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Grada: Softly…Surely!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments


Once in a while  there come a band with a bit of everything and yet sounding like no other. Grada’s approach to traditional music is fresh, evocative and often times laced with optimistic spirit that soars high. I came across The Landing Step recently and realized that I have been missing something. The music is close to American Blue Grass with Annie Marie O’ Malley’s lead vocals sounding a bit like Alison Kraus(current vocalist Nicola Hayes is closer to  Sandy Denny of The Fairport Convention).

From the first track “Tread Softly to the last ” A l’Envers” one is drawn into a Folk, Acoustic and Alternative experience.  The band has a new album out called Natural Angle(released January 26, 2010 with previews available) You can check more info about the band, each members and tour dates right at their official website:

Band members:

NICOLA JOYCE vocals & bodhran GERRY PAUL guitar, banjo & vocals ANDREW LAKING double bass & vocals DAVID DOOCEY fiddle, whistle & concertina STEPHEN DOHERTY flute, whistle, accordion, bodhran and cajon

Sources: http://www.myspace.com/gradamusic

http://www.gradamusic.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A1da

Interesting Discussion About Our Musical Culture

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 6 Comments

Right now I am in the middle of The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore by Patricia Monaghan and it has a very interesting introduction which is helpful to those who want to pursue the career path of being Celticists.  I just received a newsletter from LiveIreland. I love this site because they also feature some of the blogs I write over there. Check out this link. If you are interested, you can sign up and join. This thread is interesting because some of the bands I haven’t heard yet are discussed here along with musicians I already know. Check out this discussion.

The Legacy of Brenda Wootton

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 6 Comments

Brenda Wootton put Cornish music on the map when she started her music career in the 60s. Blessed with an amazing voice and a gift for poetry and story telling, she was seen as an ambassador of Cornish music. Listening to her sing in this video now, I realize that no one will ever have this voice again. Thanks to the Internet, a lot of young people are once again rediscovering this wonderful artist. More about Brenda Wootton here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Wootton and  http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/people/brenda_wooton.htm

Here is also a helpful guide to the music of Cornwall :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Cornwall

Music of Brittany: Tri Martolod(With English Translation)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 58 Comments

Been a fan of Alan Stivell and I tried to learn this song by heart . I found the English translation to this by Bobby Bob and Ellan Vannin. However the beauty of this song really blooms through its native tongue. Breton language is fascinating to study. Too bad I am still struggling with my Irish Gaelic. The one on the video is from Arany Zoltán, a rising  singer/song writer from Hungary. Visit http://www.aranyzoltan.hu/ and  http://www.youtube.com/user/aranzoltan

The lyrics in Breton are –

Tri martolod yaouank tra la la la digatra
Tri martolod yaouank o vonet da veajiñ
O vonet da veajiñ ge, o vonet da veajiñ

Gant ‘n avel bet kaset tra la la la digatra
Gant ‘n avel bet kaset betek an Douar-Nevez
Betek an Douar-Nevez ge, betek an Douar-Nevez

E-kichen Meilh-ar-Wern tra la la la digatra
E-kichen Meilh-ar-Wern o deus moulhet o eorioù
O deus mouilhet o eorioù ge, o deus mouilhet o eorioù

Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se tra la la la digatra
Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se e oa ur servijourez
E oa ur servijouirez ge, e oa ur servijourez

Hag e c’houlenn ganin tra la la la digatra
Hag e c’houlenn ganin pelec’h hor boa konesañs
Pelec’h hor boa konesañs ge, pelec’h hor boa konesañs

E Naoned er marc’had tra la la la digatra
E Naoned er marc’had hor boa choazet ur walenn
Hor boa choazet ur walenn ge, hor boa choazet ur walenn

You can see that the structure of the song is quite repetitive, so the following attempt at a translation just tries to deal with the operative words in each verse – you’ll have to sort out the vocables for yourself.

In fact, you’ll probably have to sort out the meaning for yourself! I hesitate to attempt any Breton, not knowing how the grammar operates to any great extent.

However, by fumbling through my Breton dictionary, some sort of story seems to emerge – the nearer the end, the more hazy my attempts get, needless to say. Take it all with a pinch of salt!

Three young sailors went travelling

By means of a strong wind they were sent up to Newfoundland

In the vicinity of Meilh-ar-Wern (the mill on the marsh?) they set(?) their anchors

And inside that mill was a female servant

And she asked me where were our usual neighbours

In Nantes in the market our customary chosen circle

I hope you can find a Breton speaker to give you the proper thing.

Shoh slaynt – yec’hed mat,

Bobby Bob, Enez Manav

P.S.

