Post by Joe on Jan 16, 2006 0:28:20 GMT -5
The Cottars performance at Night Eagle Cafè, Oxford NY.
A review by Joe, your humble admin...
It was a bright and sparkling day as my family headed up the interstate highway into New York State. After reaching our hotel, we journeyed to the village of Oxford. We located the Night Eagle Cafè about 6 PM. I was pleased to see The Cottars performing sound checks. I met the cafè manager at the door and confirmed that he had my name down for a table of four.
My family and I left the cafè steps and made our way to an Italian restaurant on the next street. After ordering dinner, I spotted people exiting the cafe. It was the two girls of the group, Fiona and Roseanne. Both of them came into the restaurant and were later joined by the other group members Ciarán and Jimmy. Shortly after that a woman and a gentleman wearing a black Cottars t-shirt entered the restaurant. It was none other than Allister MacGillivray (father of Ciarán and Fiona) and his wife Beverly. All eight people were seated at a table at the back of the restaurant. Of course I am too excited to eat.
It's now 7:00 and we leave the restaurant. Upon returning to the cafè, the door was locked, and the cafè manager was arranging the tables. Soon after, people begin queueing behind us. Finally the door was opened at 7:30 and paid the $20. I couldn't beleive how small the stage was...the place couldn't hold more than 50 people by the look of it. I located my table...it's on the right of the stage. There was NO way that I could see the group this way. Thankfully the manager allowed us to swap tables to a more central spot.
Eight o'clock comes around. The place is jam packed and people are still coming in. Finally The Cottars take the stage at quarter past. The group began with a catchy fiddle medley. Ciarán then introduced the other members of the group...
"Calling On Song" was next and is The Cottars 'intro song'. This was followed by a guitar and piano medley. "Pat Works On The Railway"..a song about the years of Pat was next. Ciarán's tin whistle and Fiona's a capella singing of "Suilean Dubh" ...meaning 'dark eyes' ...resulted in a standing ovation by the audience.
Jimmy's brilliant guitar style started the next song, "Byker Hill". "The Captain Campbell Medley" followed; soon after that "Innis Aigh", a colorful song. "The Boholla Medley", consisting of four jigs played on the fiddle and tin whistle was a crowd favorite. A local Cape Breton song called "Nova Scotia Diet" written by Jim Bennett was next.
The first half of the show concluded with "The Honeysuckle Medley" with Fiona on tin whistle.
Intermission took place around 9:15. My family and I exited the cafe for some fresh air. I spotted Beverly MacGillivray outside and I approached her. I asked if she remembered a Mr Keith Sheel recently. She replied 'from England', then added 'my husband Allister knows more.' I mentioned that we saw them at the restaurant. I learned that The Cottars and family were spending the night in the same hotel as my family! I thanked her and told her that Keith sends his regards.
I headed back inside and introduced myself to Allister, who was busily adjusting a microphone stand. He knew that Keith runs a website for Hayley. I told him that many fans are keen on The Cottars in the UK. I gave him a card to autograph and thanked him.
Young Jimmy MacKenzie brought a guitar to the stage...I handed him a photo I printed. It was Ciarán's photo. Oh well...I knew I was going to get them mixed up. Now a wooden board was placed across the stage...a little Irish Stepdancing was in store!
I resumed my seat and saw Ciarán talking to some of the audience. His in-between song banter and jokes are priceless! I waited for a bit and got his autograph. He liked the card containing his photo.
The twenty-minute intermission ended and Jimmy played his solo, "Green Eyes" on his guitar. It was beautiful and melodic. Ciarán's solo turn was called "Right Field"...a song about a small boy learning how to be a baseball star. The crowd was given a chance to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".
Fiona and Rosanne joined the boys for "The Boy's Lament Medley", a group of Cape Breton reels. Next was Fiona's solo, "Lament For Lost Books"...a very powerful and emotional rendition on the tin whistle. "Tullachgorum" was Roseanne's solo turn. This song is a showcase for her amazing fiddle dexterity.
