The Tin Whistle

Ireland really can be a magical place. The way a modern place mixes with ancient traditions and way of life really amazes me. Here is an example: As I write this I am sitting outside with my MacBook and wireless internet. I am also instant messaging with a co-worker and at the same time I can hear the faint tune of a tin whistle on the air. Only in Ireland.... wow... I love that!

The tin whistle is probably the most abundant instrument in Ireland (I would think). Here, most kids learn it first and then graduate to a harder instrument. The simple little whistle can be played with such complexity and speed that it astounds me. The airy tune can be carried on the wind across fields and water for what seems kilometers. I often will hear the magical music on the air and have no idea where or what direction it is coming from.

Dustin the turkey...

Everyone in Ireland is talking about Dustin this morning....

Last night was the annual EUROvision song contest. Each year every European country selects and sends a musical act to an 'American Idol' type contest. This song contest started back in the early 50's and has produced such musical acts as: Abba, Celine Dion, and even Riverdance. Ireland has won the competition more than any other country but has not had much success since the contest was opened to Eastern Europe. This year all of Ireland's hopes were pined on a puppet named Dustin. The performance - if you can call it that - was a blatant attempt to get laughs, mock the contest, and win votes by playing to every country. Dustin's song 'Irelande Douze Points' contained such riveting lyrics as:
"Hello Abba, hello Bono, hello Helsinki
Ola Prague, hello sailor, se la vie
Alvida sein Mama Mia, and god save the Queen
Bon joir Serbia, good day Austria
You know what I mean?"

or


'Eastern Europe we love you
Do you like Irish stew?
Or goulash as it is to you?

Shake your feathers

Listen Bulgaria we love you
Belarus, Georgia, Montenegro,
Moldavia, Albania, Croatia,
Poland, Russia, Ukraine,
Macedonia, Love you Turkey
Hungary, Estonia, Slovakia,
Armenia, Bosnia Herzegovina
And don't forget the Swiss!'

Needless to say... Dustin was disappointed when he did not get past the first round last night. The final contest will be held on Saturday night. I don't think that we will watch it... I think that we will go see the new Indiana Jones film.

Here is a youtube video of Dustin's performance. Enjoy if you dare!

Paste

D’s random thoughts about Paste……
(the magazine, not the glue)

So, sit back, relax, and find your favourite snack, you may be here awhile…(I am eating leftover Papa John’s pizza and drinking a Pepsi)..First of all, I am a huge fan of Paste magazine. Paste is a magazine that follows signs of life in music, film, and culture. I have been reading it for several years and had a subscription several years ago. (I stopped, well, b/c international rates are expensive, AND it is now available in Ireland!- of course not at my local bookstore, figures) If you are a frequent flyer with American Airlines, you will be happy to know that Paste now occupies a whole channel on your in-flight audio! So, while I was back in the states a few weeks ago, I found myself at a Barnes and Nobles on one of my last days and grabbed the new Paste. Don’t be alarmed. The cover picture and main interview is with Kanye West. Don’t let that deter you. I almost didn’t buy it, but then realized that it also included interviews with KT Tunstall, Rilo Kiley, and the sampler includes Over the Rhine and the Frames. So in my book, a must have. Paste does a great job of keeping up with music in the worldwide scene. They also spend way too much time in the country music genre, but hey ……they get points for introducing America to great Irish music with the Frames, Fionn Regan, and Damien Rice. I hadn’t had the chance to read the September issue yet until I picked it up this week. I didn’t get very far when I realize that I know one of the folks who have written to the editor! I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t happen to me every week. So a huge hello to Mr. Kubina, my high school math teacher, and Mrs. Kubina, middle school math teacher! Mr. Kubina’s letter was chosen to be published in this issue of the magazine. Well, how about that……..If you are interested, Paste is also on the web at pastemagazine.com and www.PasteBeat.com

Final Story About London...

I know that everyone is probably tired of our pictures and stories of London... I know that someone out there is wondering just how long we actually spent there.... well... we only stayed a few days, but all of our time was filled with fun things that are so radically different from Ireland. We really had a blast.

I have to say, however, that the best part of the trip took place on Sunday. We went with our friends to a historic area of London (literally the area with the old Roman walls!) for a day of connecting with history. We didn't just go to the museums - even though they were awesome - but we also hung out in some cool grave yards and churches. We went to a worship service at John Wesley's old church. It was awesome to be in a place with such great history. The Wesley brothers took Christianity out of the churches and out to the people. They started a movement - a revival that is still felt today. John was the preacher, and Charles Wesley wrote many world famous hymns. After the service we were given an extremely personal tour of the church, grave yard, and the home of John Wesley. The highlight was going into the old prayer room where Charles' original organ is kept. Dee was invited to sit down and to play on this historic instrument! A thrill for a music lover that can not accurately be expressed in writing!

Things You Don't See Everyday...

The University of Tennessee's Marching band - complete with flag floppers - marching down the middle of a crowded pedestrian shopping street. I have to say that is a first! Oh... by the way - preparations for St. Paddy's day are well underway!

Guess what we got in the mail?

Our tickets to see Damien Rice came in the mail today!!! Wahoo!! If you have not heard of Damien Rice yet, get on his website, myspace, or itunes. He is an Irish singer/songwriter. I am not sure quite how to describe his music, folk/hard folk maybe? He is an amazing musician/artist. He is touring Europe at the moment, but will be back in the states this spring. If you see that he is coming your way, don’t think, go! go! go! You will not be disappointed. My sister and brother-in-law saw him play in Boston just before Christmas, and they absolutely loved the concert. I believe their words were “phenomenal”, “amazing”. We have to wait until August for the concert, but you can see him sooner. Check out his website at www.damienrice.com for details.