French Old Timers?

[Ptarmigan]

I'm afraid I don't read French, but I came across this, what looks to me like a, French Old Time Music Duo's Website.

Beau Sauvage

Does anyone know these folk, or can someone read these pages to learn about them.

I've sent them an E-mail so hopefully they will be in touch. Knowing my luck they're probably French Canadian, but heck, it's surely worth while giving them a shout anyway, just in case they're living in the same musical Gobi Desert as some of the rest of us, here!

Cheers
Dick

[ilanbanjo]

hey
this is Polo and his friend in the ardeche - they have a puppet troupe called Beau Sauvage. I havent seen them yet, but Polo has told me all about it. Its bascially a kid's show, with puppets - they do appalachian, new england, cajun and quebec folk tales with live fiddle music. The woman is american and lives downhill from Polo - I think she started on renaissance music and baroque lute, although she plays on Polo's banjos. I can't wait to see the show! Apparently it is a big hit down there with the kiddies.

I havent been there many times but the ardeche is far from a musicial desert - there be folkies hiding out all over the durn place in those mountains, plus a strong wop of local trad mountain culture - accordions and the like. There are a few great old time fiddlers - Polo being one of them. You wont be able to reach him though - they just got electricity set up!!!

And dick, another old time frenchie link for you brunotorres.ifrance.com/
Thats bruno who is getting better every year at making 5 string open back banjers.. He is a great fiddler as well, having studied with Polo...

Also, I'm thinking about heading over to the Gainsb. festival this year, if I can figure out an easyjet flight that will let me take my banjo and fiddle on board. Here is my stupid question:

Is it worth it?

See you soon!

ilan in paris

[Ptarmigan]

Hey Ilan,

Thanks for the info. That Puppet show sounds very interesting. Ask him to put up a YouTube would you?

Thanks very much for Bruno's link too.
I've started a board to promote Luthiers over here who make Old Time friendly instruments, so there's a link to his site now, over there.
I hope he doesn't mind me borrowing a photo from his site?

I hope members will post links to their own favourite local instrument makers too.

Cheers
Dick

Instrument Makers (Europe)

[nickp]

Polo's band is Ida Red (there's a link) and usually also includes John Herrmann and Meredith McIntosh holding up the U.S. membership!

[Ptarmigan]

Thanks Nick, I found a link.

Ida Red

Cheers
Dick