Fuddland

Two of my favourite people in Suzhou are an Irish couple by the names of Tara and Seanan—I met Tara a few days after I arrived and she took me under her wing somewhat, inviting me to hang out at her vertigo-inducing flat and cooking some cracking stews and Shepherd’s Pies [she being one of the few people I know in China with an oven]. Seanan arrived a month or so ago for an extended visit, and it’s been my pleasure to discover that he’s a very talented guitarist [playing professionally with five or six bands back in Ireland]. I already knew that Tara had a beautiful singing voice, having heard her take to the stage at the end of a couple of long nights at our regular bar for impromptu acapella performances, as well as when I brought my own guitar over to her place for a leisurely strum. Despite playing the guitar for over ten years [and boy do my fingers hurt], I’ve never until now hung out with people who enjoy playing together with other people, encouraging them to show their stuff whatever their ability. It’s been a lot of fun.

At the same time, I’ve recently gotten to know a group of three jobbing Phillipino musicians who go by the name of Too Much—they play an array of popular cover versions on acoustic guitars at one of the bars here, with some simply lovely harmonies that lift them way above the run-of-the-mill coverband. We went to see them play last night, basking in their glory at having won a Battle of the Bands the evening before, and before long they had invited Seanan and and an admittedly-nervous Tara up to play a song. Apologies for the poor sound quality, which does nothing at all to show-off Tara’s voice, and the unimaginative camera-work [the dodgy red lighting is nothing to do with me], but hopefully this gives you some idea of their collective talents.

#1

seanan | 2006 / 09 / 04 – 18:36

handsome folks

#2

Orla | 2006 / 09 / 04 – 19:15

Hey Guys,

Great video! (a bit sunburnt looking!)
I can honestly say they are the two best musicians around!!!!!

#3

felicity | 2006 / 09 / 07 – 05:27

encore!!!

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