Yea no worries Paul..

Haha Joey is a child prodigy - not the 'usual' standard :P
The accompanyment comps are apparently easier though..

I hear Eamonn Murray is entering the solos this year - thats
stiff competition :P

Cillian.

Hey Cillers, congrats on your 50th post!

Yeah Joey is a bit special but there is a whole new wave of young players coming up now for whom this type of playing is where it's at. Eamon Rooney is another.

I think we (I) forget that many of the mature players of today such as johnjoe and junior have been seminal in shaping and investigating the artform as it crosses over from rhythm instrument to a pseudo-melodic instrument capable of extreme virtuosity. Amazing players that they are, I suspect their greatest historical value will probably be to have opened up the instrument to new influences and freedom of style. Giants upon whose shoulders others can stand.

The next generation don't have to make that crossover, they start in the NOW with giants in place. With malleable young minds and developing musculature, someone with even a modicum of talent starting this young and sticking with it cannot fail to become an awesome player.

I think standards will continue to rise exponentially over the next few years as techniques develop and become 'explainable' rather than tacit. I look to the indian tabla as a relatively relevant exemplar of where we are going.

It's awesome, I'm delighted personally and for bodojo to be part of the first few new-waves and to positively contribute to the tsunami that is to come.

Bring it on!

P

Cheers Paul,

You are definitely right about us having
the giants to shape our styles and inspire us :P
John Joe is pretty damn inspiring!

Although I was actually inspired by two mates of
mine that play, James and Niall..
Inspiration can come in many forms :P

Cillian.

Hey Paul,

Did you get my email bout the WBC?

Cillian.