Issue 27 2/2004
JOHNNY
CUNNINGHAM August 27, 1957 - December 15, 2003
USA/Scotland. With great sadness FolkWorld has learnt of the passing of Scottish
fiddler Johnny Cunningham, who died on December 15, 2003, in New York City,
of a heart attack. He was 46 years old.
Johnny was beloved on both sides of the Atlantic for his exquisite musicianship
as well as for his renowned warmth and wit. He was called 'Scotland's finest
fiddler' by the Boston Globe. He leaves behind a great wealth of work and a
huge legacy in Scottish and Celtic music of the late 20th century. He was a
founding member of many seminal Celtic groups including Silly Wizard, Relativity,
Nightnoise and The Celtic Fiddle Festival. Johnny was the brother of Scottish
accodionist Phil Cunningham.
Remembrances may be sent through his website at http://www.johnnycunningham.com.
Anselm
Noffke (1946-2003)
Germany. On 18 December 2003, Germany's folk scene lost one of its big personalities,
when Anselm Noffke died. Anselm was founding member of one of the best known
and most popular German folk bands, Liederjan, a band that combins German folk
songs with a great sense of humour and that has been in the business since more
than 25 years.
Anselm's wish was that Liederjan was to continue after his death. The other
two Liederjan's have therefore asked Hanne Balzer to join the band, and announce
that the "oldest German boy group" now has a lady on board.
More info in the German news and at www.liederjan.com
Erich
Stockmann (1926-2003)
Germany. Erich Stockmann died on 16.11.2003, at the age of 77, after long and
serious illness. Prof. Dr. Erich Stockmann has been one of the most famous,
internationally acclaimed and globally co-operating music ethnologists of our
time. His most respected works base around the theories and methods of European
folk music instruments, and he gave inspiration to many young scientists. He
acted as culture political representative for many national and international
commissions in the musical field. Apart from that, he was a charismatic person,
who tried to bring people together instead of dividing them.
A comprehensive obituary in German language can
be found in this FolkWorld issue.
FOLKWORLD's CD TOP 10
FolkWorld. Year 2003 has passed, so FolkWorld is publishing, once again, its
Best CD listings, intended to pick out some memorable releases as an inspiration
for our readers. As usual, it features both a CD Top 10 of FolkWorld's editors,
as well as a Top 5 from most of FolkWorld's regular contributors.
Click here to see the listings.
WIN CDS OF URBAN TRAD
FolkWorld. Urban Trad is the Belgian folk band that nearly managed to win the
Eurovisian Song Contest of 2003. FolkWorld features this issue directly two
articles about this exciting band, one from Eelco Schilder, the other from Sean
Laffey. Urban Trad were also friendly enough to provide FolkWorld with a few
copies of their latest album for a readers' competition. Click
here to read the articles and win a CD!
New Gaelic song resource
Scotland. The Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship, through the Highland Council,
has announced the launch of a new Gaelic Song teaching resource, part funded
by the Scottish Arts Council . Entitled "Seinn o ho ro Seinn" , the venture
is designed to encourage more people , particularly young people, to sing Gaelic
Songs.
The Mairi Mhor Fellow, Fiona Mackenzie of Dingwall said "We wanted to find a
way of enabling as many people as possible to participate in Gaelic singing
, regardless of their geographical location or lack of tutorial opportunities.
Many children, young people and adults, like to participate in Mods and Feisean
but are unable to find tutors, either for Gaelic or music. I looked at the various
resources available and wondered if it was possible to produce a good quality
CD, comprising many of the most popular Gaelic songs we hear today, particularly
at Mods, together with any accompanying words and translations. After discussion
with An Comunn Gaidhealach , Feisean nan Gaidheal and An Drochaid Traditional
Music Organisation, as well as many teachers in Highland Schools, we decided
that it was a project of huge potential".
"Seinn o ho ro Seinn" consists of a 2 CD set presented in a DVD style box, together
with a comprehensive book of words and translations. "I selected 40 of the most
popular songs prescribed at National Mods, particularly for junior competitors,
although many are suitable for adults too as they include sea songs, lullabies
and laments too. I then recorded the An Comunn version of all the songs, without
accompaniment so that the melody is quite clear. I asked Arthur Cormack of Feisean
nan Gaidheal if he would record the spoken versions of the songs which he was
very happy to do. Each sung song is therefore followed by the spoken version
so it is very easy to hear the correct pronunciation."
Particularly useful to the young Gaelic singers of the future is the fact that
the CDs include all the songs prescribed for Mod 2004, in Perth. " We hope that
this will encourage many more young people to participate in next years and
all succeeding Mods Murdo Morrison, Mod Promotions Manager said "An Comunn Gaidhealach
and the Royal National Mod welcome this new CD and we hope that it will be enjoyed
by everybody".
