Time out from my life with a little summertime Florida vacation. Arrived in Stuart Florida last night, Sunday evening - visiting my mother, sister, brother, nephew, niece, etc. I thought I would get in more playing/practicing on my instruments, but there has been little opportuniny. Practicing Hindustani scales Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Nhi Sa in the car has let time go by quickly. Great scenery and we've missed most of the tropical storms.
Hope to cut a new fiddle bridge this week and be open to musical opportunities.
If anyone needs to reach me while I'm away e-mail me bobluskmusic@yahoo.com - not an mail I normally use or check. I will be back by 7/7 0r 7/8 and checking my regular e-mail then.
Mathews County Virginia
Had a wonderful time playing the fiddle at night on the beach. Attracted some audiance however and wound up having a small session with 14 year old kids - they didn't know what folk music was and I had never heard of what they listen to. But we jammed some blues and played some Johnny Cash songs.
Folk music in Kingston, NY 9/1/07
Mark your calendars now!
An evening of acoustic folk music...
some traditional, some contemporary, some in-between...
An evening of acoustic folk music...
some traditional, some contemporary, some in-between...
ANNE PRICE & STEVE SUFFET
sharing and alternating sets
6:00 PM to closing (around 8:00 PM)
Saturday . September 1, 2007
The Alternative Bookstore
35 North Front Street
Kingston, NY 12401
No cover charge!
For info: 845-331-5439.
Anne's website: http://www.anneprice.com/
Steve's website: http://suffet.home.att.net/
Be there!
--- Steve
Tommy Sands
Went with Jim Donnelly to East Durham last night. They have their Irish Arts Week. In the past I have been for the whole week but last night was just to get in a session. When we got there the big concert had just started, we paid our $10 not knowing what to expect. There were about 500 people in the pavilion, big sound system, lots of traditional music - jigs, reels, accordions, fiddles, flutes. It was decent music - I knew a lot of the performers. For the most part they were people that play with a lot of other people at dances, all knowing the same material. Next year they'll shuffle the members. There was one family band the Mulcahees. It was all good.
Then there was Tommy Sands, cousin of Bobby. I missed going the other night to the Bruderhof to hear him. I have known some of his songs, but never heard him before. He did a great song "Down by the Lagan Side". I rushed over to the CD table, bought it and had him sign it for me after he got off. I plan to sing it at Alternative Books on 9/16.
For years I have been caught between the uplifting feelings that one gets with patriotic and religous music and the reality of patriotism and religous expression. My journeys to Hinduism have helped me with this a lot. Tommy has reconciled this by singing strong affirmative songs about peace, which I find very inspiting.
The background is of course the "troubles" between Catholic and Protestant in Northern Ireland. Tommy has written a lot of songs of reconciliation. He talked about how the people in Northern Ireland are forcing the politicians to move closer to compromise.
The instruments mentioned in the song are significant. The pipers and harpers are symbolic of the Republic of Ireland, while the lambeg drums are traditional instruments of Northern Protestants. He said he sang this song recently with a large group of schoolchildren , Catholic and Protestant politicians, accompanied by pipers and lambeg drummers.
The Lagan river runs through Belfast and divides it into Catholic and Protestant sections. With this song, Tommy holds the river up as a unifying force.
Down by the Lagan Side
I thought she was a vision that stopped me with her smile
Down by the river we walked along in style
She says you're welcome back again and won't you stay awhile
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
I said who owns that music that's so full of joy and pain
That the pipers and the harpers and the lambeg drummers play
She said who owns the teardrops falling in the rain
Down by the Lagan side
And do you not remember we once walked side by side
And the bells of Belfast City sang harmony and pride
The past it has been taken but the future's yours and mine
Down by the Lagan side.
Then there was Tommy Sands, cousin of Bobby. I missed going the other night to the Bruderhof to hear him. I have known some of his songs, but never heard him before. He did a great song "Down by the Lagan Side". I rushed over to the CD table, bought it and had him sign it for me after he got off. I plan to sing it at Alternative Books on 9/16.
For years I have been caught between the uplifting feelings that one gets with patriotic and religous music and the reality of patriotism and religous expression. My journeys to Hinduism have helped me with this a lot. Tommy has reconciled this by singing strong affirmative songs about peace, which I find very inspiting.
