2005 Boare's Head Feaste and Beyond...
We had some guests in for the 2005 BHF, lovely Amber B. came in from Cushing, and Brian I. from Duncan, OK to stay with us for the feast.
Julia, who some of you may remember having played with us on Student Day at KCRF 2004, agreed to come and play with us for the evening, and we were much elated to have a fiddler with us, again! She plays somewhat in the style of DJ, noodling a harmony behind the vocals, and is also bold enough in her playing of melody lines to improv an instrumental break now and again. Just what we like, and she has a voice as well!
We arrived for the feaste itself just a bit before 6 p.m., after having rehearsed a few numbers with Julia at home before we left. Unloaded and unpacked and immediately went back to rehearsing some more before the feaste started, missing a part of the feaste that I traditionally love to do: Playing for the patrons as they enter. Next year, yes.
Richard (Rav) was in charge of the programming and at Susi's suggestion, rather than have each band up 3 times to do one song, we had each band perform for one "remove". Afterward, during dessert, we did a 10-minute jam session, which consisted of us doing "Star of the County Down", and Kerridwynn doing "Black Velvet Band", which Amber hijacked with "Piano Man". Was great, though we coulda warned him, I guess...
Then on to the dances. After a Half-Hannikins and a Korabushka, Kimberly sang a *lovely* Greensleeves with us, and Butterfly Bill was trying to get in position to hear it better, as we had a 4-part harmony going that was a real tear-jerker...but dancers kept getting in his way. Then we did a couple of our instrumental waltzes, and they told us that was enough...I thought we were done, but with everyone standing around, I just *had* to have us do a jig set, to which those inclined danced "The Lilt".
Then, John Auld, the best King Henry VIII I've ever seen and the only king I've ever known at Muskogee, came out and wished a final "Godspeed"...and we were standing about as he left toward the curtains in the back of the Garden Room.
Every one of us in the place knew that that was his last "Godspeed" as Henry. And it set us all back.
Karen C., the GM of the Castle, came up as we were tearfully looking at each other. She had a song in mind and sang a few words of a lovely tune that neither Susi nor I had ever heard. But I had another song that was begging to get out of my brain.
All I did was say the words: "Irish Blessing", and Amber started it out in a lovely soprano. Susi blended with it and I was under 'em with Bass. Every bard, minstrel, and musician in the hall decended upon us like white on rice and stood in that circle and we sang from our collective hearts and souls. It was the first time we'd ever sung "Irish Blessing" together, out of deference to 3PG/WMT and Kathleen, who have done so much to help us get started. That's kinda their song. But *damn* did that sound good.
And a fitting tribute and well-wish to His Majesty, the only King I knew at OKRF for many years.
Julia acquitted herself well, considering it was her second time ever to play with us, and she *does* have the ear and the love for the music. I hope we can inspire her passion to play.
We had a lovely time with wonderful hugs and kisses from many, all of whom I love dearly.
And now, an announcement for those who haven't heard:
Amber has agreed to re-join Queen's Gambit. In return I must pay for her college. She accepted the "Queen's Gambit Scholarship Program" which is now soliciting donors :)
Julia, who some of you may remember having played with us on Student Day at KCRF 2004, agreed to come and play with us for the evening, and we were much elated to have a fiddler with us, again! She plays somewhat in the style of DJ, noodling a harmony behind the vocals, and is also bold enough in her playing of melody lines to improv an instrumental break now and again. Just what we like, and she has a voice as well!
We arrived for the feaste itself just a bit before 6 p.m., after having rehearsed a few numbers with Julia at home before we left. Unloaded and unpacked and immediately went back to rehearsing some more before the feaste started, missing a part of the feaste that I traditionally love to do: Playing for the patrons as they enter. Next year, yes.
Richard (Rav) was in charge of the programming and at Susi's suggestion, rather than have each band up 3 times to do one song, we had each band perform for one "remove". Afterward, during dessert, we did a 10-minute jam session, which consisted of us doing "Star of the County Down", and Kerridwynn doing "Black Velvet Band", which Amber hijacked with "Piano Man". Was great, though we coulda warned him, I guess...
Then on to the dances. After a Half-Hannikins and a Korabushka, Kimberly sang a *lovely* Greensleeves with us, and Butterfly Bill was trying to get in position to hear it better, as we had a 4-part harmony going that was a real tear-jerker...but dancers kept getting in his way. Then we did a couple of our instrumental waltzes, and they told us that was enough...I thought we were done, but with everyone standing around, I just *had* to have us do a jig set, to which those inclined danced "The Lilt".
Then, John Auld, the best King Henry VIII I've ever seen and the only king I've ever known at Muskogee, came out and wished a final "Godspeed"...and we were standing about as he left toward the curtains in the back of the Garden Room.
Every one of us in the place knew that that was his last "Godspeed" as Henry. And it set us all back.
Karen C., the GM of the Castle, came up as we were tearfully looking at each other. She had a song in mind and sang a few words of a lovely tune that neither Susi nor I had ever heard. But I had another song that was begging to get out of my brain.
All I did was say the words: "Irish Blessing", and Amber started it out in a lovely soprano. Susi blended with it and I was under 'em with Bass. Every bard, minstrel, and musician in the hall decended upon us like white on rice and stood in that circle and we sang from our collective hearts and souls. It was the first time we'd ever sung "Irish Blessing" together, out of deference to 3PG/WMT and Kathleen, who have done so much to help us get started. That's kinda their song. But *damn* did that sound good.
And a fitting tribute and well-wish to His Majesty, the only King I knew at OKRF for many years.
Julia acquitted herself well, considering it was her second time ever to play with us, and she *does* have the ear and the love for the music. I hope we can inspire her passion to play.
We had a lovely time with wonderful hugs and kisses from many, all of whom I love dearly.
And now, an announcement for those who haven't heard:
Amber has agreed to re-join Queen's Gambit. In return I must pay for her college. She accepted the "Queen's Gambit Scholarship Program" which is now soliciting donors :)
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