In music , improvement does not necessarily mean changing of sound. When you improve, you are simply polishing your style or progressing in the style you have already cultivated. What applies to restless disposable Pop music does not mostly apply to our musical culture. We adhere to tradition for its own sake. Tradition is all we have or else we will loose our credibility.
That is why it is funny when critics start to say something bad about artists who don’t change their sound. It also goes to show that whoever these critics are, they have a serious case of ADHD-always looking for a different sound or the shock value which has nothing to do with the technical aspect of music. Now I do have that kind of affliction, only that it is mild and CERTAINLY not with music which I write about!
These critics have no respect for the craft. And we know based on their reviews that they haven’t listened to the complete albums themselves (track by track and liner notes) to understand the intention of the artist behind. These critics are not here to preserve civilization or improve it. They want to ruin it-hastily, as an errant child would. And they get paid to do it.
But for us serious bloggers (who aren’t paid to write but write because we love to do it), we keep our jobs so we can do the things we love to do including blogging about music that really matters.
Now not to divert from the nature of this discussion, we might take into other forms or styles through time (as what Alan Stivell or Donal Lunny does), but it is through the instruments used, the guest players, and the definitive sound that this brand of music really shines with.
Oftentimes new artists bring something fresh to what is already there but we know that straying away from the bonds of what the music is defined(even teetering on top 40 radio fame) can sometimes compromise its integrity. And I don’t know about you but for me , that standard to which a music is defined as Celtic should not narrowly be based on its acoustic form-therefore ignoring the richness that electronic artists bring to the fold. After all, it not just music and style. It’s about sound and perception too. So everything has to be considered as long as it brings forth the spirit.
And now for the news….
If you want to hear the future of traditional music, then you better not miss Flaithrí Neff’s musical projects. From country Cork, Flaithrí was joined by Eoghan that form the Neff Bros, bringing together passionate and innovative playing of traditional tunes. In the early days, they were in a family band called ‘Teaghlach’, composed of researcher, composer and musician Flaithrí Neff (flaithrineff.com) and Eoghan . The duo is joined by parents Muireann (Marion) and Éibhear.
| His latest project is Partholón. According to his site: recounts the gripping story of a mythological Sicilian prince in the ancient Irish text, LEBOR GABÁLA ÉRENN (The Book of Invasions). The 9-minute piece was performed with The Cork Youth Orchestra under the direction of Tomás McCarthy, Cork City Hall, April 25th, 2009 www.myspace.com/neffbros .
Cited by Nanci Giffith as the sweetest voice of Ireland , Frances Black (Twice Winner of the “Best Irish Female” IRMA Award”) continues to charm audiences all over Ireland with her live performances and well-crafted recordings. Recently her own RISE foundation has achieved more accolades. Check out http://frances-black.net/news/news.htm for your source of the latest Frances black news and concerts. Her latest double CD album The Essential Frances Black can be purchased here Contact: Manager Brian Allen, E-mail:brianallen@ireland.com, Publicist Andrea Smith E-mail:francesblackpr@eircom.net.
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Celtic Music Fan 
In a similar vein, I was kind of disappointed with one of the Celtic Women shows I saw, in which they incorporated modern songs. Perhaps I was just being picky, but I was glad I’d previously decided not to buy the CD…
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