In Defense of Dandelions

In the sprawling suburbs of America, the quest for the perfect lawn is almost a cultural obsession. This green, unblemished carpet serves not only as a personal oasis but also as a public display of discipline and decorum. Yet, amidst this sea of manicured turf, one little yellow head often pops up to disrupt the verdant calm—the dandelion. Often maligned and vigorously battled against, these resilient flowers are typically seen as nuisances that mar the visual purity of our lawns. But what if the American aversion to dandelions is more than just an aesthetic judgment? What if it reflects a deeper cultural discomfort with the unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects of nature?

Dandelions, with their bright yellow blooms and fairy-tale seed heads, are nature’s rebels. They thrive in adverse conditions, spreading cheerfully wherever the wind takes them. However, in the context of American lawn culture, they are often viewed not as symbols of resilience but as invaders disrupting the uniformity of meticulously maintained grass. The typical American lawn, with its vast, uninterrupted greenness, is a canvas on which homeowners project their ideals of order and control. A single dandelion—let alone a cluster of them—breaks this visual rhythm, introducing chaos into the controlled environment.

This battle against dandelions may seem trivial, but it's emblematic of a larger cultural narrative. In many ways, these plants challenge the values embedded in the American dream—values like conformity, control, and the taming of the wild. Dandelions do not conform to the rules of the lawn; they do not bend to the will of the gardener. Instead, they grow where they please, blooming brightly and seeding prolifically without regard for human preferences.

So why do we disdain these vibrant little flowers? It may be because they make us face the limits of our control. They remind us that nature often operates outside the lines we try to impose, and they question the viability of a culture that prizes uniformity over natural diversity. In this way, dandelions are not merely weeds; they are messengers from the wild, inviting us to reconsider what we value in our environments and why.

Instead of waging a relentless war on these sunny invaders, perhaps it’s time to appreciate the beauty and resilience they bring to our lawns. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to let a few dandelions stay, to celebrate their tenacity and their willingness to grow anywhere—a true testament to the untamable spirit of nature itself. After all, in a world that values order and predictability, a little bit of rebellion can be a breath of fresh air.

“How America Saved Irish Music” CD Explores Irish/American Music Connections to New Orleans

by Marc Gunn
http://marcgunn.com/

“How America Saved Irish Music” is the title of a new CD by Marc Gunn and Jamie Haeuser that will be celebrated at a party/show this Saturday, January 25 at 7 PM at The Irish House at 1432 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans.

The CD’s theme focuses on the vibrancy of Celtic music in America and the impact of Irish music on American folk genres. Gunn, who plays the unusual instrument known as an autoharp, joined up with Haeuser, who plays the Irish drum called the bodhran. Guest artist Sick, well known in New Orleans for his brilliant fiddle playing, is featured on several songs.

“We’ve been working on this for about five years,” remarked Gunn. “After I moved to New Orleans a few years ago, we started talking about the connections in Irish and American music, extending possibly even to jazz.”

The impact of the Irish Diaspora of the 19th undisputed. Not as well documented has been the role of America in the preservation of Celtic music. Much as Ireland’s warrior monks preserved Western civilization (at least according to bestselling author Thomas Cahill in “How the Irish Saved Civilization”) American musicians took in Irish music and musicians, sometimes adapting its forms to the energy and pace of a rough new frontier, sometimes merging with other dynamic genres, while always respecting its roots.

“We just went exploring – through our memories and stories from ancestors and historians – to choose music that represents the Irish experience there and in America” said drummer/vocalist Jamie Haeuser. “For example, “Who’s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot” is not technically an Irish song – but it represents the strong influence of Celtic music on American Folk music.”

The paired original songs – “Men of New Basin Canal” and “Bridget’s Prayer” – came about after Jamie went to a ceili (Irish music party” at the now-demolished Deusches Haus in New Orleans. Driving home, she realized that driving along the Pontchartain Expressway in New Orleans, she was paralleling the old New Basin Canal. Between 10,000 and 30,000 Irishmen died of yellow fever while digging that canal. She couldn’t go to sleep until she got the lyrics down. Marc followed with the hard-driving music.

The second song is from the perspective of a canal laborer’s wife. “Streets of Laredo/Bard of Armagh” is a literal mash up of 19th that delineates not only a shared melody – but perhaps the success of many, many Irish century on the culture and life of America is century popular music entertainers on the vaudeville circuit. “Leaving of Liverpool” references how so many Irish families wound up in New Orleans – the cheapest way to get from Ireland to the States was by cotton ship to Louisiana.

The Irish House is a family-friendly venue. There is no cover charge for the show. Find out more about The Irish House at www.theirishhouseneworleans.com.

