Square Dance Music Quest Continues

[bjarvis]

I subscribe to Hanhurst's square dance music service. Every month, I get a cassette tape of music samples which 60-90 seconds of the instrumental version & another 60-90 seconds of the called version, along with the label ID for ordering. Overall, it's a relatively efficient way to scan through a stack of new releases, listening for music which appeals, especially if you're a newbie like me looking for gems which (a) aren't already beaten to death by other local callers, and (b) have an appealing style (good production, good arrangement, non-sucky/lame lyrics, etc.).

Sean C. of Philadelphia is downsizing his household in preparation for a possible move. When he offered a box of older sampler tapes, I jumped at it. Once I get through the lot, I'll add my own copies --I don't need to listen to them more than once-- and pass them along to anyone else who might be interested, or perhaps hold them in trust as part of a GCA library of materials.

I'm averaging about a tape per day so far, listening in the car during my drive to & from work, as well as to occasional calling gigs in DC and Baltimore. At this pace, I anticipate being finished with the entire lot on or about March 1.

As one can imagine, some of the samples are downright frightful. Still, I've identified three pieces so far which are candidates. If they're still available for sale and my budget allows, I'll check into them again when I'm done with the lot to see if I feel the same way.

Comments

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I love ECD.

What morris/sword team did you dance with?

I dance with the Gay Blades Rapper Sword (www.gayblades.org). This year we won't be at NEFFA because of a conflict (two of our dancers are out of town that weekend).

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

I was in Baltimorris, way back in the early-to-mid '80's. Grew up with all this stuff, though, back in the days when girls didn't get to learn morris. Fought that battle -- won it, too.

These days I'm more likely to attempt a pick-up group for Abbots Bromley Horn Dance than morris, due to ankle/knee/age considerations.

I've heard good things about the quality of dancing that Gay Blades presents.

Allow me to introduce myself. I consider myself to be Brian's sister-in-law. After 22 years, Kent is the closest thing to a brother I have.

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Pleased to "meet" you.

Our side is a mixed side, though we began as an all male side of dancers. I love what our women teammates bring to the side.

Thank you for the kind comments about the Blades.

I've danced Abbots Bromley once. It was a completely magical moment for me, and I really felt a part of a tradition that stretches back a thousand years.

As you may know the Gay Blades do parodies of many dances, and I've tried to get us to do a parody of Abbots Bromley, and have been shouted down every time. I guess while I think nothing is sacred, others disagree. ;-)

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

I'd have to agree that AB is very sacred. If I hadn't grown up with it (in Berea, Ky), I'd have figured it out the first time I worked backstage for a Revels show.

Baltimorris was mixed. I prefer mixed sides for my own dancing, as I feel it challeges me to be more "aggressive" in my style.

I'm already commenting on your journal, so I might as well friend you :) If you friend me, I hope you like other dogs than doxies, and can tolerate pagans :)

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Dogs is dogs. I love 'em. I just have a special place in my heart for daxies. Followed closely by labs, pugs, and most every dog but pitt bulls.

I'll friend you, and thanks for friending me.

Pagans? My dear, I'll have you know that I was a charter member of CUUPS, the Covenant of UU Pagans.

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

CUUPS. very cool :)

How are you about Great Danes?

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I don't know any, personally, but I've always admired them. Very lovely dogs. Once, when Sophie (our first daxie) was a puppy, we were walking in the park and came upon a HUGE Great Dane. Her entire body wasn't as big as his head. He sniffed her gently, she wagged her tail, and then his mom called him over, and off he went. Though I'm not sure I would want to share a bed with a Great Dane. The daxies took up too much room as it was.
;-)

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

Otto is a rescue. We're his third owners, maybe fourth. The people we got him from left him outside 24/7 for six months, and he only got fed and watered (we're in New Mexico) when the trucker husband was home. Otto was emaciated and out of control. But it was either us or the sheriff's gun, so we took him.