The background is of course the "troubles" between Catholic and Protestant in Northern Ireland. Tommy has written a lot of songs of reconciliation. He talked about how the people in Northern Ireland are forcing the politicians to move closer to compromise.
The instruments mentioned in the song are significant. The pipers and harpers are symbolic of the Republic of Ireland, while the lambeg drums are traditional instruments of Northern Protestants. He said he sang this song recently with a large group of schoolchildren , Catholic and Protestant politicians, accompanied by pipers and lambeg drummers.
The Lagan river runs through Belfast and divides it into Catholic and Protestant sections. With this song, Tommy holds the river up as a unifying force.
Down by the Lagan Side
I thought she was a vision that stopped me with her smile
Down by the river we walked along in style
She says you're welcome back again and won't you stay awhile
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
I said who owns that music that's so full of joy and pain
That the pipers and the harpers and the lambeg drummers play
She said who owns the teardrops falling in the rain
Down by the Lagan side
And do you not remember we once walked side by side
And the bells of Belfast City sang harmony and pride
The past it has been taken but the future's yours and mine
Down by the Lagan side.
#@$%^ computers
Some of my posts got a little bolixed up.- here they are again.
Guitar lessons
I am considering taking a few guitar students in the fall at my home studio in the Roundout section of Kingston. This would probably be limited to Tuesday or Wednesday evenings starting at 5:00 pm. In addition to teaching privately, I have also taught at local music stores, the YWCA, New Paltz High School and SUNY New Paltz college. I teach a variety of styles with an emphasis on tracitional folk music. Call me at 338-8587 - Bob
posted by Bob Lusk at 11:09 AM Thursday, July 12, 2007
, July 12, 2007
Tribute to Andy McGann
From:
Brian Conway
Album in Tribute to Andy McGann
A Tribute to Andy McGann is a new CD from Joe Burke,
Brian Conway and Felix Dolan in tribute to New York
fiddler, the late Andy McGann.
Andy McGann was born and raised in New York to Sligo
parents and became one of the key figures in
traditional Irish music in the US. He grew up in a
community that was loyal to the Sligo-American style
of music that had been established in the US a
generation earlier by immigrants from Sligo including
Michael Coleman and James Morrison. Andy began
playing the fiddle at the age of seven and was tutored
by Michael Coleman, a family friend, and he played
with him many times until Coleman's death in 1945.
McGann's playing was beautifully sweet without being
saccharine, deeply expressive and elegant, and it is a
style than many young musicians have tried to emulate.
He would eventually become the standard-bearer of the
Sligo-American style made famous by Coleman and,
indeed, pass the tradition on to other players
including his protégé Brian Conway.
In 1965 Andy McGann together with two good friends and
musicians, Joe Burke and Felix Dolan, recorded the
album A Tribute to Michael Coleman. More than forty
years later, on 1 April 2006 in the Irish American
Heritage Center in Chicago, Joe Burke, Felix Dolan and
Brian Conway performed together in a concert titled 'A
Tribute to Andy McGann', honouring a great musician
and friend who had passed away in 2004. It was
entirely appropriate that the two musicians who had
played with Andy on the landmark Coleman album should
have chosen Brian Conway, Andy's protégé, to play with
them on this occasion. Four tracks recorded live at
that concert are included on A Tribute to Andy McGann
together with several other tracks chosen to
commemorate and celebrate the life of Andy McGann and
to represent the Sligo-American style.
The CD booklet includes extensive notes on Andy McGann
and on the three musicians on the album. A Tribute to
Andy McGann is available in music shops and from
www.cic.ie
The CD will be launched at the Willie Clancy festival
in Miltown Malbay on 8 July. The Traditional Festival
taking place as part of the annual Catskills Irish
Arts Week in East Durham, New York, is dedicated to
the memory of Andy McGann this year and the CD will be
launched there on 21 July. Further information from
www.east-durham.org
The Musicians
Joe Burke is a master box player from east Galway and
a long-time friend and musical colleague of Andy
McGann. Felix Dolan is from New York and ranks as the
leading Irish-American piano accompanist. Brian
Conway is a fiddler from New York and is the leading
player in the Sligo-American style.
posted by Bob Lusk at 8:51 PM
A few new/old photos at
http://bobluskphotos.blogspot.com/
posted by Bob Lusk at 7:15 PM
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The Hammer Song
watch video
by pete seeger and lee hays
On the 4th of July I was singing in the Saugerites NY parade (go to http://bhaavram.blogspot.com/
for a complete description)
Afterwards I heard Alan Chartok do a historic interview with Pete Seeger which contained some clips from this video. "The Hammer Song" was written by Lee Hays and origionally published in Sing Out! Magazine, which I worked for back in the late 70's. It was the one song that we usually sing at parades that we forgot to sing that day. Special note for next year!
