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Album Review: Across the bridge by Red Sonnet

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It is great to be visited by the muse of the cold months. With that comes the kind of music suited for reflection. It is the time of year when people like to stay indoors watching the leaves fall. It is a moment of contemplation and artistic stimulation. It is an honour to introduce this new recording by England-based ambient/folk group Red Sonnet. Their music has been likened to Enya and Clannad due to the haunting female vocals and fascinating melodies. a0134699439_10

The piano is the dominant instrument in this album but there are other gossamer instruments that weave their smoky embellishments around classical and soft rock influenced tunes. I love how the tympani in Across the Bridge creates that epic moment as if I am in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. And yes that is the title of the album too.

The overall experience is pleasant. I recommend this for people who love Loreena McKennitt, Sarah McLachlan and those I have mentioned earlier.  There are moments when the vocals can sound a bit shy so I would encourage more confidence in future Red Sonnet recordings. But this is a great atmospheric treat and you know me, I LOVE atmosphere.

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For a taste of trad and fusion here’s  King & Cillian Doheny with MUSICOPHILIA. I let the purity of the music embraced me again. I remember the first time I started this blog and how this type of music inspired me and the creativity I found within. Perhaps traditional music is mostly technical but if you go further and see it in a different perspective, you will realise the spiritual aspect that has always been elusive but prominent. And I am reconnecting to that source again and hopefully bring you more review.

This is performed by Cillian King and Cillian Doheny. I just found out the name is pronounced as ‘Kill-yan” and not with the Sil-yan as I used to do. Beautiful performance. You can see the listeners love them!

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Been listening to this today. This is a perfect tune to welcome Autumn. I am a fan of Robert Doyle so whatever he puts up in his youtube gets me excited. This man is an amazing artist with his strong grasp of contemporary and traditional Irish music. He also expands his interests to include other styles and cultures.

About :Sliabh Russell/Out on the Ocean 

These are two jigs I first heard on Matt Molloy’s classic ‘Heathery Breeze’ album from 1985. The arrangements are by Scottish guitarist Mark Thomson. 

The tuning is DADGAD with capo on 1 and the guitar was built by Frank Tate. 

For more info please visit: 
www.robertdoyle.net

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Let me express my huge apologies to this band for not posting this video sooner. I got this on August but was not able to post due to my hectic work schedules. They are based in France specialising in folk and world music. Very good! You should check them out. This is Nabila Dali & band performing the traditional “Bedlam Boys” in Paris on December 6th 2013.
Official Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nabila…

Shotgun Down The Avalanche by Cara Dillon from the New Album “A Thousand Hearts”

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This was posted last April 30. This was supposed to be a blog but I noticed it was part of the ‘menu’ section above. I took it down and placed it here for everyone to see:

Folk diva Cara Dillon is making rounds all over the UK to promote her new album A Thousand Hearts. I already sent the interview questions to her publicist Ali and I am just waiting for the results. It is amazing to finally be able to ask her directly everything related to her musical career. Big thanks to my friend Paula for watching her concert and getting me the spot to do an interview. Here is one of the songs from that album and it’s called Shotgun Down the Avalanche.

It is a fantastic folk ballad featuring Sam Lakeman’s acoustic guitar (joined by equally amazing musicians). Her voice always awakens something in me. It is a beautiful voice that sounds like it’s coming from the pipes of a sad angel.

Buy the new album here: http://www.caradillon.co.uk/albums/thousand-hearts-1

FALL SHOWs at THE PARAMOUNT on LONG ISLAND

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Hi Friends,

This will be a short introduction but an informative post below. Great things are happening in Long Island. Our long time friend Anita Daly provided the deets. Check the press release below:

Imelda May is coming to The Paramount on September 28th at 8pm!  This native Irish singer-songwriter’s unique rockabilly sound and 50’s inspired style has caught attention of many fans around the world.  She has shared the stage with artists such as Jeff Beck, The Supremes, Elton John and many more.  May will also be making another New York stop on her tour performing at Irving Plaza on September 29th.  Tickets for The Paramount show can be purchased on ticketmaster.com.

