'Tramor' - John Good is Back!

Many people were saddened when they heard the news that Oceans Apart had broken up recently. Well...the good news is that John Good is back with a new musical venture and a new website. 'Tramor' can be contacted via the website HERE , and I am sure that you will all join us in wishing John the very best with his new venture. Pob lwc John! From the website:- "Tramor (Overseas) is the new traditional music project of John Good. John is well known through out the West, South, Midwest and in his native Wales as a multi-instrumentalist, Welsh piper, singer/songwriter, composer and poet. Veteran of many Celtic festivals and concerts, including Estes Park, Chicago, San Diego and Denver, he brings the subtly different flavor of traditional Welsh music to the stage. Along with friends like mandolin virtuoso Billy Parker and the classically trained mistress of the harp Mary Bouley, a Tramor show is an event not to be missed." Hear John perform 'Of Dogs and Cats Mice and Men' here:- Of Dogs and Cats Mice and Men.mp3

From The Left Coast Eisteddfod - John Good on Welsh Poetry

One of the highlights of the recent Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland , Oregon was a talk given by John Good at the Central Library on the subject of Welsh language poetry. This event was well attended and the talk and the impromptu musical performances which both followed and preceded it were recorded for posterity as a podcast and can be accessed and enjoyed at the following url:- John Good at Portland Central Library. ( There are some problems with sound reproduction in the opening minutes of the recording......please be patient.) John Good's CD - "The First 1500 Years of Welsh Poetry" can be purchased from the Oceans Apart site. John Good at The Left Coast Eisteddfod

Welsh Month at Portland Central Library

Today marks the start of Welsh Month at Portland Central Library. We set up our display case in the foyer this morning and Posters and fliers are on display. We hope to display posters at all 18 Libraries in the Multnomah district and anyone who wants to help us with that is welcome to download and print a pdf of our library poster from the panel at the bottom of this page.

Events will include:-

Wednesday August 19th

Enjoy Welsh language poetry with John Good. John was born in South Wales, into a house where the Welsh language was spoken. Over the past twenty years, he has given bilingual presentations on Welsh culture, sharing poetry, music and literature. Wed Aug 19th 12-1 p.m.
ADMISSION FREE.

An assortment of materials available at the Library on Welsh poetry can be be found HERE

Purchase or listen online to John's "The First Fifteen Hundred Years of Welsh Poetry" HERE

Thursday August 20th

As part of the program authors Niall Griffiths and Chris Keil will be presenting a reading/Q&A session at the library on Thursday August 20th between 12 and 2. ADMISSION FREE

For more info and to rsvp if you will be attending go to this page:- Welsh Month at the Library All three of our guests will also be appearing and giving presentations as part of the daytime program at the Left Coast Eisteddfod.

Meanwhile here are excerpts of interviews in which author Niall Griffiths, explains his passion for reading and writing:

Get Your Welsh Month Link or Poster Here To view a larger image click on the thumbnail above or here. If you live in the Portland area please feel free to embed the code below on your blog or website. The image links to the Americymru Welsh Month at the Library webpage. If you would like to print a copy for display at your local library, download the .pdf here <a href="http://americymru.ning.com/events/welsh-monthcentral-library"><img border="0" src="http://api.ning.com/files/K6l2F1Vx2w1m1L-VbbYJ*qalZ5WtIbajt7LgvhCLkdWV6FpOa7CNgaVOfghiGg-IyYNIR20kN*NppNDzpfiKOJm4J72tVkTS/welshmonth.jpeg"/></a>

Peter Thabit Jones and John Good to Judge Left Coast Eisteddfod Poetry Competition!

We are immensely proud and pleased to announce that Peter Thabit Jones and John Good will judge the entries in the Left Coast Eisteddfod Poetry competition ( English and Welsh language categories respectively ). First prize for both ctegories in this competition wiil be $100 (65GBP approx ). Second and third place prizes to be announced soon. The final submission date for entries is July 31st 2009. To submit your entry please go to this page and read the rules carefully before entering:- Left Coast Eisteddfod 2009 Poetry Competition Group. The competition is open to non-Americymru members but the submission procedure is slightly different.

Peter and John will need no introduction to most of our readers but just in case here are a few links:-

Peter Thabit Jones Website

Peter Thabit Jones on MySpace

Interview With John Good on Americymru

Oceans Apart Website

Peter Thabit Jones reading several of his poems on poetryvlog

Oceans Apart at the "Trans Celtic Gala" show, 2008

Oceans Apart - Oceans Together .....An Interview With John Good

"Oceans Apart" is basically John Good and Steve Colby. Where did you meet and what led to the formation of the band?

Oedd Steve a fi ar yr un sesiwn recordio am gyfaill y ddau ohonon, ond yn chwarae mewn bandiau gwahanol. Fel sy’n digwydd yn aml yn y busnes cerddorol, mae’r ddau fand wedi mynd i’r wal yn ein gadael ni rydd i lyfu ein clwyfau ac ail-ddechrau o’r lludw, llwch … yn Phoenix. Crwt o Gymru ac Ohio yn canu caneuon ac alawon Celtaidd yn yr anialwch: Oceans Apart.

