And what about Leahy?

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 7:42 pm

You know, those Canadians who opened for Shania Twain. Does anyone here listen to them? Any good whistle or pipe playing? Or is it too much in the pop genre? (They are coming soon to a theater near me and I have to decide whether or not to go...)

Post by **Nanohedron** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 7:47 pm

Excellent playing and boggling showmanship. If I had to dance like that and play flute at the same time, I'd break my nose.

I found all the schtick a bit distracting, but the music's very good.

rebl_rn · Post by **rebl_rn** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 10:11 pm

I saw them when I took my nieces to see Shania a few years ago - I agree about the schtick but I enjoyed them more than I did Shania! They certainly are very talented, but I don't remember much in the way of whistle or flute - very fiddle oriented.

Beth

Rando7 · Post by **Rando7** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 10:58 pm

Nanohedron wrote:Excellent playing and boggling showmanship. If I had to dance like that and play flute at the same time, I'd break my nose.

I found all the schtick a bit distracting, but the music's very good.

The term schtick is very appropriate - as you say the music is great but they seem to be saying "look at me!" the whole time.

Paul Anderson · Post by **Paul Anderson** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 10:59 pm

Leahy are a lot less formulaic than Shania Twain. At least they're musicians. Steve Earle, when asked what he thought of Ms. Twain, said that she is the world's highest paid lap dancer. Says it all for me. If you want to hear women sing country, go see Iris DeMent or Gillian Welch or Lucinda Williams.

spittin_in_the_wind · Post by **spittin_in_the_wind** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:51 am

Someone brought a Leahy CD in to work the other day ("Lakefield"?). Some of it was cool, but some of it was really pop. I probably wouldn't buy it because of that. The pop tunes really turned me off and interrupted the groove of the CD.

Robin

Pat Cannady · Post by **Pat Cannady** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:15 am

I saw few minutes of a show they did for Public TV last year and it turned me off instantly. They cater to the civilians, er, non-musicians way too much.

Brian Lee · Post by **Brian Lee** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:08 am

I haven't cared for any of their music to date honestly. Sounds like I'm lucky not to have seen them live either.

and no piper.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:18 am

Rando7 wrote:
Nanohedron wrote:Excellent playing and boggling showmanship. If I had to dance like that and play flute at the same time, I'd break my nose.

I found all the schtick a bit distracting, but the music's very good.
The term schtick is very appropriate - as you say the music is great but they seem to be saying "look at me!" the whole time.

Ever since that chick with the blue eelectric violin and Boor of the Dance, that component is around but seems to be bigger in Canuckian groups. I guess the idea of normal looking folk in houndstooth caps and a pint glass nearby is passé. Too bad for everybody. Glitz doesn't do it for me at all. Even tho' he could beat me up (he was a boxer at one point) I could never get over Flatley's froufy Irish mullet in Riverdance. I just thot it looked stoopid. Jean Butler managed to astound and amuse with a simple hairstyle and her talent.

Just say no to Celtoid Hair Bands as they presumably laugh their way to the bank.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 12:31 pm

I must be getting overly diplomatic as I become more superannuated by the day.

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:34 pm

The Weekenders wrote:Ever since that chick with the blue eelectric violin and Boor of the Dance, that component is around but seems to be bigger in Canuckian groups. I guess the idea of normal looking folk in houndstooth caps and a pint glass nearby is passé. Too bad for everybody. Glitz doesn't do it for me at all.

There are still plenty of great, non-glitzy Canadian trad bands out there -- and mostly they're a lot more traditional than the glitzy ones, and better musicians, too. A Crowd of Bold Shareman (Newfoundland, http://www.singsong.nfld.com/liners/cdcbs.html ) and Le Vent du Nord (Quebec, http://www.leventdunord.com/ ) pop to mind.

Snuh · Post by **Snuh** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:41 pm

colomon wrote:
The Weekenders wrote:Ever since that chick with the blue eelectric violin and Boor of the Dance, that component is around but seems to be bigger in Canuckian groups. I guess the idea of normal looking folk in houndstooth caps and a pint glass nearby is passé. Too bad for everybody. Glitz doesn't do it for me at all.
There are still plenty of great, non-glitzy Canadian trad bands out there -- and mostly they're a lot more traditional than the glitzy ones, and better musicians, too. A Crowd of Bold Shareman (Newfoundland, http://www.singsong.nfld.com/liners/cdcbs.html ) and Le Vent du Nord (Quebec, http://www.leventdunord.com/ ) pop to mind.

I still think Donnel Leahy is one of the most talented fiddle players alive today.

That aside, they're definitely not traditional but if you can appriciate other types of music, they are worth seeing. I enjoyed the one time I saw them live quite a bit.

Take care,
A.J.

JamieKerr · Post by **JamieKerr** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:50 pm

I, for one, am partial to Donnel Leahy's wife. Very cute and very talented too...

Yes, it's a test...

gonzo914 · Post by **gonzo914** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:27 pm

I'll take Cape Breton fiddlers for $500, Alex.

"This Cape Breton fiddler is married to Donnel Leahy."

Who is Natalie MacMaster, Alex?

As for Leahy the group -- loved the CD 'Leahy' but didn't care for 'Lakefield.'

They've got a good track with the Chieftains on 'Fire in the Kitchen' -- Devil's Dream and Mason's Apron.

janice · Post by **janice** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:10 pm

Most of the really good Canadian bands are not glitzy...for a real dose of authentic Ontario style fiddling, which is what Leahy does, check out Pierre Schryer's website (punch in his name) or Shane Cook (Canadian Grand Champion and U.S. Grand Champion fiddler).

Chiff and Fipple Forums

And what about Leahy?

And what about Leahy?

what about leahy?