|
Post by Geoffrey DeVaney on Feb 17, 2008 0:34:25 GMT -5
Just wondering if the pipe band contest might still on the table? If so could you let me know Panda?
|
|
|
Post by tomnaboley on Feb 22, 2008 18:26:11 GMT -5
Scott, Sarah or whomever plans the Pub Sing:
I asked this same question last year:: (I should say "I love Owain and his music. I own his CDs. I make it to his show every time he is at Faire.")
Since Owain will most likely miss most of Faire this year, can someone else PLEASE sing "Health to the Company?" I know people think it is an "Owain" song and should be sung only by him, but it is sung at Faires all over the U.S. It was nice when it was sung at the gates, but it is much nicer during Pub Sing. It doesn't have to be sung both days. Maybe just once a weekend. The patrons that are not regulars love to see the cast and regulars walking around Pub Sing and enjoying the song and including the new patrons.
I Understand it is special when Owain sings it, but for me (and others) it is the song itself that is special to a lot of us.
|
|
|
Post by Hephzibah on Feb 22, 2008 20:42:57 GMT -5
Kat I SO AGREE and you said it so right. At least for me.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Trevor on Feb 23, 2008 2:13:30 GMT -5
If TPTB want an opinion, I vote against that idea. For me, anyone else singing that song to end pub sing at GLMF would just seem cheap and crass. I have only ever heard it performed onstage bu Owain, and I have no interest in hearing anyone else do it.
|
|
|
Post by bunbun / Hank on Feb 23, 2008 10:39:07 GMT -5
Sorry Trev, but I have to agree with Kat on this one. Owen did not write that song, hell, it has probably been in existence long before he was even born. And you are certainly musically inclined enough to know songs get "covered" all the time. Owen won't be at GLMF for the most part because he is performing at another faire where he can probably earn more money, and making a living is what it is all about. And, one day,sad to say, Owen won't be there at all, as let's face it, none of us are getting any younger, so "we might never all meet here again"
So why give up a great song just because one person is not there to perform it?
That's my take on the subject. HANK.
|
|
|
Post by wyldfire on Feb 23, 2008 11:06:41 GMT -5
I have to agree with the Kat, Hep, and Hank as well. The song itself has very special meaning to everyone. I can also understand that to most it is a "signature song" from Owain, so I can see the apprehension of someone else doing it -- but it's not copywrited for one person, folks. It's like saying no one else can sing a "insert your own band here.." song -- sorry, that's just not true.
|
|
|
Post by Xian Jung on Feb 23, 2008 11:10:19 GMT -5
I have to agree woth Trevor on this one, it just wouldn't be the same.
|
|
|
Post by BeerBlessings on Feb 23, 2008 11:19:40 GMT -5
Heck, at the Pittsburgh Renn Fest this past year, all the GLMF folk that were there gathered up after their Pub Sing to do Health to the Company..
I think it's much more a "GLMF Pub Sing song" than an "Owain song". And if Owain's not there, it's not a rip-off, but more like a "we'll do our best to fill this gap that everyone wants."
|
|
|
Post by Michelle on Feb 23, 2008 12:00:43 GMT -5
Ok, needed to voice my opinion here. "Health to the Company" to me is a celebration of cast at GLMF. Yes, if Owain is there, he should be given the opportunity to perform it. If he is not in residence, it should be performed by another at pubsing.
Agree with you Hank, that song was around long before Owain, and will be around long after we are all dust.....
|
|
|
Post by Mallory Fauve on Feb 23, 2008 15:04:59 GMT -5
I agree with the majority here. While the song certainly won't be the same as someone else does it, it will still be loved. Of course, I would be opposed to this idea if someone completely random and untalented just completely butchered the song, but I don't see that happening with the musicians we keep at GLMF.
And it would be very nice if, like last yr, Owain could make it the last weekend to do the song, but....as Hank mentioned our little faire has begun to see less and less of him and I'm sure it will continue to dissipate.
I feel the most of the ppl who wish to have only Owain sing the song may feel that way b/c they have never heard anyone else sing it! We've gone through alot of change, frequently and sometimes harshly at GLMF, and change isn't always a bad thing, especially if you gain something good out of it.
And, to the mention of cast participation during that song, it would be VERY wonderful if that would happen more often!
Those of us that are always at faire already know how magical pubsing becomes when that song is sung and everyone sings and wanders around toasting whomever they can find. We don't need to save that magic for ourselves! We should share it every weekend with every person who walks through our gates!
|
|
Panda
Squire
GLMF staff
Catch me if you can!
Posts: 68
|
Post by Panda on Feb 23, 2008 15:21:10 GMT -5
We will take both viewpoints into consideration. My home Faire is actually Michigan Ren , which is where i first met Owain. They always sang Health at the end of the day, so to me, Health to the Company is a Michigan thing from the '90's. So as far as who sings it when? It means something different to everyone. And remember also, that depending on the musicians, they may or may not want to sing it either for the same reasons you've all expressed. We'll see. Maybe we find another moving song to make into a new tradition.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Trevor on Feb 23, 2008 16:40:49 GMT -5
Lots of great viewpoints here. And I am glad we can all voice them in and adult and articulate manner. I am not trying to change anyones mind, or argue with anyone. Just stating my opinion. One that probably will not change.
Yes I understand how the music biz works. And I know that most performers are doing songs that are done by everyone else also. Heck, I even like a lot of cover versions better than I like the originals. But everyone has certain songs done by certain people that in their mind should be left alone. They should not be touched. For me personally, anyone but Owain doing HTTC at our pubsing, would be like someone else doing Stairway to Heaven. Even if done extremely well, it just won't seem right.
I also realize I am probably in the minority on this subject. Will someone else doing the song ruin my faire day? No. Will it make me think less of the performer or the shire? No. Will I get used to the idea? Probably not. While I may eventually accept it, I probably will never embrace it.
|
|
|
Post by CelticWench on Feb 23, 2008 16:55:27 GMT -5
To me, HttC signals the end of a faire day. It just feels right, you know? No matter who is on stage. How about a compromise....whoever leads it could leave off the "last" verse, because that IS Owain's (the one that starts "my footsteps may falter..."). It is my favorite verse, actually, but it is not part of the traditional tune. And kind of OT, but regarding covers: I love Irish music, and Metallica rules, but "Whiskey in the Jar" Wrongwrongwrong!!!
|
|
audreynoob
cast
The Maid formerley known as Marion
Posts: 18
|
Post by audreynoob on Feb 24, 2008 11:21:12 GMT -5
Considering that after this year, I will be moving very far away and probably will *never* meet at GLMF again, I think I would be heartbroken if no one sang it this year. The point of music is for it to be shared, and I think that one of the great things about Renaissance Faires is how they resurrect oral traditions and the idea of passing on those traditions from generation to generation, even if a "generation" at GLMF is only a year or two. There are already quite a few people I will be missing this year and I think that song would really help with closure at the end of the season. I also love the idea of the cast singing it, and everyone else joining in. To me, GLMF is all about sharing an amazing experience.
Anyway, if you guys don't like the idea of Owain's version I'll just have to belt out the original by Henry VIII: Pastyme with Good Companye. ;-)
|
|
sue
Mercenary
Posts: 291
|
Post by sue on Feb 24, 2008 15:57:16 GMT -5
I would love to have cast sing the song at the pub sing this year. I have only heard Owain sing the song but it's the message not the singer. Sue
|
|