Month: January 2011

Breton Music Updates….

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    It is sad that those who don’t know anything about music get to set on a panel and judge performers. They even have the nerve to tell the performers off that” he or she will not amount to anything”. How did this happen? How did we let these poor guys have the power to tell us what to do and what not to do? They don’t  even know anything about music. If you review their history or CV, there’s nothing there that says something about music except getting involved with bands or performers who capitalize on looks rather than talent. And yet we let these guys run our lives? Simon Cowell should know his place. And it is not on the panel. It’s on the cash register.

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Those who love  Carre Manchot will be glad to know that they have gigs set for February.  I love their groovy music , coupled with sleek  performance. This is another one Brittany will be proud of.

More at: http://www.carremanchot.fr

and : http://www.myspace.com/carremanchot

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Marc Pollier is attracting audiences from all over Europe with his style of playing the Uillean Pipes. There is something warm and exotic with his style. I guess it’s because he’s combining two cultural modes and making them his own. according to his bio(Translated from French though Google and grammatical inconsistencies I tried to address):

Marco POLLIER practiced Uilleann Pipes for 25 years. He perfected his style directly from the Irish musicians he met while residing in Birmingham between 1986 and 1989 with Kevin Crawford (flute group LUNAS), Mick Conneely (Dé Danann) and Paul O’Driscoll (RIVERDANSE). Being a professional musician for 20 years, he traveled throughout Europe, giving concerts in solo or in groups. Then he moved to Ennis, Ireland for 6 years, in  County Clare, where he worked with renowned musicians such as John FAULKNER, Siobhan PEOPLES, Jesse SMITH, Josephine MARSH … Again his talent for piping and virtuosity make him a popular musician. He recorded his solo album EBONY & BRASS which gained   prestigious local acclaim. Since 2003, he played in the group Eitri, with Kevin Ryan, Dag Westling, Esbjorn Hazelius and Fredrik Bengtsson. Back in France, Marco founded a duo with pianist and accordionist Christopher RAILLARD and played in various bands such as: – O’NEILL MOR with Paddy O’Neill (fiddle and flute) and Paul BROUGHTON (guitar-vocals). – SILVER SQUID with Jean-Claude and Camille Philippe – Macalla with Pierrick Lemou, Herve Dréan and Rachel Goodwin – AVALON CELTIC DANCES – with Serge, Patrick and Florentin Desaunay – with Jean-Michel Veillon and Ronan PELLEN – It also provides courses Uilleann Pipes and Tin Whistle (Irish flute) and master classes.

http://www.myspace.com/marcpollier

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Two guys I will watch out for:

Yannig Alory: wooden flutes / Antonin Volson: percussion are a duo worth noting. They play really lively but relaxing tunes. There’s not much clatter here. Unlike the usual ‘wall of sound approach in most Breton music, these guys want to keep it down with minimal noise as possible. So far I’ve only listened to are Ha Ni Zo Tri Breur and Kas-Bar. Trully wonderful tracks that keeps you going. I will be checking more tunes  from them

http://www.myspace.com/duoaloryvolson

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  Our Breton music excursion gets exciting as I discover the music of Erwan Volant. His style is more like Latin meets mediterranean with that typical Breton spicy stuff that appeals to my ear buds! At times his music can escalate into something that you’d hear in movies like James Bond. He happens to be a member of the Martin Harmon Quintet which I featured here. I am impressed by his version of The Tree originally done by The Cure( After all The Celts treated trees as sacred so this is only fitting).  Listen to his music and don’t tell me I didn’t warn ya.

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In Selling Your Style

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

I learned that in order to sell your stuff, you need to build an image. Image  is important in marketing.The same reason why I devote this blog to a particular genre and not just put anything  and later on alienate my readers. It’s the same thing with playing music . You can only experiment up to a certain point before loosing your listeners.

We all want be everything for everyone. We all want to be multifaceted-and I think we have that talent. But it does not really help. Why? Because artists who do this-those that are too eclectic lose their fanbase. Even their labels don’t know how to market them anymore. No matter how wide we roam, we should always have an anchor. A base where we can go back when things start to get complicated.

