Celtic Connections

[PatrickOD]

But, if you don't know a song, and if you can't dance, maybe you could give us a wee recitation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcteMLCzM-E

[Lateralthinking1]

There was that question some fateful weeks ago - Dylan or Van? I answered Dylan but, not having a life these days, worried about it for days afterwards. It was the most impossible question. Dylan is in my head and Morrison is in my soul. I "found" them both properly in the same year after decades of bits and pieces. For some reason, it was 1989 and I became obsessive, wondering why they had been mostly in the background for so long.

I think Van just strikes a chord with me in the way no artist has ever done. With Bob, the enjoyment is always in the way you have to work a bit harder. And in truth Irish music has always been among the easiest to identify with as "me". Odd because there is nothing of it in the blood. I guess that it goes back to Nick Hornby and "Fever Pitch". The observation that many from the suburban South East would find an easy affinity with all kinds of culture - he mentioned reggae I think - because in many ways there is a total vacuum.

While I am on one of my vehemently anti-England muses - never attractive - I did enjoy that dance clip, Patrick. Two things. It just comes across as very natural and normal. You can almost see the English kids of their age sneering in the corner, quite unaware that it is they who are missing out. Secondly, when I see something like that, I always feel that Irish culture has a similarity with the culture of the countries of the Med. It is I think the lack of inhibition about self-expression. Is this a theme that has been explored in any depth?

[PatrickOD]

Lat, it is refreshing to engage with someone as honest and 'up-front' as yourself. I appreciate your current feelings of frustration on so many fronts, but in the same spirit of honesty I have to say that I don't let things get to me to the same extent. Call it lack of curiosity. That's the way things are and it's not my mission to change anything, much as I would like some things to be different.
I'm glad you liked the two boys dancing. It was an eye opener for me too. I've spent my life not acknowledging the culture that is in my bones, and it is only recently that I have come to realise how proud I am of my heritage but that I have left it too late to make amends. As I get older I remember how little I appreciated the old ways that I grew up in. Scenes like the two lads dancing at the ceilis, where you also had singing and recitations and story telling, had me 'sneering in the corner'. I didn't realise that I was living through a general decline in the old ways, so it is good that there remain a few pockets of tradition and a few dedicated souls who do their bit to pass it on. But, as I said, Lat, I'm not prepared to do anything more than seek whatever light there is and curse the encroaching darkness.

[Lateralthinking1]

Thanks Patrick.

[johncorrigan]

Thanks for all these - great to see the Count back there, Patrick - I've got one of my dad's old EPs out in the shed - must go have a listen to remember the old man. That Irish Heartbeat was a great record - might be the last great one that Van made, though the one with Lonnie Donnegan was pretty good - one of my old pals used to get us lined up for a go at this one from Irish Heartbeat at any old get together - Chieftains are top notch in this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGIJEKSjM8Y

[Globaltruth]

So JC I think you have to tell us a bit more about J M Barrie...didn't realise he was a little Kirriemuir lad?

[johncorrigan]

So JC I think you have to tell us a bit more about J M Barrie...didn't realise he was a little Kirriemuir lad?

.....and Bon Scott of abcd - he's a Kirrie lad - they've got a bit in the local museum dessicated to him.

But the town's got P Pan statue, a creepy bit of Hook dialogue on a bench, The House in Thrums, http://thecapitalscot.com/scotplaces...ow_thrums.html
his birthplace (wee cottage) and a fine Camera Obscura within the cricket pavilion which he presented to the town and on any day when the drizzle isnae dreich you can see some fine views up Isla, Prosen and Clova and down Strathmore. Yeah there was a bit of harrumphing going on in this house this evening when Dame Purdie seemed to be backing some charlatans in Dumfries as the home of Smee and the Lost boys, when all you'd need to do is come to Kirrie on a Friday evening and you'd spot a pile of them - pirates too.
http://www.angusahead.com/VisitAngus...Kirriemuir.asp

An apocryphal story is that David Niven claimed Kirrie as his birthplace - he was apparently trying to raise his profile in Hollywood and reckoned that a Scottish, slightly military background would go down a treat - the fact that he was born in London was neither here nor there. It's a nice wee place, the gateway to the Angus Glens, the home of Peter Pan.

[Globaltruth]

Thanks for that JC.
So Capn Hook went off to play with New Order, Barrie himself spent the latter part of his career composing Bond themes, Wendy operates a global donut franchising operation out of California (Wendy's donuts), Pan was uncomfortably hijacked by Jackson, Smee now sells used cars (Smee's Cars) but did the crocodile just go to Dundee?


I think we should be told...

[johncorrigan]

but did the crocodile just go to Dundee?


I think we should be told...

The croc was drawn to the bright lights by the promisee of fame but the clock was ticking and he fell victim to Elton Bog and was inveigled into a sordid enterprise (TOTP with Jimmy Saville). Eventually he retired to the wee island of Millport in the Firth of Clyde where he continues to amuse the holidaymakers especially when they're doon the watter fur the Fair.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/342203

[Globaltruth]

My McLeod White pudding has just arrived from Stornoway.

Anyone know any suitable songs?

With a Celtic Connection of course...