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That Good Old Christmas Feeling

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Hello friends, readers and musicians. I have not forgotten you. It seems that the Christmas rush has gotten into yours truly.  I want to thank you for your continued support and readership, the CMF has become one of the influential force in the Celtic music scene.

After days of exhausting ways to get schedules right, Christmas cards and gifts have finally been mailed out. I think the greatest gift that we have this Christmas is having a slack in life after months of difficulties. I can say that no one can stay in one state for a long time. Things have to move and like the planetary motion we are all coming and going in circles.

The future can be scary because of its unpredictability. But always remember, what we are doing now determines the future. We are creating our own history, and that history will someday save us and heal us…and bring us all back together because of the meaning that binds us together. So my dear readers don’t ever loose hope. The future might be scary and unpredictable but it is also exciting. Let’s join hands to welcome it.

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On the news,

Musica Pacifica, a California chamber ensemble is gearing towards their upcoming performance. I got a copy of their CD on the mail and I love not only the wonderful music but also the packaging. For those who don’t have a copy of  “Dancing in the Isles” yet you better get one because it is a pleasure to listen to. Here’s something about the press release.

San Francisco, CA: Bay Area based early music ensemble Musica Pacifica (www.musicapacifica.org), now celebrating their 20th season, is pleased to present a varied and extensive “home season” of performances in San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Davis, and Sacramento.

Described by the press as “some of the finest baroque musicians in America” (American Record Guide) and “among the best in the world” (Alte Musik Aktuell), Musica Pacifica performs 17th- and 18th-century music on varying combinations of recorder, violin, cello/gamba, harpsichord, and percussion. Their very recent Dancing in the Isles CD has continued to get rave reviews from music journals all over the world, including American Record Guide; the German magazine Concerto; Early Music Today from the UK, and the prestigious Gramophone from the UK, who called it “one of the zestiest recordings of recent vintage to present works that once had them dancing and listening with joy.” And the online journal, Musica dei Donum said: The playing is first-rate: full of bounce, stylish, and technically immaculate.”

Tickets for all events below (unless otherwise noted) are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, members of SF Early Music Society, Early Music America, and ARS; and $10 for students. Tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

PROGRAM ONE, entitled “La Bizzarria: Music of 17th century Italy,” features music by Turini, Frescobaldi, Falconieri, Cazzati, Marini, Castello, Vitali, and others. Performances will be held:

Friday, January 13th , 7:30pm at the Petaluma Historical Museum
20 4th Street  Petaluma, CA; www.petalumamuseum.com

Saturday, January 14th, 8pm at Trinity Chapel in Berkeley
2320 Dana St. (at Durant), Berkeley

Sunday January 15th , 3 pm at the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento
(in conjunction with the exhibit “Florence and the Baroque”)
216 O Street, Sacramento
Tickets are $6 for CAM Members, $12 for Nonmembers, $8 for Students
For tickets and more information, call 916.808.7000 or visit www.crockerartmuseum.org

Sunday, January 15th , 7:30 pm at the Davis Community Church, Davis
412 C St, Davis
No advance ticket sales. $10 suggested donation at the door.

PROGRAM TWO, entitled “Dancing in the Isles, The Sequel!” is a further selection of Baroque and traditional music from England, Scotland, and Ireland to complement the music from their original “Isles” CD. Performances will be held:

Thursday, February 16th , 7:30 pm at Ashkenaz, Berkeley
1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
For tickets ($10 general admission) visit www.ashkenaz.com after January 15, 2012

Saturday, February 18th , 8pm at First Lutheran Church, Palo Alto
600 Homer Ave., Palo Alto

Sunday, February 19th , 4 pm at Noe Valley Chamber Music, San Francisco
Most Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, 455 Fair Oaks Street
(between 25th and 26th Streets), San Francisco
Tickets are $20 General Admission, $15 for seniors and students
For tickets and more information, visit www.nvcm.org

