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Retro: Farewell and Remember Me by Boys of the Lough

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

Track listing:

  1. “Sean But/ Tommy People’s/ The Lark in the Morning” (jigs) (All traditional)
  2. “The Leitrim Queen” (song) (Ian Burns)
  3. “Lucky Can Du Link Ony/ Pottinger’s/ Billy Nicholson” (reels) (Trad/ Tom Anderson/ Trad)
  4. “Farewell and Remember Me” (song) (J Chalmers)
  5. “Angus Polka no 1/ Angus Polka No 2/ Donegal Barn Dance” (All trad)
  6. “An Spailpin Fanach (sung in Gaelic)/ The One-Horned Buck” (reel) (Trad/ Trad)
  7. “Valentia Harbour (air)/ The Jug of Punch (reel)/ MacArthur Road” (reel) (All trad)
  8. “Lovely Ann” (unaccompanied song) (Trad)
  9. “The Holly Bush/ The New Ships Are Sailing” (reels) (All trad)
  10. “The Waterford Waltz/ The Stronsay Waltz” (Trad/ Trad)

Boys of the Lough is one of those traditional Scots/Irish bands that really stick with you long after the music has been played . It makes you want to listen some more and hopefully capture incidents in nuances. The vocals are not really stylized to give out that authentic folk feel. After all folk music is the music of the people. It is the home to simplicity and honesty. These sentiments are expressed in Farewell and Remember Me. An album that has been released in 1987 but still sounds like it’s only been made yesterday. That is the beauty of recordings like this one. The traditional pieces are reinterpreted in a distinctive style but the production technique is the same. The performers don’t need to. The clarity of acoustic guitars and beautiful vocals are showcased in The Leitrim Queen. This is also a song about loss which only the Irish knows best to sing. The title track is another masterpiece accompanied in piano and cello. The sixth track An Spailpin Fanach is a song I heard performed by Connie Dover but this male vocals proved to be exquisite too. All in the all the entre album is a balance between lively and sad tunes. It has all the stuff for everyone.

Members:

  • Aly Bain (fiddle)
  • Cathal McConnell (flute, whistle, vocals)
  • Dave Richardson (concertina, mandolin, cittern)
  • Christy O’Leary (uilleann pipes, whistle, vocals)
  • John Coakley (guitar, piano, bodhran, mandoline, fiddle)
  • Guest: Ron Shaw (cello) on “Farewell and Remember Me”
  • Engineered by Alistair George

New Painting from Donie Ryan

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

Remember him from our last interview? Donie has a new painting out and  I am honored that it is hanging now on the wall of this site.He’s fresh from a trip at Bere Island ,West Cork where his mom lives.

Donie is naturally inspired by what he sees around him and also everyone he meets. Cranescape is the title of this latest piece. It’s oil on canvas,took him about six months,on and off .The dimension is .5x.5 meters.If you want to take a look at his other artworks then you can reach him here: donieryan1@gmail.com

From Celtic to Led Zeppelin:The Elevating Harp Music of Anne Roos

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 7 Comments
Unknown to some, there is a part of me that also digs rock. So when I heard Anne Roos play The Unforgiven by Metallica and Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, my interest was piqued. On an ocassional observer, she may impose an airy fairy image perfect for Renaissance Fair. But this lady in not one-dimensional. Apart from being an accomplished harpist with formal training, she has also written books under her belt.
Her music is in demand in the wedding circle . Her books are sought after by musicians who want to make their careers playing in wedding receptions. Apart from being technical, she is also instinctive.And she can take a joke.I have heard most her songs in her MySpace page and I tell you, this is something that you will not want to miss. This is not elevator music but rather elevating music.You can also get a glimpse of her books that are accompanied in the CDs. They are perfect companion to your coffee table
Check out samples on her music as well as videos here:

San Patricio-Behind the Scenes with The Chieftains

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One of the most exciting albums this year has come to light. Paddy Maloney talks with Ry Cooder on this video, discussing the album’s background, inspiration and artists who collaborated. Watch ,listen and learn history with the Chieftains and the connection between Ireland and Mexico. This video is done by the Concord Music Group.

You can also download San Patricio from itunes:http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/san-patricio/id355774957

Album Review: Faeries by Phil Holland

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

Celticmusicfan goes to Italy.

Those who are new to the music of Phil Holland will probably be at loss on how to approach her music. After all, she is first and foremost a student of classical music long before she ventured into the realm of Celtic music. Her brand of singing harkens into the grander Bel Canto style of the Italian school of music. In fact I am reminded mostly of composers like Verdi, Bellini and Puccini.Even in looks, she closely resembles the late and great Maria Callas.

Those who are looking for the likes of Loreena McKennitt, Moya Brennan or Karen Matheson will not find those here..at least vocally but then again it is a matter of taste. But if you want a different approach in your Celtic music then this one’s for you. There are flavours of Baroque in her delivery. It is unfair to say that only those who appreciate high brow music would really get Miss Holland’s album because music is universal. And this is clear in thirteen tracks she made for Faeries.
Wild Faery-A harp driven track composed of vocals and a spoken word. This is one of the two songs in the album that uses Shakespearean verse from a Midsummer Night’s Dream.
O’Corolan’s Concerto-The blind Irish composer left this legacy to the world.Who else could tackle Corolan’s Baroque pieces but one who has the descipline for it.This is a very lively tune that makes you want to sway on your seat,with smile in your face.
My Lagan Love-This traditional songs has been interpreted by so many artist. She approaches it in her own way.
Laoch Sidhe-The title stands for ‘warrior or hero faery in Gaelic’.The instrumental is embelishes by her layered vocals close to the end of the track.
Inisheer/The Blackbird-Harp solo.Bright and sparkling like an oasis in the middle of a forest.I also realized that she is playing the 36-string Donegal harp.
The Selkie-Words and Music by Phil Holland.She sings of a magical creature known as the selkie and being born in the Scottish isles, she brings passion and authenticity in this tale.
The Athol Highlanders/Will Ye No Come Back Again?-This is a traditional piece from Scotland rendered in Celtic Harp, Fiddle and voice.The instrumental piece progresses into mournful songs about Bonny Charlie which I have heard as a child.
The Faery Lullaby-Another song set in Shakespeare’s verses sang in her high operatic style.In the part where she introduces a harmonizing vocal, the effect is heartbreaking beautiful.
Allistrum’s March– Another traditional piece in Celtic harp and fiddle.Images of faeries doing the Irish dance come to mind.
The Hosting of the Sidhe-Words by W.B Yeats.
Morrison’s Jig-Playing it like a pro! I love the infectious rhythm of this tune and how she renders this traditional piece as it is. No flourishes, no pretensions. Just pure beauty in harp solo.
Raglan Road-Van Morrison made this tune popular. She does this in the style of operatic aria which surprisingly I came to really appreciate.
Sidhe Beag,Sidhe Mor/The Fairy Queen-Miss Holland closes this album with two O’Corolan pieces rendered in a gorgeous manner.Her playing is so smooth like a flow of honey.It is almost a sacrilege to talk while she is playing the harp.I heard Fairy Queen first through Clannad. And I could say this rendition sounds better!

If you haven’t explored your Scottish or Irish myths yet, then this album is a good start.

http://www.myspace.com/philholland2

***

Was watching live Ireland video streaming last St Patrick’ day and they had this beautiful lass from Northern Ireland by the name of Lisa McLaughlin as studio guest. She sang songs from her new album including “Mac Boy’ which is about a friendship borne out of the Internet. She’s the looks like Joan Baez when she was young. She is on tour and you might want to check out her interesting music.

http://www.myspace.com/lisamclaughlinmusic