Steve and I were on the same recording session for a mutual friend, but were playing in different bands. As happens often in the music business, the two bands fell apart leaving us free to lick our wounds and start again from the ashes, dust…in Phoenix. A boy from Wales and Ohio singing and playing Celtic songs and tunes in the desert: Oceans Apart.

What proportion of your output is your own material and what proportion comes from traditional sources?

Mae’r mwyafrif o’n defnydd yn dod o’r alawon a chaneuon traddodiadol Cymreig, Albanaidd a Gwyddelig, ond mae rhaid i bawb gwneud rhywbeth personol ohonyn, trwy drefniadau meddylgar a diddorol, a thrwy ddehongliadau unigryw ar y llwyfan. Felly, dw i’n meddwl ohonof i fy hun fel rhan o’r cyfansoddiad terfynol.

The majority of our material comes from the traditional tunes and songs of Wales, Scotland and Ireland, but everyone must make something personal of them, through thoughtful and interesting arrangements and through unique interpretations on the stage. So, I think of myself as a part of the final composition.

What are your major sources for traditional music? How important is traditional music in your repertoire?

Robin Huw Bowen, Huw Bach Roberts, Plethyn, mam a mam-gu, casgliadau John Parry Ddall ac eraill, hen recordiau maes, Nansi Richards, Ceri Rhys Mathews, Stephen Rees, Sally Harper Prif Ysgol Bangor, Y We……Mae rhaid i bawb sy’n canu dechrau gan adeiladu ar y gorffennol. Yr unig beth yw faint ac mewn pa gyfeiriad yr ydych chi’n moyn mynd o’r ffynhonnell. Dw i’n moyngweithio yn ofalus i barchu’r traddodiad heb gwympo i mewn i’r faglu orhy lawer o ailadroddiad.

Robin Huw Bowen, Huw “Bach” Roberts, Plethyn, mam a mamgu, collections of John Parry Ddall and others, old field recordings, Nansi Richards, Ceri Rhys Mathews, Stephen Rees, Sally Harper, Bangor University, Y We……Everyone who sings (plays)must begin by building on the past. The only thing is how far and in what direction you want to go from the source. I want to work carefully to respect the tradition without falling into the pitfall of too much repetition.

How important is music generally in establishing and asserting Wales' identity in America?

Cerddoriaeth sy’n gallu pontio iaith, ffydd, lliw, cefnforoedd, dosbarth, gwrthwynebiad, oed ….unrhyw gwestiynau eraill?

Music is able to bridge language, faith, colour, oceans, class, opposition, age…. Any other questions?

Do you find that audiences are generally aware that Wales has its own musical traditions or are they somewhat overshadowed by the Scottish and Irish traditions?

Unwaith, arhosais ym Mississippi am betrol. Gofynnodd i fi'r ferch yn yr orsaf ble y ces i fy magu. “Cymru” dwedais. “Gyrraist ti?” Meddai. Mae’n gryn dipyn yn well ymhlith pobl gyda chysylltiad â’r Alban neu Iwerddon, ond Cymru ydy’r llysblentyn pen coch o hyd cofiwch.

Once I stopped for gas in Mississippi. The girl in the station asked me were I was from. “Wales” I said. “Did you drive?” she asked. It’s quite a lot better amongst people with a connection with Scotland and Ireland, but Wales is still the redheaded stepchild remember.

You are also a keen student and exponent of Welsh poetry. Does this play a role in your music?

Yn Y Gymraeg dyna un hen air am gan a phennill: Cerdd. Wel i ddweud y gwir, cerdd dant ydy cerddoriaeth a cherdd dafod yw farddoniaeth. Os welodd fy hendadau ddim angen i wahanu’r ddau, does dim angen arnaf i. Fel bara a menyn, seidr a haf, teulu, cyfeillion, gwlad a chariad, dyna bethau sydd yn anwahanadwy yn wastad.

In Welsh, there is one old word for a song and poem: Cerdd. Well to tell the truth Cerdd Dant (art with or of a string?) is Music and Cerdd Dafod (tongue music/art) is poetry. If my forefathers didn’t see a need to separate the two, neither do I. Like bread and butter, cider and summer, family, friends, country and love there are things forever inseparable.

A great many new bands and performers are coming to the forefront in Wales today. Do you think that there is something of a musical revival going on in Wales at the moment?

Na, nid diwygiad yw ond ffrwydrad! O’r diwedd oddi wrth ddwy ochr dafod y ddraig, stim ots pa fath neu arddull, oed y perfformwyr, milltir sgwâr, capel neu eglwys, dyna deimlad hyderus dros ben yn y bryniau, cymoedd, dros y bont, yn y fro, ar y traethau a thramor bod cerddorion Cymreig yn gallu sefyll ochr gan ochr gyda gorau’r byd. Nid ond yng ngherddoriaeth ond yn farddoniaeth, drama, busnes ac ar y meysydd chwarae ein hysbryd unigryw sy’n codi! Hwre!!

