The title gives it away...happy new year one and all. Two bits of information for you as we enter 2009: (1) My Mum received her copy of what are they doing? and, overlooking a brief listening of Peter Kay's Christmas song (more catchy than Tormis' little ditties), it has been on the ghetto blaster ever since; (2) Further to a blog post of yonks ago, I passed by Ecclefechan the other day. It is somewhere in Scotland, just off the road from Manchester. I must admit I can't tell you exactly where as I was fast asleep, awoken only by a live version of Fear of the Dark (a nice wee riff for all you rock fans) just in time to see a sign for Ecclefechan. Well, that's cleared that one up then.
Hope you all enjoy your merriment this evening. Tune in on Wednesday/Thursday for more from Rudsaambee-land - it's our yearly meeting so cue lots of quotable comments. Well worth checking out I should think.
All the best for 2009.
CSW
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Wassailing in the end
A jolly and relaxing sing was had in Black Medicine this evening. Ten of us managed to get there (once Helen arrived) and sing, well, whatever we fancied. The sense of not having to fulfill any expectations was rather nice and the audience - a few handfuls of regulars and staff, including one very enthusiastic young fan - seemed very pleased. Much appreciated also was the neverending stream of mulled wine and mince pies. So we really were wassailing!
Thank goodness that's over. Roll on Christmas Eve, by which time everything should have settled down...
Merry Christmas/Yule/Other Things everyone, we'll see you in the new year!
Thank goodness that's over. Roll on Christmas Eve, by which time everything should have settled down...
Merry Christmas/Yule/Other Things everyone, we'll see you in the new year!
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Rudsambee on tour...at least as far as Longformacus
Evening folks,
Well the final installment in the Christmas concert post series. Tonight we journeyed down to the Borders for our last festive gig. Last year it was freezing and the year before I seem to remember we had to push someone's car out of the mud - well this year was very temperate if a little damp under foot. Just as an aside, I love how dark it is in the country (man, I sound like a right city slicker). John even had a hand lamp like a miner... except without the hard hat - I guess that was an unnecessary encumbrance.
The concert was a jolly affair, sung in a very narrow (in an architectural sense rather than a spiritual one) church. Well, we managed to cram in and had a good time with a very generous audience. Star of the show was certainly Susan who left her glasses at the back of church. Amazingly she managed all the way through to Gloria (you certainly need to be able to see music for this one if only to scowl at) at which point she ran straight down the aisle and ran back with spectacles in hand. She then had a small crisis of confidence during her intro for the Lauridsen and had to check that she was introducing the right piece. Cue much hilarity. A little comic relief dispelled the nerves certainly.
After the concert we had mulled wine and very large mince pies which were like Bakewell tarts without the almond - yum! Thanks to all at Longformacus for making us feel so welcome.
And so it is left to me to wish all and sundry (what does that even mean?) a very happy Christmas and a joyous new year. We will be back to rehearsals in January and the blog will start up again on the first Wednesday back. We are looking forward to singing at the Portrait Gallery, St Giles and down in York in the 2009 and hope you'll be able to come ad enjoy music with us very soon. Till then why do you need classic Christmas favourites on your ghetto blaster (oh yes music fans - I remain stuck in an eighties time warp) while making your mince pies when you can listen to what are they doing?, Rudsambee's latest offering. Don't panic Mum, I've got yours all wrapped up.
Hope Father Christmas brings you all you want - I've asked for world peace and the musical abilities of Ella Fitzgerald for my Christmas - I remain hopeful.
CSW
Well the final installment in the Christmas concert post series. Tonight we journeyed down to the Borders for our last festive gig. Last year it was freezing and the year before I seem to remember we had to push someone's car out of the mud - well this year was very temperate if a little damp under foot. Just as an aside, I love how dark it is in the country (man, I sound like a right city slicker). John even had a hand lamp like a miner... except without the hard hat - I guess that was an unnecessary encumbrance.