Members of Musica Pacifica (Judith Linsenberg, recorder; Elizabeth Blumenstock, baroque violin; Charles Sherman, harpsichord; and Shirley Hunt, baroque ‘cello, viola da gamba) perform with Philharmonia Baroque and American Bach Soloists, and also appear with prominent early music ensembles nationally and abroad. They have performed on such prestigious concert series as The Frick Collection and Music Before 1800 (NY), the Getty Museum (LA), Tage Alter Musik (Regensburg), Cleveland Art Museum, and the Berkeley Early Music Festival (3 times), among others. They have performed at festivals in Germany and Austria and have been featured on German National radio as well as on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” and “Harmonia.” Musica Pacifica’s eight CD releases on the Virgin Classics, Dorian, and Solimar labels have won national and international awards, including Chamber Music America/WQXR’s 2003 Record Award, being featured on Minnesota Public Radio, and being chosen as “CD of the Month” by the early music journal Alte Musik Aktuell (Regensburg). Full bios of all musicians are at www.musicapacifica.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Harpischordist Katherine Heater will perform in place of Charles Sherman at January’s concerts.

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Peter McDowell
Performing Arts Management Consulting
New York City | Chicago | San Francisco
+1 773 484 8811
twitter: pmcdowellarts
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Here are my top picks for the season:
Enya: And Winter Came
Like last year this album always finds its way into my player. O come O come Emmanuel still brings shiver to my spine. Nicky Ryan’s production adds the superb edge to Enya’s quirky chord arrangements, laid back  instrumentation and lush vocal layers. Roma Ryan has made a lyrical gem to Last Time by Moonlight. This album is timeless and must have for any seasons, winter or summer.
Loreena McKennitt: A Midwinter Night’s Dream
Loreena McKennitt’s voice continues to enchant and inspire. Here is the gift that should be given to those who love the beauty of old time carols.
Nightnoise: A Different Shore
Nightnoise might not really doing music for carols but the atmosphere gives off that feeling. Otherworldly with hints of jazz and folk.
Maureen McGovern: Christmas With…
Jazz meets traditional. I got this way back 1990. This is one of those albums that don’t show off but just grows on you upon several listens. Still has that shine after decades!
More to come soon.

Festival of Lights and Other Videos

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

The Festival of Lights (French: Fête des lumières) in Lyon, France expresses gratitude toward Mary, mother of Jesus on December 8 of each year. This uniquely Lyonnaise tradition dictates that every house place candles along the outsides of all the windows to produce a spectacular effect throughout the streets. With over 4 million tourists coming to Lyon for this event,[1] the festival includes other activities based on light and usually lasts 4 days, with the peak of activity occurring on the 8th. The two main focal points of activity are typically the Basilica of Fourvière which is lit up in different colours, and the Place des Terreaux, which hosts a different light show each year.-Wiki

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière during the Festival of Lights in Lyon

Today our post takes us to the Festival of Lights in Lyon France. My friend Jimmy handpicked all the videos in this post. You see, his choices are really interesting and refreshing. It’s nice to have him on board with us as we share the journey to Celtic music.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmwpfv_faut-qu-ca-brille_music

First of all I didn’t know if this video would work in wordpress. I tried but the embedding doesn’t work. You need to click the link to go to dailymotion. Out of these pipes those I found interesting are on the right side. Those big drones really enhance the deeper sound and softer quality of the melodies.

Sarah Jarosz, Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas team up to perform SJ’s original tune “Run Away” at the fifth Transatlantic Sessions in rural Scotland, spring of 2011.

Who is Sarah Jarosz? And why is she making this warm airy acoustic sounds that borrow a lot from Bluegrass and Celtic music? I dug up info about her and found the following:

Home base: Texas

Date of Birth: May 23, 1991 (1991-05-23) (age 20)

First CD: Up ion Her Head

Other info: nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Country Instrumental Performance for the track “Mansinneedof” from that album

Second album:  Follow Me Down, was released by Sugar Hill Records on May 17, 2011.

Instruments: Mandolin, Bouzouki, banjo, guitar, vocals

Official site: http://sarahjarosz.com/

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Some brilliant traditional Irish music from the TV series Geantrai at the pub Cruises Co. Clare.

