I’ve just finished watching the new music video by the ‘other sister’ of The Corrs, Sharon Corr. It’s called We Could Be Lovers. I got insomnia and instead of being useless, I decided to open my laptop and see what the rave is all about. I admit I was thinking this post should go to my other blog because the song is more pop than Celtic. But The Corrs have always been pop even though they introduced Traditional Irish music in their subsequent albums. I was expecting to see her playing the fiddle in this video but I know that she doesn’t need to prove that. What she is trying to prove is that she can actually sing. And she has a beautiful voice!
The video features Corr in a sultry image trying to seduce a ‘tamed’ Irish guy. The lyrics show that longing for the possibility to be in a relationship with someone who seems to be preoccupied with his goals in life and has little time for intimacy. But in the end of the video, our beautiful Irish chanteuse proves that she wins. The track has that bouncy folk style that is acoustic guitar driven.
Of all the sisters, I find Sharon Corr to be the most attractive and sweet. It is great to see her touring and promoting the new album “The Same Sun.” American fans will get to see her perform at the Aladdin theater on February 23, courtesy of 67 Music.
James Fleming – Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals.
Hometown: Cork
I used to plan what I post in the past. I decide what day I should post updates and what type of artist or music it should be. These days I don’t care. There are too many bands and albums out there and not enough time. I also want to point out that these albums are amazing. A lot of time and effort have been crafted in these albums. The only thing is that only few get to see the light of day and make their way into the huge pool of listeners. That is why time is of the essence. Why wait for the album release when bands can announce that they are recording something.
Usually a teaser or one song will already tell you what the band is capable of achieving in terms of craft and music. One example is Little Creatures by The Buachaills. A brief info about the track follows:
The last song on The Buachaills up-coming album “At Your Call” which features a poem from James Stephens, “Little Things”. The Buachaills are Aaron Dolan, Chris Carey, Eoin Murphy and James Fleming. The Buachaills are one of Ireland’s top folk acts blending traditional Irish music with contemporary folk/rock sounds and are the official House band of Thomond Park Stadium.
The lively beat accentuated by beautiful melodies and irresistible uilleann pipes really tell you a lot about them. It sounds so unique yet so contemporary that you can play it in your car stereo or anywhere.
Eoin Murphy said that the debut album “At your call”will be released worldwide on May 10th. Good for him to tell us about it this early. Anticipation is building. This is definitely something I look forward to!
It has long been regarded that Canada is a melting pot of the best traditional music in Europe. What I admire about the Victoria, BC quartet Brishen is how they combine Jazz with world and folk elements. When you are looking for a fusion between sumptuous Acadian folk, jazz and Celtic then you have to listen to them. I think of dancing Gypsies when I listen to any of their tracks. I am sure that to watch them live would be quite an experience. Take for instance the seventeen-year-old Quinn Bachand bringing his own fresh influences with the stalwarts of music like Richard Moody (violin) Reuben Wier( rythm guitar & vocal) and Joey Smith( upright bass). That’s really got to be something. I love the vocals of Ruben Weir. I think he will give Michael Buble a run for his money.
They identify with their influences Django Reindhard and Stephane Grappelli which I am yet to hear but I am sure some of you out there already know their music. I don’t know if it’s the hot chocolate in my system or something else but Coquette left me feeling high and jolly. There is something about early jazz music that touches the heart. To combine that with other musical styles prove to be a powerful mix. Quite addicting. Brishen is indeed the storm bringer of fantastic music.
If you missed the tunes I played this Saturday, the tunes are up that link! Enjoy!
CLEGHORN-9 Minutes of Woo – House of Blues
Riverdance-Opening Scene
Dave Sheridan, Michael McCague & Donal McCague-The Independence Hornpipe
Enda Seery-Tatter Jack Walsh
Loreena MCKennitt-Ancient pines
Brian Kennedy-Carrickfergus
Capercaillie-The Tree
J.P. Kallio-River Takes You Over
The Alex MacNeil Quartet-Lullaby for Alice
Don BeeKeeper-Saviour
Alex Pardini-Sad Little King
Love Spirals Downwards-City Moon
Michael McCague:Musician, Composer, Recording Artist and Mathematics Major.
