02-19-2013, 12:32 PM
I took the Queen to see The Chieftains for several reasons. It was Valentine's and this could be considered a gift although she hadn't really sampled any Chieftain's music. I like the Chieftains. At least I really liked their album 'The Long Black Veil'. I played it to death when I was working on Dante's Peak up in Wallace Idaho. It was always on in the shop. And finally, it gave me an opportunity to finally get inside the iconic Disney Concert Hall. It's tha big silver building that serves as the background for many car ads.
First, the hall. I can't say I was overwhelmed. The outside is spectacular, but the inside seemed a little worn and smaller than I had imagined. But it gave great sound.
I think the Queen would have just as soon stayed at home and read.
The Chieftains were good. About what I expected. It seemed a bit repetitious after awhile. A little tin whistle goes a long way. At this point there are only two founding members still touring with the band, the uilean pipes/Tin Whistle guy, Paddy Maloney and the flute guy, Matt Molloy. Although the Bohdrain player,Kevin Coneffe has been with them quite some time. They were joined onstage by two fiddlers, a guitarist out of Nashville, and a harpist/pianist. I only recognized one song which came off of The Long Black veil. It was the one that Sting performed. Sting, along with many other guest artists, could unfortunately not be with them that night.
The also had vocalist, Alyth McCormack sing vocals on many songs. She also did some weird scots galiec weird singing during her moment to shine.
The had an irish step dancer from Canada perform as well as an Irish female step dancer who seemed to be made of nothing but legs and sinew. Oddly, the second fiddler was brother to the male step dancer and at times he would put down the fiddler and join his brother in dancing. In more dancing news, a group of six girls also did their Lord of the Dance impression. And finally, at two points a drum and bagpipe group from Los Angeles joined them onstage.
Because I am cheap, we actually sat behind the band, but surprisingly close. I agree with the Queen that it would have been nicer to have seen the performers faces.
It was loud. They could have turned down the mic on the tin whistle because it was occasionally shrill and seemed intent on rupturing my eardrum at that frequency. But all the musicians were extremely good. The vocalists all showed their chops by singing a Capella during their solo bits. I don't think the Disney Hall has had that much rhythmic clapping going on ever. And feet stomping as well.
All told, I would have been better served to see them in a pub with a pint of Guiness in my hand.
First, the hall. I can't say I was overwhelmed. The outside is spectacular, but the inside seemed a little worn and smaller than I had imagined. But it gave great sound.
I think the Queen would have just as soon stayed at home and read.
The Chieftains were good. About what I expected. It seemed a bit repetitious after awhile. A little tin whistle goes a long way. At this point there are only two founding members still touring with the band, the uilean pipes/Tin Whistle guy, Paddy Maloney and the flute guy, Matt Molloy. Although the Bohdrain player,Kevin Coneffe has been with them quite some time. They were joined onstage by two fiddlers, a guitarist out of Nashville, and a harpist/pianist. I only recognized one song which came off of The Long Black veil. It was the one that Sting performed. Sting, along with many other guest artists, could unfortunately not be with them that night.
The also had vocalist, Alyth McCormack sing vocals on many songs. She also did some weird scots galiec weird singing during her moment to shine.
The had an irish step dancer from Canada perform as well as an Irish female step dancer who seemed to be made of nothing but legs and sinew. Oddly, the second fiddler was brother to the male step dancer and at times he would put down the fiddler and join his brother in dancing. In more dancing news, a group of six girls also did their Lord of the Dance impression. And finally, at two points a drum and bagpipe group from Los Angeles joined them onstage.
Because I am cheap, we actually sat behind the band, but surprisingly close. I agree with the Queen that it would have been nicer to have seen the performers faces.
It was loud. They could have turned down the mic on the tin whistle because it was occasionally shrill and seemed intent on rupturing my eardrum at that frequency. But all the musicians were extremely good. The vocalists all showed their chops by singing a Capella during their solo bits. I don't think the Disney Hall has had that much rhythmic clapping going on ever. And feet stomping as well.
All told, I would have been better served to see them in a pub with a pint of Guiness in my hand.
So much for the flickr badge idea. Dammit
