Changeling Fiddlers

[qos]

For several years now, I've enjoyed the music of Heather Alexander (including having the pleasure of seeing her live at a local Ren Faire), but until today I had not sought out the performances 'she' has done since becoming Alexander James Adams.

This afternoon, however, I finally found myself on his webpage and watched a video of a live performance of "He of the Sidhe", which is a kind of companion piece to Heather's "The Faerie Queen". I enjoyed the performance, and will be obtaining some of his CD's the next time I get paid, but what fascinated me the most was how he talked about Heather as a separate person, a changeling who was summoned back to faeryland.

I also enjoyed his description of her as a red-headed troublemaker, which made me smile and think of a particular friend of mine. I could imagine her brother saying similar things of her.

Like Heather, Alexander is quite a good fiddler -- although I don't think his fast playing has the musicality of the best that I've heard.

Comments

[morgwensraven.livejournal.com]

*grins* I was hoping you'd look him up someday. I love his performances.

[druidharper.livejournal.com]

I'm happy he got to complete the first stage of his journey and is now well immersed in the second stage. :)

But personally I preferred the voice of Heather, may Faery suit her. Still good music though, no doubt about it.

:)

[wyldlingspirit.livejournal.com]

Alec's voice isn't remarkable, but it's pleasing. I like listening to him. Heather was astonishing.

I do hope to meet Alec some day and *blush* maybe play a song or two with him.

[anax-anarkhos.livejournal.com]

If you are speaking of me and mine when you talk of redheaded trouble makers?






You have no idea...

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

I was indeed.

Did you not think of her when you heard his intro?

[anax-anarkhos.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Redhaired trouble maker and a green-eyed witch to boot. Is it any wonder I am an alchoholic?

[wyldlingspirit.livejournal.com]

Guilty as charged. *smirk*

[haggispatrol.livejournal.com]

He's playing in a style that's meant to be somewhat rough in its sound, and that uses plenty of rosin to get the bow to sound properly scratchy. The upshot is rather like someone with a whiskey voice talking and eating celery at the same time: hoarse and crunchy. That sound's prized in some styles of music, especially American country fiddling, and certain regional fiddles styles in Ireland; Tommy Peoples comes to mind for that latter.

It's interesting, though; Heather was a slightly better fiddler, not that Alexander is precisely bad.

[wyldlingspirit.livejournal.com]

"Only mortal trust or fairy dust could make that fiddle sing." ♫

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your insights. :-)