Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty from Darragh O’Connell on Vimeo.
I got this link to a new short film from Darragh’s site. I had to look for it on YouTube because Vimeo doesn’t work with WordPress. Thanks to www.weeklyinspiration.co.uk for keeping us updated!
Full Oscar-shortlisted film of ‘Granny O’Grimm’, directed by Nicky Phelan, produced byDarragh O’Connell , and written/voiced by Kathleen O’Rourke. Shortlisted for the 2010 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film
From the a capella verse of the first track Duthaich MhicAoid/Mackay County, one can’t help but be taken by the highland singing of Fiona J Mackenzie. The voice and Irvin Daguid’s piano are like two old friends who finally meet-complimenting with beautiful results. All musicians involved in this project are exceptional.
Fiona has the nuance and lightness of voice but with just the right weight to add an air of mystery and authority. There is a combination of sweetness, palpable hope and poignancy in her singing echoing the sentiments of the Scottish exiles all over the world.
According to her, A Good Suit of Clothes is a title taken from one of the best known emigrant songs ‘ Mo Duthaich’ from South Uist. I am aware how Uist in the Scottish Hebrides have been a continuing force in the Gaelic revival with archives of songs being recorded by artists such as Julie Fowlis recently.
The production is superb and polished to flawless quality. The sound is crisp and clear with minimal reverb to make the instruments sound lush and alive.
Some of the tracks like Oran a Chiamalais/ Song of Homesickness and Illean Bithibn Sunndach/Boys Be Happy are fast toe-tapping tunes with acoustic guitars . While tracks like Cuir Culaibh Ri Asante/ Leaving Assynt Behind has a melancholy atmosphere and a haunting melody.
A Good Suit of Clothes is what happens when exquisite talent meets excellent production techniques.The liner notes are very helpful. All Gaelic songs have English translations . Fiona is right when she suggested to me the importance of the liner notes beside the music. On top of that, she also provided her own explanation and the story behind each songs, the composers and the lives they led .
If the purpose of this album is a message in a bottle to those immigrants hoping they’d return…then it is a successful attempt wich will not only bring back long-lost friends but a cavalry of guests , the passionate new comers who are drawn to the beauty of this type of music.
Credits:
Irvin Daguid (Piano and harmonium)
Fraser Fifield (Whistle and pipes)
John Goldie (Guitar)
Mary Ann Kennedy (Clarsach)
James Mackintosh (Percussion)
Anna Massie (Cittern and guitar)
Ed McFarlane (Double bass)
Mr McFall’s Chamber-Clare Sterling (violin) Robert McFall (violin)
Jane Atkins (viola) and Su-a Lee (cello)
Ian Muir ( Accordion)
Guy Nichoson (Percussion)
Simone Welsh (Fiddle)
Singers: Darren Maclean, Katie Mackenzie, Sineag Macintyre and Cathy Ann MacPhee
All tracks produced and arranged by Irvin Daguid.
Greentrax Recordings Limited.
You can purchase Fiona J Mackenzie here.
http://www.fionamackenzie.org/Basket.html
Thanks to geekbynight for posting this video and added info:
Scottish singer and educator Fiona J. MacKenzie sings Abu Chuibhl’. She is joined by her Gaelic Singing and Language Student Doyle Raines. This is part of a concert Fiona gave in Jimera de Libar, Andalucia, Spain on May 2nd 2010.
…..I love New Orleans not just by giving us Anne Rice, Poppy Z Brite , True Blood and a lot more of exotica. What’s next? Maybe Mr Leprechaun will have his toe-tapping green humor on the beautiful side of the French Quarter. Here are some pics from facebook’s Irish New Orleans
…….The album teaser of Dom Duff is out. This should thrill fans of Breton music with language entirely in Breton. Expect more exotic sounds and energetic performance from the guy himself.
…..Catch Welsh band Mabon performing at Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Bretagne France , that going to be in August 6, 2010. For the performances in the month of August, check out their tour schedules link:
http://www.myspace.com/mabonband
……Another musician from Wales Oli-Wilson-Dickson combines the adventurous mood of Gypsy music and the Celtic music’s triumphant tunes . If you are into Balkan stuff, or anything Central European with a twist of jig then this is your music. You can also visit http://www.fiddle.org.uk/
There are two popular versions of this song. One is by Sting and the other one is by Moya Brennan. The first time I heard it(Sting’s) I was drawn to the melody and how fitting it is to sing that in such a Gregorian style. There is something of a story telling here:
The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
“All hail” said he “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured maid,” Gloria!