Ok they look like they’re in a trance. I have to admit I remember the times when I used to comment in facebook a lot. But this time I will let you readers do the commenting. Well, if shyness does not prohibit you from saying something interesting.

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The first of two JSM tracks filmed for the television programme Horo Gheallaidh on BBC Alba during Celtic Connections 2011 in Glasgow.

Broadcast date: Saturday, 1st October 2011. Tunes: Hello Poppet! (Jamie Smith) / The Hustler (Jamie Smith). Musicians: Jamie Smith (Accordion); Oliver Wilson-Dickson (Fiddle); Calum Stewart (Uilleann Pipes); Adam Rhodes (Bouzouki); Matt Downer (Bass); Iolo Whelan (Bodhran/Drums).

Permission was given by the makers of Horo Gheallaidh for this footage to be used by the band.

Been a fan of Jamie Smith’s Mabon for more than a year now.  What can I say, this band from Wales have the capacity to put listeners under their spell.

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Ok apart from the amazing music I have to admit, that hairstyle and pair of glasses are interesting.

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So I hope you enjoy our little trek into the wild side. This is with the help of my friend Jimmy.  I also want to thank Tim for telling me that the first video is available. My appreciation for his editing too .  So OK guys, take it easy, enjoy the rest of the evening. Hope to see you soon!

The Moon, The Stars And Our Folkways

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A consistent soul believes in destiny, a capricious one in chance.
Benjamin Disraeli

A friend sent me a text message about a lunar eclipse today. I know it was a spectacular scene where she was but too cloudy here to notice. But there’s this strange phenomena …dogs howled for more than an hour. They stopped just now. It seems that dogs get easily affected by the activity of the moon. So are humans-some. It is past 2 in the morning and coffee is a great company.

My friend Jimmy sent me a link to this amazing new band. I feel so blessed with the generosity of friends around me. It’s like I don’t really have to work hard searching for new music out there because they just come to me in abundance. I feel so spoiled this week. Though I know I totally lose points in other areas I am glad I still got my lucky stars. Ah it is really the season of joy and giving. Let us all stop fighting and keep the peace…well at least until January hahahaha.

Click the pic to be routed to the official site.

Click the pic to be routed to the official site.

The trio of Clint Dye and brothers Connor and Corey Purcell had me rolling my eyeballs to their fab music. All fresh giving you an impression that these talents came out of the oven fully baked and ready to be devoured by Celtic aficionados. Well of course, music can be like a brand of perfume that should work on your body chemistry-the way music  should work on the time of the day and your mood when you play it. This group however give me an impression that they have a kind of music  you can have with you anytime. The three sound samples I heard from their website won me over: Kiss the Bride(this one had me smiling ), Winter Sky (makes the perfect mood for the season with its languid pace as the amazing whistle playing leads the way) and North Star(with its toe tapping bodhran that sets the mood for dancing). Give them a listen and tell me what you think.

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Click on the pic to go to the website

Fans of Celtic Connections have probably heard of Tom Oaks as part of the Auvo Quartet playing the flute. He is also well-known for his ability with the nylon string guitar. His project with Ross Cooper earned them  a Scottish Traditional Music Award this year in the ‘Best Up and Coming Artist’ category.

The links to his music sites are found on the website. You just have to explore things that will probably spark your interest in his solo works and projects.

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Click the pic to go to the site

Click the pic to go to the site

I often associate the name Smithsonian with Anthropology. But in this case it has its non profit record label. I was impressed by its huge catalog.  The World category is very fitting, however it also caters to other genres. I tried to see the Celtic and found a lot of things we usually don’t hear even in Celtic radios via the internet.

Well, I think you might start having ideas for your Christmas gift this week.

Yes yes click it!

Yes yes click it!

The Celtic catalog covers the music of the Celtic nations. My big thanks to Jeremy of Poitin because he indirectly introduced this to me.

