RE: Folk/Celtic Looping

[Jon Grant <tianmus@aracnet.net>]

        I've actually just finished the album - the new website update 
will be up in about a week.  It will include a page dedicated to the Folk 
Album.  As far as "the Three Ravens" goes: I do a version of that song on 
the album with looped instruments (tamboura, guitars, flutes) and a whole 
ethnic kinda flavour.  The songs on the album range from traditional 
celtic arrangements to relatively wierd stuff and even rock-type and 
orchestral stuff.  I can E-mail you the lyrics, if you like.  I do use 
loops on a number of pieces, but nothing too radical.  I tried putting 
some heavier textures and loops in, but they just didn't seem to fit as 
well as the simpler stuff.  I think it's just a phase I've been in for the 
last couple of months.  Lately, I'm feeling a little more minimal that 
most (guitar) loopers I know.
        I used to listen to a lot of Steel Eye Span, as well as Fairport 
Convention.  When the new audio clips are up at my website, you should 
revisit them: the complete versions feature some fantastic fiddle playing 
by Canadian Jamie Snider.  I played guitars, basses, mandolins, as well as 
various wind and string instruments, plus a lot of percussion.  
Surprisingly, I'm very pleased with how the mastered versions of the songs 
sound.

                Cheers,

                        Jon Grant
                        Tian Music
                        www.aracnet.net/~tianmus

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From:   Michael P. Hughes, Ph.D.[SMTP:pycraft@elec.gla.ac.uk]
Sent:   Friday, June 12, 1998 3:14 PM
To:     Loopers-Delight@annihilist.com
Subject:        Re: Folk/Celtic Looping

Jon Grant, a few days ago:
> recall hearing a few things on this subject occasionally from some of 
>our 
>brothers in the U.K.  I'm interested because I've just finished an album
of traditional >Scottish/Irish/English music that includes some looping, as
well as traditional Folk >instruments, etc. 

I've just listened to your samples on your website - they sound great, but
do any of them feature looping?  I can't detect any, but I'm also listening
on a lousy lab setup.  Excellent music - do you listen to Steeleye Span at
all btw?

Michael

PS Your album is entitled "three ravens" - this is one of my favourite
Renaissance English pieces!  Do you have the complete lyrics?  My recording
is a bit unclear in places. 

"There were three ravens sat on a tree,
down, a-down say down......" 

 Dr. Michael P. Hughes, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK G12 8QQ 
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     Mr. Griff raised his stunted barber's pole. "And where do 
         you think you are going with your old black bag?"
       Grandpa said: "I am going to Llangadock to be buried"
       "But you aren't dead yet, Dai Thomas"  -Dylan Thomas
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 www.elec.gla.ac.uk/~pycraft               m.hughes@elec.gla.ac.uk