This blog caters to all types of styles under the Celtic umbrella. Don’t be surprised if you see featured styles as diverse as electronica, dubstep, jazz, rock, metal, new age, pop and even reggae. As long as they have that ‘flavour’ then they are welcomed here.

Yesterday, a friend  Tim who plays the Uilleann pipes performed outside Lyon in what turned out to be a street music performance. I love to be one of these events because it’s intimate and at the same time the performers bring the music out of the stage into the crowd. I remember Fête de la Musique(which usually happens in June) and how amazing it was to have everything musical in one venue and everyone was involved as I said, very intimate.

Speaking of Uillean pipes here’s one side by side  with the Northumbrian pipes.

Jarleth Henderson, Uilleann pipes, and Andy May, Northumbrian pipes

LBPS Grand Concert, Lennoxlove House, June 2nd 2010

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Another friend Jimmy sent this video today. I am amazed with the style of music and at the same time the step dancing. This is one inspiring video!

Info: This is How We Fly’ is a contemporary Folk band consisting of Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh on fiddle & hardanger fiddle, Seán Mac Erlaine on bass clarinet, saxophones & live electronics, Nic Gareiss on percussive dance, and Petter Berndalen on drums and percussion.

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My friend Anita Daly always has something special in the mail! Her company got this press release for everyone. I have a Barleyjuice album and they have be rockin the whole year round. I am glad front man Kyf Brewer has something for fans to huddle to this Christmas. ‘Tis a season of peace and giving…now let’s get the ball rolling!

Hi Ladies and Gentleman, last week we sent you Emma Kate and George Murphy’s recording of the Pogues infamous tune, ‘Fairytale of New York’ we hope you like it as much as we do and that any of you with radio shows and websites will play it or stream it for the Holiday and that you writers review it!  It is now available on iTunes…

NOW we have the fabulous Barleyjuice’s front man, Kyf Brewer and his family’s rendition of the same tune, not for sale directly, just as a gift to you for Christmas to play and enjoy. It is available free to fans that purchase some Barleyjuice merchandise for Christmas. (See note from Kyf below!)

Happy Holidays to all!

From Kyf: Happy Kringle!

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Yay! Moya Brennan is back to serenade us with her haunting voice and amazing tunes. I have almost all of her albums and my favorite is  still Tapestry where there’s this wonderful track called “Gone are the Days”.

An Irish Christmas never goes out of style and year after year I play it in loud speakers. Nothing beats the feeling of Irishness as she introduces her touch to traditional as well as contemporary tunes. I fell inlove with her version of “Gabriel’s Message” the first time I heard it. It’s beautiful that it hurts!

I admit, the reason why I don’t listen to much of the radio is because there’s nothing really Celtic there. I wish Celtic music would go mainstream and all the money should go to real musicians and not those we hear now. They should go out of business. Can’t stand them. Hahahaha now I am sounding like a musical elitist.

Here’s the press release from her facebook page:

• • When

    Tuesday, 20 December 2011
  • Time

    19:30 until 22:30

• Where

  Monkstown Parish Church, Monkstown Village, Co Dublin, Ireland

• Description

  Moya performs her annual fundraising Christmas concert with special guests of local young traditional musicians from Comhltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. All proceeds to the children’s music club and church restoration fund. Presented by Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh Tickets 15/10 euro Available from Hewetts Shop and the Post Office, Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown, on the door and online at at http://bit.ly/vtErUAwww.moyabrennan.com