Mad Fiddler? Oh Man! As an ex-pro violinist, I just gotta try this one! 
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Hey, Anyone Heard of C&Ds "Mad Fiddler"
- Thread starter gord
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Perique??? Now I'm REALLY interested! Next order for sure!
O/T: There was a famous violinist, so I was told, that when asked what was the difference between a violin and a fiddle, replied, "When I play it, it's a violin; when you play it, it's a fiddle".Mad Fiddler? Oh Man! As an ex-pro violinist, I just gotta try this one!
True? Either way, the alleged famous violinist?
I have a tin in my tobacco closet but I'm too frightened to try it.
I am willing to take the hit for you. Send me about a bowls worth and if I am still on here in a week it's safeish.
Paganini, perhaps, who was reputedly in league with Satan. Or am I thinking about someone else?
It sounds like that may have inspired "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band.
That was rumoured by many because of his phenomenal technique and Paganini himself fostered that legend, probably to the rue of the Catholic culture in Italy. But he was heir to that technique via Vivaldi, through the Frenchman Leclair, and into the late Romantic virtuosos like Pablo de Sarasate, the Pole Wieniawski, and into our own century with the violinist-composer Fritz Kriesler. Their techniques were derived from certain finger patterns that are above the discipline of prodiies and intuitives, who play primarily by instinct. They almost always disappear because they have neither the discipline or desire to work at the cerebral and physical side of performance. VERY few top virtuosos were prodigies.
Think NHL hockey players . . . . I know several, and they were not major talents in Junior or PeeWee, but had the desire and discipline. Very few prodigies, like Gretzky, had the desire to work hard and perfect their physical skills. This is the short answer. I have, in my teaching duties, put about a dozen students in professional orchestras, and they are NOT the ones that the soccer moms (they exist in the violin world too, believe me lol) pushed into destructive music festivals.
The difference between a violinist and a fiddler is similar. Very few fiddlers have developed technique. They play by instinct. In the guitar world, think of the "guitar bore" that entertains at parties and Segovia. The gap is that large. There are a few crossovers, but very few. This is the short answer as well.
BTW my good friend (now deceased) and NHL star Greg Polis, was a fine pianist. He was also one of the best checking centers in the league, and won the Rookie of the Year award in the Pittsburgh Penguin's team awards back in the 60's. God rest his soul. Greg was not a major talent in Junior, but wanted it and was tremendously disciplined.
I'll shut up and go away now
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Mad Fiddler is a superb Virginia Perique blend. I smoke it regularly. Probably go through a tin a week
For a contemporary i would guess Itzhak Perlman who had that type of humor, met him a couple to,es a very down to earth man.
Regarding the source for the name , i suggest you to check the Lovecraft works because this serie is about his work. About the tobacco...i love it. It is a different kind . Spiced by the kasturi. Not for everyone but i like it. I smoke at least two or three bowls a week of this broken flake. Because being so different , i have two pipes designated for this tobacco only. Enjoy it.
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Great analogy that Gretzky himself used in an interview (stating a good hockey player can make the NHL with grit and sacrifice while focusing on only hockey, which most people can't do or are willing to sacrifice for).
Also, Mad Fiddler is part of the Old Ones series based upon the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
It's been on my radar for a little while since I really enjoyed Visions of Celephaïs, which also makes use of Kasturi.
I enjoy it. The Va’s & perique play nicely with the kasturi. Full body without being overweight, if that makes sense. I’m guessing it’s topped with something wine-like but thankfully not as heavily as Visions of Celephais. I could be wrong but that’s what I pick up. Definitely worth trying
I've actually heard that story, but honestly don't know what famous violinist said that. Could have been a number. Perlman is truly gracious, and if it was him, it would be with a twinkle in his eye, and a friendly laugh. Now Isaac Stern, on the other hand . . . . lol. Stern, for my vote (and it's shared by a lot of professionals) is the best of all. His repertoire was complete from the beginnings of antiquity, to the avante garde. His recording of the Bartok Concerto with Lenny and the NY gang, is the best ever recorded. And he could pull out the dazzle stops like no one else. Perlman ain't no slouch either - his Sibelius with the Pittsburgh Phil conducted by Andre Previn, is wonderful, his most masterful concerto recording. He's also terrific at the short pieces, where his engaging personality just shines through.
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