Greetings Muldoon fans
And a Happy New Year to all our readers. 2008 saw us embarking on various new ventures, notably the new album Gingham Down, which I believe I may just have mentioned ("highly recommended" – Derek Gifford). It's available for £10 directly from us by mail order, from CDbaby.com (with one free download), or from Glasgow's fine CD emporium Classics in the City (54 Dundas St, G1 2AQ).
* www.muldoonspicnic.org.uk/gingham.htm
* www.last.fm/music/Muldoon%27s+Picnic/Gingham+Down
* www.cdbaby.com/cd/muldoonspicnic
* www.classicsinthecity.co.uk/
We continue to do our bit to spread the word about shapenote singing with workshops every month or two in Glasgow and elsewhere. I think it's fair to say our all-day event in October was particularly noted for the calibre of its cuisine, even if no real squirrels were harmed in the production of the stew.
In December, our Folk Carols in the Pub session (and preliminary workshop) was well attended and well received, despite coming together at short notice, and may well become an annual event. Don't forget, even you've been back at work for what feels like ages, it's still technically Christmas, just! Christmas has twelve days after all, culminating in the almost forgotten feasts of Twelfth Night and Epiphany. So . . .
On Saturday 10 January we will be reprising our "Twelvetide" concert, first performed last January in Bolton and Glasgow, as a charity event starting at 7.30pm in the Old High Kirk at Kilmarnock. The theme is the turning of the year and specifically "Old Christmas" in all senses of the term, touching on traditions such as West Gallery, shapenote, Welsh plygain, Georgian, Scottish, plainsong and early music.
* www.old-high-kirk.org.uk/
If you're in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday 22 January, why not call by the Queen Margaret Union in University Gardens. From about 7 to 11pm in the Qudos performance space, a charity event called Glasgow Global Village will be showcasing traditional food, music and dance from around the world. Muldoon's Picnic will be singing a short set towards the end of the evening.
* www.globalvillageglasgow.co.uk
On Sunday 1 February we will again be hosting a shapenote workshop in Celtic Connections. It's in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall from 11am to 12.30. And at least one shapenote number will creep into a world music singing workshop we're giving at Horsecross Voices in Perth on Wednesday 18 February. More "what's on"s in due course, but meanwhile enjoy the last few moments of Christmas.
* www.celticconnections.com/whatson/event/81949
* www.horsecross.co.uk/whats-on/
Best wishes
Harry Campbell
Muldoon's Picnic
www.muldoonspicnic.org.uk
www.myspace.com/muldoonspicnic