The concert was a jolly affair, sung in a very narrow (in an architectural sense rather than a spiritual one) church. Well, we managed to cram in and had a good time with a very generous audience. Star of the show was certainly Susan who left her glasses at the back of church. Amazingly she managed all the way through to Gloria (you certainly need to be able to see music for this one if only to scowl at) at which point she ran straight down the aisle and ran back with spectacles in hand. She then had a small crisis of confidence during her intro for the Lauridsen and had to check that she was introducing the right piece. Cue much hilarity. A little comic relief dispelled the nerves certainly.
After the concert we had mulled wine and very large mince pies which were like Bakewell tarts without the almond - yum! Thanks to all at Longformacus for making us feel so welcome.
And so it is left to me to wish all and sundry (what does that even mean?) a very happy Christmas and a joyous new year. We will be back to rehearsals in January and the blog will start up again on the first Wednesday back. We are looking forward to singing at the Portrait Gallery, St Giles and down in York in the 2009 and hope you'll be able to come ad enjoy music with us very soon. Till then why do you need classic Christmas favourites on your ghetto blaster (oh yes music fans - I remain stuck in an eighties time warp) while making your mince pies when you can listen to what are they doing?, Rudsambee's latest offering. Don't panic Mum, I've got yours all wrapped up.
Hope Father Christmas brings you all you want - I've asked for world peace and the musical abilities of Ella Fitzgerald for my Christmas - I remain hopeful.
CSW
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Christmastime is here, by golly...
Last night was the annual Rudsambee Christmas Party, hosted by the inimitable John and Susan who once again provided a warm reception and some hot potatoes. We felt less busy than previous years, but nobody could decide whether it was because there really were fewer people or if it just seemed calm and quiet without Frances and Sari.
Riotous or not, it was still a jolly jape; Anne wore what may be the shiniest skirt in the world (it may have been part of a dress, it was difficult to be sure because all you could look at was THE SKIRT), Rachel brought the bab and Angus brought a lady friend, much to Anne's excitement apparently. Babybel was passed around like a parcel - mercifully without the unwrapping.
After the small feast wesuffered through enjoyed a new Rudsambee-centric version of We Three Kings, adapted by Robin and performed by Claire1, Jenny, Robin and Sebastian. Here, for their embarrassment and in the name of Posterity, is the song:
This was followed by the traditional Jenny-giving-thankyou-gifts section of the evening, the high point of which was Helen's reaction to getting something a little extra for all of her work on the CD, and then the now inevitable cello-and-piano Jazzathon, courtesy of Anne and Sebastian. Those amongst us of a more delicate constitution retreated at this point to the front room for quiet chat and a gentle appreciation of how draught-free it was.
Apparently we've been selling POTS of CDs (pots here is a technical term used for counting sales of something which you are excited to sell) and are already close to covering the cost of making it. Reviews coming in from friends and relative are positively gushing, including Sheena - which I think made the old-timers feel rather good.
And so we lok forward to Longformacus on Saturday and Black Medicine on Sunday. If you feel the need to see us before the spring then do come along to one of these - you could even buy a CD! In the meantime, here are some photos of the Christmas nonsense so far.
Chris
Riotous or not, it was still a jolly jape; Anne wore what may be the shiniest skirt in the world (it may have been part of a dress, it was difficult to be sure because all you could look at was THE SKIRT), Rachel brought the bab and Angus brought a lady friend, much to Anne's excitement apparently. Babybel was passed around like a parcel - mercifully without the unwrapping.
After the small feast we
This was followed by the traditional Jenny-giving-thankyou-gifts section of the evening, the high point of which was Helen's reaction to getting something a little extra for all of her work on the CD, and then the now inevitable cello-and-piano Jazzathon, courtesy of Anne and Sebastian. Those amongst us of a more delicate constitution retreated at this point to the front room for quiet chat and a gentle appreciation of how draught-free it was.
