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Mary Fahl’s Poignant Track Going Home

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

American singer Mary Fahl gained considerable amount of cult following as October Project’s lead vocalist.The band’s music possesses lush , somewhat haunting melodies, superb harmonies and intricate arrangements . But it was Fahl’s voice, a dark, souring contralto that defined the band’s identity. It could have been a god’s voice crying from heaven.

Two albums later , the band was dropped from Epic records after failing to generate ‘mainstream’ hits.The unmistakable voice resurfaced with the release of her EP Lenses of Contact followed by constant touring. The other Side of Time(Sony Classical) is a follow up but too bad it never got released on local shores. Her voice has the nuance of Enya , the power of Celine Dion and the sensuality of Diana Krall. She knows exactly how to highlight a particular note and to give life to songs even with shy melodies. Going Home is taken from this album. It sounds as if it’s coming from the American Antibellum period with its somber verse only to progress into a sweeping chorus .Ulillean pipes, tin whistle and strings harmonize with the wonderful melodies creating a sketch of sweeping landscapes which is undeniably Celtic . Mary sings:

Love waits for me ’round the bend

Leads me endlessly on

Surely sorrows shall find their end

and all our troubles will be gone

And I’ll know what I’ve lost

and all that I’ve won

when the road finally takes me home…

And you can’t help but feel the emotions there. No wonder it has been chosen as an opening theme for an epic civil war film Gods and Generals. She also looks beautiful that she could have stepped out from a pre-raphaelite painting. But it doesn’t matter what she looks like. I’d still buy her albums for her voice alone.

Here’s the video for Going Home.

Irish Traditional Karaoke Anybody?

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I found this wonderful site which I am sure you will also love. It’s called A Bunch of Wild Thyme-Irish Song Lyrics and Music Midisirishsongsbook. You can click on each link then the music will download to your media player. The songs are a combination of English and Gaelic. I have tried a few including ‘ She Moved Through the Fair’ and they work very well! You should try it too. And make sure you have a Guinness on hand for the B’Gorah!

A Celtic Music Fan’s Lesson for Today

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

Celtic_Design_Blackberry_Sage_by_Pagans_UniteTemperance is the key to stay in balance. I am not saying this is the key to success. I can’t tell you so much more because I myself is still looking for the real me amidst all these trappings. It is funny when we as adults sometimes put ourselves in embarrassing situations even if it is in the spirit of fun. Sometimes getting drunk on fun not knowing when to quit turns us into total buffoons.

I tend to be the person with so much ideas and they compete with each other. I have so many moods that they sometimes race against each other. I have so many facets which though interesting, they can also be a source of great sadness. I am 34 and I will be 35 next year. That is hardly juvenile in human standards. Writing about Celtic music gave me temperance and focus. I know that though I have so many sides, like the eye of the needle; very few should pass here. Because no matter how crazy the outside world can be, I am in the presence of something I really love an respect: which in turn brought me a lot of friends.

I think a true blogger has a responsibility not only to him/herself but also to the community he/she attends to. For those who respect the craft of writing we know how powerful words are and how they can leave bullet holes in your soul. We know that with great power comes great responsibility. As I am trying to be a good employee in my job, so should I also be a good on-line presence.

For someone who treasures the arts and the artists, I have to make it my responsibility to influence that gentleness through my writing. Because we know how fragile an artist’s soul is no matter how powerful his words and mediums are. When I say artists I do not mean just the visual or musical arts. I am also referring to other areas.

To quote from Loreena McKennitt in her View from Here section on her site:

Through my music, I have tried in my own humble way to explore many facets of history and humanity through the strong belief that there is more to bind us together than tear us apart. Although on one hand we all cherish the right to freedom of expression, the greater challenge, I believe, is having the wisdom in the interests of social harmony and respect to know when to exert it.  I would like to add my voice to the many others around the world who come from various religious and non-religious persuasions who believe that the voice of sensitivity, moderation, tolerance, forgiveness and love is the one which must prevail. In all the ways we can make music in the world, hopefully we can make sure that that raising our voice for peace is heard.

I say Amen to that and happy blogging (as we always say in the blog forum).

A Rare Loreena McKennitt LP Sold!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

I want to thank my friend Vinyl Collector for the link to this Loreena McKennitt Mask and the Mirror vinyl sold at ebay.

Hi Rommel
mckennittlmaskmirrorlp
I noticed a Loreena Vinyl that had sold. Here vinyl is rare, and I’m not surprised at the price.

I have this one, but I bought mine directly from her Quinlan Road office alot cheaper. But they don’t have any vinyls left.

Here’s the one someone sold.

This is an impressive find. Vinyl Collector has a wide range of collection on his shelves in all genres. I asked him to be a featured guest next time . So let’s see if he agrees.

Sora:Making Music that Elves Make.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

tn_2014_sora3_1243013045I could close my eyes and let her music turn my speakers into forest. Warm, organic and ethereal, that’s Sora’s music for you.  Heartwood, her third release of 2009, explores the landscapes inside the heart, with varying textures and soundscapes of acoustic layered instruments and superb production. The nuances and richness of her voice is captured  by  Producer/Engineer Douglas Romanow. She teeters between the discipline of Classical music and the evocative atmosphere of Celtic music . Described as picturesque. This album is something that any Secret Garden and Enya listeners would lend their ears too. Apart from her beautiful soaring soprano, Sora is also a keen instrumentalist playing strings and keyboards in her recordings. She got this after touring as a teenager with the Calgary Youth Orchestra and the Calgary Fiddlers. You can listen to her tracks on her official MySpace site as well as a page in the Celtic Myth Podshow . You can also legally download Heartwood, the title track  on this site.

Sora credits major influences: Loreena McKennitt , Enya , Sarah Brightman, Kate Price , Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Sarah Slean, Indigo Girls, Aeone and  Secret Garden