Roseanne, after catching her breath, said that they don't normally take requests. But "Ready For the Storm" was performed next. Brilliant vocals by Fiona! The "Planxty Mira Medley" was awesome and features a piece written by Ciarán. The song "The Briar and The Rose" is now a signature tune of The Cottars. The song was so moving that a few members of the audience has tears in their eyes.
The final song was "The Bodhrán/Fiddle Medley". Fiona instructed the audience to stomp their feet to get a rhythm going throughout the song. The group, with the exception of Jimmy, broke out in a rapid stepdance at the end of the song.
But the group made an encore. The Cottars performed "The Parting Glass" to a clapping audience. The night ended with "The Three Polkas" comprised of fast Nova Scotian tunes.
The highlight of the evening was still to come. I saw Fiona and Roseanne near the back door of the café. I asked them for their autograph. Roseanne asked me if I collected autographs. I replied "Only from famous people!" This caused her to break out in a fit of laughter. The two girls graciously and without hesitation posed with me for a one-in-a-million picture...
Upon making out way out the front of the café, I thanked Bev for her kindness and young Ciarán for a wonderful performance. I wished them well and headed back to the car. I spent a while going over the events of the evening in my head and began rewriting my notes.
It's now Sunday Morning. I return to the hotel room after a light breakfast. Who do I see but Allister, who's room is only a few doors away from mine! He didn't see me though. My mother and I even shared the elevator with Ciarán, who had his suitcase. He said that their next concert was in ten hours...and the trip to Pawling, NY will take five hours. Ciarán joined his family at the entrance at the back of reception, all loading their cases in a minivan. Roseanne saw me and waved at me. I then see Fiona and her parents John and Valerie exiting the main doors on the other side of the hotel. I considered asking the four Cottars to all be in a picture with me. I felt that this would definitely be invading their privacy; they must be on a strict time schedule anyway. But I was happy to see them drive off...I'll have so many memories.
I was such a pleasure meeting The Cottars and their families. Very kind and personable to their fans. The concert was unforgettable.
I hope all of you like my review and the pictures.
Thank you kindly,
Joe
A review by Joe, your humble admin...
It was a bright and sparkling day as my family headed up the interstate highway into New York State. After reaching our hotel, we journeyed to the village of Oxford. We located the Night Eagle Cafè about 6 PM. I was pleased to see The Cottars performing sound checks. I met the cafè manager at the door and confirmed that he had my name down for a table of four.
My family and I left the cafè steps and made our way to an Italian restaurant on the next street. After ordering dinner, I spotted people exiting the cafe. It was the two girls of the group, Fiona and Roseanne. Both of them came into the restaurant and were later joined by the other group members Ciarán and Jimmy. Shortly after that a woman and a gentleman wearing a black Cottars t-shirt entered the restaurant. It was none other than Allister MacGillivray (father of Ciarán and Fiona) and his wife Beverly. All eight people were seated at a table at the back of the restaurant. Of course I am too excited to eat.
It's now 7:00 and we leave the restaurant. Upon returning to the cafè, the door was locked, and the cafè manager was arranging the tables. Soon after, people begin queueing behind us. Finally the door was opened at 7:30 and paid the $20. I couldn't beleive how small the stage was...the place couldn't hold more than 50 people by the look of it. I located my table...it's on the right of the stage. There was NO way that I could see the group this way. Thankfully the manager allowed us to swap tables to a more central spot.
Eight o'clock comes around. The place is jam packed and people are still coming in. Finally The Cottars take the stage at quarter past. The group began with a catchy fiddle medley. Ciarán then introduced the other members of the group...
"Calling On Song" was next and is The Cottars 'intro song'. This was followed by a guitar and piano medley. "Pat Works On The Railway"..a song about the years of Pat was next. Ciarán's tin whistle and Fiona's a capella singing of "Suilean Dubh" ...meaning 'dark eyes' ...resulted in a standing ovation by the audience.
Jimmy's brilliant guitar style started the next song, "Byker Hill". "The Captain Campbell Medley" followed; soon after that "Innis Aigh", a colorful song. "The Boholla Medley", consisting of four jigs played on the fiddle and tin whistle was a crowd favorite. A local Cape Breton song called "Nova Scotia Diet" written by Jim Bennett was next.
