https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EKWqXapwMRA
So I have been watchin YouTube shorts and came across these dancing siblings. Traditional Irish music is alive as ever, in the midst of this pandemic. So, the shorts are the new kind of content that people like to consume and the Gardiner Brothers took that opportunitu to showcase their dancing talent.
Supposing you happen to hang out with Mary Fahl without knowing she’s a singer. She’d be someone fascinating. You both would be talking about Medieval literature, Hermeticism, Science, Poetry. Then you move into a musical discussion. You would probably share your love for Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and other equally compelling artists. Sure, she would probably tell you that she is married to a Marine Biologist, and she would offer her exciting insights into that world. Then she starts singing.
For years, my adoration for her voice has not waned. It is the ONLY voice that you will immediately recognize. Sure there will be references to the late Sandy Denny or even Annie Lennox. But these are references to making it easy for you to spot where among the musical constellation she belongs.
The fact is, we are blessed that she exists. An audience once came up to her after a live performance telling her she sounded like Enya. I don’t think this is strange. This comparison has something to do with the reverb effect. Enya uses reverb in her studio recordings, making her vocal sound resemble that of a church ambiance. Even Sarah McLachlan uses this effect in her Surfacing album that spawned a massive hit, Angel. Mary Fahl has a big voice that has a natural reverb. She can sing in a cafe, and her voice reverberates and bounces around the wall giving you that Gregorian chant effect. The thing is, she is a contralto. For a soprano, this quality would sound operatic and even too bright. But for a contralto, she gives it a “wooden” or reedy quality that sounds warm but can be both dark and angelic.
She has this beautiful instrument that she can use for emotional effect. Has she given us all the vocal tricks that this voice is capable of? I don’t think she. Only she knows the range of her limits. With the right producer and sound engineering, she can share the gifts that the universal mind has given her. She exists for a reason. And this reason is to touch our hearts and souls.
Her holiday album Winter Songs and Carols is once at the top of my list. It is a perfect holiday album for us who don’t like jolly Christmas tunes. We are the type who cherish the mystical beauty of the holiday season associated with the older time.
https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/3vXyo95i7KwqsHNTabgnYA?utm_source=generator
‘REFUGEE RESCUE’
Saving the lives of Immigrants
Help Irish Search and Rescue Volunteers Stay Afloat
“Our only objective is to ensure the safety of those, women, men, and children who are making the perilous journey away from war, poverty, or persecution. They have the right to life.”- Joby Fox, Belfast Musician and Refugee Rescue Founder
This is a music-related blog. Once in a while, I read or get messages that are related to something bigger. And I need to be able to be part of that bigger world. After all, we are all part of humanity. We want to help one another to make this world a better place. Remember this: in the end, the only thing that counts is love. You can’t take your name or riches with you when you die. We are here for a greater purpose. Let us be kind to one another. Fight for each other. Love each other. We are all brothers and sisters.
This is from my good friend Anita Daly. Please read and share!
Refugee Rescue was founded in late 2015 by ordinary Irish citizens in response to the refugee crisis unfolding on the borders of Europe. They have gained an international reputation for working tirelessly saving the lives of up to 15,000 people off the Greek island of Lesvos. The group’s volunteers strongly believe that their own legacy of forced migration by sea throughout the Irish struggles of famine and violence puts them in a unique position to offer not only deep empathy but also solidarity to those who must do the same as they did in search of a better life.
“At the very core of our Irish consciousness we, similarly, are a people who have had to flee persecution and poverty by sea. As a result, Irish culture has spread across the world and has enriched and emboldened many cultures and countries. I believe that, despite our physical distance to the Mediterranean, Ireland should be at the forefront of ensuring the safety of these people.”- Karen Cowley, Wicklow Musician and Refugee Rescue Member
Most people forced to embark on these long and dangerous journeys depart from Libya, where migrants are subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, and slavery, among other human rights abuses. The Central Mediterranean is the deadliest migration route in the world. Refugee Rescue’s life-saving rescue vessel, named Mo Chara (or “my friend” in Gaelic) on its first short mission saved the lives of 416 people, of which 160 were children. However, to embark on future missions, Refugee Rescue are in urgent need of funds.
Over 22,069 women, men and children have drowned attempting to cross the Mediterranean since 2014. 813 people have already died at sea this year. On average, 5 people drown attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean route every day, and without any E.U. funded search and rescue missions, these numbers will only continue to rise as they have done since 2020. While this issue has been widely covered, the EU continues to fund and train the so-called Libyan Coast Guard, tasked with intercepting migrants at sea and bringing them back to the North African country, sometimes using excessive force.
By offering skilled emergency response to distress cases, as well as acting as witnesses of human rights violations, Refugee Rescue seeks to make this journey a little less deadly while keeping authorities at sea accountable for their actions, with the hope of preventing any more lives from being needlessly lost in the Mediterranean. The Refugee Rescue team, along with a handful of civil NGO vessels, are working alone, while being regularly detained and often criminalized by local and European authorities.
“We are hoping to acquire our own Search and Rescue ship with focused work and the public’s support. The ship would ideally sail under an Irish flag and would act as a poignant message to those seeking refuge- that we, as a people, understand forced displacement and the often choice-less choice of migration.” Caoimhe Butterly- Board Member of Refugee Rescue
Please watch Refugee Rescue’s video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlYnVhoAajY
Refugee Rescue are in urgent need of funds. Help them to continue their life saving work by donating through their website: www.refugeerescue.org
For more information please contact:
ANITA DALY /DALY COMMUNICATIONS /917 751 8539 /anitadaly@yahoo.com
Photos of Mo Chara
Do you want something uplifting to start your weekend? This new track can do it for you!
