I was perusing my Soundcloud when I found that Scottish piper Fraser Fifield has a new tune out. It is called Repair and it is a gradual tune that has the same abstract beauty as his earlier releases. What I admire about Fifield is his ability to make timeless melodies. They don’t sound tired after repeated listens even for years. Part of me loves Jazz and this is the element that he introduces to his compositions. Repair evokes the calm of the Scottish countryside. The title speaks to me in a personal level in a sense that is what I am doing with my life. Slowly but surely. Somehow we have to get back to the loop of things but we do it in a phase that is right for us. I hope you enjoy this track and give the man a follow.
The exciting month of October is here! So how’s everyone? I am starting to bring out my Halloween decorations. I hope you are enjoying your time embellishing your houses with creepy and eerie goodies. This month is exciting because lots of music have arrived. And you will read about them soon. First of all let me showcase my own Halloween thingy:
So what do you think about that picture? Anyway, like I have mentioned exciting musical things are coming. Take a look at this wonderful soundcloud page by Czech group Cheers! The have new music up and watch out for these tunes via soundcloud as well as their official page.
The exciting month of October is here! So how’s everyone? I am starting to bring out my Halloween decorations. I hope you are enjoying your time embellishing your houses with creepy and eerie goodies. This month is exciting because lots of music have arrived. And you will read about them soon. First of all let me showcase my own Halloween thingy:
mrbaxteria’s goodies.
So what do you think about that picture? Anyway, like I have mentioned exciting musical things are coming. Take a look at this wonderful soundcloud page by Czech group Cheers! The have new music up and watch out for these tunes via soundcloud as well as their official page.
Their new tunes retain that Celtic punk spirit but they always add new things to the mix.
Our Irish chanteuse is making waves in the music scene! Rachael McCormack has a new video out. It is an uplifting tune with a nod to the flower power spirit. It is called Stand Up, Be Counted [Ft. Deanie]. Ms McCormack has earned her star as she worked for it, starting her career performing live all over Dublin. Karma has been kind to her as I can see she in on her way to stardom. She keeps me updated and with that I will keep you all updated about her.
To celebrate the Scottish spirit of independence, I scouted for old and new tunes from Celtic fiddler Iain Fraser. There is something magical in the way he plays that fiddle. It’s akin to silver snow falling. I’ve been looking forward to exchange messages with this legendary composer and I am glad I finally did. He is such a down- to- earth man with a positive energy which can be felt across the world and it shows even if you don’t meet him in person. I am sure those people who watched his many live shows can attest that his music is like a force of nature.
He recently, over the summer, filmed some older Scottish material from his book of Fiddle Tunes and the link is below. He likes to promote the videos a bit more in advance of a new book coming out next year of older Canadian tunes. I encourage you to listen to these wonderful tunes. Just leave the blog on after the first tune because the rest will follow.
That’s just him unadorned. This man doesn’t need an orchestra. The rich emotion he brings out of the fiddle is huge as the orchestra itself. And I felt strangely fine after listening to his music. I hope you enjoy and have a great week!
About the videos:
A series of short videos of slow airs and slow strathspeys taken from my book of “Scottish Fiddle tunes.”
60 Scottish tune for the fiddle, published by Schott Music in 2006.
….about the tune.. it was first published by Niel Gow’s son Nathaniel in his “Fifth Collection of Strathspeys, Reels etc” in 1809. Although it is a lament for the death of a loved one, I think it has an underscore of optimism and celebration.
Film composer/arranger and kickboxer! Jenne Lennon is the woman of the new century.
For months now I wanted to post something about Jenne Lennon especially her project in South Africa but we never seem to cross paths in the internet. But there are good moments when this happens. This is a candid interview . Well, not really an official one because we are still going to set the time. But it is really important to get the information out. After all blogging is all about telling the world what’s going on. In my case, it’s what’s going on in the world of music.To avoid confusion, I bolded my lines.
JL: There you Are!! I was trying to reach you via Skype for a while. Thought something happened to you due to the Tsunami.
B:I have a new skype account
I see. Are you and your family well? I’m very relieved to hear that.
Jenne Lennon: South Africa changed my life.
Yes and how about you?
Doing quite well thank you. South Africa changed my life and things here in Chicago are going quite nicely although this was the coldest, longest, winter in Chicago history
Glad to hear. We should have an audio interview soon via Skype.