The first half of the show concluded with "The Honeysuckle Medley" with Fiona on tin whistle.
Intermission took place around 9:15. My family and I exited the cafe for some fresh air. I spotted Beverly MacGillivray outside and I approached her. I asked if she remembered a Mr Keith Sheel recently. She replied 'from England', then added 'my husband Allister knows more.' I mentioned that we saw them at the restaurant. I learned that The Cottars and family were spending the night in the same hotel as my family! I thanked her and told her that Keith sends his regards.
I headed back inside and introduced myself to Allister, who was busily adjusting a microphone stand. He knew that Keith runs a website for Hayley. I told him that many fans are keen on The Cottars in the UK. I gave him a card to autograph and thanked him.
Young Jimmy MacKenzie brought a guitar to the stage...I handed him a photo I printed. It was Ciarán's photo. Oh well...I knew I was going to get them mixed up. Now a wooden board was placed across the stage...a little Irish Stepdancing was in store!
I resumed my seat and saw Ciarán talking to some of the audience. His in-between song banter and jokes are priceless! I waited for a bit and got his autograph. He liked the card containing his photo.
The twenty-minute intermission ended and Jimmy played his solo, "Green Eyes" on his guitar. It was beautiful and melodic. Ciarán's solo turn was called "Right Field"...a song about a small boy learning how to be a baseball star. The crowd was given a chance to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".
Fiona and Rosanne joined the boys for "The Boy's Lament Medley", a group of Cape Breton reels. Next was Fiona's solo, "Lament For Lost Books"...a very powerful and emotional rendition on the tin whistle. "Tullachgorum" was Roseanne's solo turn. This song is a showcase for her amazing fiddle dexterity.
Roseanne, after catching her breath, said that they don't normally take requests. But "Ready For the Storm" was performed next. Brilliant vocals by Fiona! The "Planxty Mira Medley" was awesome and features a piece written by Ciarán. The song "The Briar and The Rose" is now a signature tune of The Cottars. The song was so moving that a few members of the audience has tears in their eyes.
The final song was "The Bodhrán/Fiddle Medley". Fiona instructed the audience to stomp their feet to get a rhythm going throughout the song. The group, with the exception of Jimmy, broke out in a rapid stepdance at the end of the song.
But the group made an encore. The Cottars performed "The Parting Glass" to a clapping audience. The night ended with "The Three Polkas" comprised of fast Nova Scotian tunes.
The highlight of the evening was still to come. I saw Fiona and Roseanne near the back door of the café. I asked them for their autograph. Roseanne asked me if I collected autographs. I replied "Only from famous people!" This caused her to break out in a fit of laughter. The two girls graciously and without hesitation posed with me for a one-in-a-million picture...
Upon making out way out the front of the café, I thanked Bev for her kindness and young Ciarán for a wonderful performance. I wished them well and headed back to the car. I spent a while going over the events of the evening in my head and began rewriting my notes.
It's now Sunday Morning. I return to the hotel room after a light breakfast. Who do I see but Allister, who's room is only a few doors away from mine! He didn't see me though. My mother and I even shared the elevator with Ciarán, who had his suitcase. He said that their next concert was in ten hours...and the trip to Pawling, NY will take five hours. Ciarán joined his family at the entrance at the back of reception, all loading their cases in a minivan. Roseanne saw me and waved at me. I then see Fiona and her parents John and Valerie exiting the main doors on the other side of the hotel. I considered asking the four Cottars to all be in a picture with me. I felt that this would definitely be invading their privacy; they must be on a strict time schedule anyway. But I was happy to see them drive off...I'll have so many memories.
I was such a pleasure meeting The Cottars and their families. Very kind and personable to their fans. The concert was unforgettable.
I hope all of you like my review and the pictures.
Thank you kindly,
Joe
I remember how someone requested The Cottars to play 'Ready For the Storm' as Hurricane Katrina was spinnin' off the Lousiana coast 
