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Loreena McKennitt Releases New Traditional Album

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

Irish-Canadian singer Loreena McKennitt has once again opened another chapter in her  recording career. The Wind that Shakes the Barley is an old Irish hymn reminiscent of the ‘troubles’. According to Quinlan Road, this is a trip back to her roots that shaped her first recording venture with “Elemental’ in 1985.

As a fan of Ms McKennitt, I am excited to hear this news which I originally got from Unity, the official Enya forum.

Read more here: http://www.quinlanroad.com/newsandviews/currentupdates.asp?id=913

Tracks:

  1. AS I ROVED OUT
  2. ON A BRIGHT MAY MORNING
  3. BRIAN BORUS MARCH
  4. DOWN BY THE SALLY GARDENS
  5. THE STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN
  6. THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY
  7. THE DEATH OF QUEEN JANE
  8. THE EMIGRATION TUNES
  9. THE PARTING GLASS

New Celtic MP3’s from Marc Gunn

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Still thriving in the great month of October. I got a recent newsetter from Marc Gunn who has been responsible in exposing a lot of Celtic talents for years. This one will be a great addition to your music source>

 

 

Celtic MP3s Music Magazine
New Orleans, LA
> Official Site > ReverbNation Profile
Changing the way you hear Celtic Music
October 15, 2010 — 21,000+ subscribers

 

HIGHLIGHTS…
– Irish & Celtic Music Podcast Updated
– Celtic Podcast Has New Voicemail Number
– Celtic Podcast Now on Facebook
– Celtic Writers Wanted
– Indie Celtic Bands Need Your Help
– Celtic Invasion of Ireland 2011
– See Marc Gunn Live
– Celtic Music CD Store Presents
– Unsubscribe at the bottom of the newsletter

Don’t just download.
Support artists you like & Buy.
Then, forward this newsletter to a friend.
Subscribe here.

Greetings Celtic Music Lovers,

I want to thank everyone who sent gifts and their congratulations for the news of my daughter. Kenzie is due in one week, and I am as excited as can be.

Jed Marum Soul of a Wanderer

IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST UPDATED
As promised, I have several shows scheduled for the podcast while I take a break to raise my daughter.

This week, I have a very special feature of Jed Marum’s CD Soul of a Wander. You can listen to the entire album in podcast form, or on the website.

Once you’re done listening to Jed’s liquid, honey voice, you will want to race over to Jed Marum’s website and buy a copy of Soul of a Wanderer.

Visit the podcast at celticmusicpodcast.com

CELTIC PODCAST HAS A NEW VOICEMAIL NUMBER
The podcast has a new voicemail number! Call 678-CELT-POD. That’s 678-235-8763 and leave a voicemail comment.

Not sure what to say? Try “Hi, this [your name], you’re listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast!”

 

CELTIC PODCAST IS NOW ON FACEBOOK
A while back, Jasper setup a Celtic Podcast Facebook group. The problem with groups is that they only allow a limited number of members. So this month, I started an Irish & Celtic Music Podcast Facebook profile. It features the latest shows, but you’ll also find links to articles, CD reviews and Celtic MP3s straight from the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.

Get it while it happens when you join the podcast page on facebook.

 

CELTIC WRITERS WANTED
There are several new reviewers now associated with the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. But I would like to see more people involved. Do you write articles on Celtic culture, news, history, geneology, legends, stories or more? Please consider contributing your content to the magazine. It’s a great way for you to get involved in your Celtic community!

Contact your editor@celticmp3s.com for more details.

BCM Fest - Celtic Music Monday
Photo by Tom C

 

 

INDIE CELTIC BANDS NEED YOUR HELP
Over the past few months, I’ve done a BIG push of the Celtic iMixes on iTunes. I’m not giving those up, but I thought it was time to get you a wee bit more involved.

There are hundreds of indie Celtic bands that have no support of a label or no money to hire a publicist to promote their music (I’m one of them). Many of them also forget to ask their fans for help. This month, I’d like to ask for your help for your favorite Celtic band or artist. Here’s how:

1. Pick your favorite Celtic artists to promote.
2. Ask this same question online: Who is your favorite Celtic musician or band?
3. Then post who your favorite group is and why.
4. Make sure to add a link to the band’s website.
5. Finally, cross-post that link to your various social networks.

