Catching up

Sorry for the decreased posting, the last few days. We were occupied with this:

Vernacular Music Center Concert Series Oct 27 8pm HRH: Michael Black (Celtic music) FREE ADMISSION

On Saturday, October 27 at 8pm in Hemmle Recital Hall on the TTU campus, Michael Black will present a solo concert of Irish traditional focused around the singing tradition of the Black Family, a legend in Irish music, and his new solo compact disc on the Compass label. The event is co-sponsored by the TTU Vernacular Music Center, the School of Music, and the Caprock Celtic Association.

Through the generosity of Director William Ballenger, admission for the general public to this event is now FREE!!!

About Michael Black:

Michael Black of the legendary singing family of Rathlin and Dublin now resides in San Francisco. As a banjo player and an accomplished guitarist he has worked with many Irish artists including Paddy Keenan, John Whelan, Nollaig Casey and James Kelly. More recently Michael has emphasized his solo career, playing at venues throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Michael was a special surprise guest at the 2006 Caprock Celtic Christmas, bringing down the house with his renditions of traditional ballads and singalongs, and we are delighted that he returns for a full evening’s concert.

Michael’s first solo CD, released in July 2007, was produced by John Doyle of Solas and features a variety of songs from shanties, to a song in Irish, anti-war songs and a number of chorus songs. Musicians on the album include John Doyle, Liz Carroll, Liz Knowles, Seamus Egan, John Williams, Chico Huff, Dirk Powell and backing vocals include John Doyle, Mary, Frances, Martin, Shay, Eoghan Scott, Danny and Roisin O’Reilly.

Review quotes:

“A gifted, accomplished, sensitive ballad singer with diverse, discerning taste in songs…Part of a famous Dublin singing family…An effervescent glee hard to resist…Songs unflinching in their political and social message.”

“Singing is an absolute good. This CD proves it.”
--Earle Hitchner in The Irish Echo

and this (Michael Black in front of Google Earth image of Rathlin Island, his home place):























And this (Dr Coyote teaching 110 college freshmen to dance the "Threes" and "Sevens"):