The Chieftains had set this example.They tried to build their signature sound for years before experimenting -and even with that  you can still tell that it’s from them. It’s the same with other artists-Celtic or not. Take for instance Enya. Critics say that she always does the same thing or that ‘you can buy any album and you actually buy everything’. This is not true. Artists have potential for variation. But  with talent comes responsibility. Your fans listen  to your music because they always know what to expect. And it makes them feel good. Feeling good is what we all want after a hard day’s work. If I have to listen to something else then I will pick up a different artist. After all, I know what I will be getting. But NOT up to the point that I will ask my artist to create a different type of music for the sake of shocking or experimenting.

Art is not about just about attitude and facade. It’s about feeling. You do something out of sincerity regardless of whither it will sell, 80,000,000 copies or not. But of course selling that figure is always something everyone wants right?

With traditional music you always know what you’ll get. And that’s what makes it impressive. It is not created to impress but rather to communicate sentiments that transcend time. These are feelings that are not bounded by what’s current. I think at the end of the day one wants to be in the company of people he or she trusts…like family members. And this is what Celtic music is about. A style that never goes out of date, sentiments that always speak the truth.

For the news….

 

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The Chieftains will kick start their US tours this year.  This is an update I got from their website:

Six-time Grammy winners and the world’s most popular Irish traditional music group, The Chieftains, have confirmed an extensive U.S. tour for 2011. The tour will feature an array of surprise guests and local musicians and marks the band’s first return to the U.S. following the 2010 release of their critically acclaimed album ‘San Patricio.’ They’ll kick off a month of shows on Feb 17 in Troy, NY. See below for complete dates.

“In 2011, The Chieftains’ performances could be better described as a Big Show or a Spectacular rather than a concert,” says frontman Paddy Moloney. “There will be upwards of 12 people on stage at all times, with additions of local musicians, special guests I’m not allowed to divulge, anywhere from 6 to 20 local dancers on a couple of pieces, and the Scottish pipe bands performing the ‘March to Battle,’ which was narrated by Liam Neeson for ‘San Patricio.'”

Billboard called ‘San Patricio’ “as thrilling as it is enlightening,” and the New York Times described it as “joy, thoroughly Mexican yet utterly Irish, carried aloft by tin whistles, skin drums, pipes, harps, guitars and stomping feet.”

Since releasing ‘San Patricio,’ the band has collaborated with Herbie Hancock on ‘The Imagine Project,’ and Moloney has been selected as a Medal of Honour recipient by the National Arts Club.

THE CHEIFTAINS 2011 TOUR DATES:

2/17 Troy, NY @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
2/18 New Brunswick, NJ @ State Theatre
2/20 York, PA @ Strand – Capitol Performing Arts Center
2/22 Seattle, WA @ Seattle Symphony Orchestra
2/23 Olympia, WA @ Washington Center for Performing Arts
2/25 Austin, TX @ Riverbend Centre
2/26 Dallas, TX @ Winspear Opera House
2/27 Fayetteville, AR @ Walton Arts Center
3/1 Bloomington, IN @ IU Auditorium
3/3 Madison, WI @ Oversture Center
3/4 Chicago, IL @ Orchestra Hall
3/5 Rockford, IL @ Coronado Performing Arts Center
3/6 Dayton, OH @ Cityfolk
3/8 Morgantown, WV @ West Virginia University
3/10 Greenville, SC @ Peace Center for Performing Arts
3/11 Atlanta, GA @ Woodruff Arts Center w/symphony
3/12 Atlanta, GA @ Woodruff Arts Center w/symphony
3/13 Raleigh, NC @ Pinecone Memorial Auditorium
3/15 Princeton, NJ @ McCarter Theater
3/16 Newark, NJ @ NJPAC Prudential Hall
3/17 Toronto, ON @ Roy Thomson Hall

 

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If you are a busy Clannad fan then you should have seen all the new performances posted in YouTube. They are BACK!

Please consult http://www.clannad.nl/ for updates.

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Thank you Christi for sending this link from Welsh band Mabon. I really appreciate it. Mabon has been making wonderful music and their live performances are really something that keep fans going back for more.

