Since we are at the height of our plunge into the Celtic music of Brittany, I want to share some personal discoveries.  Again thanks for visiting and leaving your comments .  So look around, listen to the music through the links  and relax. Weekend is coming and I  still have more for you.

Alan Stivell:The Best of

When you talk about Breton music then you have to talk about the great Alan Stivell. He has been making records since the early 70s. His name stands up there with the other greats in the world of Celtic revival. Those who heard Renaissance of the Celtic Harp released in 1972 can attest to its greatness and is now considered the album that opened Breton music to the world.

Here’s a sample music for you: Eliza Iza (From Renaissance of the Celtic Harp)

For more info visit :

Alan Stivel Official Site

The Chieftains: Celtic Wedding-The Music of Brittany

I took out The Chieftains’ Celtic Wedding-The Music of Brittany out of my shelf.  My perspective has changed now, after learning more about Breton music. I see the wealth in its distinctive arrangement. Nolwen Monjaret’s singing was something I found strange at first because It’s really different from the rest of Celtic women I have been listening to . Her’s as well as the rest of Breton singing style is more inflected, strong and mournful. I am sure everyone would agree that her’s is more Lisa Gerrard than say, Enya or Moya Brennan.  But learning how geographical location can affect one’s style of performing, I think I really got into it, understand it and came to appreciate its uniqueness.

The album contains nine tracks that are popularly used as wedding accompaniment. Recorded at Lansdowne Studios, Dublin in 1986, Celtic Wedding became my introductory to Breton music.

For more comprehensive lists of Breton artists, you can click the links below:

http://icdbl.org/saozg/guide.php

http://tonyupton.tripod.com/brittany.html