10 Jan 2010

FIDDLIN' FANTASTIC - AND THEY WERE.


You'll never guess where I was Friday night? Ok, so the graphic might give you a bit of a hint.

Give in?

Would it surprise you if I were to say a Christmas Party? A belated 2009 party as opposed to an extremely early 2010 party that is, she says as if that makes any difference.

Yes, despite the fact that here in England we are having the worst winter for 30 years, temperatures are reputedly only two degrees warmer than the antarctic and Newcastle's River Tyne is starting to freeze over for the first time since 18 hundred and 30 something or other, I was brave enough (some would argue stupid enough) to brave the weather and set off to local social club The Innisfree.

I say brave as if I had miles of icy, iceberg laden, polar bear inhabited terrain to contend with when in fact I had (what should have been) a five minute taxi journey up the road but still it was brave of me given that the roads and footpaths were unbelievably bad and left largely untouched by the road gritters and I'm on crutches.

Getting on with the story (you can all sigh with relief), what possessed us to go out on such a night? Some would say it had to be the free meal but honestly it wasn't. We'd had the tickets for a while, had really enjoyed the event the year before and were really looking forward to the 'turn' who we had heard were really good.

So, after yet another Christmas meal served with all the trimmings and the obligatory game of bingo (which both Husband dearest and I wholly dislike and never play) it was time for the entertainment FIDDLIN' FANTASTIC (whose site I am unable to obtain at present and whose management, in my humble opinion, aren't doing a very good job of promoting them) who were every bit as good, and better, than we had been led to believe.

Made up of two brothers, Ashleyjay and Jonny Rye, Fiddlin' Fantastic are a duo where both brothers sing, one playing the electric organ and the other, the fiddle (traditional and electric), the cello and the electric mandolin. Hard to describe their style, I can only say that they played a wide range* from rock to Abba to traditional Irish to Old Time Musical with, for me, the most memorable piece being Walking In The Air (the theme from the animated film The Snowman) which was played solely on the fiddle - beautiful and haunting simply didn't enter into it which surprised me as, usually no fan of these instruments, I had absolutely no idea they could sound like this.

Friday night talked about, I'd now like to wish a

VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to MOLLY over at Life With The Campbells who celebrates her 60th today.

* To give some idea of the range covered, I bought a CD of their music (Fiddlin' Fantastic On The Fiddle) which, amongst other material, contains the following to name but a few, some of which some of you might know. Lord Of The Dance, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Knees Up Mother Brown, Whisky In the Jar, At The Hop, Let's Twist Again and, Cotton Eyed Joe.

15 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Ooh, Fiddlin' Fantastic sound, well, fantastic! The Snowman was a favorite when my kids were growing up. I have the piano score and they used to love it when I played it for them in the middle of summer *smile*

serendipity_viv said...

I had a second Christmas dinner on New Years Day, so you are not alone. I kind of like the idea of having one after Christmas; gives you something to look forward to.

Alyce said...

It sounds like you had a fabulous time! We had to reschedule our Christmas concert because of ice. It was a little strange (but fun) to play Christmas songs in January. :)

Kelly said...

That sounds like a wonderful evening (including the bingo)! I'm glad you got there and back in one piece, too!

I wasn't familiar with The Snowman until our symphony included it in their December performance this year. They had a huge screen to show the movie while they (and two area high school choirs) provided the music. It was delightful!!

Betty Manousos said...

Petty, glad to hear that you had a wonderful time!
I'd love to be invited!!
hugs hugs

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a simply wonderful evening out. I love fiddlers! The score to the Snowman - how wonderful. Thanks for bringing them to our attention, I'm going to see if I can look them up.

Aine
http://thevolvingspirit.blogspot.com

susan s. said...

Petty, did you try here?

http://www.reverbnation.com/fiddlinfantastic

chitra said...

Happy to know you had a wonderful time. The music would have helped you forget about the freezing cold for a while.

UberGrumpy said...

The Tyne is freezing over?

And you ventured out on crutches. You're one tough lass

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Soft compared to most Geordie lasses Uber, I went out with a coat on - no walking around half dressed for me.

Alexia561 said...

Sounds like you had a great time! And I'm glad you made it there and back in one piece, especially since you're still on crutches! :)

Áine said...

Happy Birthday Molly! :) Wow sounds like an interesting book.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne of course! lol
You live in such an amazing place!

MOLLYC said...

TRACY, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU. THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED A SURROGATE DAUGHTER? I CAN MAKE ROOM FOR YOU ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE I wish I HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO! XO

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Thanks Molly. I'll consider myself adopted.

fiddlin fantastic said...

Hi,

this is Mike (keyboard) from fiddlin fantastic. Just found your comments while checking that google was picking up our site ok (it is) many thanks for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the show so much and in particular Jonny's version of the Snowman.... it was strange doing Christmas stuff in jan..... see you again.