Since 1996, my older daughter has danced with a kids' morris team, Banbury Cross, for which I've served at odd times as general volunteer, roadie, musician and squire (president). She's also performing with Great Meadows, a morris and rapper sword side for high schoolers (some know it better as Team X). Great Meadows was invited to perform at a major international festival in the spring of 2004; you can read about it here, or for a more idiosyncratic take, here.
I've thoughtfully included below some photos pertaining to my morris activity, or links pertaining to same.
I love British Isles folk music, and play guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, bodhran and concertina (the latter mainly to accompany morris dancing). I play regularly at a few sessions in the Boston area, and with several friends and acquaintances; I think these might be called "bands," actually. Among the venues I've appeared in recent years are the Boston Celtic Music Fest and the annual Black and Green Festival of Boston sponsored by the Irish Immigration Center.
In 1980, I had the pleasure of playing guitar on a few tracks for an album of traditional and contemporary bagpipe music called "Land of My Youth," featuring Donald Lindsey and Marc Cushing, on the Front Hall label.
I helped start an occasional group named Dark Eyed Sheep in 1982, now on permanent hiatus; we recorded a cassette album in 1985, performed at New England area coffeehouses and festivals (including the venerable Passim in Cambridge, Mass.) and appeared live on several radio stations, including Emerson College's WERS-FM 88.9. What's that? Where'd the name Dark Eyed Sheep come from? If you're really interested, get in touch and I'll tell you.
My wife is a terrific musician who plays Appalachian dulcimer, mandolin, guitar, bowed psaltrey and a funny li'l thing called a "strumstick." We've played together in DES and as a duo -- just for fun, though.
When I'm not playing music, I'm listening to it--The Obligatory Faves 'n Raves List below gives a few examples. (Want to know what music I'm listening to this week? Of course you do. So go here).
If you're mildly curious about the songs I sing, here's a glance at my repertoire.
Red Herring Morris Day of Dance 2004
The Ginger Ale (archives from 2001-04; links to archives for 1997 and 1998) "Rapper, Reels and Revelry: A Celebration of Music and Dance Across Generations"--Benefit concert for Great Meadows Morris and Sword May Day 2004 NEFFA 2004 Benefit contra dance at Springstep for Great Meadows Morris and Sword Mid-Winter Celebration
Great Meadows at the Marlboro Morris Ale
Red Herring Morris and Banbury Cross Morris at NEFFA 2003
Red Herring Morris at the Salem Maritime Festival
Team X at the Cambridge River Festival
Red Herring at Somerville Garden Day
Banbury Cross and Red Herring at NEFFA
Banbury Cross at the Jackson Homestead
NEFFA, May Day, Somerville Garden Day, Ginger Ale, Lilac Sunday
Starting "The Gallant Weaver." Great dance, great tune.
In the midst of "Shooting." No, this is not the official morris dance of the NRA. But thanks for asking.
Just completing the "bottoms-to-tops" figure in "Seaside Shuffle," which has become one of my most favorite dances ever.
And now, it's time for:
MontyPythonWilliamKennedyStarTrekMartinCarthyHomicide:LifeOnT
heStreetsKenBurnsFiresignTheaterI.F.StoneOlgaKorbutLesBarkerR
ichardThompsonBostonRedSoxCountyClareRowanAtkinsonAnnieHallLouisJordan
PittsburghSteelersNicJonesSueMillerTheYoungTraditionBosto
nCelticsYoung'sBitterJezLoweDavidHalberstamAVeryLongEngagemen
tOysterBandPittsburghPiratesTheBeatlesCountyFermanaghHillStre
etBluesPopTartsTheRochesBaltimore(notIndianapolis)ColtsSkaWil
liamManchesterHair(TheMusical)EmersonLakeandPalmerJohnLeCarre
SandyDennyNewEnglandPatriotsCutandDryDollyHaroldPinterYesRich
ardBrautiganKiboBeerandpretzels