|
Reviews of
A Portland Play Along Selection CD
From: Meryle Korn
To: Cyberpluckers
Date: April 4, 2008
Many 'Pluckers seem to enjoy learning to play contradance music, and many have
The Portland Collection 1 & 2 tune books by northwesterners Susan Songer
and Clyde Curley. Between them, the books offer 640 tunes with prolific notes
on their history and other esoterica.
After the collection was published, Sue and Clyde, along with George Penk,
produced CDs labeled A Portland Selection 1 & 2 which offered some of
their favorite tunes from the respective books.
Now they have released a wonderful double CD set, A Portland Play Along
Selection: 97 Contra Dance Tunes for Listening and Learning. The
tunes are selected from both Portland Collection volumes and have not
been recorded on the earlier CDs. Betsy (fiddle), Clyde (mandolin, 4-string
banjo & fiddle) and Sue (piano) have arranged the tunes in medleys but
track-numbered each tune within the set so you can figure out which one you're
listening to. The tunes are slowed down from "dance speed" to allow you to play
along and learn as you go, whether by ear or as a complement to the written-out
tunes. They make great listening in the slowed-down versions. For folks like
me who are "paper-trained" musicians who have to hear a piece before all those
notes on the page make much sense, the CDs will be a wonderful tune-learning
tool, and once the tunes "get into" the ears, I find the playing – and the
ability to increase the speed to dance tempo – is ever so much easier!
Because they emphasize the melodies and play directly from the arrangements in
the tune books, this CD set is an excellent choice for 'harpers who want to
learn to play contradance tunes. They're also fun for straight listening! The
album notes cross-reference the tunes with the tune books, further enhancing
their usefulness.
You can find a listing of all the tunes on the CDs...(Note: details
about ordering on the computer were removed) At $25 (plus shipping), they fall into
the Must-Have department for any aspiring (or experienced) contradance
autoharper and for everyone who enjoys listening to charming tunes well played.
From: Bob Lewis
To: Cyberpluckers
Date: April 16, 2008
I heeded Meryle's mention of the Portland Collection double
CD and ordered a
copy.
This is going to work so well for me. I have listened to all 97 tunes, played as
spare but very listenable melodies and at stately tempos that I can follow. I am
familiar with many of them but had never captured them in a way that would allow
me to really "learn" them. Dubuque and Big Scioty are examples...I know them
when I hear them and can jump right in. I could never lead them though. There is
the difference. This is like the ultimate self recording around all the jams,
and dances, and festivals.
I understand there are books to go with this recording.
The key for each tune is given but on a separate list, not with each track
description. It took me some time to write in key, so I could follow the key
changes as I listened, sometimes playing along.
One reason for converting the CDs to my computer or other device is so that I
can mark, name, and then cue specific tracks/tunes. I wouldn't have to scroll
through while counting or trying to recognize snippets of a tune that I might
not actually know very well. I will try playing the CDs on my computer instead
and see if there is then a cuing capability about which I had forgotten, perhaps
a visible play list.
(Note: details about ordering on the computer were removed)...Shipping to me in SC was $3.00, what I would call minimal. Receipt after
ordering and payment was very prompt.
One last thing about impressions is that the recording seems remarkable in
quality. I also noted that the musicians have wonderful instruments with
exceptional tone, character, and clarity, all played flawlessly. This is really
professionally done and an impressive display of ability and
accomplishment.
Did I say that I liked it? I am hungry for some "new" music to play, and this
will serve beautifully.
|
¯