In the 12 year history of Four Shillings Short, many great musicians have contributed their talents to the cause. Many people have joined the audience in recent years, including the inevitable merging with the mailing list of Christy's former band Your Mother Should Know. This involuntary yanking happened because............................
On one feetful night in July of 1995, Christy and I met at a Four Shillings Short performance at St. Michael's Alley. She luckily knew Margaret & Kristoph so I really made sure to be introduced to this lovely musician. Fireworks ensued, and a month later there was a passionate romance and musical rumblings in both existing bands. After a week we knew that we would marry and the first musical collaborations were energetic and promising. We are now seriously launching Four Shillings Short as a business so it is time to weed out our mailing list and clear up some other things. With this in mind, I thought I'd give a little history about Four Shillings Short and add a little folklore to the brew.
....It was a dark and stormy night. Two figures peered suspiciously at one another over a moss covered log in the middle of The Olde Smelly Bog at the edge of the San Francisquito creek. Later to be identified at Aodh Óg Ó Tuama and Ernest Kinsolving...these two oddballs sang Medieval and Renaissance music and later combined their questionable talents with those of Karl Franzen and began performing obscure folk music from Ireland and the British Isles--with a little Medieval and Renaissance thrown in.
Establishing itself as one of Palo Alto's enduring musical traditions, Four Shillings Short began playing once or twice a month at the infamous St. Michael's Alley in 1985. Our first recording Four Shillings Short: Alive and Otherwise was released in 1989 after which, Elisa Welch joined in with her partner Paul Mulvaney. Ernest left the band sometime after that, and I stayed. The remaining quartet issued The Basket By the Door in 1990, to continue our philosophy of meaningful titles.... Both of these albums were recorded live at St. Michael's Alley in Palo Alto....Ochon, Ochon!!!!!
For a complete history Go to www.art.net/~4ss
Four Shillings Short, in its current formation, is basically a duo, joined by whomever is available, depending on the gig & pay. My epitaph will read: BUT I STAYED STILL.
Reviews
“Four Shillings Short bring a fascinating mix of material, spirit and wit to the stage. They are visually interesting with their eclectic array of instruments. There is excitement, electricity and fun in their performance.” Dave Humphries, past President of the North American Folk Alliance/Director, Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove, IL March 2003
“On behalf of the Portland Folklore Society many thanks for the FANTASTIC show last Friday! I really enjoyed your set and everyone I talked to did as well. I love all kinds of music and was thrilled to hear the sitar pieces and Sanskrit singing. I always really like performers to do political music. I think it's one of the most powerful agents of change. And thanks for getting everyone on stage for the last song: that was a sweet way to end the evening. You and Atwater/Donelly made for a wonderful evening of music, it was one of my very favorite shows of all 7 years I've been involved. I'm impressed with your dedication to music and applaud your gypsy lifestyle.” Jack Bohl, Portland Folklore Society, Portland OR, Jan 2004
“I first heard Four Shillings Short a few years ago. Though based more or less out of the Bay Area, Four Shillings Short are truly itinerant musicians constantly on the move. Constantly on the move also applied to their live performance; bobbing, weaving, swaying, changing instruments mid-song. They were an energetic duo: Aodh Og O'Tuama on whistles, Renaissance winds, and percussion, and Christy Martin on hammered dulcimer, mandolin, and sitar. Both were strong singers, and had a personable stage presence that made the audience members feel like old friends. Recently, I got to see Four Shillings Short live once again. It was a small venue, standing room only. As before, they were dynamic, and mobile; both musicians moved in a sort of dance as they played. They garnered a standing ovation from the small, crowded audience.” Tim Hoke, President, Central Indiana Folk Music & Dulcimer Society, Sept 2002
“This group captures the essence of what I enjoy about traditional folk musicians. These are excellent musicians that draw you in with great stories and jokes. The music is icing on the cake. These are entertainers in every sense of the term.” Wayne Ellis, Every Other Weekly, Bellingham WA, May 1999