I found this interesting wiki article about Celtic fusion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_fusion

 

BARLEYJUICE releases “ BONNY PRINCE BARLEY”

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Wow I used to hunt for news on the web. Now news goes to me. That’s why I can’t be away from my mailbox because I get surprises everyday.  Take for instance this band profile sent to me by my correspondence. Barleyjuice has one of the loudest instruments in the Celtic family, the bagpipes. It’s also a coincidence because it has been a week that I have been hooked to bagpipe music. Sometimes I really want my music that loud. So these guys will really amuse you, not only with their interesting backgrounds but the fact that the music is really fascinating. Expect great instrumental playing and Highland dancing. Expect to be carried away. Check out the videos and their music page to get the idea . Anyway I am just posting the info I got here and hopefully , you will get your own CDs of Barleyjuice out in the stores right now.

BARLEYJUICE releases “ BONNY PRINCE BARLEY”

February 1st on Ryf Records

“This album takes no more than seconds to drag you in, wring you out…”

Shay Clarke, WDCB Radio/Irish American News

Bonny Prince Barley named Celtic Rock Album of the Year by CelticRadio.net

BARLEYJUICE— Kyf Brewer, Keith Swanson, Billy Dominick, Jimmy Carbomb, Eric Worthington and Gregor Schroeder – on their latest release, Bonny Prince Barley, will excite their fans with this album of unrepentant Celtic Rock.  Here you’ll find great tunes, smart lyrics and a few instant classics from these great songwriters and musicians.

Barleyjuice have been described as “Infectious…fun…delightful” by Jamie O’Brien, music critic for The Irish Edition.  Bonny Prince Barley is Barleyjuice’s fourth studio release. With only ten carefully picked selections, it rounds a new corner for the band, further defining their trademark sound within their penchant for creating the perfect package.

Steeped in originals that sound like traditionals, Bonny Prince Barley leaps out of the starting gate on a high note and keeps you happily riding the wave until the very last note has faded.  Shay Clarke adds that Bonny Prince Barley is  “Toe tapping, hand clapping, whiskey drinking, crowd pleasing, high stepping music that makes the blood flow a little faster.”

BONNY PRINCE BARLEY is available on the band’s web site and at live appearances. For lyrics, song credits, more music and to learn more about the band, visit www.barleyjuice.com.   For further information/media contact Anita Daly, Daly Communications, 212 772 0852 or anitadaly@yahoo.com

A brief description of the songs on Bonny Prince Barley:

Track #1: “Drunkard’s Ambassadors” – penned by Kyf Brewer & Keith Swanson, is a high energy tune with both political and alcoholic gleanings. Having enjoyed this song in the group’s live show for over a year, many Barleyjuice fans refer to the band members using this term!

Track #2: “Swig” – Keith Swanson hits his high mark with this intricate jig, his first recorded since Another Round’s “Taylor’s Fancy”. Note the smattering of Jethro Tull, which comes in the form of whistler Jimmy “Carbomb” Parkinson’s solo.

Track #3: “Songs For Sinners” – Following such tongue-in-cheek faves as “Tartan is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair” and “Love With a Priest” from Six Yanks, Kyf Brewer follows through with more twisted wit and wisdom done Irish style. We’ll all lay together, beneath the bloomin’ heather…

Track #4: “Hard Life of Ivan MacRae” – Brewer turns a corner with this serious and touching ballad of a common Irish townie and his not-quite-realized dreams to break out. Expertly sung and heartfelt, with a touch of the traditional, “March of the King of Laois” woven throughout.

Track #5: “Weekend Irish” – a fist-raising anthem to the festival lovers. Described as Bruce Springsteen meets the Pogues, this shout-out chorus is a favorite at every event, and a popular Celtic radio request. With the inclusion of the bagpipe on “Rising of the Moon”, penned by the powerful matrimonial writing team of Kyf & Kay Brewer, co-authors of “What’s Up Yours?” from Another Round, and “Love With a Priest” from Six Yanks.

Track #6: “Nancy Whiskey” – done in ska fashion, the latest Barleyjuice Nancy song, traditionally sung by Keith “Swanny” Swanson, which joins a list of Nancy songs included on previous offerings, in honor of his wife of 20-odd whiskey-and-beer-soaked years.

Track #7: “Jo’rneyman’s Song” – Brewer’s rustic ballad, which sings well in the pubs and tells of the highs and woes of a traveling musician and the good folk he bids hello and goodbye. Jimmy Parkinson accompanies Kyf’s bare-bones acoustic guitar & vocal with a lone bass whistle.

Track #8: “London Calling” – a Celtic rock-up of the Clash’s classic tune, featuring Billy Dominick’s bluegrass fiddle on excerpts of “Road to Lisdoonvarna”.

Track #9: “My Bonnie Lassie and Me”  – a gentle, lilting ballad of life in the highlands of Scotland. Written and crooned by Jimmy Parkinson.

Track #10: “Bleary-Eyed Beauty” – hats off to the Pogues, Brewer’s powerful lullaby carries the same energy as “A Pair of Brown Eyes”, and sings of looking after a favorite femme after a full night of partying. Originally written for his young daughters, the appeal is widened by the fact that the lyrics are easily adaptable to a wild love affair with a very unpredictable young lover.

As the last bars of the repeated chorus fade, the message of Bonny Prince Barley rings clear. The little bar band from Philly has done it again… only better! Thanks for your support.

—
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