Imelda May, photo courtesy of http://www.liquidroom.com/

Imelda May, photo courtesy of http://www.liquidroom.com/

Come out to see Imelda May at The Paramount on September 28th at 8pm.  370 New York Ave. Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. 11743.  www.paramountny.com 613 673 7300.

 

The Kooks are coming to The Paramount on October 9th!  This British rock band has had extraordinary global success since forming a decade ago.  Although they are a self-described “pop” band they possess a very unique rock sound which can be attributed to inspiration from various sources. After two years of no new material from the group they have released their fourth album, “Listen”.  Tickets for their show at The Paramount can be purchased on ticketmaster.com.

Come out to see The Kooks at The Paramount on October 9th at 8pm.  370 New York Ave. Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. 11743.  www.paramountny.com  613 673 7300.

 

Flogging Molly is coming to The Paramount on November 28th!  The group’s sound infuses punk rock with Celtic instruments and clearly pulls inspiration from traditional Irish music.  Flogging Molly’s incredibly loyal fan base is said to be due to not only their sound but also the social and political awareness that truly drives the music.  Tickets for their show at The Paramount can be purchased on ticketmaster.com.

Come out to see The Kooks at The Paramount on November 28th at 8pm.  370 New York Ave. Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. 11743.  www.paramountny.com  613 673 7300.

Comedian Kathleen Madigan is coming to The Paramount on November 6th!  Madigan has had a 25 year career as a stand-up comedian and has been seen on comedy televisions shows such as Leno, Letterman, Conan, Ferguson, and so on.  She has been described by Leno as being “One of American’s funniest female comics.”  Tickets for Kathleen Madigan at The Paramount can be purchased on ticketmaster.com.

Come out to see Kathleen Madigan at The Paramount on November 6th at 8pm.  370 New York Ave. Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. 11743.  www.paramountny.com  613 673 7300.

Watch the Official Cecile Corbel Video Entendez-Vous -from the upcoming album La Fiancée

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Wow Cecile Corbel is back. This time with a new album called “La Fiancée.” As she states in her official website:

September’s here again !!!
I’m happy to announce that my new album “La Fiancée” will be released on October 6…
Can’t wait to share the Cd booklet and the songs with you !
Hope to see you soon
CC

I just saw the video called “Entendez Vous” and I got goosebumps. It’s so beautifully realized that you can tell she takes her Celtic influences seriously. I did see pictures of the shoot as I follow her Instagram account. It has images that could be telling us about her native Brittany. In a way it also looks Arthurian with the water nymphs, wood fairies and elves.

The music of Cecile Corbel has always been wrapped in mystery, mythology and medieval stylings.It has that continental appeal. Her sound will appeal to those who are fans of Enya, Moya Brennan, Loreena McKennitt and Connie Dover. Plus the album packaging is always excellent! Can’t wait to hear the entire album. It will be released through Polydor records.

La Fiancée

 

 

Aisling Jarvis Album Out: A Handful of Bad Ideas

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  Beep beep, this is not a review but an announcement. Aisling Jarvis has released a self-produced, (she also plays guitar, bouzouki, uilleann pipes, keyboards,percussion) debut album. I think I can draw indie references( for those who listen to music outside the Celtic label) and also Irish punk rock. Aisling has a strong voice which reminds me of artists like Sinead O’Connor and Natalie Merchant. I have not heard the album in its entirety but this is a note to those who are into her kind of music(indie,Irish folk,pop,rock and a dash of her own original sound).

Aisling Jarvis: The album cover is telling about the album's tone and strong attitude.

Aisling Jarvis: The album cover is telling about the album’s tone and strong attitude.

The album is aptly titled A Handful of bad Ideas…hmmm which certainly makes you wonder. Is this an autobiographical account of her own journey from childhood into this confident artist? No this is not Clannad gone alternative rock. This is different. Her sound is very modern and definitely appeals to her age group ( as showcased by her EP Romeo & Juliet) which I listened to a couple of times in the past. This singer/songwriter has terrific lungs. A big voice and an interesting musical future ahead. 

About the video: Directed and filmed by Kristian Mantalvanos
This is the first music video from Aisling Jarvis.
The song is “The Kids We Used to Be” ft. Euan Murphy taken from her debut album “A Handful of Bad Ideas”, due for release Summer 2014.