Tell us something.: I play fiddle, concertina, flute. I live in NH. Lived in Kilshanny, Co Clare, for about 20 years. Politically on the far left. Diet on the far right (plant-based fundamentalist). Musically in the middle of the pure drop.
Mick Roundley formally changed his name after losing 200 pounds on a Cheez-Whiz diet.
Mick Flatley was elected "Best of Show" at Crufts four times before he was nine.
Laugh at Mick all you want. Without a doubt, he can out-play and out-dance anybody on this forum.
He can out-box anybody here with one arm tied behind his back.
He can buy and sell everybody.
He's also married to a lovely woman and is one of Matt Molloy's best friends.
Mike Rafferty thinks he's a great guy and a gentleman.
Clearly Flatley is doing most things right.
Freedom is merely privilege extended, unless enjoyed by one and all. The Internationale
Yeah, I've been a fan of his flute playing (and dancing) since I saw him in Chicago in 1978; he was playing with Liz Carroll for some stepdancers, and after about 30 minutes of that he put down his flute and Liz played for him dancing. I'd never seen anything like it before or since. He is an awesome flute player as well. His theatrical stuff does nothing for me, but you can't deny the man's got amazing talent.
Tell us something.: in two words, Rudall & Rose. but since a minimum of 100 characters is required, I should list a number of makers I found extremely interesting… I don't even know how much are 100 characters...
Not much seen the theatricals stuff, but I reckon lots of folks really like it.
Lots of clips on Youtube. Probably not much for me. I don't
mind popular culture. Let a thousand flowers bloom.
jim stone wrote:
......Let a thousand flowers bloom.
IMO a good bloomfield should not just have a thousand of the same.
Speaking flatly I like to see variety though I may pick the same choices each
field visit.
I was 19 and visiting my sister, who lived in Chicago at the time. I had a huge crush on Liz Carroll, who had put out her first couple of LPs on Shanachie Records, so when I heard she was performing while I was there I HAD to go. I had never heard of Flatley before that concert. I actually think I still have a cassette tape I made during that concert somewhere, I'll have to see if I can dig that out.
His theatrics can verge on the ridiculous side but unfortunately that's what fills the theatre seats-- razzle dazzle. As fun and easy as it is to make fun of him his talent is undeniable. At least he cut the mullet.
That sparkle tape on his flute is rather symbolic of his career though.
Ah, that's what it is! Thank you. I was wondering.
Glitzing things up. Gilding the lily. Which makes it less
beautiful but more visible at a distance
to many who wouldn't have noticed it.
And executed with technical facility.
I've never been a 'keeper of the flame.'
I understand why people who love a tradition dislike its
popularization, especially when they feel its soul is
in danger of being lost. But I've always been amazed
by creativity, even in its vulgar forms, even if the
result isn't for me. Its nature is often to break through barriers,
which isn't always necessarily a good idea.
And it is often mixed largely with self promotion.
I remember a Dylan concert in Chicago. He did the first half
on acoustic guitar, alone on the stage. He came out for the
second half with an electric guitar and a rock band
behind him, and the audience booed him.
Sell out! Judas!
Creativity isn't always going
to succeed, it isn't always going to be genius,
but I'm for it. And I've learned that it
is hardly incompatible with egotism.
That sparkle tape on his flute is rather symbolic of his career though.
I greatly admire his all round talents. Yes I think I would like to be him, would anyone not. I think he is a top notch flute player. I know I am not worthy of this comment but I will say it anyway. I'd just like to hear him play much of his stuff a tad slower, and less showy, just my personal view I suppose. I feel he has most or all of the playing ability of the great Matt but not the same degree of musicality, I'd almost say his tremendous ability might sometimes interfere a little with his musicality. This is my opinion which grew from listening to his 1st album, over time I stated to find it a little too showy for my full enjoyment of it. OTOH he is a superb showman, and I'm sure plenty people like his flute style just as much or even more than the other great players and fair play to them.
jim stone wrote:Look at what preceded Julia's and my posts.
It's happened in other threads lately too.
Wee tendency to pile on the guy.
Nah, I've just stated the obvious, that I can't hear MF's playing because MM plays louder.
I've just listened to some tracks of his 1979 album from his website, his playing is top class, and for sure he has many talents.
But I wouldn't like to be him.
Tell us something.: I play fiddle, concertina, flute. I live in NH. Lived in Kilshanny, Co Clare, for about 20 years. Politically on the far left. Diet on the far right (plant-based fundamentalist). Musically in the middle of the pure drop.
That isn't what this thread is about. You could never be him.
You should give somebody with enormous talent and dedication his rightful due, rather than launching cheap shots.
Begrudgers are seldom attractive.
I can't hear MF's playing because MM plays louder.
I have no idea what this means.
Freedom is merely privilege extended, unless enjoyed by one and all. The Internationale
It means that on the recording, MM is playing louder.
The opinion some of us are stating is that what Liberace was to classical piano, Michael Flatley is to Irish traditional music and dance. No one has in the least way questioned his talent, only his motivations and taste.
Charlie Gravel
“I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.”
― Oscar Wilde
wow...
I think he is a top notch flute player. I know I am not worthy of this comment but I will say it anyway. I'd just like to hear him play much of his stuff a tad slower, and less showy, just my personal view I suppose. I feel he has most or all of the playing ability of the great Matt but not the same degree of musicality, I'd almost say his tremendous ability might sometimes interfere a little with his musicality. This is my opinion which grew from listening to his 1st album, over time I stated to find it a little too showy for my full enjoyment of it. OTOH he is a superb showman, and I'm sure plenty people like his flute style just as much or even more than the other great players and fair play to them.