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The thing I learned in blogging about music is patience. You have to stop, listen, absorb and then decide which works. Without that ‘moment to ‘listen’ you will end up not really appreciating but judging. Perhaps this is what happens to music critics. They have a lot to listen to, deadlines to beat…that music becomes work instead of appreciation. And this can say a lot about your relationships to people. Do you stop to listen? Or do you judge right away?

Well, that’s what I have for now my dear visitors. This week is inspiring. Well, that’s because I have someone who inspires me in my writing and everything. All the more reason to wake up every morning and thank the heavens for another sunrise, another moment in time…this time  space that constantly changes without the center  to guide us…the gravity that is known as love and friendship.

The Power of Universal Music

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

This blog caters to all types of styles under the Celtic umbrella. Don’t be surprised if you see featured styles as diverse as electronica, dubstep, jazz, rock, metal, new age, pop and even reggae. As long as they have that ‘flavour’ then they are welcomed here.

Yesterday, a friend  Tim who plays the Uilleann pipes performed outside Lyon in what turned out to be a street music performance. I love to be one of these events because it’s intimate and at the same time the performers bring the music out of the stage into the crowd. I remember Fête de la Musique(which usually happens in June) and how amazing it was to have everything musical in one venue and everyone was involved as I said, very intimate.

Speaking of Uillean pipes here’s one side by side  with the Northumbrian pipes.

Jarleth Henderson, Uilleann pipes, and Andy May, Northumbrian pipes

LBPS Grand Concert, Lennoxlove House, June 2nd 2010

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Another friend Jimmy sent this video today. I am amazed with the style of music and at the same time the step dancing. This is one inspiring video!

Info: This is How We Fly’ is a contemporary Folk band consisting of Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh on fiddle & hardanger fiddle, Seán Mac Erlaine on bass clarinet, saxophones & live electronics, Nic Gareiss on percussive dance, and Petter Berndalen on drums and percussion.

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My friend Anita Daly always has something special in the mail! Her company got this press release for everyone. I have a Barleyjuice album and they have be rockin the whole year round. I am glad front man Kyf Brewer has something for fans to huddle to this Christmas. ‘Tis a season of peace and giving…now let’s get the ball rolling!

Hi Ladies and Gentleman, last week we sent you Emma Kate and George Murphy’s recording of the Pogues infamous tune, ‘Fairytale of New York’ we hope you like it as much as we do and that any of you with radio shows and websites will play it or stream it for the Holiday and that you writers review it!  It is now available on iTunes…

NOW we have the fabulous Barleyjuice’s front man, Kyf Brewer and his family’s rendition of the same tune, not for sale directly, just as a gift to you for Christmas to play and enjoy. It is available free to fans that purchase some Barleyjuice merchandise for Christmas. (See note from Kyf below!)

Happy Holidays to all!

From Kyf: Happy Kringle!

Barleyjuice’s Kyf Brewer and his wife Kay had been joking for years about what a kick it would be to record their own version of the classic Pogues tune, Fairytale of New York, and this year seemed to be the perfect time. It became a Brewer joint after daughter Scotlyn joined in on bass. The “beautiful” factor was covered nicely by the Juice’s Shelley Weiss on violins and violas, and Mary Bryson from the Divine Hand Ensemble on harp.
Kyf Brewer’s “Fairytale of New York” is not presently available anywhere until it appears on iTunes after the holidays. Fans can get a free mp3 of it this holiday season by going to http://corporatemohawk.net/holiday-sale  and buying some holiday Barley gear.
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Fairytale of New York

(J. Finer/S. MacGowan)

Kyf Brewer – vocal, piano, whistle, accordion, drums

Kay Brewer – vocal

Scotlyn Brewer – bass

Shelley Weiss – violin, viola

Mary Bryson – harp

Cliff Hillis – mic placement, final mix

Recorded between Christmases 2010 & 2011

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Yay! Moya Brennan is back to serenade us with her haunting voice and amazing tunes. I have almost all of her albums and my favorite is  still Tapestry where there’s this wonderful track called “Gone are the Days”.

