Anyway what better link could I do than this one?
On replying to a comment from Jeannie on the previous post I mentioned that many, many moons ago I used to play bodhran and sing in a folk band called "No strings attached". We played mostly pubs, some barn dances and even made the local radio station! I was often told that I looked serious (see terrified). . . I had zilch self-confidence, even though I was pretty damn good on the bodhran, and was painfully shy. I know its hard to imagine given my record since then but I was 17 and hadn't yet discovered alcohol. Spliff, mushrooms and acid yes . . . alchohol No. No wonder I was terrified. Paranoid more like. Once I had discovered alcohol I found plenty of confidence and a much stronger singing voice ;-)
Since re-discovering the world out there via my laptop I have looked up the former members of the band. The "Main man" of the band was Chris Haigh who wrote some of the music, lyrics, played several instruments (mainly fiddle), sang, entertained, directed us, drove us around in moggy minor van (!) and was obviously destined to go on to greater things . . . Indeed he has. I wanted to post some of his music here but there is just loads to choose from. I have problems with decisions, among other things, which is why I didn't get as far as Mr Cohen last night. Ok I chose this as he singing too. He makes that fiddle look so damned easy . . . Bless you Chris. Amen indeed!
He wrote a great take on "Whiskey in the jar" called "Nein Danke Atomkraft". The chorus where it usually goes . . . "Whack for your Daddio . . ." (or similar) was . . . "Nein Danke Atomkraft, No more you must be daft, Use Guiness power instead!" The rest of the group had discovered alcohol. I'm such a freak.
The title of this post is my favourite line of the Pogues "Fairy tale of New York". So keen am I on this line, that one night after I was well acquainted with alcohol my Brother and I spent a whole evening singing it (yes just the one line.) going from bar to bar . . . I know you had to be there . . . or maybe NOT!