Apparently we've been selling POTS of CDs (pots here is a technical term used for counting sales of something which you are excited to sell) and are already close to covering the cost of making it. Reviews coming in from friends and relative are positively gushing, including Sheena - which I think made the old-timers feel rather good.
And so we lok forward to Longformacus on Saturday and Black Medicine on Sunday. If you feel the need to see us before the spring then do come along to one of these - you could even buy a CD! In the meantime, here are some photos of the Christmas nonsense so far.
Chris
Monday, 15 December 2008
"You could fart in here and it would sound beautiful"...
Such was the elegant phrasing of Maestro Boy after last night's rather brilliant concert at St Giles. Man, it is fun and scary singing in that place. A great audience, amazing acoustic - in fact the delight of the evening was tempered only by the ladies' loos which have the worst lighting of anywhere this side of Christendom. It isn't very encouraging to go into a performance knowing that in a certain light you like like a dead version of ET with dark shadows around the eyes. I bet the Scottish Chamber doesn't have to put up with this. Yet, for all that, I for one enjoyed every second of the concert... although I did have one of those shaky hand moments after In Dulci Jubilo and going into Noel Nouvelet. I could barely hold my folder but hopefully no one noticed too much. I tell you what, Jen sounded bloomin' marvellous :-)
If you have missed us so far, think about traveling out to Longformacus this Saturday night. You'll be guaranteed a lovely evening in a seriously gorge part of the world... and probably a mince pie too! And you get to see the stars in all their glory without all those pesky street lights. Ah.
Anyways, hopefully you all have the new CD or will be giving it as a gift this festive season - there are just so many reasons to do so! It is easy to wrap (being square and stuff), easy to carry on a train and easy to listen to (except for the Tormis which is an effort but like all the best music, is worthwhile).
So long until after Saturday - man, you'll be getting bored of me!
CSW
If you have missed us so far, think about traveling out to Longformacus this Saturday night. You'll be guaranteed a lovely evening in a seriously gorge part of the world... and probably a mince pie too! And you get to see the stars in all their glory without all those pesky street lights. Ah.
Anyways, hopefully you all have the new CD or will be giving it as a gift this festive season - there are just so many reasons to do so! It is easy to wrap (being square and stuff), easy to carry on a train and easy to listen to (except for the Tormis which is an effort but like all the best music, is worthwhile).
So long until after Saturday - man, you'll be getting bored of me!
CSW
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Another day another gig!
Evening blog readers. Just a quickie to fill you in on a great night at Priestfield church. We have sung at this venue for nine years now and we are always guaranteed a warm welcome and a good cuppa in the interval - and, this evening, Jaffa Cakes (Kay had four so I'm told)! I think all of us would admit to feeling much more relaxed than on Saturday and we smiled our way through both halves while the lovely people of Priestfield smiled back and even joined in O Little Town of Bethlehem (this after Ol decided to give us a note that would have forced the top sops to journey well past the top stave; fortunately he stopped us halfway through the first line, gave us a 'C' instead and started again with a giggle... cue much relief all round).
I enjoyed the dear ol' ladies' faces throughout the weirdness of O Morganstern. I did warn them! Their aghast expressions resembled mine while battling with an Excel spreadsheet on Monday. An enjoyable night had by all and our lovely friend at Priestfield even gave us a tin of chocolates. Sadly he only remembered the pressie after the tenors and basses had left the stage so the sops and altos (and Ol who had to take centre stage as Maestro boy extraordinaire) have decided not to tell the gentlemen and to scoff the sweeties down on our own. Don't tell the boys...
So, until Sunday night when you will get another (granted, slightly biased) review of a Rudsambee concert. St Giles at Six on Sunday folks. It's always a good night and a big audience. We love singing there even though it is a little terrifying: lots of people, an enormous space and John Knox looking over our shoulders enjoying the Latin. The acoustic is perfect for 'big singing' so hopefully Sanctus and O Nata Lux will sound class.