Celtic Immigrants in the US Civil War

by Jed Marum

In my music travels I often arrange visits with Celtic/Folk radio shows, typically in support of new albums or music projects. I enjoy visiting with the radio hosts around the country and talking about the music on-air, playing new or unreleased songs and promoting events that I am playing in the area. Frankly the visits help sell my recordings – and I love it when that happens!

It was on one such visit to a popular NPR program when the host welcomed me to her audience saying, “Today’s guest is Jed Marum who specializes in those stories of the Irish and Scottish immigrants who fought in the American Civil War.” I was a bit surprised by her characterization of my music and I started framing an objection, along the lines of “Oh, it’s just a passing interest …” when I realized that interest had been passing for over a decade! I had always thought of myself as a lover of the Celtic ballads, tunes, pub and folk songs – and as a performer of the music I loved, but I did have to recognize that I had begun to develop a specialty into the subject of the Irish who fought the Civil War – and the musical expression of that subject, through the songs THEY sang and the stories ABOUT them, that I chose to write.

Well all of this is by way of long introduction to an update on my most recent film project, THE ROAD TO VALHALLA. I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful documentary film, and you won’t be surprised to hear it’s about the American Civil War. I produced the soundtrack for the film and wrote a number of songs for it as well. Working with some wonderful musical guests on the recordings, the core of the soundtrack is quite Celtic in style. Cowboy/Country music legend, Michael Martin Murphey worked with us on two tracks. Murph has a similar interest to mine, in his Irish heritage and the impact of Irish songs on American music and indeed he has produced a well researched show and album on the Irish Cowboys.

I recorded some of the movie’s spiritual and brass band pieces with faculty and students from Northfield School of the Liberal Arts (Wichita KS) and I worked with two very fine, seasoned pros from Kansas named, Rob Loren (fiddle) and Ranger Stan Greer (mandolin). In Dallas I worked with David Lovrien and Linda Relph on whistle and fiddle respectively – and they made a significant contribution to the soundtrack. And finally, I worked closely for months with my friend and audio engineer Travis Ener on the project at his studio, Rockin’ T Audio Ranch in Princeton TX.

THE ROAD TO VALHALLA is making a series of showings around the country right now, and will play on PBS later in 2014. I’ve attached below a press-release from the folks at Lone Chimney Films about THE ROAD TO VALHALLA and one of its showings. If you’re in or near Wichita KS – please make the effort to be there! But more importantly, the press-release says more about the film than I can say as eloquently – and I want my Celtic Music Magazine readers know all about this film – and its Celtic music!!

Let me know if ya have questions and watch Youtube, FaceBook or this blog for more updates. There are discussions about a movie soundtrack album – and I’ll come back here with news about that when details are sorted out – but a good deal of the film’s music is included in my most recent album THE SOUTH WIND.

PS: You’ll recognize The Minstrel Boy, Tramps and Hawkers, Amazing Grace and other Celtic melodies that feature prominently in the sound track. More importantly, you’ll hear the Celtic melodic and rhythmic styles throughout on traditional instruments – especially fiddle and whistle.

View the Movie Trailer at Youtube – THE ROAD TO VALHALLA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2013
The Road to Valhalla premieres at the Wichita Orpheum Theater, Wichita, KS
Saturday, January 11 at 7 pm, doors open at 6 pm.

Lone Chimney Films’ third full length documentary is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, January 11 at 7 pm at the historic Wichita Orpheum Theater, Wichita, KS.

The 90 minute documentary tells the story of the Kansas-Missouri border during the American Civil War. The film uses historic photographs, interviews and reenactment footage to tell the tale that covers everything from large battles to guerilla actions and the effect that the war had on the civilian population.

The film is narrated by the legendary character actor Buck Taylor, who starred in Gunsmoke, Tombstone, Gettysburg and more recently Cowboys and Aliens. Various members of the cast and crew will be at the premiere.

The film is directed by Ken Spurgeon and utilizes the talents of nearly 200 volunteers, reenactors and educators.

The Road to Valhalla is the third documentary by Lone Chimney Films, following Touched by Fire: Bleeding Kansas and Bloody Dawn: The Lawrence Massacre.

The Road to Valhalla was made possible by the donations and support of the Kansas Humanities Council, the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon, Northfield School of Liberal Arts, Hephner TV, Strategic Financial Concepts, Inc., Old Cowtown Museum, Phil and Becky Elder, Jim and Bev Mershon, Jim Graf and Greg and J.W. Johnston

Lone Chimney Films, Inc. is a 501c3 not for profit educational documentary company based out of Kansas.

For more information, please contact Ke