Fuddland

Two of my favourite people in Sūzhōu (苏州) 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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