Anticipation

Lois and I will attend the Columbus, Ohio performance of Celtic Fiddle Festival on March 1 at the Performing Arts Center. I have wanted to see them for some time, but it has never quite worked out before now. More after the show.

New life for an old bow

A couple of years ago, I acquired an older (circa 1930) French bow from Jane Kapeller in Richmond, VA. The heel pin came loose on this bow after so many years and I wanted to find someone exceptionally well qualified to repair it, so I asked around and was given the name of a bowmaker named Douglas Raguse in Michigan. Doug won a VSA gold medal in 1980 and has an excellent reputation, so I arranged to send my bow to him. He did a wonderful job restoring the bow to pristine condition. It plays better now than ever, thanks to the excellent rehairing job. I also asked Doug for an insurance valuation, so he researched its provenance. Doug believes the bow was made by or under the supervision of Marcel Fetique and valued it at considerably more than I originally paid. Put one in the win column.

Swannanoa 2008

Well, I signed up again for the Swannanoa Gathering Celtic Week, July 13-19, 2008. As usual, they have a wonderful teaching lineup, with Liz Carroll and Martin Hayes as the main attractions for Irish fiddlers. A very well known Irish musician and teacher told me privately that, although he has taught at most of the better known summer camps, Swannanoa wins hands down. He said that their accomodations and food are just outstanding, not to mention the wonderful energy of the campus and the amazing craic at the evening and late-night sessions. Here is a blurb from their website for this year's gathering:

"Celtic Week, July 13-19, will again run in our second week slot, with some exciting new faces and classes, including Patrick Street's fiddle and tenor banjo virtuoso, John Carty, and the return of Cape Breton fiddle taught by newcomer Kimberley Fraser. Although the staff is incomplete, we’re thrilled to welcome back the great Irish fiddlers Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll and Gerry O’Connor, Galway singer Sean Keane, powerhouse guitarist and singer John Doyle, Scottish fiddlers Pete Clark & Jamie Laval, Lúnasa flute player Kevin Crawford, uilleann piper Ivan Goff, Scottish folklorist Margaret Bennett, ex-Solas and Danu guitarist Donal Clancy, our Celtic Week Host, flute player John Skelton, Scots balladeer Jim Malcolm, Irish singer Aoife Clancy, mandolin/guitarist Eamon O'Leary, whistle player Kathleen Conneely, Scottish fiddler Jane MacMorran, harper Billy Jackson, bodhran player Stephanie Johnston Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Robin Bullock, Irish dance instructor Eileen Mulligan Evans and more."

As anyone can see, this is simply a treat for lovers of Celtic music.

My last fiddle

Kurt Widenhouse is a superb violin maker in Belmont, NC. His instruments have won two Violin Society of America gold medals (1988, 1994) and they are played by some of the most distinguished musicians found anywhere, including classical virtuoso Aaron Rosand and Scottish fiddling champion Jamie Laval. Last summer, I visited Kurt's workshop and auditioned two of his instruments, one of which he had just finished and the other which was in for an adjustment. They both were simply amazing, quite the equal of the great Italian master instruments I've heard. I commissioned him to fashion one of Guarneri pattern for me, using pernambuco fittings. Although it will be expensive, I'll sell some other instruments to help finance this acquisition. Kurt will finish it at the end of the summer and I am awfully excited at the prospect of owning a truly world-class violin.

Four on the Floor

On Saturday night, Lois and I attended a very enjoyable concert in Charleston, WV with the post-Jim Malcolm Old Blind Dogs. With Jim gone, both Jonny Hardie and Aaron Jones took turns with lead vocals, each doing a fine job. They were tight instrumentally and did two great sets, with a sound closely approximating their original style from the mid-90's. I got an autographed copy of their latest CD-Four on the Floor-and have been obsessing over it since, playing along with a few tracks (especially Bedlam Boys/Rights of Man & Branle!). No wonder they won Scottish Traditional Folk Band of the Year for 2007!