‘LA GUIMBARDE’ [The Jew’s Harp] CD, John Wright

Description

I first went to Paris in 1966 with my sister. I travelled around there for 6 months with a beau from Dec ’67 to May of ’68 and decided it was a good place to be a musician. I went back in 1970 and went to the Hootenanny at the American Church and met a French dulcimer player and a find French fiddler who knew more about American music than I ever will. They invited me to a party the next day outside of Paris and there, I literally met everyone and anyone who became important in the French folk music revival in the years that followed.

I met one couple, John Wright and Catherine Perrier who led the club, Le Bourdon [The Drone] who not only collected but shared their music with people who were interested. We hit it off immediately and became the closest of friends which endures to this day. John interest in the music stsretched to involvement with reproducing and playing the music of medieval “fiddles” from the portico at San Joachim ce Campostello in Portugal, singing Acapella English and French songs, playing the tunes they had collected, and being part of a sea chanty group with his brothers! He performed till the end of his life in 2013.  A posthumous album of his playing has recently been released in France. [2025].

The 2022 CD produced from the original 1971 tapes of John Wright’s Le Chant du Monde LP, Paris. As a learn how to play series, “Special Instrumental”, the original cover included all the information about the instrument and how to play it. That information will eventually be available so send us an email and when available we’ll send it to you.

I’m glad I’m still here to honor my friend and to make sure that his legacy remains available. For so many reasons I’m glad to share it with you.

INCLUDES:

1. ABC of the Jew’s Harp
2. The Jew’s Harper
3.  Hai & I
4. The Bonnie Lassie Widnae Busk
5. Ram Caram
6. The Flogging Reel
7. Sixpenny Money/The Battering Ram
8. Little Beggarman
9. Christmas Eve/Craig’s Pipes
10. Garrett Barry’s Jig
11. The Banks of Dunmore/The Coleen Rue
12. Bucks of Oranmore
13. The Lark in the Morning