Here Lies Your Passion

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Passion is what keeps us alive. It is the driving force that not only serves artists but also everyone who has  what we call humanity. I think where ever you are or whatever status you may have in life, passion is something that you can always seek shelter to. It is what keeps you young and ambitious.

I know that I am passionate about any type of music. That is why I will always have something to write about and I will have someone to talk to about music almost every day. I like to read what other people write about music they like. I also love reading about thoughts of musicians and what they are going through or how they’re inspired to write a wonderful song.

I think all of us have an artist inside. As children we don’t really know yet about our true calling that is why we tend to mimic anything . But as we  grow older and once our habits and preferences are set, we become discriminating. We develop certain tastes-whiter it’ musical, visual or culinary.

I like the idea that we add layers to our personalities as we grow older. And also our tastes evolve with time. And in the midst of all these are the artists who inspire us to discover what we are called upon to do- the purpose of our existence.

Let me introduce to what’s new….

Traditional music as well as original songs and tunes from this dynamic young 5-piece led by singer Paul McKenna.

Their exciting sound is created through outstanding vocals, driving guitar and bouzouki, intense fiddle playing, a warm pairing of flute and whistles, and dynamic bodhrán and percussion. Their first album (self-titled) won them Best Up And Coming Artist Of The Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2009, and received critical acclaim.

-MusicScotland

Copyright - Archie Macfarlane 2008

Copyright - Archie Macfarlane 2008

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If you don’t know how exciting Glasgow based band Deoch n Dorus are, then don’t miss on the train. They are young, vibrant and passionate about the kind of music they play. This s a good addition t those who love Scottish music.

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Lovers of the music of Early America, Ireland and Scotland should know Connie Dover. I really think her albums are awesome and there’s never been a moment that’s not magical. Her clear , pure and magical voice delivers that Celtic American sentiment found in no other artist.


2011 Trad Fest and So Much More…

/ mrbaxteria2008 / Leave a comment

It is nice to sit down with someone and talk about creativity. After all, we are creative beings. We like to build things and see where or what happens next. It is the idea that creation is part of our every cell is such a fascinating thought!

My fascination with traditional materials arose from Archeological fascination. Join it with the love for sounds and creativity..then it becomes a marriage that has stayed for almost two decades-though it is safe to say that I am not married to someone(and I don’t intend to be).

It’s always an honor to be able to get responses musicians and have their thoughts compiled so that others will be inspired. We affect the universe in our actions. And a little goes a long long way.

And so for the news….

Clannad @ Leo's Tavern

Clannad @ Leo's Tavern

Clannad as mentioned earlier are making n amazing comeback. Al the members are excited to come up with new materials and their performances are sold out. Well it’s been more than a decade and I think it is only right that we hear them again and bask in their magical glory . See complete story here: http://www.clannad.nl/2011/01/clannad-in-late-late-show.html

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Seth Lakeman

Seth Lakeman

1500 artists, 300 events, 18 days, 14 venues!From January 14-31, Celtic Connections will feature artists with the intensity of torrential rains. There is no stopping the passion as it hits the stage. Secure your seats now. Featured artists are : Seth Lakeman, Shifting Sands, A Night of Celtronika and a lot more…

http://www.celticconnections.com/

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Fans of The Waterboys will be delighted to see Mike Scott’s An Audience With Mr Yeats. This one took twenty years in the making.

Sunday 30th January 2011, 7.30pm

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall : Main Auditorium

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If you are going to Count Clare, don’t miss out TradFest 2011 which will take off in February. Ronan O’Snodaigh(Kila), Ciorras, Martin Hayes and many others http://www.ucctradsoc.com/#/tradfest-2011/4547251256…

Loreena McKennitt Talks About New Album

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Hi folks. I have nothing much to say today so I will let the musicians and music do the talking. First stop is Loreena McKennitt’s press talk about the new album The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Nicely done and the questions focus more on the music and the production which are lacking today on interviews.

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I also stumbled upon this interesting documentary involving Kila’s lead vocalist  Ronan O’Snodaigh.