Author: mrbaxteria2008

Let Atlas Be Part Of Your Morning Music.

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Writing this in my mobile phone because I can’t wait to go home for the computer. This is just after stopping by for a coffee after a fixie ride. Yes it is a beautiful day. And one of the reasons is after hearing Atlas again! They have a music video. Check it out. It has a lot of amazing things. If you remember, the music was taken from their album Affinity which was launched using a kickstarter campaign.

The track I am talking about is called Tontine. It has that classical and jazz feel. The string section adds warmth and the groove section of bass and drums make you want to snap your fingers and tap your feet(which I was doing while listening to the music).

Atlas are Cillian Doheny and Cillian King. I followed then since the beginning of this decade because if their exceptional talents in trad music.

 

Listen to this: Canções De São Patrício (Saint Patrick’s Songs)

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Today, we are going to Brazil and listen to Irish songs. I can imagine that ‘buffering data’ from old computer  look from your face. How is that possible? Teleportation is not yet in the market. So how?! Well it’s easy. Just close your eyes and listen to this album. I am sure you will float too. And I can imagine that ‘buffering look’ suddenly transformed into something else. But whither you are going to throw irony this way, we can’t deny the fact that Celtic and Brazilian fusion is amazing!

I just love this guy’s music. It sounds so refreshing. It’s like letting someone wear a different pair of shoes for the occasion. So fans of Gilberto, Jobim, Nascimento and Mendes will appreciate this one. Canções De São Patrício (Saint Patrick’s Songs) is a new release from independent digital label Progshine Records.

Rafael Senra is a name you should put in your memory because I think his music deserves a lot of exposure. He is a musician, writer and cartoonist. On August 2017  he released his first album called Canções De São Patrício (Saint Patrick’s Songs). On this record Rafael took famous Celtic songs and made Portuguese versions for them. Something that, up to now, was unheard of.

Released August 9, 2017

Rafael Senra: arrangements, versions (*), compositions (bonus tracks), vocals, acoustic guitar, Melodica.

  • except on track 4, lyrcis by Cláudio Manuel da Costa – excerpts from À Lira Desprezo e À Lira Palinódia.

Recorded in March 2017, at Casa dos Senra studios (Congonhas – MG, Brazil).

Mixed by Renato Lopes and Cleiton Lupe at Ômega Studio (Congonhas – MG, Brazil) in April/May 2017

Graphic design by Rafael Senra.
Pictures by Mauro Fernandes Barros

copyright © 2017 Rafael Senra

 

Home Awaits Loreena McKennitt’s Lost Souls.

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With fifteen million albums sold, it is amazing it took twelve years for Loreena McKennitt to release an album of new songs ( note that A Midwinter Night’s Dream from 2008 is a holiday album and The Wind that Shakes the Barley from 2010 is a best of album) so you can imagine the anticipation from fans. It can be said that artists like her couldn’t really stray away from the musical culture/style to avoid alienating loyal  fans. And Lost Souls is still supreme McKennitt at her best and then some.

According to her official site Lost Souls is comprised of songs that never seemed to be part of her previous albums. So they sort of floated around in musical space like lost souls waiting for the right album to come. And yes we are 51tlZHJLw1Lrewarded with an eclectic collection that sound so fresh. But the track that really stands out is this one called Ages past, Ages Hence. Although this is not her typical sound, it is not surprising given her theatrical background. It has a vivacious operatic melody accentuating her vocal gifts. Dark in its subject matter yet playful in its delivery; it’s probably her best track in years:

Ever turning, ever churning, clutching the waves
This wealth
Yearning there fast, never quench it
Tumble the thoughts
Until they lie like petals on the ground
Gathered by wind stretched through the trees
To the whispering sound.- from Ages past, Ages hence

Note that she has maintained the clarity of her voice through the years. Perhaps it’s because she is into fitness. I once came across a video of  her running and doing stretches before every show. I forgot where it’s from but if you search YouTube you may find it. That strong voice is also punctuated by the fact that she has great energy on stage.

Other songs recall styles from The Visit, The Mask and the Mirror, The Book of Secrets and even in An Ancient Muse. Check out The Ballad of the Fox Hunter and tell me if that doesn’t move you! The Breaking of the Sword is also not your typical McKennitt because of it is a Vimy Ridge tribute song complete with orchestra and choir.

Overall, Lost Souls is an exciting return of McKennitt to the global Celtic stage!

 

Moxie revitalized

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Great things are happening to the band these days. They posted their music session online recently. It’s great stuff and they are breaking new (musical) grounds with their eclectic blend of folk, trad Irish and jazz. I like the elegance that they always present in their recordings and live shows.

The video above is called ‘Mr. & Mrs. Kaki’ released on 22/05/2018. I like the chilled quality of the track, for this will surely appeal to coffee shop aficionados as well as lovers of eclectic music. Can you imagine being part of the crew during the recording of this track? The acoustics of the place must be stunning and I can imagine myself speeding away with my bike later wearing a big smile on my face. Yes catch the sun, let the music soak your soul and be sanctified in the moment’s bliss.

Moya Brennan Live in Leeds!

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Teacher, songwriter, traveler and special guest blogger Paula O’Brien shares her experience, seeing the First lady of Celtic Music Live for the first time. 

Moya Brennan live – Arriving at the theatre you are greeted by Irish harps positioned on the stage, a keyboard, some guitars, setting the scene for the evening of celtic splendour to come. Moya sang songs from her new album “Canvas” and recounted how all these songs are highly personal to her drawing upon influences such as her deceased father(Leo Brennan), her days as a child playing on the beaches of Donegal, sounds of gulls also being included to evoke her childhood memories. All the musicians were highly skilled, her son and daughter were also on stage with her, Aising Jarvis and Paul Jarvis, on harp Cormac de Barra. She also sang classic Clannad songs such as the love theme from Last of The Mohicans, the Theme from Harry’s Game, Robin, The Hooded man and many more. Particularly delightful was the sample played of the instrumental Lady Guinevere, a beautiful harp piece. Her voice soared throughout the intimate, Victorian theatre, note perfect and highly expressive. An ethereal evening for all!

Band: Moya Brennan – Vocals and Harp Cormac De Barra – Harp, Bodhran and Vocals Aisling Jarvis – Guitar, Bouzouki, Whistle and Vocals Lia Wright – Violin and Vocals Paul Jarvis – Keyboards, Percussion and Vocals.

P.S.

Moya chatted with the audience, she was very calm and smiley. A nice vibe emanated from her. We were on the front row and she smiled at us. It was an amazing musical event.

– Paula.