Music follows Mathematical laws. And Traditional Irish musicians like Michael McCague can attest to this. After all, he is a Mathematics major. When he is not into academic things, he plays music with his brother Donal. It’s through Donal that I discovered him. I have seen most of their videos consisting mainly of fiddle(Donal) and Guitar(Michael) duets.
His style is hypnotic and rhythmic. Although I am yet to hear his solo album, his name has been all over the traditional Irish music map. I you haven’t heard of him, then look for recordings by the following:
Idir – by At First Light (arrangement, guitar and bouzouki)
Bits N Pieces – Donal Mc Cague (arranger, guitar, bouzouki, piano, tenor guitar)
Its Not Racket Science – At The Racket (arrangement, guitar, tenor guitar, bouzouki)
Sheridan’s Guesthouse – Dave Sheridan – (arranger, bouzouki, guitar)
Edel Fox & Ronan Flaherty (guitar, bouzouki, arranger)
Idir – by At First Light (arrangement, guitar and bouzouki)
Bits N Pieces – Donal Mc Cague (arranger, guitar, bouzouki, piano, tenor guitar)
Banjo – Stevie Dunne – (arrangement, guitar, bouzouki)
Its Not Racket Science – At The Racket (arrangement, guitar, tenor guitar, bouzouki)
Sheridan’s Guesthouse – Dave Sheridan – (arranger, bouzouki, guitar)
Edel Fox & Ronan Flaherty (guitar, bouzouki, arranger)
You can also read an update about the forthcoming album through his TradConnect blog:
I am glad to get one of The High Kings do an interview. We have no other than Martin Furey who is the eldest son of Ireland’s ‘Prince of Pipers’ Finbar Furey. He also does vocals, guitar and low whistle for The High Kings. With Darren Holden, Finbarr Clancy and Brian Dunphy, the four form an indomitable power group. So, like any listener, I am curious what it’s like being them.
Their new album Friends for Life is now out.
1. Memory Lane is a fantastic album! You must have been excited when the opportunity came up with Friends for Life?
Oh yes it affirmed my belief in the Love of God to know that dreams really can come true and to be careful what we wish for, both since with great fame comes great responsibility 🙂
2. Gucci is my favorite song. It has something I have never heard in any song before. How did you come up with that kind of vocal style?
I listened to the best musician God ever put on the earth,Finbar Furey ,my father and tried to get as close to his style as possible as myself.Its a style of playing handed down in my family from generation to generation which is also popular in American music though I am not saying I know how that happened…;)
3. Johnny Leave Her is the only a capella song yet it stands out as something easy to sing along. What’s the story behind this?
There were four fellas at sea, the shortest one was trouble the largest one was easily lead and the middle two loved cards but got into an argument about a hand and so came the phrase ‘”leave her'”…Johnny I don’t know what a Johnny is doing in the song but there it is all the same,maybe he was a stowaway???
4. You already release live recordings and also toured many times. How do you keep it fresh and continue to be inspired to record songs.
The audience keeps it fresh it’s lovely to see a sea of faces who are enjoying their night..how could you not give your very heart in return for such heart in support.
5. What should every artist know when one is being catapulted into international success and meeting all kinds of people. What’s the big yes and no?
Have noticed one of either, just do what you want at all times, we are all born free and it is worth any conflict to maintain. Don’t be guilted into bullshit scenarios and do call a cheap shot a cheap shot and do be yourself no matter what they say like Sting said.
6. The four of you were invited to perform at the Official St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at The White House. How was the feeling rubbing shoulders with US President Barack Obama and Taoiseach Enda Kenny?
Another day at the office for all concerned. Good to meet him, I reiki’d him for a minute that was the best I could do for the man. Cool guy considering his obligations but I won’t support him fully til he lets snoop lion perform his new songs at the White House nor will I forgive him if I don’t get an invite 😉 Lovely atmosphere in the home which I have to hand to Michelle obviously, she really knows how to put people at their ease
7. Being in The High Kings, do you still get royal treatments when you go home to Ireland?
I am not the type of person that requires the trappings on any continent. Where do the folks hang out?
Big thanks to Anita Daly for making this possible.
Celtic Music Fan 