20 years! That is quite a milestone in any relationship! And what a musical relationship it has been between Celtic Woman and the audience. I remember the buzz when they were first launched in the early 2000s. That was the time when everything was exciting in the music world. Riverdance has entranced the international audience a few years earlier. The Lord of the Dance was at its full height. The Lord of the Rings craze peaked, and Enya’s May It Be was nominated for the Academy Awards. So, there was so much Irish visibility in that decade. So it did not surprise that Celtic Woman immediately became an overnight success. The launch introduces subsequent albums and DVDs, including TV specials. They toured around the world and became a smashing success.
I can hardly believe 20 years has passed. And although the lineup has changed, the pillars that make up the Celtic Woman sound and stage production remain the same. If you love the Celtic lore and myth, this is for you. I am writing this while watching their PBS show via YouTube. I know nothing compares to being one with the audience, but thanks to technology, we can explore music and culture worldwide. As for the songs, they performed old classics like Scarborough Fair and Mo Ghile Mear. 60% of the songs are what you’ve probably heard from Clannad albums in the 70s, including Dulaman. So this is a welcome mix for old and new fans.
It is the songs that bring people back. Sure, the presentation is grand(including the dance choreography), and the playing is tight. But the songs make you tap your feet and make your heart sing. The songs take you to a place untouched by anxiety and fear. That, for me, is good enough. Cheers to the 20 years and another 20 years ahead!
(Time Machine 2019) The Old Speakeasy by Barleyjuice
If you are like me, then you might consider music as an integral part of our lives. Music not only helps us sort things out when we are trying to solve a problem, but it is also our time machine to a time when things were happier and gentler. I admit I do that when I feel terrible. I listen to songs from my childhood, and things start to feel better. If I want to feel energetic, then a rocking album is a perfect fit. One example is The Old Speakeasy by Barleyjuice. As I mentioned, I have not been keeping track of my email updates and subscriptions, so I lost track of the artists in my list and their releases. But I will try harder in 2024 as I am sure it will be an exciting year for music. Now, going back to The Old Speakeasy by Barleyjuice, it is the kind of album you can listen to when looking for rock music with Irish and Scottish flavor. You must admire this band for sticking around since the late 90s and continue to have that pop-rock attitude. The history of Barleyjuice began as an American musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They formed in 1998 as a side project for musicians Keith Swanson and Kyf Brewer. The two met as bagpipers in the Loch Rannoch Pipes & Drums of Pineville, Pennsylvania. The rest is history. The album reminds me of listening to the late Shane MacGowan, who passed away this year. The Old Speakeasy is a Celtic alternative rock album that is a fine companion for your day, and I look forward to their future releases. Note: A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, was an illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages. The term may also refer to a retro-style bar that replicates aspects of historical speakeasies.- Wikipedia article
You can listen to the album here: https://youtu.be/CQwFTXstiww?si=XAoXExZSD6k_TUKc
Introducing Harpist Ellen Gibling
It is a great honor to listen to a new album by Harpist Ellen GibIing. I am listening to this at 5:00 a.m., which is a perfect time to meditate over coffee and the intricacies of life. This album is a work of art where the harp shines as a solo instrument, and I think it’s a fantastic decision on her part to create an album without other instruments. Her playing is superb, precise, and at times fast. While The Bend in the Light is a relaxing listening experience, it is far from being sterile as her mastery of the instrument proves that she can jam with other artists and has proper command of her musical skills. Her jigs, reels, polkas, and airs are refreshing because although they sound traditional, they reflect her modern embellishments. It is a pleasure to hear her fantastic artistry, and I think this is the start of a remarkable career. If you want a new harpist to listen to, I recommend Ellen Gibling. I do have a lot of collections when it comes to this type of instrument. Yet, I feel that her music is an excellent introduction to the harp instrument itself, so whether you are a person who likes to study harp or a listener who happens to love the sound of the instrument, then The Bend in the Light is a good introduction. You can find her music through Spotify and some streaming services, or you can visit her website, and please download her album to listen to it offline. It would be better if you also buy her physical albums. That way, you can support the artist, and don’t forget to go to her live performances because I’m pretty sure it will be a wonderful experience!
Special thanks to Nick Storring for introducing her music to me.
Listen to Sea and Sailors by Phamie Gow
Do you want to hear a song you can cry or celebrate with? It would help if you listened to Sea and Sailors. Fraser Fifield accompanies her on low D whistle and Ricky Steele on double bass. I just discovered this release today as I was locked out of my Gmail for months, so I missed my subscription notices.
Gow sings with such honesty without any affectation. It’s just her beautiful voice and impressive piano skills. Sea and Sailors is about the uncertainty of life. I relate to this as I am turning to Stoicism and how we need to accept the things we cannot change. But that does not mean we cannot cry. We should cry about losing loved ones but realise that life is such.
I hope you find beauty and meaning in this song.
Bagad Kemper, Cecile Corbel and Alan Stivell
If you are hunting for loud Celtic music, then Bagad Kemper is for you. This Breton ensemble plays traditional music from Brittany using the instruments we love. They also incorporate grooves and beats on their numbers that offer you that festive musical experience.
Apart from this ensemble, you can explore the classics like the songs of Alan Stivell. There was a time when Tri Martolod became a part of my regular playlist. The thing with Stivell is that he sounds at home with rock, jazz, and punk bands. He can even fit with the hip-hop culture. His way of combining traditional styles with modern sentiments makes him relevant in all decades.
You can also check out Cecile Corbel, a favorite since the late 2000s. I once encountered this singer/songwriter and harpist via MySpace—such nostalgia. But Corbel continues to write and perform her brand of Breton Celtic music that makes this genre continue to drive excitement.
This blog is not a feature. This is more of a freestyle rambling in what I love about Celtic music. It has been a while since I wrote something more in the vein of the actual blog. And speaking about blogs, we’ve come a long way, dear readers. We are like a family here. You have been with me since I was so new to blogging that I have typos and grammatical errors. I still make mistakes, but my writing has become more bearable thanks to editing tools.
So what are the new groups you have been listening to? I usually discover new music via Spotify and Youtube.
I get occasional emails from bands who give me links to their releases. The thing that keeps this blog alive is my love for the music. Music heals the soul; we are all part of a family here. So I hope we continue to support the artists who touch us. We need them to be around that way, we have an anchor in times of uncertainty. A big shoutout to my friend Christy who has been with me through changing times. I will never forget your generosity and kindness. Though we may not be writing to each other, I assure you, you are in my heart always and forever.