No, not a revival but an explosion! At last from both sides of the dragon’s tongue, no matter what kind or style, age of performer, birthplace, chapel or church, there’s an exceptional feeling of confidence in the hills, valleys, over the bridge, in the bro, on the beaches and overseas that Welsh musicians can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. Not only in music but also in poetry, drama, business and on the sports’ field our unique spirit is rising! Hooray!!

The song "The Grangetown Whale" brings back many happy memories of similar exploits for me. Is this song based on personal experience?

Ysgrifennwyd "The Grangetown Whale" gan Frank Hennessy i eiriau’n fardd lleol yn disgrifio’r llifogydd Caerdydd 1979, ond dyna fwy i’r chwedl : Grangetown Whale

"The Grangetown Whale" was written by Frank Hennessy to words written by a local poet about the 1979 Cardiff flood, but there is more to the tale: Grangetown Whale

You studied music under Alun Hoddinott at Cardiff University (or UCC as it then was). Do you have any particular recollections of him that you would like to share?

Y Mae’r athro Alun Hoddinott, fel Grace Williams yn ddirfawr ym myd cerddorol clasurol y Cymry, a oedd braint tu hwnt i gael y dyn galluog hwn yn pori ar draws f’ymgais ond, i ddweud y gwir, yn ystod y saithdegau, oedd Caerdydd ar dan gyda lleoedd fel Chapter yn dangos ffilmiau Ewropeaidd am hanner nos, cyngherddau avant-garde, roc, jazz, barddoniaeth gyfoes, celfyddyd, dramâu a phobl gydag yr un eisiau i greu, trafod a byw'r gwrthryfel cymdeithasol/hunan-addysgol. Felly dw i wedi dysgu mwy, mewn ffordd, tu fas yr ystafell ysgol. Hefyd wrth gwrs yr oedd y Brains, caru-rydd, gwyliau roc, clwbiau gwerin, darllediadau barddoniaeth, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, e.e cumings, John Cage, John Coltrane, John Lennon, Eric Dolphy, Wildman Fischer, Stockhausen, Henry Cooper (y ddau), Ferlinghetti, Escher, Monty Python, Albi, Dylan, i enwi ond yn ychydig!!

Alun Hoddinott, like Grace Williams, are huge in the classical musical world of the Welsh, and it was an honour to have this brilliant man pore over my efforts but, to tell the truth, in the 70’s Caerdydd was on fire with places like Chapter showing late-night European films, avant-garde, rock, jazz, modern poetry, art, drama and people who only wanted to create, discuss and live the social/self-educational revolution. So, I learnt more outside the schoolroom. Also of course there was Brains, free love, rock festivals, folk clubs, poetry readings, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, e.e cumings, John Cage, John Coltrane, John Lennon, Eric Dolphy, Wildman Fischer, Stockhausen, Henry Cooper (both), Ferlinghetti, Escher, Monty Python, Albi, Dylan, to name but a few!

Where can people see the band in the near future? Are there any tours or live performances coming up?

Byddwch ân aros yn glos i Phoenix yn ystod y gaeaf (dyn ni ddim yn dwp!), gyda theithiau yn dechrau gyda gwanwyn ac yn yr haf cynnar (manylion ar y gweill o hyd). Caiff ein hamserlen ei gyhoeddi mis i fis ar ein safle We: OceansApart

We will be staying close to Phoenix during the winter (we’re not stupid!), with trips beginning in the spring and early summer (details still in progress). Our schedule is published month to month on our web site: OceansApart

When can we expect the next album from "Oceans Apart"?

Wel, yr ydym ni newydd ryddhau albwm Nadolig (The Carol Singing Sea [gwrandwch ar y MP3]) a hefyd, ar yr un bryd yn DVD (weler y tri fideo) wedi’i enwi “Trans Celtic Gala”: Sioe fyw gyda’r band pibau, dawnswyr cam a chyfeillion., y ddau ar gael oddi wrth ein safle We.

Well, we just released a Christmas album (The Carol Singing Sea [listen to the MP3’s below) and also at the same time a DVD called “Trans Celtic Gala” (see the three videos): A live show with a pipe band, step dancers and friends, both available at our web site.

The band is sponsoring "The Left Coast Eisteddfod". What do you feel such an event can achieve for Wales?

Ers talwm, mae wedi bod canfyddiad yn y byd bron i benbaladr bod “Gwlad y Gan” yn golygu corau meibion yn canu emynau, felly dyma’r cyfle i ddangos bod erbyn hyn “Gwlad y Gan” yn golygu Cerddoriaeth draddodiadol, werin, pop, roc, jazz, rap, yn gyffrous, gyfoes, feddylgar, ddoniol, ddwyieithiog, a hefyd cerddoriaeth gorawl. Dw i’n edrych ymlaen dros ben i ddod.

For ages there has been aperception close to universal that “Land of Song” meant male voicechoirs singing hymns, so here’s a chance to show that today “Land of Song” means traditional, folk, pop,rock, jazz, rap music; exciting, contemporary, thoughtful, funny, bi-lingual, and also choral music. I’m really looking forward to coming.