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Briefs! ...and Letters. |
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What? Scottish Morris!!! Well I never! Dear Morris Meditations It is common knowledge that all around the world, in all walks of life, there are rivalries. Some are harmless enough, but many are so ferocious and deep-rooted that wars have been fought over them for eons. A classic example is the English and the Scots. Those poor souls north of the border have been repelling invaders since before Roman times and have clashed on numerous bloody occasions with the English. Few fights make the news now, apart from the odd soccer pitch invasion but a political war rages on, with the British government totally unable to pass any act that keeps both sides happy. Indeed, so diametrically opposed are the English and the Scottish that they agree over almost nothing (though I'm sure there's many an Englishman that would have to agree that several single malt whiskies are pretty damn fine!). Following this line, I always assumed that as there was no single matter over which the two sides agreed, then there would be nothing which could singularly annoy both parties. However, I recently found something at the Adelaide 2002 Mediaeval Festival at Carrick Hill that fits the bill in the form of "The Border Celts Morris". The English would surely be aggrieved to see the Morris danced (though I use the word "danced" in its most liberal sense) in tartan and in any way associated with the Scots. After all, England has so little of its tradition left as it is, yet Scotland, Wales and Ireland stand proud and defend their heritage. On the other hand, I'm sure any self-respecting Scot would shudder at the thought of bell-shaking and hanky-waving being linked to the sacred plaid - just ask Eric Bogle what he thinks about Morris dancers, but be sure to cover your children's ears first! So to "The Border Celts Morris" I send hearty congratulations. They have, in a matter of moments, done what no others have managed in over two thousand years - to unite England and Scotland on a single issue and have them both in a state of utter disgust (though for subtly different reasons). In truth, there is a dance form called Border Morris and it does stem from the English border counties...but those that border onto Wales, not Scotland. It was said to be danced by the English to frighten the Welsh, but I very much doubt that Welshmen are that easily scared! Perhaps we should all learn a lesson from this incident; there is a great legacy out there in the form of traditional music and dance and we are fortunate that it is freely available. We should learn it and use it, not bastardise it. To many the word "tradition" is synonymous with the word "evolution" but such evolution must be firmly linked to, and sympathetic towards, that which came before. Many talented performers travel the world to deliver this tradition to the masses, but almost all do so with dignity and respect, an acknowledgment of those who came before them and a willingness to share their passion with a new audience, not for commercial gain but so that it may live on, evolve and become accessible for future generations to enjoy. Without respect for its past there can be no hope for its future. Abhorrently Astonished Adelaide's contemporary border team, Hot For Joe, has moved into a new phase. H4J Mk IV has recruited a bunch of newbies to carry on the tradition of the team and Adrienne Pigott, that red headed Amazon, along with the Soprano Siren, Janet Hattam, has jumped back in to give them a hand. Those new young ones will soon find out what the morris tradition is all about, whether they like it or not! They made their first appearance in the fire procession at the Uraidla English Ale last May. Speaking of The English Ale ...what you haven't heard of it? Well, keep the first weekend of May free next year and come down to Adelaide and you'll find out. Local band Spiral Dance and Hedgemonkey Morris host the weekend. The masked fire procession to the bonfire, indispersed with the morris (all sides welcome!), starts the event on Friday night followed by a concert and session/singalongs. Saturday sees a day's morris at the pub, sessions, Bass on tap and a concert of local acts and interstate acts in the evnening. Then much carousing into the night. A load of good fun, and much recovering on Sunday. Contact Adrienne for details: spaniel@arcom.com.au Brisbane has themselves a new sword team of the rapper variety. The Queen's Knights Rappers consist of a smattering of members from SE Qld sides old and not so old. They've also managed to score themselves an imported muso, Sue from Windsor Morris! That's Windsor UK not Brisbane. Congratulaions to Liz, the squire of Glorishears, and Andrew, occasionally of the Adelaide Men. They've got themselves a little dancer on the way so we'll be waiting to see if the forthcoming sprog dons the plumed bonnet or the black topper. Daniele of Hedgemonkey came to practice one night with the news that she couldn't make practice for a few weeks ...she had dash off to France for a 4 month holiday! An urgent holiday? Some people have all the luck. Albion Fair, the cloggies from Sydney, have made their presence felt on the web just in recent months: www.geocities.com/albionfair ...Good one girls! Logan Morris have also got themselves a website, though it's still under construction. It's a start though. www.geocities.com/morris_playford/ How about a few more of you lot getting it together and building your side a site. It's not that hard and it doesn't need to be fancy. Most ISPs offer you some free space for a small website when you buy email and internet time. Ask them. If you get stuck or want a few clues about designing one just drop me a line and I'll see if I can help: kimbo@visp.com.au
Jockey Men's Morris first CD has not sold too badly in the UK, perhaps a couple of hundred copies, but mostly to people they know. Recently they've been informed of it being heard in a hotel at Goa and it appears on Japan's HMV site. Ring Bagman, John Frearson reports that a track has been used for the call waiting music for the Perth, Australia, telephone service. OK, Which of you WA lot stuck it on the call waiting??? Got any tidbits? Send
‘em in! Are you bored? |
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