A bunch of new tracks have just been uploaded to our Soundcloud Practice pieces for the material introduced at our Workshop on Sunday 14th April, the magnificence that is "Shen Xar".
Along with the pieces, which Chris S would like to point out are a little rough round the edges (but thought it was better to get something out so blokes could start practicing), there is also a recording explaining the pronunciation for all you non-native Georgian speakers, and can be found at https://soundcloud.com/the-magnificent-ak47/sets/shen-xar.
Those wishing to learn more about the language might want to start their journey at good old Wikipedia with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_grammar.
Whilst here, you might be interested to wander further into the Internet to discover more about this piece. A fine version that varies a little from our arrangement can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9RGtFomp8o and another very genuine sounding and more similar version can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUtR_3NKQDU. And of course, The Spooky Men's Chorale, have a beautiful version that is available for your perpetual enjoyment via their "Tooled Up" CD, purchaseable from http://www.spookymen.com/cds-tu.php
"იხალისეთ მოგზაურობა" as we say in Georgia!
A big thank you to all the blokes who took part in making last weekend's "A Very Ashton Keynes Evening" such a triumph. From the very start of proceedings when so many blokes turned up bang on time to help build the stage through to the speed with which people helped dismantle it at the end so that they could head off to the pub, it was a terrific team effort. And the singing in between was alright too!!
Our valiant chaps are captured in a photo that may look like Chris is trying to do "scary rabbit fingers" with the lights but in actual fact this is a snapshot from a sequence of his very energetic conducting during the rousing version of "Mraval Jamier" that opened the second set.
As you might imagine, word has got round the Village Grapevine about the qualities of the evening and what is particularly interesting and pleasing is the range of compliments paid and that have been relayed by a number of people, many not noted for their effusive appreciation when it comes to local talent - which is a long winded way of saying a lot of people really enjoyed the show and told everyone how good it was!
The contrast between the acts was part of the show, with the blokes opening the show by lumbering onto the stage in their mildly intimidating way to the strains of "Let me through" and belting out their first set with great gusto, not a little aplomb, and a good deal of Duct Tape and laughter. The ladies of Siren Sisters followed on with some hauntingly beautiful pieces that had tingles running down spines at several points. Post interval the running order was reversed with the blokes finishing off with a fine performance of "Delilah" fully adorned with facial hair poking out at all sorts of angles.
Match Report
Chris S lead The following blokes
Chris A, Peter B, Bob B, Ken B, Neil B, Nick B, Geoff C, Brian D, Mark F, Lars F, John G, Mike G, Stuart H, Martin H, Trevor H, Jon H, Mike P, Darren S, David T, Mark T, Angus V, Ade W,
John W and "new boys" Andy E and Jeff S
Who sang the following songs
Let Me Through
Just Because
Turnip Hoer's Song
Shed
Duct Tape Madrigal
Mraval Jamier
And I Love Her
Concrete
Dry Stone Waller's Song
Delilah
John Kanaka
Evidence of which can be found at https://soundcloud.com/theverymagnificentak47/sets/a-very-ashton-keynes-evening/ so enjoy reliving the moment.
