Month: May 2010

Time Capsule: Seamus Ennis

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Seamus Ennis has left us a treasure book of songs rich in the tradition of Ireland. Not only was he a composer/performer, he also became a music historian , researching and reviving songs that were on the brink of  oblivion in an age when people almost forgot Gaelic. As I Roved Out is ne of his masterpieces which, the first time I heard that song, it cemented itself in my consciousness like a body part. Amusing, quirky and at times mostly funny, Seamus is one of those responsible in bringing the tradition back to the mainstream. I salute this guy who, upon leaving this world physically, remains immortal in our hearts and souls. This video is from the 1965 RTE session.

More info here:http://my.liveireland.com/profiles/blogs/tradition-in-review-april-2010

and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9amus_Ennis

Reel Roots in WNKU-FM Interview Featuring John Whelan and Alyth McCormack

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John Whelan (picture courtesy of Reel Roots)

My Cincinnati informer Cole Imperi has brought me this wonderful news and link to an audio. Riverdance has introduced me to the wonderful music of John Whelan and that name stuck with me ever since. Now Reel Roots Folk Music Alliance has brought to the fore these wonderful talents in Celtic music that one should not miss. thanks to the wonderful audio clip I was able to get an impression as to what fans would expect if they happen to attend one of the concerts. I give high five to people like Kristin Kirby for being so passionate about the music she loves to the point of putting this wonderful multimedia event! Here’s the press release:

Reel Roots Featured in WNKU-FM Interview

Cincinnati Public Radio Station Takes a Look at Celtic Music, Reel Roots

CINCINNATI—13 May 2010—Reel Roots’ owner Kristen Kirby was featured in a four-minute interview aired on 89.7 WNKU-FM.

“We were extremely fortunate to be featured,” said Kirby, owner and promoter. “The piece not only spotlighted what Reel Roots is bringing to Cincinnati, but it also took a look at some noted musicians within the genre.”

Artists like John Whelan and Alyth McCormack were featured in the piece.

“While bringing international musicians to Cincinnati is certainly one of our goals, we also want to raise awareness for the genre,” said Kirby.

Reel Roots has been accomplishing this aspect of their mission by posting monthly interviews with noted musicians to the website, offering workshops with artists they bring to the city and more.

Exclusive interviews with Alyth McCormack and John Whelan have already been posted to the website.

To listen to the WNKU interview, please visit: http://www.reelrootsfolkmusic.com/press-2/

To read exclusive interviews published by Reel Roots, please visit: http://www.reelrootsfolkmusic.com/category/artist-spotlight/

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For the latest on concert dates, artist interviews and more, please visit the Reel Roots Folk Music Alliance website at http://www.reelrootsfolkmusic.com.

For more on this story, or to contact Kristen Kirby, please use the contact information and/or contact form available at http://www.reelrootsfolkmusic.com/contact.

Reel Roots is on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ReelRoots
Reel Roots is on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReelRoots

Alyth McCormack

Sarah McLachlan’s New Album and More Bands.

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Update! Sarah McLachlan’s new album will be launched in June 15 2010 . She ‘s one of those artists who take years to release a follow-up album. I am sure fans will be delighted with this news. I find the cover totally amazing. I am sure the tracks are heavenly, as can be expected from this singer who possesses one of the most beautiful voices in the world. The new single is “Loving you is Easy” which you can download from Itunes. Although Sarah’s music is not really Celtic, she does have a voice easily loved by Celtic music fans.

http://www.sarahmclachlan.com

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Cape Breton based band The Cottars has just released Feast. This is a huge relief from the uncertainty fans have after years of almost no update from the band.  The foursome of Bruce, Ciaran, Claire and Fiona will surely cure hungry ears with their latest release now available in record stores.

May 6, 2010
THE COTTARS Make The Folk Music Charts
THE COTTARS rank in the Top 10 in the categories ‘Top Canadian Album’, ‘Top Canadian Song’ and ‘Top Canadian Artist’ in the DJ folk survey.

Pics courtesy of the band’s official website:http://www.thecottars.ca/

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Eden’s Bridge, creating a kind of music that makes you think: this is probably how angels sigh. Melodic, layered and polished to a luminous intensity. The band merge Celtic music’s distinctive style and Christian sensibilities creating a kind of material that appeals to both secular and religious tastes. Originally from Yorkshire England has been around since 1997. Their old website will be updated soon.

Sarah Lacy-Bird : vocals
Richard Lacy : keyboards
Terl Bryant : Drums, percussion
Jon Large : bass
David Bird : guitars
Michael McGoldrick : uilleann pipes, whistles, flutes

http://www.myspace.com/edensbridge

Alex Ubago and Sharon Corr – Amarrado A Ti

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The Corrs brought Irish folk/pop with Celtic styling to the masses all over the world. The formula works that top 40 radio stations easily warmed up to it. There was a point that the band was totally heard everywhere, in jeepneys, buses, cars and malls. When I tuned in to MTV I caught Andrea Corr’s seductive singing style and smile. Even people with little musical taste know who The Corrs are.

I read about the band in Time magazine in an article about Celtic music around the mid-late nineties. Of all the siblings, Sharon Corr was the one who caught my attention. Why? Because she’s  got the violin.  And here she is in her solo career, a duet with Spanish-Basque musician  Alex Ubago.

http://www.sharoncorr.com/

Gallaic Q-Celtic Language is Making a Return.

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From Museo do Pobo Galego

From Museo do Pobo Galego courtesy of Los Miller's Blog http://losmiller.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

Wow something really exciting is going on here. To solidify Galicia’s place in the Seven Celtic Nations, there is an effort to revive an old language known as the Gallaic Q-Celtic language spoken by the ancient peoples of this part of Spain. We have witnessed the importance of Galician music in the scene but most of us probably didn’t even know until now that they have their own language which I am sure when realize, will sound as beautiful as the rest of the Celtic languages. So it is all about evolving and interweaving just like the knot work itself that represents the culture.  Read more about article by Vincent F. Pintado,
Founder of the Gallaic Revival Movement http://gallaicrevivalmovement.ning.com/

P.S.

First of all , I want to thank Claudio of The Celtic World for providing this wonderful link. He is from Brazil and is an avid supporter of all things Celtic from the Seven Nations. Not only that he is passionate about the art of music, he is also doing his best to push the awareness in his own personal blog which I urge you to visit.

I also want to thank Christi for the support she has given me , which tells me why I need to write more. She is from Michigan and the Irish blood in her veins is the reason she is so passionate about Gardening , writing journal and supporting Celtic music. She tells me she is now drawn to Galician music.

Lana who has a lot of Irish in her, is a painter. And her great sense of beauty is also the main reason she drops by and supports beautiful music. I really recommend that you visit her  beautiful blog, and the visual stuff she created..