When Drums Talk: Jeremy Sibson

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Drumkit, Bodhran, and Percussion performer/educator from Tasmania Australia

Listening to Jeremy Sibson is awe inspiring. He can play the percussion instruments to make them tonal-even emotionally delicate! His collection of various drums can make a percussionist drool.  Just take a look at his gallery. His repertoire extends beyond Celtic to include Broadway, Jazz and even Modern Rock. Other than being a musical performer, he has also written and engineered tracks for other artists. I attached two videos. The first one is at a recent Cygnet Folk Festival. The second one is from Miss Saigon.

A Bodhrán Solo by Jeremy Sibson of WhistleBlower performing at the 2012 Cygnet Folk Festival

After seeing the massive percussion set-up for Miss Saigon, a lot of people were curious to see Jeremy and Robert in action. Here’s your chance. First of 3 videos from the Hobart season of Miss Saigon. October 2009. This is the percussion 2 part as played by Jeremy Sibson on opening night.

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Website update:

Jeremy Sibson’s current project is a huge one. He is in the process of writing an article on Tipper Grip for various styles of music that Bodhrán Players come across. This involves sending out a survey form to hundreds of Bodhrán players around the world and then compiling their answers and PoV photos and then trying to make sense of the findings. This is on-going as the questionnaires are still coming in. The questionnaire is located below this article for those of you who wish to be part of this survey. Just copy and paste into Word (or similar), fill out, attach your PoV photos, and then email back to me at the address below.

Bodhrán Grip Questionnaire.

  1. Do you use more than one “grip” or style?
  2. Do you often use more than one tipper? If so, how many and what sort (ie: Maker’s brand or description)
  3. What brand/type of Bodhrán do you usually use?
  4. Do you use more than one Bodhrán for your usual gig?
  5. Do you have a favourite Bodhrán?
  6. Do you use different Bodhráns for different musical situations? If so, can you describe why you would use the various drums for the different circumstances.
  7. Can you please attach a clear photo showing the grip/s you use for holding the tipper in each and every style you play (eg: Top End, Kerry Style, etc.)

Thank you very much,

Jeremy Sibson

Please return this questionnaire to: jeremysibson@hotmail.com

Molly Ramone: Strong Celtic and original songs with the emphasis on fun and musical surprises!

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They love the Celtic edge of things. 

The mandolin of Joe Khoury is one of the best sounds you hear in Molly Ramone. They are from Nashville TN  playing a combination of traditional and original tracks. I think a  lot of interesting Celtic musicians are found in Nashville. Do you remember the Chieftains once held a concertover there and released it as Down the Old Plank Road? It is still one of my favorite DVD releases. There are ballads and Celtic rock songs in Molly Ramone’s live shows. Lead vocalist Mark Harriman has a versatile voice. He can sing really softly and belt out tunes with such terrific range. Skins man Dave Harrison maintains the nice beats, while grooves man Bruce Wallace has it going all the time.

Molly Malone is a feel good American Celtic rock band with a lead vocalist based in the UK.

Follow them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Molly-Ramone-Band-Page

Band merchandise can be found here: http://mollyramone.com/Merchandise.html

Pictures from Keltská Noc 2012 at the Weekend(Taken at Plumlov)

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We love da scene!!!

These pics were taken by friends of Poitin(Rajce.cz users natalie82 and houbovyfotky). A little video snippet is found here: http://houbovyfotky.rajce.idnes.cz/Keltska_noc_2012_-_videa/#CIMG1718.jpg

Song of the Isle: Archive of great Anglo-Celtic Songs

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Click the image to go to the main site.

I am always supportive of a fellow blogger and I think David Wood has an amazing site dedicated to the songs of the Anglo-Celtic world. It is a great archive for those who want to train vocally on the heart-hurting vocal music of the Celtic world.

Song of the Isle is the brainchild of David Wood, Music Director for WFIU Public Media, and an aspiring singer/conductor. He is more of an archivist for Celtic songs. What I like about his site is that he features both Gaelic and English songs. I dig Gaelic songs and what he is doing is remarkable. His site is focused on gathering the vocal music of the Anglo-Celtic world. What is the purpose of building this blog site? His aim is simple: To encourage the learning of traditional and modern Celtic music. David Wood currently resides in Bloomington, Indiana.

Also, follow Song of the Isle on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SongOfTheIsles

Fresh Tune 20 Chandler St: Maeve Gilchrist, Aidan O’ Donnell and Duncan Wickel

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I got this fresh track a few minutes ago. It is nice to post fresh tunes here and also artists that will pique your interest . Maeve Gilchrist is a Scottish harpist who is now based in the States. 20th Chandler Street is a track that provides a magical listening experience with its unique style and wonderful melody. Thanks to Rachel Hair for the shout out!

Day off in Jackson MI and Duncan, Aidan and I decided to record some of our new tunes.
This is 20 Chandler St, a tune I wrote to celebrate my roommate Matt Smith’s 40th Birthday! The address of many a great memory!

Duncan Wickel: Fiddle
Aidan O’ Donnell: Bass
Maeve Gilchrist: Harp

Add the band in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maeve-Gilchrist

http://maevegilchristmusic.com/

http://www.myspace.com/maevegilchrist

CONOR DOHERTY