Breabach
I admit there are three sites I constantly check when I want to know new releases. I also sum up some of the top-selling acts . Bands like Lomradh or BBC Transatlantic Sessions occupy the top spot. Find out for yourselves and take you pick from the following:
and
Le Vent du Nord continue to define borders of music never been explored before by other musicians. Not only that they create a kind of sound that appeals to both French, Irish and Breton listeners, they also transcend boundaries of what is alternative and what is traditional. Upon first listen, the band exude a kind of breezy top 40 adult contemporary rock feel…well, not until one listens carefully to the arrangements, one will realize how so much craft and thought have been poured into the recordings.
The really interesting thing about merging French and Celtic music is the way the words sound . There is a lot of sensuality to it.They help bring Québécois music (which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany), to the public and I think it also gave me so much insight into the kind of diverse culture Canada has. The band already released five albums.
Band members play a variety of instruments each taking turns in every arrangements.
For those who love the traditional band Lunasa, they have a new album out called La Nua . Samples of the songs can be heard on the band’s website. This is really a treat to Lunasa fans who have been thirsting for latest music coming from this one of a kind Irish band. Released last April, this is what the site has to sat about the new album:
Lúnasa celebrate the arrival of a new decade with Lá Nua (‘new day’).
After a 4-year hiatus from the studio, this highly-anticipated album came out of extensive rehearsal and recording on location in the beautiful Cooley mountains in the northeast of Ireland. This environment, rich in the history and culture of ancient Ireland, inspired much of the creativity and new writing on the recording.
Released worldwide 6th April 2010
Here is one nice video from Julie Fowlis . This is an EPK following the release of her latest album “Uam”. I love Julie Fowlis and the freshness she has brought into traditional music.
July 13 marks a big day for Canada’s Great Big Sea as they released a new album Safe Upon The Shore celebrating their 18th year in the industry. The album is composed of 14 tracks . It has a wonderful cover artwork! “Nothing But a Song’ is the first single. There is something wonderfully bouncy about the song that reminds you it is summer. Check out somewhere around 2:15 of this video where the fun really escalates..
Texas-based Celtic Rock band Needfire is also in the middle of a hectic tour. Their music is a combination of straight ahead rock, Americana and celtic styles. Traditional instruments like bagpipes, fiddles and even didgeridoo are utilized both in recordings and live shows. Check out the following schedules here: http://www.needfire.com/news.htm
Christian Celtic band Iona are preparing for their September tour this year. This band is fronted by Joanne Hogg who has one of the most beautiful voices since Moya Brennan and Karen Matheson. Watch out for latest updates here . Iona disappeared from the music scene for almost a decade and now it looks like they will sweep the scene once more.
I have been looking for a Tri Yann site in English because their official site is in French. There is however this one helpful link in English which lists their discography and videos . Check out NME’s Tri Yann page.
Galician culture finally has a home in The Galician Way, an online magazine that covers topics from films, books,tunes, art and shows. Everything you need is there.
The official site of Breton singer Denez Prigent is now on construction. One of his musical highlights was having two songs featured in a movie Black Hawk Down with Lisa Gerrard (Gortoz A Ran is one of them). This song is entirely in Breton as you can see in this video. This is one song that is simply perfect when sang as a duet with former Dead Can Dance other half Lisa Gerrard.
AlzheiMelilla of YouTube provided a translation for this song:
Teuio en-dro an avel c’hlas
[Will come back the blue wind]
– Da analañ va c’halon c’hloaz’t
[To breathe my wounded heart]
– Kaset e vin diouzh e anal
[I will be pulled away by its blow]
– Pell gant ar red en ur vro all
[Far away by its stream to another land]
– Kaset e vin diouzh e alan
[I will be pulled away by its breath]
– Pell gant ar red, hervez ‘deus c’hoant
[Far away by its stream, wherever it wants]
Hervez ‘deus c’hoant pell eus ar bed
[Wherever it wants, far away from this world]
– Etre ar mor hag ar stered
[Between the sea and the stars]
Contemporary with a dash of traditional and country, Darren Holden (who is popularly known as one of the High Kings) is quite busy this month with his touring schedules. That is not surprising considering the fact that his career did take off after relocating to New York and working with important names in the business. He holds the reputation as not only a singer of a high order but also as a composer and instrumentalist. Hopefully you’ll get to catch Darren as he makes it near you. Check out these schedules…
http://events.myspace.com/134975287/Events/1
Speaking of The High Kings, hear them live at the sugar club. These guys never fail to dazzle listener with the energetic rendition of traditional materials and connection to the audience. Their anecdotes and humour create a relaxed atmosphere where they could explain the origins of each interesting pieces.
http://www.thehighkings.com/trellis/TOUR_DATES
Brian Dunphy started his musical career as part of the Riverdance. From then on everything is history. Blazing the trail as part of the Three Irish Tenors, Brian now tours with The High Kings and has released his first solo CD Timeless.
Brian Dunphy
The first time I heard this song was in the movie Switch starring Ellen Barkin and Perry King…somewhere around 1991 I think. From then on I searched for this Clannad track until I found a compilation album containing this beautiful song. I was a big fan of Paul Young as a kid and it was a surprise to discover this beautiful duet with Moya Brennan. Switch is a movie about the womanizer(played by King with a preference for blonds) who dies and as a punishment he is sent back to earth as woman(Barkin) . I remember having big laughs with this movie.
Originally composed by Joni Mitchell and popularized by Judy Collins (Wildflowers album)
Rolls and flows of angel hair,
Ice cream castles in the air,
Feather canyons everywhere,
I’ve looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun.
They rain, they snow on everyone.
So many things I would’ve done
But clouds got in my way.
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down and still somehow
It’s clouds’ illusions I recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels,
The dizzy, dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real.
I’ve looked at love that way.
But now it’s just another show.
Leave ’em laughin’ when you go.
But if you care, don’t let em’ know
Don’t give yourself away.
I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall.
I really don’t know love at all.
Tears and fears and feeling proud,
Say ‘I love you’ right out loud.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange.
They shake their heads and say I’ve changed.
But something’s lost when somethings gained
Living everyday.
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall.
I really don’t know life at all.
Celtic Music Fan 