my advanced age and requirement that I show up at work each morning; too late for beauty sleep perhaps, but the alarm still rings whether I’m sufficiently rested.
posted in music | Comments Off on Check , un deux | 204 words
After dropping the rest of the family off at a cinema located a long way from home, so they could watch the latest Pirates of the Caribbean episode, I spent some time turning in circles in the wilds of Vanier. Amazing how that village, with a winding river running through it, adopted streets that also curve back upon themselves. I was in search of the OZ, where we go to repair musical instruments.
posted in economy, music | Comments Off on The string merchant | 223 words
This would have fit better yesterday, but never late than ever. I just finished watching one of the few music videos that celebrated the May Pole, Morris dancers, the Doruschuk brothers, a guest appearance by Kathleen Sergerie and a dwarf. Ring any memory bells, yet? Well, obviously, it was the Safety Dance, by Men Without Hats, originally a hit way back in 1983. Two decades, and still it holds a special place on the shelf of memories.
posted in music | Comments Off on May Day | 185 words
I once read a wonderful quotation, that said “The one with the most musical instruments wins.” Well, I could never have permitted myself to do this, but we went out and bought a new bass guitar today, for son #2.
posted in music | Comments Off on Another brick laid | 151 words
The ECMA show was this evening; time-shifted to a Monday to allow for the Olympic steamroller to pass. Thankfully, the musicians don’t have “real jobs” so they could hang around ‘town for another day.
posted in music | Comments Off on A lifetime of achievement | 161 words
This evening I’m able to watch the webcam pointed toward a stage in Charlottetown, where the ECMA weekend is underway. Able to listen while I cut up the stirfry for supper, able to listen while relaxing on the bed upstairs. Laptops rule!
posted in music, technology | Comments Off on Glimpses from the past | 185 words
