Aidan Crossey CDs

[nigelgatherer]

Just received Aidan's CDs - delighted. I'm doing a mandolin workshop in East Kilbride (Scotland) this afternoon which involves quite a bit of driving, so I'll be tootling down the motorways listening to the four recordings.

Just one quick comment, Aidan: It's great to hear "Hector the Hero", a tune I have done in workshops and classes, but I don't think I've ever heard it played so fast! I like the way you've done it, hower, and I'll be listening carefully to the extra bits you've thrown in there.

Everyone else: if they're still available on eBay, these CDs are worth the small sum they're selling for. A fiver and one of four mando-centric albums are yours!

[Aidan Crossey]

Nigel ...

Thanks for listening to the CDs.

It's very nerve-racking, having a well-known mando player scrutinise one's oeuvre (oh dear ... a handy word, but how loaded with pretension).

Hector? Yes ... nervousness in front of recorder ... and then some later listen which convinced me that somehow a "fast lament" might be quite interesting!

I've rerecorded it recently for the Glass Slipper project and I was much more relaxed. Hope it shows!

Aidan

[Aidan Crossey]

Nigel ...

Thanks for listening to the CDs.

It's very nerve-racking, having a well-known mando player scrutinise one's oeuvre (oh dear ... a handy word, but how loaded with pretension).

Hector? Yes ... nervousness in front of recorder ... and then some later listen which convinced me that somehow a "fast lament" might be quite interesting!

I've rerecorded it recently for the Glass Slipper project and I was much more relaxed. Hope it shows!

Aidan

[nigelgatherer]

Now that I've listened to Aidan's CDs I have to say I've enjoyed them very much. As he says himself, they're rough and ready in parts, and maybe not the best mandolin you've ever heard, but in my opinion that's not the point. There is something in the recordings which can't be bought with weeks of studio time or the best equipment. What there is is a love of the material and a resultant warmth of atmosphere. The songs are great, the instrumentals well chosen and the prose and poetry is a joy to hear. I know you said it was nerve-racking, Aidan, but I'dlike to thank you for the chance to share some of your oeuvre (ooer). I'll be stealing some of the tunes, too!

[Bren]

I've listened to some of Aidan's CDs in the car - they have a very atmospheric and intimate feel, like listening to your mate's home recordings and discovering a new side to him (not saying that Aidan hides his light under a bushel, but you know what I mean).
I had a Fermanagh man in the car when one of the prose pieces came on and he demanded to hear it again, very good it was.
An Oeuvre's for cleaning the carpet isn't it?

[Aidan Crossey]

Bren ... thanks ... I like the oeuvre quip ... I'm glad your mate enjoyed the spoken bits ... I wasn't sure whether to include them or not. Glad I did now!

[nigelgatherer]

Aidan, I hope you weren't offended by any of my comments...

[Aidan Crossey]

Nigel ... I was mortally wounded and I've taken steps to ensure that your contribution to The Glass Slipper is consigned to the trash icon on my PC!!

Joking!!!!!!

In seriousness, you didn't say anything at which anyone sane or sensible could take offence. I was chuffed by your comments about the overall impact of the music ... and I'd agree with your analysis as to the fine detail. Don't sweat it ... I write the odd email or message board post from time to time and on re-reading realise that in a certain light and at a certain angle, my intentions might get a little distorted. I'd like to think that most people on this site are well-disposed towards each other and would permit a degree of honesty that would cause sparks to fly on other more irascible message boards!

Thanks again for your comments ... they are much appreciated!!