Hi guys! I made some changes on this site. As you noticed, I have a new tab dedicated to” Live Ireland Radio “. I also have the “Featured Interviews” section up there so that it would be easy for you and me to track the artists I have featured. I have more features coming that I know you will enjoy. So stay tuned. Thanks for your warm comments. I really appreciate all of them.
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The Infectious Music and Humor of John Spillane
We’re going sailing, out on the silver sea
The air is full of treasure, you and me
All along the shore you can hear the mermaids singing
“No-one will believe us, no-one will believe us”
and below on the strand the sea is answering the land
“No-one will believe us”
So who is John Spillane? I would not have known if not for my Irish pal (who is also a painter-I will be showcasing his works soon) Donie Ryan who sent me a video link to “We’re Going Sailing” and from there everything just cascaded. His music is bright, sparkling and filled with that irresistible Celtic humor. His albums would sit side by side with Dougie MacLean and Luka Bloom on my shelf. There is a wealth of folk instruments being used in each song especially the mandolin. Since I don’t have one of his albums yet, my access is the web especially his official website.
Thank heavens for the Internet now we abundance of gems that would have been otherwise inaccessible, say 20 years ago. Now we don’t have to succumb to what MTV tells us to listen to. We have the power in our hands to choose what we want. We are our own DJs. Music has never been so dynamic and I am glad to have been able to reach this era where I can listen to what I like as much as I can.
So folks I invite you to click on that link to the video ,and let’s bask in the glow and wonder of the silver sea; though no one would believe us 😉
Unity through Music
In cosmic lifetime, we are just just brief incidents . We will pass away and when it happens, all our wars and politics would have so little significance. If only we can live as long as the music that has been created, see them being rediscovered by a new generation. But that’s just wishful thinking.
Apart from Celtic music I have a wide set of interests. I could say I am a bit well-informed about a lot of genres. What I like about music is its capacity to unite people apart from their causes. Yes we all have different agendas. We have different stands that can even blow out of proportion. Sometimes being too mental is not a good thing. It makes one very cold, analytical and unreceptive to the gift that beautiful music can share. No wonder , there are so many critics out there who would rather dismiss beautiful music in fear that they would be viewed as ” uncool” simply because it doesn’t have thrashing guitars and pounding drums.
I love the way how music can drive us out of our homes to celebrate. How it can brake barriers and racial prejudices. If being too mental about things make one so insensitive, then I’d rather listen to my heart.
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I have taken a brake from research. I am coming up with another email interview soon. My schedule has changed so it is not easy to write and think at the same time. I am leaving you a link to the video of Summer Rain by Peter Chains. He’s from Limerick Ireland and I am going to feature an Interview with his band Giora soon. Stay tuned for that.
A One of a Kind Music Festival in Oregon
Band: Tonnua
This year is a good year for music. A lot of festivals are being set up. One of them is Yachats Celtic Festival.The official site is still on the making . I am however sure that more news are coming as the month of November moves closer. Check out the design on the website. Isn’t that beautiful? I will keep my eyes open for this one. The originating place is in Oregon. If you want to get further details then you can check out the myspace page. That way you can listen to the list of friends making the kind of music that fits this festival. Or listen to the YC radio
and hear what’s playing.
Ciarán Sweeney :The Man who Dressed the Muses
I took an extended break from work today due to my tummy ache. I took a peek at what’s new in Northen Skyline-a Clannad fansite and that’s when I read about Ciaran Sweeney. For years you might have seen his designs worn by major celebrities, but this man hit Celtic home when he was taken by Moya Brennan to dress her Two Horizons album and the rest.
According to his website: The list of owners of Ciarán Sweeney creations includes The President of Ireland, Madonna, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, The Corrs, Moya Brennan, Altan, Dinah Carrol, Brenda Belthyn. His corporate clients include Guinness, Smirnoff, PGA, Irish Distillers, Nokia, The Ulster Museum, Vodafone.
Celtic Music Fan 