“For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel,
By seers foretold
Most highly favoured maid,” Gloria!
What starts with a glorious pronouncement is followed by something poignant and even foreboding:
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
Most highly favoured maid Gloria!
Of her Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
And everyone throughout the world forever saved
Most highly favoured maid Gloria!
I guess that foreboding part is what I picked up in Moya Brennan’s version. Mary has no other choice but to obey . But as a mother she knows what challenges there will be. Whenever I hear this part I could not help but be driven to tears. I am sure no mother would want her son subjected to such fate. And I think this speaks to all moms of the world. Mother’s of great men. The hero’s. The men sacrificed in order for this world to become a better place. The mothers who outlived their sons….
This is a traditional song with words by Words by Sabine Baring Gould. The Basque occupies the border between Spain and France. And this song has encouraged me to research more about the Basque culture. May this bring you into a journey…
…I came across Bard of Cornwall as an accident while looking for some Cornish music in YouTube.
….Let us check out the highlights for the Hebridean Celtic Festival lunched this month in Scotland…promo clip and highlights from the show with the Treacherous Orchestra and Runrig…
The post I was writing was wiped out after the 5th paragraph. Tsk tsk tsk!
It’s like the Woodstock of Celtic music. The only time of the year where musicians and audience from all over the world gather and celebrate a legacy that spans thousands of years.
Those who are curious about the upcoming Festival Interceltique de Lorient can go ahead and check out the myspace page. It will tell you who will be performing and also the venues which you might want to check.
www.myspace.com/festivalinterceltique
….You can’t claim as a lover of Scottish music without knowing Session A9. This band has been around for quite sometime and has made beautiful music. Fiddler Charlie McKerron is also with Capercaillie
……Kevin Henderson filled the seat of Aly Bain in Boys of the Lough. He is also with Fiddler’s Bid. Watch out for this guy because he’s really awesome.
……Fans of Liam O’Maonlai and Hothouse Flowers will be delighted to catch them at St. Johns Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry. The date : 20 August · 20:00 – 22:00. Get tickets by calling 
+353 (0)68 22566.
……..Guitar & Instrumental Week is attended by students and visiting musicians. That’s between July 25th – July 30th, 2010….
……Got my first email from Weekly Inspiration based in Edinburgh. To subscribe, visit www.weeklyinspiration.co.uk
check this artwork:
This article is different from the one I am working on 15 minutes ago. Sigh.
…..
It is taking awhile . I mentioned that I have no access to computer at home for now and I am relying on so little time to post here. But Alas! News is still coming from all sides. I got this press release from Spotlight Communications and this is such a fine info. I am loving Fidil!
Ireland’s Oldest Music Festival Delivers Ireland’s Newest Talent!!!
The programme for the 33rd Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival was announced recently. What is widely recognised as Ireland’s oldest Traditional Music Festival, this year presents an exciting programme with some of the newest, youngest and freshest Irish and international talent on the folk and traditional music scene.
This well loved festival, which takes place from July 30th to August 1st, will introduce acts such as Fidil – a trio of young award winning Donegal fiddle players whose performances have been described as mind blowing and stunning. The young Derry singer-songwriter, Eilidh Patterson will also appear at this years festival following a year of delighting audiences across the US and UK. Ballyshannon girl, Shauna Mullin will return to her roots, performing with The Dave Munnelly Band, thrilling local and visiting audiences with her rich sonorous tones and individual vocal style.
This years’ programme also delivers some of the bigger hitting starts of the traditional and folk music scene with Lúnasa, Solas and Andy Irvine appearing over the weekend.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this year’s festival will be the exhibition of 30 years of Barry Britton Festival posters. These iconic images which have become collector’s items over the past three decades will be presented in The Abbey Centre in Ballyshannon for the duration of the festival. (see this year’s poster attached)
With free open air concerts, live pub sessions, workshops and a new talent showcase in this years programme, The Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival is sure to have something to cater for all tastes. Full details of all events are available online at www.ballyshannonfolkfestival.com. Tickets available at www.eventelephant.com.
July 19th 2010
For further press information, photography or to arrange an interview, please contact Siobhán Calpin @ Spotlight Communications on 0878527760.
I am adding an Andy Irvine video for the benefit of fans. This is The Blacksmith(1977):
Celtic Music Fan 