An Irish Christmas never goes out of style and year after year I play it in loud speakers. Nothing beats the feeling of Irishness as she introduces her touch to traditional as well as contemporary tunes. I fell inlove with her version of “Gabriel’s Message” the first time I heard it. It’s beautiful that it hurts!

I admit, the reason why I don’t listen to much of the radio is because there’s nothing really Celtic there. I wish Celtic music would go mainstream and all the money should go to real musicians and not those we hear now. They should go out of business. Can’t stand them. Hahahaha now I am sounding like a musical elitist.

Here’s the press release from her facebook page:

    • When
      Tuesday, 20 December 2011
    • Time
      19:30 until 22:30
  • Where
    Monkstown Parish Church, Monkstown Village, Co Dublin, Ireland
  • Description
    		 Moya performs her annual fundraising Christmas concert with special guests of local young traditional musicians from Comhltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. All proceeds to the children’s music club and church restoration fund.
    Presented by Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh
    Tickets 15/10 euro
    Available from Hewetts Shop and the Post Office, Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown, on the door
    and online at at http://bit.ly/vtErUAwww.moyabrennan.com

Emma Kate Tobia & George Murphy duet: A Fairy Tale

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK

A duet with

EMMA KATE TOBIA & GEORGE MURPHY

Performing the iconic Pogues Christmas song


Way back the same month last year I reviewed Emma Kate Tobia‘s album. Earlier than that (around October 26) I also featured George Murphy’s The Ballad of Archie Thompson. Who would have thought that these two notable vocalists would eventually record a song together? So what do they have in common? My answer …..(rolling drums and trumpets!): powerful vocals and amazing charisma.

Emma Kate Tobia’s classically trained soprano and George Murphy’s Dublin howl can tackle arena style venues . So you might think this is another one of those operatic renditions that calls to mind classical crossover performance. Yes and wrong. Miss Tobia’s voice maybe suited for powerful performances, yet in delivery, she is dubbed as Ireland’s angelic soprano. I have observed time and time again how she skillfully switches her singing,  from Sean-nós  to operatic, with an ease of a giselle. Together, the two singers created a magical song that is indeed a fairy tale for the season.

From the onset of the piano chords comes George Murphy’s strong (but this time wood- meets- whiskey-slick)vocals. It’s  a gradual track that picks up pace as Emma Kate Tobia’s part comes in. The prominent tin whistle and guitars evoke that acoustic folk feel.  According to the info :

The original song was written and released in 1987 by Irish rock band, The Pogues, it was a duet between lead singer Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColl. The song swiftly became a hit, reaching #1 in the Irish charts. It is frequently voted the Number One Best Christmas song of all time in various television, radio and magazine related polls in Ireland and the UK. This new version was recorded in Dublin at Ashtown Studios this past fall with an amzing group of musicians including Dave Brown on guitar and mandolin (he holds the Guinness World Book of Records for most consecutive hours playing guitar!) and traditional players from Chicago, Johnny and Cormac McCarthy on whistles and piano respectively.

Fairytale of New York is available for download at iTunes and at http://www.cdbaby.com

Here’s the direct link to download:

http://www.cdbaby.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?AlbumID=emmakatetobia2

Thanks to Anita Daly  for the exclusive preview of this wonderful track.

Webhttp://www.emmakatetobia.com

http://www.myspace.com/emmakatetobia

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Celtic Ambience

My friend Paula O’Brien(http://www.myspace.com/paulaobrienuk)  from the UK whom I had a pleasure meeting and befriending in facebook shared two beautiful tracks with me. Paula is half Irish and she is known for her elecro music. These  two tunes are relaxing and I want to share it to you my readers, hoping you get that reflective feel of the season as it starts to kick in.

The first track is called Carousel by Troy Donockley (born 30 May 1964) who  is an English composer and multi-instrumentalist most known for his playing of uillean pipes. It’s from his album “The Unseen Stream“(1998 remastered in 2005).

The second track is called “Seoladh Na Ngamhna” by The Dirk Campbell Band from the compilation album “Celtic Ambience”.