The CD was launched officially at this years Anniversary Mod in Oban . The Fellowship
has distributed complimentary copies to all schools and libraries in Highland
Council area and will also be available commercially, priced £13, in the shops
and through Fiona herself at The Education Offices, Castle St, Dingwall,-
contact 01349 863441. or e mail fiona.mackenzie2@highland.gov.uk
or from www.gaelicbooks.net
Planxty reformed
Ireland.
The legendary traditional Irish group Planxty has done a series of Irish concerts
for January and February 2004, featuring the original 1970's line-up. Christy
Moore (vocals, guitar -> FW#2, FW#3),
Donal Lunny (bouzouki), Liam O'Flynn (uilleann pipes -> FW#5)
and Andy Irvine (vocals, mandolin -> FW#23)
have not performed together in public since 1983. Liam O'Flynn has said that
all the pleasure and excitement of the early years is still there and that all
the band are looking forward to the forthcoming concerts. It is planned to film
the concerts with a view to a possible DVD release later in 2004.
Planxty first got together in 1972, after recording of Christy Moore's second
album "Prosperous". Their 1973 debut album "Planxty," or the black album,
laid down a new standard in Irish song and dance music to this day. The group
was unique for mixing dance tunes with traditional ballads and contemporary
songs. In 1981 Planxty performed Bill Whelan's "Timedance" during the interval
in the Eurovision Song Contest which later evolved into the successful "Riverdance"
show. [wt]
www.taramusic.com
New Roots - a competition
for young musicians
England. The 2004 'New roots' competition organised by St Albans Folk Music
is for musicians and singers under the age of 25 involved in traditionally based
music. It is open to performers of all styles of traditional or contemporary
folk, roots or world music, including people who perform traditional material
and those who write their own. The closing date is February 29 2004
and the finals will be on Sunday April 18 2004 at 2pm at a new venue, the Trestle
Arts Base, Highfield Park, St Albans. The names of three of the judges have
now been announced.
Yorkshire-based Damien Barber and Fay Hield, both leading lights in the new
wave of young professional performers, will go on to head the bill in a concert
at 7pm. This concert Swill also be a second opportunity to hear more of some
of the young performers. Strictly, New roots is not a competition as there is
no overall 'winner'. Instead, the judges, will give helpful criticism and share
out the prizes among the finalists. The prizes include performance opportunities
in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties, including at Towersey, Leigh and
St Albans festivals, and at Hitchin, Redbourn, Chesham and Bishops Stortford
folk clubs. Laurel Swift, organiser of youth music activities 'shooting roots',
who took part in the 2000 and 2002 competitions commented, 'It's a great day,
a chance to get your music heard and loads of good prizes are awarded.'
To enter, send a cassette, minidisc or CD with up to 15 minutes of your music
to Alison Macfarlane, 40 Warwick Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4DL.
For further information, ring 01727 852111, email Alison.Macfarlane@lineone.net
or see www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk
Gabriel
Yacoub - Cape Breton project
France/Canada. Gabriel Yacoub, folk singer and composer from France famous from
Malicorne, has crossed recently the Atlantic for a project about French traditional
music from both sides of the pond. In the setting of the village of Cheticamp,
Nova Scotia, North West of Cape-Breton Island, Gabriel supervised a series of
recordings of traditional songs collected in the region. The album will gather
artists from Acadie, Québec, Louisiana, France, etc. It will be a celebration
of the 400th anniversary of the French debarking in Acadie.
www.gabrielyacoub.com
Issues Instead of Territories:
Berlin's House of World Cultures in 2004
Germany. A focus upon issues rather than upon territories - in 2004 the House
of World Cultures will direct its programming toward an exploration of more
topical rather than the geographic areas which strongly defined many past programs.
Starting with Far Near Distance, an interdisciplinary program featuring artists
living in Iran as well as those of the Iranian Diaspora, the House of World
Cultures takes its first steps in this direction this coming spring. Black Atlantic,
which is scheduled for the fall of next year, is also part of this transition;
it showcases artistic forms of expressions used by the black cultures which
developed in regions along the Atlantic Ocean and explores the meaning of the
African Diaspora for Germany, Europe and the Americas.
According to Director Hans-Georg Knopp, the House of World Cultures intends
to strengthen its international ties and intensify its relationships to other
cultural organizations in Berlin. In this context, new partnerships with the
Millenium Museum in Beijing as well as Red Cat in Los Angeles together with
the history of co-operation with the transmediale and the Talent Campus are
worth particular mention.
