Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 by GDubWishing you all peace and prosperity in 2009!
Archive for December, 2008
For Accuracy’s Sake
Monday, December 8th, 2008 by madmagsAs I continue working on writing our seafaring adventures on the “Lucky Bird” I’m tussling with the balance of fiction and fact. Frankly I favor historical accuracy. Truth is stranger than fiction which tends to spin the better yarn. The characters can be fictional but I want to see a real world through their eyes. So I’m pouring through a few more good books on those who plied the waves for profit around 1700.
Villains of All Nations – Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age by Marcus Rediker 2004
The Pirate Primer – Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers and Rogers by George Choundas 2007. Choundas conflates historical sources with film and television depictions in this lovely looking and humorous book. There is a whole chapter devoted to “Arrgh”. That makes me smile.
The Pirates Own Book Authentic – Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers by the Marine Research Society. A Dover reprint of a 1924 publication.
image: sculpture of sailor from the San Francisco 1915 Panama Exposition. Note his strong widely gripping toes.
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I am convinced most people today could not survive the conditions these mariners endured.
And the gore in an 18th century sailors life makes our “violent” society look fairly typical. Plus ça change.
Humankind is surely crazed.
New CD and whistle thoughts
Friday, December 5th, 2008 by RhianOK, so maybe I am a tad biased but the new CD is a winner.
I had always wanted to play the penny whistle in a band and a lifetime’s ambition was realised with the dawn of this album. Despite how much the whisle may bug other band members, I love the sound and feel as if transported into another age and culture.
I have this romantic notion of living in Ireland and learning how to play the whistle properly and being immersed in folk songs and traditions. I almost got my way a couple of years ago but alas was not to be. So I will have to return to Ireland, whistle packed, eager to learn all the tricks of the trade and spend all evening in pubs- bummer!
The power of music is immense. Never underestimate how moods can be changed. I think even Lawrence and JB were complimentary about the foot of power, aka the whistle. We felt like pirates. We felt like salty sea dogs- OK I am going too far and will be told off by the guys. The whistle is just amazing and so very portable. It is the sound of legendary folk songs and dark evenings. It is a sound that unites people; joviality follows and a few rosy cheeks.
On a technical note I play a Burke High D which is made of aluminium (NB the spelling).
Is that the time? We have a gig tonight and I am not ready. Cloverdale awaits and I get to indulge my passion for the whistle once again. Thanks Maggie.
Catch Us in the Act!
Friday, December 5th, 2008 by madmagstonight around 8pm at Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub — http://ruthmcgowansbrewpub.com/
no cover. friendly joint. great beer.