CSW
I enjoyed the dear ol' ladies' faces throughout the weirdness of O Morganstern. I did warn them! Their aghast expressions resembled mine while battling with an Excel spreadsheet on Monday. An enjoyable night had by all and our lovely friend at Priestfield even gave us a tin of chocolates. Sadly he only remembered the pressie after the tenors and basses had left the stage so the sops and altos (and Ol who had to take centre stage as Maestro boy extraordinaire) have decided not to tell the gentlemen and to scoff the sweeties down on our own. Don't tell the boys...
So, until Sunday night when you will get another (granted, slightly biased) review of a Rudsambee concert. St Giles at Six on Sunday folks. It's always a good night and a big audience. We love singing there even though it is a little terrifying: lots of people, an enormous space and John Knox looking over our shoulders enjoying the Latin. The acoustic is perfect for 'big singing' so hopefully Sanctus and O Nata Lux will sound class.
CSW
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Sleepy Marimba
Eric Whitacre points out this unique rendition of his piece, Sleep, which we thoroughly enjoyed singing last year:
Monday, 8 December 2008
Canongate- a quick run down
Dear all,
Sorry for the delay in updating you with goings-on at Canongate on Saturday night. Bit slow on the uptake this week. Well, we all made it to the Queen's church (it even has a pew just for the Royal family - we kept it free though I am sad to say that Liz the second decided not to attend. Not even a minor royal made an appearance. I would have been quite happy with the Wessexes) and rehearsed for an hour in the big blue barn-like church. By our own admission, it was not the greatest dress rehearsal ever. If we went in feeling quietly confident, we came out the other end with some well-honed fear.
However, in usual Rudsambee-fashion we rose to the occasion. The actual concert went pretty well really. I'm sure if you asked a Rudsambee-let they would point you to a dozen moments which could have been better but the audience enjoyed themselves and actually so did we. I think we covered up well and there were a couple of great pieces. 'O Nata Lux' was as good as we have ever sung it (pretty good considering that A-L has sung this piece, like, twice before last night- is this right A-L :-)? ) and 'Taladh Chriosa' with the beauty of Anne's harp playing was a complete highlight for me. Still feel that 'Gloria' could do with a bit of scatting and jazz hands (although I think I am largely over-ruled by my friends who have far more taste and musicality that myself) but it was a good night all in. We finished with one of Rudsambee's finest moments... at least I don't think I have ever laughed so much at the end of a performance as our brass band (who were trumpet-tooting legends btw) played 'We wish you a merry Christmas' and we decided to join in... at the wrong time... for the wrong verse. Figgy pudding anyone? Laugh?... like a drain my friends. It was genius!
If you missed it and are silently weeping into the sleeve notes of your new Rudsambee CD, then fear not: you can catch us again on Wednesday night at Priestfield church or on Sunday night at St Giles. I'll fill you in again after Priestfield. Before that enjoy your jolly, festive weeks.
CSW
Sorry for the delay in updating you with goings-on at Canongate on Saturday night. Bit slow on the uptake this week. Well, we all made it to the Queen's church (it even has a pew just for the Royal family - we kept it free though I am sad to say that Liz the second decided not to attend. Not even a minor royal made an appearance. I would have been quite happy with the Wessexes) and rehearsed for an hour in the big blue barn-like church. By our own admission, it was not the greatest dress rehearsal ever. If we went in feeling quietly confident, we came out the other end with some well-honed fear.