Tommy Sands in Concert July 11...
I'm not sure if I can make it, but this looks like a great show.
Wed., July 11, 7:00pm Tommy Sands in Concert. Irish singer and songwriter Tommy Sands will perform in concert at the Platte Clove Community in Elka Park, NY. This is a free concert but seating is limited. Call Jim Weeks at (518) 589 5103 for tickets.
Music for Steamboat Celebration
Hudson River Maritime Museum is having a Steamboat Celebration August 4 from 12 pm- 5PM with steamboat rides, an old fashioned cake walk and lots of family activities. We are tring to find some music for the event- Barbershop Quartets or any music/ entertainment from the steamboat era. If you would like to join HRMM for a fun day and help entertain please contact Betty at HRMM@hvc.rr.com or call 845-338-0071 ext 16.
Again Thanks -- Betty HRMM Manager
Sing-A-Thon/Play-A-Thon for low-income music students
From Julie Weneger
DUTCHESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MUSIC SCHOOL
Dear Friends & Family,
I am organizing and performing in DCC Music School's Sing-A-Thon/Play-A-Thon on August 4. This is a fundraiser for our scholarship fund for economically disadvantaged kids to study music. Each performer requests sponsors who pledge any amount to sponsor their performance. I'm writing to ask if you would be able to sponsor my performance this year. Many of you were amazingly generous last year and sponsored me or a student or other faculty member, or performed and requested sponsors of your own.
Anyone, child or adult, amateur or professional, student or teacher, solo or ensemble, is invited to perform. Some of the kids helped by last year's contributions will be performing in this year's event. No amount is too small.
(In case you are wondering, and fortunately for everyone, I am NOT singing. Will be playing a movement of a Schubert piano sonata.)
If you are able to be a sponsor, you can just email me back and let me know your pledge amount, and later you can give it to me or mail it to me. Checks (tax-deductible) can be made out to DCC FOUNDATION (write "MusicLink" on the check). Mail to:
Julie Wegener
Dutchess Community College
Music School- B118
53 Pendell Rd.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Thank you very much for considering...and if not possible, I completely understand. And if you'd like to perform instead of sponsor...GREAT!!!- (no affiliation with DCC required.)
Julie
Guitar lessons
I am considering taking a few guitar students in the fall at my home studio in the Roundout section of Kingston. This would probably be limited to Tuesday or Wednesday evenings starting at 5:00 pm. In addition to teaching privately, I have also taught at local music stores, the YWCA, New Paltz High School and SUNY New Paltz college. I teach a variety of styles with an emphasis on tracitional folk music. Call me at 338-8587 - Bob
posted by Bob Lusk at 11:09 AM Thursday, July 12, 2007
, July 12, 2007
Tribute to Andy McGann
From:
Brian Conway
Album in Tribute to Andy McGann
A Tribute to Andy McGann is a new CD from Joe Burke,
Brian Conway and Felix Dolan in tribute to New York
fiddler, the late Andy McGann.
Andy McGann was born and raised in New York to Sligo
parents and became one of the key figures in
traditional Irish music in the US. He grew up in a
community that was loyal to the Sligo-American style
of music that had been established in the US a
generation earlier by immigrants from Sligo including
Michael Coleman and James Morrison. Andy began
playing the fiddle at the age of seven and was tutored
by Michael Coleman, a family friend, and he played
with him many times until Coleman's death in 1945.
McGann's playing was beautifully sweet without being
saccharine, deeply expressive and elegant, and it is a
style than many young musicians have tried to emulate.
He would eventually become the standard-bearer of the
Sligo-American style made famous by Coleman and,
indeed, pass the tradition on to other players
including his protégé Brian Conway.
