Golden Bough, the group I had the pleasure of hearing last Friday, performed both traditional and newly written folk songs. In addition to being excellent musicians they were fine entertainers as well. They challenged the audience to join in at the chorus and so we did. One of my favorite pieces was a Cornish carol titled Sans Day Carol. So we, the audience, sang the last two lines of the chorus: Holly! Holly! And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! At one point the performers surprised the audience by going mute leaving only the audience to finish the chorus. At first our voices were weak without the support of the trio, but instead of fading away to nothing the audience pick up the challenge and by the end of the chorus, we could actually be heard.
I was reminded of my visit to a true Irish pub near Dublin some years ago. Craic (Irish fun) was alive and well. In that Irish pub and in Friday's performance as well, we also enjoyed the vigorous movement of Irish stepdance. How those young women can move their feet so fleetingly and not trip themselves I will never know.
I must say that we were a good audience. I am sure you have attended events where the spectators were more interested in listening to themselves talk than to listen to the performers. Or they felt it necessary to exit a row in the middle of the show disturbing all around them. We had none of that on Friday. I was proud that, as an audience, we showed proper respect and attention to the performance and each other.
I was truly impressed by this group and if they come this way again, I will make a point to see another performance. If you enjoy Celtic music and wish to learn more about Golden Bough or to purchase a CD visit their website at http://www.goldenboughmusic.com/
Live long and prosper!
