Monday, November 14, 2016

Remembering Leonard Cohen

These photos taken back in the early 1970s show the bar at the Irish Lancer where Leonard Cohen would occasionally drop by for a drink where Gordon Lee and I performing on a regular basis. He liked Irish and Scottish music. Two other photos are of Gordon and myself performing, one while opening for Billy Connolly at The Place Des Arts and one in the pub. The other is a brochure for La Salle Hotel where The Irish Lancer was. While I chatted with Leonard I did not know who he was as he didn't really say "Hey I'm Leonard Cohen". I only knew him as a customer whom I shared a drink with now and then. I found out who he was when a girl in the crowd one night asked me to song Suzanne, a song I occasionally sang. I didn't sing it right away and when she asked me why I said I would sing it in the next set. She stated it was too late as he had already left. I asked  was he here and she said yes you were talking to him at the bar. Little did I know.



 

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The latest on my book, "Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae"




The latest on my book, "Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae"

Well folks, it's been quite a year so far. One Burns Dinner earlier in the year in Arizona and one festival in May in Fairhill MD. As of now it seems I will be starting the year of  by doing three Burns Dinners this coming January, but more on that later when details are taken care of. I had three glorious weeks in Scotland in June and for the rest of the summer when it was in the 90%s plus I ventured out only when it was cooler. Did get some sailing in for one weekend, played a lot of mini-golf, some driving range  and various other activities rather than doing festivals all summer. I did however finish book one of a proposed series, the first being "Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae". It is now at the publishers going for it's second round of editing. Not putting any definite dates for its release yet, just to say it's coming soon. I will of course keep you all up to date on the progress and I'm hoping it can be out round about or soon after Christmas. Already started the sequel book two. Her are some teasers.

The book description reads:
 In a new take on old tales, Carl R. Peterson combines fact, folklore, and fantasy into Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae, a story featuring a cast of Rockkin, Elves, Brownies, and Urisks, among other faerie folk, who mingle with humans in our own world. These encounters result in children who have a “touch of the Fae” through bloodline or other connections.
 Among these special children is Ewan Colin Coupar, a young boy who grew up in England but has now returned to his birthplace in Greenock, Scotland. Amid the tumultuous post-WWII atmosphere, he is delighted to find an escape from his worldly troubles in the wondrous realm of the Fae.
 Joining a number of kindred spirits—other children who possess a touch of the Fae as well as a minister pursuing his interest in faerie beings in spite of his faith—Ewan embarks on several adventures and befriends many faeries, including a Druid spirit named Winthrop.
 Little do they know that sinister forces are at work, seeking to steal the secrets of the past and the ancient knowledge of the Fae. Can Ewan and his friends put a stop to their malevolent plans?
Cheers, Carl

Monday, November 7, 2016

The latest on my book, "Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae"

Well folks, it's been quite a year so far. One Burns Dinner earlier in the year in Arizona and one festival in May in Fairhill MD. As of now it seems I will be starting the year of  by doing three Burns Dinners this coming January, but more on that later when details are taken care of. I had three glorious weeks in Scotland in June and for the rest of the summer when it was in the 90%s plus I ventured out only when it was cooler. Did get some sailing in for one weekend, played a lot of mini-golf, some driving range  and various other activities rather than doing festivals all summer. I did however finish book one of a proposed series, the first being "Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae". It is now at the publishers going for it's second round of editing. Not putting any definite dates for its release yet, just to say it's coming soon. I will of course keep you all up to date on the progress and I'm hoping it can be out round about or soon after Christmas. Already started the sequel book two. Her are some teasers.

The book description reads:
 In a new take on old tales, Carl R. Peterson combines fact, folklore, and fantasy into Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae, a story featuring a cast of Rockkin, Elves, Brownies, and Urisks, among other faerie folk, who mingle with humans in our own world. These encounters result in children who have a “touch of the Fae” through bloodline or other connections.
 Among these special children is Ewan Colin Coupar, a young boy who grew up in England but has now returned to his birthplace in Greenock, Scotland. Amid the tumultuous post-WWII atmosphere, he is delighted to find an escape from his worldly troubles in the wondrous realm of the Fae.
 Joining a number of kindred spirits—other children who possess a touch of the Fae as well as a minister pursuing his interest in faerie beings in spite of his faith—Ewan embarks on several adventures and befriends many faeries, including a Druid spirit named Winthrop.
 Little do they know that sinister forces are at work, seeking to steal the secrets of the past and the ancient knowledge of the Fae. Can Ewan and his friends put a stop to their malevolent plans?

Cheers, Carl 

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Where's Carl?

Just in case you were wondering why my schedule seems so light this year...
I decided that after 30 years of doing hundreds and hundreds of concerts and festivals I needed a break. So I'm taking this year off to pursue other interests.
One of the things I want to do is work on getting my book finished. I've been working for years on "Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae" and I never seem to have the time I need to get it done. I've already made progress in this endeavor.
I spent three weeks in Scotland in June, and one of the reasons I went, besides visiting the family, was to explore fairy places, those places that were steeped in fairy folklore, as research for the book.
I started in Earlston, near Selkirk, and visited the sites where the stories of Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin are said to have taken place. This included the Eildon Hills and Tam Lin's Well near Carterhaugh. They are not a part of the book but the ballads of both these fairy abductees are on my CD "A Faery Place".
Further visits took me to Tarbat Ness, north of Inverness, and Aberfoyle, east of Loch Lomond. Both of these feature prominently in the book. I also visited fairy places in the Isle of Skye and around Loch Ness. Most of the story in the book takes place in and around Greenock and I spent a lot of time there exploring my old haunts. Further updates to the progress of the book will be in later blogs.
While in Scotland I had a fortuitous meeting with a filmmaker from Glasgow who is interested in using the book and my "A Faery Place" CD as part of a TV series which would also include going in search of fairy land. More on that later...
I will try to keep the blog updated, and I welcome your comments and questions.


Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Returning to Scotland

Carl Peterson and the darachweb crew will be on vacation in Scotland from May 31, 2016 to June 21, 2016.

While in Scotland, Carl is looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family, as well as researching his book.

During this time you can still place orders on darachweb.com and carl-peterson.com. All orders will be shipped as soon as possible after June 21, 2016.


Sunday, January 17, 2016

Robert Burns Birthday!

Carl Peterson sings Robert Burns

January 25th is the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland's (unofficial) National Bard.

Born in 1759 in Ayrshire, Scotland, Robert Burns became a "literary celebrity" for his numerous poems and songs.

So lift your glasses to Robert Burns who gave us these quotes (among many, many others):

"Ah wad some power the giftie gie us
To see ourselves as others see us."

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley."

And from Tam O' Shanter, A Tale (1790):

Warlocks and witches in a dance:
Nae cotillon, brent new frae France,
But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels,
Put life and mettle in their heels


Kick up your heels, and sing along with Carl Peterson, as he sings songs of Robert Burns on his great CD: "There was a Lad: Songs of Robert Burns"!



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