However, in usual Rudsambee-fashion we rose to the occasion. The actual concert went pretty well really. I'm sure if you asked a Rudsambee-let they would point you to a dozen moments which could have been better but the audience enjoyed themselves and actually so did we. I think we covered up well and there were a couple of great pieces. 'O Nata Lux' was as good as we have ever sung it (pretty good considering that A-L has sung this piece, like, twice before last night- is this right A-L :-)? ) and 'Taladh Chriosa' with the beauty of Anne's harp playing was a complete highlight for me. Still feel that 'Gloria' could do with a bit of scatting and jazz hands (although I think I am largely over-ruled by my friends who have far more taste and musicality that myself) but it was a good night all in. We finished with one of Rudsambee's finest moments... at least I don't think I have ever laughed so much at the end of a performance as our brass band (who were trumpet-tooting legends btw) played 'We wish you a merry Christmas' and we decided to join in... at the wrong time... for the wrong verse. Figgy pudding anyone? Laugh?... like a drain my friends. It was genius!
If you missed it and are silently weeping into the sleeve notes of your new Rudsambee CD, then fear not: you can catch us again on Wednesday night at Priestfield church or on Sunday night at St Giles. I'll fill you in again after Priestfield. Before that enjoy your jolly, festive weeks.
CSW
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Opening night is upon us...as is a nasty cough!
Welcome blog fans to the final post before we begin our Christmas concerts. A quick run down on last night's dress rehearsal (dress being the operative word as we wrapped ourselves in scarves and hats and gloves - ooo some Betinis in there for you there - in the coldest building this side of Christendom, Priestfield church). In fact my general chilliness might be largely due to not feeling too well. In fact, most of the Rudsambeelets have come down with something - an occupational hazard of choral singing I'm afraid. Lots of coughs and cold. Christopher had been to Boots (other reputable pharmaceutical establishments are available) and stocked up with lots of goodies including some rather brilliant Vit C/Probiotic granules. Like a sherbet fountain without the licorice bit and with a well... different taste - I can't even describe it but it makes your eyes water. I recommend getting your fix today - they are giving them away free at Boots if you buy any cold-related product. Yum!
Anyways, back to the music. Last night's rehearsal was long and tiring but good fun. Rather excitingly we had a clarsach and and brass band no less. Goodness, we are really branching out! The trumpets etc accompany us in a rousing rendition of 'We Three Kings'. The sops have a funny high jazzy line but the highlight is surely the three kings themselves: Christopher, Oliver 2 and Robin. Robin even had a woolly hat on that looked like a crown! It got us thinking... a nativity would be fun. I could wear a teatowel on my head as well as the next person. Claire 2 proceeded to tell us a rather distressing story about her thwarted chance to be Mary. Ask her about it... or rather don't, it is a tear-jerker.
Big excitement of the evening was holding a copy of the new CD. Ran home (actually I got the bus) to listen to it. Pretty impressed even though I guess I might be a little biased. Get your copy now... except my mum who is getting it for Christmas: don't you dare buy a copy!
Hopefully we'll see as many of you as possible at Canongate on Saturday night. It is going to be great... or at least eclectic and interesting. Do come along if you can.
I'm going to get my sleep now, like a proper pro.
CSW
Anyways, back to the music. Last night's rehearsal was long and tiring but good fun. Rather excitingly we had a clarsach and and brass band no less. Goodness, we are really branching out! The trumpets etc accompany us in a rousing rendition of 'We Three Kings'. The sops have a funny high jazzy line but the highlight is surely the three kings themselves: Christopher, Oliver 2 and Robin. Robin even had a woolly hat on that looked like a crown! It got us thinking... a nativity would be fun. I could wear a teatowel on my head as well as the next person. Claire 2 proceeded to tell us a rather distressing story about her thwarted chance to be Mary. Ask her about it... or rather don't, it is a tear-jerker.
Big excitement of the evening was holding a copy of the new CD. Ran home (actually I got the bus) to listen to it. Pretty impressed even though I guess I might be a little biased. Get your copy now... except my mum who is getting it for Christmas: don't you dare buy a copy!
Hopefully we'll see as many of you as possible at Canongate on Saturday night. It is going to be great... or at least eclectic and interesting. Do come along if you can.
I'm going to get my sleep now, like a proper pro.
CSW
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