And if you want to share it on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast Facebook page, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Oh! And while you’re there, I’d love you to share the latest news from your favorite Celtic band as well.

Gougane Barra
Photo by Marc Gunn

 

 

NEW CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS
Wouldn’t it be amazing to walk among the roling green hills of Ireland? Picture the texture of standing stones, the sounds of Irish fiddle, and the wet taste of Guinness on your lips and you’re just now beginning to understand how cool it will be next June when you join me on another Celtic Invasion of Ireland.

Marc’s annual trip is scheduled for June 13-20, 2011. Find all the details when you visit the website at www.celticinvasion.com.

SEE MARC GUNN LIVE!
Starting in November and for six weeks after that Marc Gunn will perform at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Find his complete touring schedule on his website at www.marcgunn.com.

 

CELTIC MUSIC CD STORE PRESENTS
Visit www.celticmusic.org to find more great Celtic music CDs.

PoitinBofiguifluki by Poitin

A breathless and enchanting collection of intricate, elegant and downright foot stomping Celtic music from Celtic Radio Award nominees continuing the tradition of the Chieftains, Solas and the Bothy Band.

KReelers saints and sinnersSaints & Sinners by The Kreelers

he Motor City’s own, The Kreellers bring a blood pumping, high energy brand of Celtic Rock that fuses traditional sensibility with modern rock, funk, and punk stylings

 

New Kilted Celtic Comedy Music CD from Marc Gunn.Kilted For Her Pleasure by Marc Gunn

Kilted Celtic comedy music for the playfully demented Celtic music fan. Get ready to guffaw with a healthy dose of laughter, the best medicine for any Celtic music lover.

Best of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast New Old Songs by Jesse Ferguson

Traditional Irish, Scottish, and Canadian folk songs with lively arrangements and a personal feel.

–

The MabingdoinThe Mabinogion by Obod

The classic tales from the ancient book of Welsh mythology, the Mabinogion, are read by Professor Ronald Hutton.

–

The Rogues - 3 LBs of Rage“3 Lbs of Rage” by The Rogues

Perhaps the most complete Celtic album ever, 3 LBS. OF RAGE includes 14 traditional and original tracks spanning folk, rock, and classical music, as well as “The Gael” from Last of the Mohicans.

Thanks again for subscribing to the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. I hope you enjoy all the new music.

Slainte!
– Marc Gunn

DVD Promo Title Frame
Photo by Chuck Davis

ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
Celtic MP3s Music Magazine is a weekly publication by acoustic Celtic folk musician and podcaster Marc Gunn, The Celt Father. The magazine promotes Celtic musicians worldwide, and you can help these artists:

1. Visit the links provided
2. Download the music
3. Order a CD, write, or donate to the band
4. Forward this ezine to THREE friends
5. Ask them to subscribe and help Celtic music grow

Copyright 2000-2011 Marc Gunn

Enya, in Her Own Words

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 7 Comments

Enya Writes For Irish Roots Magazine


Thanks to Nigel and the rest of the gang at Unity for this information:

‘Enya recalls a special day that would change her life forever’

It was a hot and sultry summers day when I stepped down from the bus which had taken me from Milford Loretto College to my home in Ghaodobhair, County Donegal. I had just turned seventeen and It was the last time I would make this journey. My Suitcase in hand and a bag over my shoulder, my College days were over. There was no big fuss for this homecoming girl but after all there were nine of us with all of the trappings that such a big family commands. I was just happy to be home. It was the time of day that my Dad was in Meenaleck tending to the Pub (Leo’s Tavern) and Mum was tutoring her Church choir.

My grandfather Aodh O Dugain, was the headmaster of the local Primary School in Dore where my Grandmother also taught. ‘’Gog’’, as we called him, was also a founder of Aisteoiri Ghaodobhair, the ‘Gweedore Theatre company’. Every time I returned home I always made a point of reporting to ‘Gog’ not only out of respect , but because he always took a very serious interest in how I had progressed and, after all, he had paid my way in College. ‘’I’ll see him tomorrow ‘’I thought, ‘’ but first I’ll catch up with the girls’’.