In 1965 Andy McGann together with two good friends and
musicians, Joe Burke and Felix Dolan, recorded the
album A Tribute to Michael Coleman. More than forty
years later, on 1 April 2006 in the Irish American
Heritage Center in Chicago, Joe Burke, Felix Dolan and
Brian Conway performed together in a concert titled 'A
Tribute to Andy McGann', honouring a great musician
and friend who had passed away in 2004. It was
entirely appropriate that the two musicians who had
played with Andy on the landmark Coleman album should
have chosen Brian Conway, Andy's protégé, to play with
them on this occasion. Four tracks recorded live at
that concert are included on A Tribute to Andy McGann
together with several other tracks chosen to
commemorate and celebrate the life of Andy McGann and
to represent the Sligo-American style.
The CD booklet includes extensive notes on Andy McGann
and on the three musicians on the album. A Tribute to
Andy McGann is available in music shops and from
www.cic.ie
The CD will be launched at the Willie Clancy festival
in Miltown Malbay on 8 July. The Traditional Festival
taking place as part of the annual Catskills Irish
Arts Week in East Durham, New York, is dedicated to
the memory of Andy McGann this year and the CD will be
launched there on 21 July. Further information from
www.east-durham.org
The Musicians
Joe Burke is a master box player from east Galway and
a long-time friend and musical colleague of Andy
McGann. Felix Dolan is from New York and ranks as the
leading Irish-American piano accompanist. Brian
Conway is a fiddler from New York and is the leading
player in the Sligo-American style.
posted by Bob Lusk at 8:51 PM
A few new/old photos at
http://bobluskphotos.blogspot.com/
posted by Bob Lusk at 7:15 PM
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The Hammer Song
watch video
by pete seeger and lee hays
On the 4th of July I was singing in the Saugerites NY parade (go to http://bhaavram.blogspot.com/
for a complete description)
Afterwards I heard Alan Chartok do a historic interview with Pete Seeger which contained some clips from this video. "The Hammer Song" was written by Lee Hays and origionally published in Sing Out! Magazine, which I worked for back in the late 70's. It was the one song that we usually sing at parades that we forgot to sing that day. Special note for next year!
Tommy Sands in Concert July 11...
I'm not sure if I can make it, but this looks like a great show.
Wed., July 11, 7:00pm Tommy Sands in Concert. Irish singer and songwriter Tommy Sands will perform in concert at the Platte Clove Community in Elka Park, NY. This is a free concert but seating is limited. Call Jim Weeks at (518) 589 5103 for tickets.
Music for Steamboat Celebration
Hudson River Maritime Museum is having a Steamboat Celebration August 4 from 12 pm- 5PM with steamboat rides, an old fashioned cake walk and lots of family activities. We are tring to find some music for the event- Barbershop Quartets or any music/ entertainment from the steamboat era. If you would like to join HRMM for a fun day and help entertain please contact Betty at HRMM@hvc.rr.com or call 845-338-0071 ext 16.
Again Thanks -- Betty HRMM Manager
Sing-A-Thon/Play-A-Thon for low-income music students
From Julie Weneger
DUTCHESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MUSIC SCHOOL
Dear Friends & Family,
I am organizing and performing in DCC Music School's Sing-A-Thon/Play-A-Thon on August 4. This is a fundraiser for our scholarship fund for economically disadvantaged kids to study music. Each performer requests sponsors who pledge any amount to sponsor their performance. I'm writing to ask if you would be able to sponsor my performance this year. Many of you were amazingly generous last year and sponsored me or a student or other faculty member, or performed and requested sponsors of your own.
Anyone, child or adult, amateur or professional, student or teacher, solo or ensemble, is invited to perform. Some of the kids helped by last year's contributions will be performing in this year's event. No amount is too small.
(In case you are wondering, and fortunately for everyone, I am NOT singing. Will be playing a movement of a Schubert piano sonata.)
If you are able to be a sponsor, you can just email me back and let me know your pledge amount, and later you can give it to me or mail it to me. Checks (tax-deductible) can be made out to DCC FOUNDATION (write "MusicLink" on the check). Mail to:
Julie Wegener
Dutchess Community College
Music School- B118
53 Pendell Rd.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Thank you very much for considering...and if not possible, I completely understand. And if you'd like to perform instead of sponsor...GREAT!!!- (no affiliation with DCC required.)