Further development of www.culturebase.net,
an international artists' database launched in July 2003 with great success,
is also of high priority in the coming year. Further infos at www.hkw.de
Happy Birthday Living Tradition
Scotland/Kilmarnock. The Scottish folk scene magazine Living Tradition has recently
celebrated its 10th anniversary. Editor Pete Heywood founded the magazine a
decade ago to provide a forum for British folk music, with the focus on Scottish,
English, Irish and Welsh music traditions. With his enthusiasm, Pete has won
for the Living Tradition the respect of the folk scene, and tirelessly works
to keep the project going and let it extend. Part of the Living Tradition organisation
is today also a CD mail order "The Listening Post", a CD series "The
Tradition Bearers, theorganisation of the festivals "Common Ground"
and "Scottish National Folk Festival".
Congratulations to our collegue Pete and his team - FolkWorld knows very well
how much time, effort and enthusiasm it takes to keep a magazine going!
Contact: The Living Tradition, P.O. Box 1026, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA2 0LG,
Scotland, tel 01563 - 571 220, fax 544 855, eMail admin@livingtradition.co.uk.
Full infos at www.folkmusic.net.
Ambrozijn
won Klara Publieksprijs 2003
Belgium. Ambrozijn has been one of the stars of the New Belgian Folk scene,
being responsible for a revival of the Belgain folk scene. Last year, they received
the prestigious Klara Publieksprijs, at a high profile event in Brussels, with
Belgians Minister for Culture in the audience. The band would like all their
fans for the support they gave. Well done, Ambrozijn!
Tam White song inspired
a new movie
Scotland. A new feature length movie, Man Dancin', starring Alex Ferns (that
bad dude from EastEnders), Jenny Foulds (from Edinburgh) and James Cosmo will
soon be out and about. Man Dancin', directed by BAFTA and Emmy winner Norman
Stone, was inspired by Tam White's eponymous song. Tam has a role in the film
too, as well as performing three songs on the sound track.
The film has been receiving very good notices and was not only screened recently
in London at Europe's biggest independent film festival, The Raindance Film
Festival ... it was also shortlisted (one of only four) for the festival's award
for 'Best UK Feature'. The story Man Dancin' tells is of Jimmy Kerrigan (Ferns),
a Glaswegian ex-boxer, hard man and criminal returning to his old hunting ground
after a long stint inside.
Tam White will also be seen on the small screen in the EastEnders Christmas
special shot in the Highlands in late summer.
Glasgow folk musicians
played at the UN
Scotland/USA. Glasgow traditional music duo, Celine Donoghue & Keith Easdale
travelled to New York in January to play for the inaugural 'Robert Burns Memorial
Lecture' at The United Nations. The theme of the lecture, which was delivered
by The United Nations secretary General Kofi Annan, has been "State of the World
and Brotherhood of Man". Celine, who was the recent recipient of the 'Auleen
Theriault Award' in Ontario, Canada, & producer and session musician Keith,
are no strangers to playing for VIPs (between them they have also performed
in front of Jean Chrétien, the Prime minister of Canada, Princess Anne, The
Lord Lyon and The British Ambassador to Moscow, Sir Roderic Lyne).
Profits from the Memorial lecture, to be attended by specially invited guests,
will enable more Scottish volunteers to undertake 'British Executive Service
Overseas' assignments in the developing world, "Something that Robert Burns
would have endorsed", says Iain McConnell, Director of BESO Scotland, and a
former broadcaster and producer. "His vision of the brotherhood of man is more
appropriate today than ever and this new lecture will enable us to focus on
the progress we have made since Burns's time" he concluded.
Celine's website,
Keith's website
New label for the some
of the most prestigius of Belgian folk music
Belgium. Wim Clays, of the famous band Ambrozijn, has announced the founding
of a new folk music label, Kloef Music. Kloef Music hopes to bring out this
year albums of, among others, AMBROZIJN, AEDO, GOZE and the compilation BOOMBAL
VOL.1. The label will be run by Frederik & Wim Claeys, and the albums will be
distributed by LC Music. Apart from the label, Kloef Music run also the agency
"Kloef Boekingen & Management" . Kloef Music launched in December the new single
of Ambrozijn.
More infos from the label's website www.kloefmusic.com
Classic Cross-over Success
for No Masters' carols album
England. Broadcast of tracks from Fire and Sleet and Candlelight (No Masters
NMCD21) on Natalie Wheen's Classic FM radio programme brought in floods of calls
to the station switchboard and bumper sales for this first album by the new
acappella six-piece of Coope Boyes and Simpson, Fi Fraser, Jo Freya and Georgina
Boyes. What Natalie Wheen described on air as 'an indecent number' of enquiries
and hugely positive response from listeners made the album an immediate best-seller
and produced a sell-out at every venue on the promotional tour. Obviously, Fire
and Sleet and Candlelight genuinely appealed across musical boundaries.
The album Coope Boyes & Simpson, Fi Fraser, Jo Freya, Georgina Boyes
"Fire and Sleet and Candlelight: Regional and Historical Carols
has been released on No Masters (NMCD21) in November 2003.
www.nomasters.co.uk
In the German news you can find as additional news:
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