I think in these times of chaos, we need something to uplift us. We have experienced the dreadful 2020, and now 2021 is here. Hopefully, things are going in the right direction as civilization intends to do. But we know what it feels like to suffer dread, frustration, and powerlessness. Defying the status quo seems impossible, but there is strength in numbers. Who put them there in the first place? Who gave them power? It’s us and our numbers. In numbers., anything is possible.
She talks about her faith and defies the status quo in the new release String in Numbers with Liam O’Connor. This is a dusting out of her track Against the Wind, from her debut album. For me, it is one of those great Irish albums that are underrated. As always, Moya’s releases are a family affair, with her and Liam’s clan contributing to the crafting of this fantastic song. Now I have to do a little digging about Liam O’Connor. According to Wikipedia, Liam O’Connor is a multi-instrumentalist musician, once referred to as “the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion.”
I got this exciting news via Twitter early in the morning. This is great because it’s been days since I last posted a blog. A statement accompanying a tweet from Moya Brennan states: “Here it is, my latest release with Liam O’Connor. We had so much fun making this and now it’s out in the world for you all to listen to! It was the perfect coming together of families to create this, with Liam’s daughter and son and my family teaming up in the studio Grá mór M x”
Listen to this track in your car, on your way to work. Or when riding your bike(through Bluetooth speakers), and get inspired!
Clannad is your ear candy during the pandemic
I got my second dose of the covid vaccine today! And while I felt the relief of that, I also kept in mind that fitness is vital. That is why cycling has played a massive part in my darkest times. And when I am not pushing watts, I calm down to listen to my favorite bands in the genre.
Clannad is one band that has grown with me from my teen years up to this time. I don’t know if you are aware or agree that the band has undergone three significant musical evolution. There’s Clannad of the 70s still with their distinct sound. While other Irish bands have gone either folk, rock, or pop, this band has incorporated many styles. This is due to the many musical interests of various members. It’s Ciaran Brennan who infused the band’s rock energy and jazz sophistication. The latter is also what made their Celtic sound unique. While other bands go toward either electronic or New Age, Clannad never professes any loyalty to any genre. But of course, the record labels have to make that categorization for marketing purposes, right?
I do miss the Jazz (or smooth jazz)flavor they incorporated, starting with Anam up to Landmarks. The latter is, for me, their masterpiece album because it has all the elements that I admire in the band. These are months of introspection(Europe is approaching Autumn). It is refreshing to go back to the sounds that remind us of a far different world from today.
I have listened to some of the band member’s solo projects, like Moya Brennan’s solo albums. Their influences are evident, which is highlighted by the musicians they choose to collaborate with.
I have to say I miss hearing Pol Brennan’s soprano sax and also the input of other core band members like the Duggans.
Supposing you are introducing someone to Clannad for the first time, so where do you start? Below are my top ten picks:
1. Na Laetha Bhi (The Days that Were)-This might not be part of their more popular offerings, but this is the first song that hooked me. It’s from their 1993 album Banba. The first time I heard this was inside a record store. Everyone turned around because the sound what so different and haunting. It is further propelled by Moya Brennan’s contralto vocals.
2. Autumn Leaves Are Falling- This is taken from Landmarks. As I said, the album is a masterpiece with many excellent tracks. Yet, this one has that vibe that falls between folk and Jazz. It is also one happy tune that makes you smile at the thought of Autumn. Each instrument compliment this artfully crafted tune. It has imagery of churchyards, countryside-everything that makes Ireland fascinating.
3. Newgrange-The power of the band’s sound is its capacity to transport you. When they sing about the ancient Irish tradition, they don’t tell you. They take you there. This is what many bands lack now. I have been looking for that haunting quality in any band, but that is so rare these days.
4. The Hunter- This is another lovely song from the compilation album Past Present. By the way, that album is also a great introduction to the band’s music in the 80s era. I love the drums, the vocal layering and also the pulsing bass.
5. Forces of Nature(From Warriors of Virtue)-A beautiful song accompanying a movie that I enjoyed! This song is Clannad in the 90s.
6. A Dream In The Night-This song is from the animation The Angel and the Soldier Boy. This track is one of those tunes I love playing during the holidays.
7. In Fortunes Hand- This is a perfect song for driving. The energy is further embellished by the beautiful beats and that smooth saxophone.
8. Why Worry-This is a song I got from a smooth jazz compilation album before I got hold of Anam, where this song came from. The swaying track lulls you to daydream-which is the thing you need these days.
9. Let Me See- I haven’t seen a live version of this beautiful song anywhere. This one is an epic track that always makes me smile when I listen to it. That amazing snare drum and buoyant bass is the strength of this track. Clannad is an excellent band. Moreso because everyone brings their styles into the creative process. I hope they come up with another album like Landmarks.
10. Something to Believe In(with Bruce Hornsby)-People have probably forgotten that Moya Brennan had duets with many artists. Big names like Bono, Robert Plant, Bruce Hornsby, Paul Young, Michael McDonald, Shane MacGowan and more. She is an excellent live performer too. This song is a testament to the band’s musical range. This is a style that they might never revisit, but it is excellent that they explored this phase in their glorious musical career.
Let me know your favorite Clannad songs in the comments section below.
Celtic Music Fan 