Absolutely! I would LOVE that
Yeah spring came late in the US.
To late. Only last week in fact hehe we had a snowstorm 2 weeks ago.
Yeah I read the news.
And is it warm over there?
Yes.All he time hahahaha. Sometimes it gets too much.
Jealous….except for those tropical storms in fact. And how is your blog going?
I guess what you can’t stop from doing defines who you are or what you are.
Well said!
And how’s music?
Going so well. Did a score and a choral scene for a new film “A Million Miles Away” i’ts one several awards and received many great reviews. I’m working with a NY composer right now on a Broadway project.
Wow.Getting bigger and bigger.
Thank you sir.I hope so. I just want my music to reach a larger audience and have a more significant impact. Film and theatre seems to be a great match for that.
Yes they are great vehicles. I will look for that film.
Please do! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. It’s about the power of music and young women. It’s a short, but is so powerful.The director is called Jennifer Reeder/Producer Steven Hudosh.
I see!Ok cool I will look for it and write about it.
That would be wonderful! I think you’re going to love it. 75% of the music is mine, the whole song in the choral scene is my arrangement, and I worked as the behind the scenes conductor in the film.
Wow.Glad to hear that.
Thank you. It’s my first film. Hope it is not the last.
I hope so too!
Unfortunately, I have to go. I have a kickboxing class. Hehe! Let’s chat soon!Glad you are okay!
As the extraordinary fiddler of the Canadian Celtic trio NUA, his projects don’t go unnoticed. As in the case of this Neknomination, where he shows his amazing instrumental excellence through guitar and fiddle. I did a brief message exchange with him and came up with interesting facts, including a forthcoming new album from NUA!
1. Can you tell us more about this project?
This isn’t so much my project as it is an interpretation or a reinvention of the original Facebook game called neknominate. Neknominations was originally when people consumed an alcoholic beverage in one gulp and posted the video of them drinking on facebook. You then nominated two other people to do the same within the next 24 hours and post it. More detail at this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neknominate
2. What is this tune you are playing?
James M Law
The tune I am playing is one that I wrote in the last week or so as I was working on new material for an upcoming NUA album. It doesn’t have a name yet but I’m sure one will soon enough. Graeme McGillivray (guitar player from NUA) also assisted on composing this composition.
3. This is a musical side of you I haven’t seen before and I am impressed . Is there a solo project you are working on as of the moment?
I am not working on a solo project at the moment. This video came about because Kerry and Julie Fitzgerald nominated me to play a fiddle tune. The reason I picked the tune was because it was something new that I had just written and was inspired to try and put some chords to it and work on some of my DADGAD guitar playing. Before this video, I have never done a solo video of this nature with me playing all the parts. I enjoyed the new experience and think there might be a few more videos to come in the future.
4. What are the things you want to accomplish this year?
I am looking forward to the summer this year as I have a lot of exciting gigs coming up. I will be teaching the Trad Band at the Sunshine Coast School of Celtic Music during the first week of July. NUA is playing at Mill Race Festival for our second year in a row this August. We are also playing at Goderich Celtic Roots Festival this August which is very exciting. NUA is expecting a new album to be released early 2015. The other big project I am a part of is The Marwills. The Marwills have a tour coming up in late July out to the East Coast in Halifax. The Marwills are planing gigs in Barrie ON, Toronto ON, Ottawa ON, Montreal QC, Fredericton NB, Halifax NS and Tay Creek NB where they will be playing at the Tay Creek Music Festival. Other than that I am concentrating on my music / instruments as well as my production skills as I record other artists.
5. Thanks for the time James!
Thanks Baxter, let let me know if you want more info. Here are some links to things I talked about in the questions. I will upload the video to youtube just now and send you the link when its done uploading.
n I found that Scottish piper Fraser Fifield has a new tune out. It is called Repair and it is a gradual tune that has the same abstract beauty as his earlier releases. What I admire about Fifield is his ability to make timeless melodies. They don’t sound tired after repeated listens even for years. Part of me loves Jazz and this is the element that he introduces to his compositions. Repair evokes the calm of the Scottish countryside. The title speaks to me in a personal level in a sense that is what I am doing with my life. Slowly but surely. Somehow we have to get back to the loop of things but we do it in a phase that is right for us. I hope you enjoy this track and give the man a follow.
Celtic Music Fan 