Julie
Peace Poem of the Month/Art Work
Dear Arts for Peace Members and Friends,
As you know, Arts For Peace sponsors a "Peace Poem of the Month" at Village Hall in New Paltz. We are now seeking submissions for poems about peace and social justice.
Please email your submissions to
or call Colleen Geraghty @845-256-9233 if you have any questions.
Poetry Book
Some of my poems and songs have been included in a new book Post Traumatic Press 2007 - veteran's poems, edited by Dayl Wise. It should start hitting local bookstores in a few weeks. There will be a reading at the Colony Cafe on September 17th at
[You can find the lyrics to all my poetry at
http://boblusklyrics.blogspot.com/]
Post Traumatic Press 2007
This book is put together to tell the stories of veterans with direct experience of the military. For some, the intense experience of war can only be expressed in poetry, while others are driven by the need to say something openly political. This chapbook includes veterans from World War II, the Cold War,
Contributors: Camillo "Mac" Bica, Richard Boes, Thomas Brinson, Michael Embrich, Michael Gillen, Marc Levy, Bob Lusk, Gerald McCarthy, Jim Murphy, Fred Nagel, Ron Thompson, Robert "Tack" Trostle, Jose Vasquez, Jay Wenk, Dan Wilcox, Sam Weinreb and Larry Winters. Some of these
Beat the Devil
Hurrying to get ready for Saugerties Parade, but a few thoughts jsut passed through my mind. I was going over some old notes on Johnny Cash songs and ran across Kris Kirstoffersons "Beat the Devil" which he wrote for Johnny.
And you still can hear me singing to the people who dont listen
To the things that I am saying, praying someones going to hear;
And I guess Ill die explaining how the things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing, hoping someones goin to care.
I was born a lonely singer and Im bound to die the same
But Ive got to feed the hunger in my soul;
And if I never have a nickel I wont ever die of shame
cause I dont believe that no-one wants to know!
To the things that I am saying, praying someones going to hear;
And I guess Ill die explaining how the things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing, hoping someones goin to care.
I was born a lonely singer and Im bound to die the same
But Ive got to feed the hunger in my soul;
And if I never have a nickel I wont ever die of shame
cause I dont believe that no-one wants to know!
I love singing in parades. My body is not keeping up the physically demanding aspects of it, but I love it, even if I'm totally wasted at the end. Singing full voice in the open air - there is nothing like it. Singing peace songs on the 4th of July - well it's a statement, but it is also a cathartic release.
Does it matter? Does it help the anti war effort. I think so. Vietnam proved that protests do matter. The people in the White House listen even when Nixon was watching football while thousands were outside.
If a tree falls in the forest does anyone hear it? Well yeah, the tree hears it, experiences it.
I believe that the words that we utter, the songs that we sing, the thoughts that we have, really do matter - that they influence our reality.
And I feel great when I'm singing in parades!
Fw: Pickin Circle -> RR Station
From Dakin (in th background) Morehouse
Hello Happy Pickers,
As you know, Harry's Picking Circle at the old Phoenicia Ski Lodge is suspended for the season.
This is an invite (with Harry's blessing) to all who wish to continue pickin (until Harry picks up again toward fall) to meet at the Empire State Railway Museum in the old Phoenicia Train Station.
The Station is located just a little over a mile East on the same road (but different name) as Harry's lodge. It is the last building on your Left going East on the same road (you'll see trains and our sign).
Or if you're coming up 28, West from Kingston direction it is the first Right turn, (at the beginning of a curve) a few hundred yards after the Phoenicia Diner (to your left).
From this entrance the Station is the first structure (green, see sign) anout 1/4 mile on your right.
The actual address is 70 Lower High St. (yeah, even the PO loves oxymorons).
Hope to see you there with tight strings (and your musical friends) starting this Thursday July 5th, 7 to 11pm as usual. (munchies and/or sodas are always welcome).
Dakin (in th background) Morehouse
P.S. - Don't forget Harry's Annual Summer Party / pot-luck at Romer Mt. Park on Sat. Aug. 11th.
Happy 4th of July!
I am planning to march and sing with the Saugerties Peace and Justice Coalition tomorrow. Meet at the High School on Washington Avenue. Looks like rain so be prepared.
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