Not much had changed. My grandmother was gently scolding my siblings for making too much noise and at the same time she waved a big warm welcome at me. The family dog ran to greet me and made a nice mess of my skirt with his big friendly paws, but it was lovely to see him and to be welcomed home, besides, my school uniform would no longer be needed now. I found myself caught up in the general excitement but very soon I felt the need for some quiet. I had gotten used to the peace and quiet of College so I sneaked off to see how the new litter of kittens were doing. ‘Peewee’ and her kittens had made their home in our disused ‘bunkhouse’. I sat among them and watched them play. The sun beat down, the odd car would whoosh by and eventually the noise just faded away and I was left to relax with the mewing of the kittens and the buzzing of bees as my thoughts drifted to what the future might hold for me. As far as I was concerned Music would be my future, absolutely nothing else would do, but how that would come about I just had no idea. Even in the disused bunkhouse I was surrounded by real and vivid reminders of the musical heritage of my family.

There was a full kit of Premier drums showing the wear and tear of many years on the road. My grandmother, ‘Minna’ on my father’s side, had played those drums, and my grandfather Harry, played piano. He had a heart attack while performing one night and was taken to hospital. He insisted that the Band continued with the gig. Sadly he died that very night. Sometime later my mother joined the band and she too played piano and sang. A ‘Kay’ semi solid electric guitar lay against the wall, sadly waiting for someone to pick it up again. I reached out ,and in sympathy strummed it where it stood. Then there was the Selmer Saxophone, my father’s main instrument in the Band , the Accordion played by my aunt, Rosemary. My dad’s brother, affectionately known as ‘La La’, played trumpet and his other brother Tony , also on accordion. All these instruments came from my dad’s Dance Band ‘The Slieve Foy’, here in their final resting place after thousands of miles on the road and hundreds of Ballrooms all over Ireland and Scotland.

Taking up the baton from my father and mother, my two brothers and eldest sister formed the group Clannad along with my two uncles Padraig and Noel.

It was unthinkable to me that anything other than music would be part of my life , I was only three when I sang at my first Feis Ceol competition. Music was never far from my mind but contrary to popular belief my ambitions were in no way connected to those of my family, as I knew I wanted to have my own career and make my own mark, but I just had no idea how to make that happen. While I pondered on the future I could not even imagine any other choice. I had taken up Classical music in Milford and joined the ‘School’ choir on the first day I arrived, even this was not my first choir. I felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn more about my favourite subject.

My thoughts drifted to Sister Evelyn, my Music tutor, a meticulous and dedicated lady, and so generous in the way she imparted her great knowledge of music to me, but now the future lay before me, my thoughts were in full flight when suddenly, my cosy daydreaming was rudely interrupted as one of my sisters called my name ‘’Enya, it’s Nicky Ryan on the phone, he wants to speak to you’’… and so the future began.

http://www.irishrootsmedia.com/

***

I think this is a wonderful piece of information about the celebrated Irish musician Enya. I’ve always admired her story. There’s this fairy tale quality to it. And most of her music says that feeling. I have known all along that she is intelligent and warm-hearted as her music. I am glad this coincidence happened to her. What if Nicky didn’t call that day?

With her style of writing, I’d say she has the gift of gab. I like her prose. It is rich and atmospheric. There is such emphasis on detail. And it’s nice to hear that she has a loving family . This is something al Enya fans would love to read about. Please share the news. Also visit and become a member of unity.enya.com the official Enya forum.

Anticipating Halloween(Samhain)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

Halloween is like Christmas to me. I get exciting when the month of October arrives because that is the time when people of Celtic interests have something to do. Since I live in the Philippines Halloween has a different color here. Although people DO celebrate it, there’s very little Celtic connection to it. Most often it is associated with horror stories of just anything to scare.But it is nice though, because you have all the reason to come as you are. You can wear your Druid attire of prance in your leprechaun suit people would still cheer for you. Here is one beautiful video featuring the harp music of Alan Stivell who hails from Brittany and has a big influence in musical culture scene. Enjoy!

 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving !

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

For this special day I give you Angus Chisholm:

Angus Chisholm was born in Margaree Forks, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1908. He died in the United States in 1979 and was laid to rest in his native Margaree. His early recordings have now been released on tape.
The tunes are Glengarry’s Dirk/Bonnie Lass of Fisherow/The Bird’s Nest