Fresh: My Lagan Love : ANÚNA (featuring Michael McGlynn)

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The ethereal sound of ANÚNA, featuring the solo vocal of Michael McGlynn, sing Michael’s arrangement of the Irish classic “My Lagan Love”.

If you are a true Celtic music fan, then I am sure you’re aware that Anuna’s new album has dropped. There is also a new music video featuring Michael McGlynn and his haunting sean nos singing style. The aspect I love about Traditional Irish music and Celtic music, in general, is its elemental aspect. The spirit of that music lives in nature, in the rushes, the river, the trees’ leaves, and the mists. This music video captures that spirit. There are no gimmicky things here. Just a pure representation of the atmosphere of what Lagan Love is. Although 

According to Wikipedia:

My Lagan Love” is a song to a traditional Irish air collected in 1903 in northern Donegal.

The English lyrics have been credited to Joseph Campbell (1879–1944, also known as Seosamh MacCathmhaoil and Joseph McCahill, among others).[1] Campbell was a Belfast man whose grandparents came from the Irish-speaking area of Flurrybridge, South Armagh. He started collecting songs in County Antrim. In 1904 he began a collaboration with composer Herbert Hughes.[2]. Together, they collected traditional airs from the remote parts of County Donegal.

I love listening to Anuna because they bring something different to Choral music. It’s how they arrange the music they sing how a slight shift in the notes and the scales can add a different flavor to the traditional tune. I am reminded of the vocal Jazz group Manhattan Transfer for that exact vocal harmony arrangement when I listen to them. I am not a jazz expert, but I hear a faint trace of blue notes in their recordings. And this characteristic is what makes them unique and refreshing. 

Revisiting Calum Stewart’s Superb Talent

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Calum Stewart – Uilleann Pipes Yann Le Bozec – Double Bass Sylvain Quéré – Cittern Mathilde Rio – Step Dance Video – Guénolé Diguet Sound – Olivier Renet http://www.calum-stewart.com http://www.lennproduction.fr “Garster’s Dream” trad. Shetland “The Seven Men of Glen Moriston” © Calum Stewart “Fisherman’s” trad. Ireland

This music video came out months ago while the world was still deep in the pandemic. Now we have the Russia and Ukraine war. And although I am not the type who posts political content, I want to say that the situation is getting worse. After one problem, there’s another one, all because of greed, hubris and people not learning from history.
To appreciate this type of music that I talk about, one must understand history. History has taught us that it repeats itself. History has shown us that leaders fall because of hubris. I created this blog after a crash course in Celtic history. It’s remarkable what you can learn when you pick up a book. The book will take you anywhere…maybe to a series of books, movies, and albums you need to hear.

I interviewed Calum Stewart way back. It was a happier time, and I was also a different person. I loved writing and asking artists about their craft and creative habits. So it was a pleasure to have that interview featuring Scottish traditional music.

Now, he is going places and has collaborated with different bands and artists. You can tell a superstar when you talk to one. This video is a testament to that. After seeing his post on my feed regarding the recent “Saerim” session on BBC Alba, I also wrote this. Unfortunately, I cannot watch the whole episode on iPlayer because I don’t live in the UK. I was fortunate enough to find this recent upload on his channel, even though this is ten months old.

Soundtrack and Film: The Secret of Roan Inish

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I wrote about Far and Away previously. You can call this my 90s soundtrack series since I’ve been watching many 90s movies lately.

Since I started getting into the Irish and Scottish lore, I’ve read about the myth of the Selkies. My aunt read a book about it and was beaming with excitement telling me the story. You can say she got infected with my passion for all things Celtic. So, whenever I look for Irish films, it’s for either the myth or the music. The Secret of Roan Inish is a film that can satisfy both. It’s based on the 1957 novel Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry by Rosalie K. Fry. I am going to look for that one. 

The story was set in 1946. It is told from the point of view of Fiona (Jeni Courtney), a young girl who is sent to live with her grandparents in an Irish fishing village. This incident happened after the death of her mother. She also has failing health. I will not give the rest of the story away, but I will tell you that it is worth your time!

There is something intimate and organic about the whole movie. The ease and timelessness of the village and the lovely people around it add to the story’s warmth. And then there’s that selkie mystery thrown in. 

Music: Madon Daring’s traditional score blends well with the atmosphere. It’s a joy to listen to again and again long after the movie is finished. 

Beautiful Scottish Lament

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Lament played on a ten-string lyre, Burke Viper low D whistle, Ibanez M340 guitar, and Dixon Trad D pennywhistle.

I agree with the artist that Scottish laments give you the feeling of hope, of consolation, even a call to arms just under the surface. Yes, life can be sad and tragic, but music makes everything bearable and hopeful. This video is from a musician under the monicker Whistling Badger. You can follow his youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/whistlingbadger/videos for more videos.

Far and Away 30th Anniversary

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Far and Away Trailer

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ron Howard’s Far and Away. Yes, this film was derided by critics, but you can’t deny that the film has outstanding cinematography and soundtrack. I watched the movie because of Enya and The Chieftains-for those reasons alone. I felt the film was too long, but it has impressive shots of Ireland and Oklahoma. If you love movies that look beautiful and do not overwhelm you, then this is the film to watch. It also gives you a good impression of how America came to be. 

Ron Howard made fascinating films after.

The music: The movie boasts a fantastic soundtrack. I like John Williams, and his work with Superman and the magic is present in this movie. I think the film would have been so bland without Enya and the Chieftains. I love the soundtrack that I bought the record when it was released in the 90s. And I love listening to it again and again.