Jean Kelly , Eliza Marshall , Tad Sargent and Donal Rogers
I wrote a post about flutist Eliza Marshall two years ago. Now she is part( playing the Flutes/Whistles/Guitar) of Folk/Acoustic/World band based in London called Ranagri. They are currently recording their debut album. You can listen to two of their singles Sad Songs and the amazing cover of The House Carpenter.
It took me one listen to Donal Rogers and that’s it. He has a warm and friendly voice. There are Celticky instruments like the Harp,Electric Harp and Piano played by Jean Kelly. Tad Sargent adds the Irish spice with his Bodhran, Bouzouki and Whistles.
Their music video for Sad Songs is really fantastic. It really represents the dazzling sound of Ranagri. I am excited to hear the new album. Check out the youtube sampler below. I already predicted my future favorites from the album.
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Loreena McKennitt releases The Journey So Far The Best of Loreena McKennitt
After 30 years in the music business(and running her own company Quinlan Road) The Journey So Far will prove to be a retrospective and interesting ‘music book’ covering her songs that span continents and culture. Ms McKennitt has always created ‘global’ Celtic music fusing different ethnic styles but still true to her folk roots. To get an in-depth info here is the link: http://www.quinlanroad.com/explorethemusic/thejourneysofar.asp
There is a thread running through this post that started when I wrote about the bodhran. To be honest, the instrument has taken a huge degree of interest on my part because I am trying to be good at it. Everyday is great when I get to practice. It also opened a big world of percussion to me and various rhythms that dominate all types of music all over the world.
This thread also pointed me to a remarkable artist and teacher in the world of percussion. I am talking about Matthew Bell who runs a successful project called Celtic Percussion. He merges Irish and Scottish drumming styles with the infusion of other world influences. He is very zen in his vlogs as he tries to calmly explain the basics of drumming. He combines the Kerry and top end of bodhran playing.
The youtube videos are just samples of the potential that he can offer. His recent book is The Contemporary Bodhrán: A Modern Percussionist’s Perspective on an Ancient Instrument
Here’s the general info about Celtic Percussion found in his official youtube site:
The Celtic Percussion Collective is comprised of several of the Washington, D.C. area’s biggest names in the Pipe Band and Celtic Music Communities. Matthew Bell formed the CPC in December of 2012 to expose audiences to the truly unique percussion concepts inherent in Celtic Percussion. The CPC is available for a variety of educational and performance-based functions. Please have a look around our website. We look forward to working with you.
Alan Stivell-Eliz Iza
Sinéad O’Connor-Oró, sé do bheatha ‘bhaile
Baal Tinne-Toss The Feathers
Brendan Mulholland-The King of The Pipers
Clannad-In a Lifetime
Luka Bloom-How Am I To Be
Ashley MacIsaac-To America We Go
Sleepthief-Reason Why
J.P. Kallio-Greener Grass
Teenage Fanclub-Take The Long Way Around
Von Shakes-Last Day on Earth
Jazzotron Vs Jamie Berry-Kiss Me
Róisín O-Here We Go
Who Does Music-Looking Around
Samuel Smith-The Agony
Photo of Max T. Barnes Taken June 16, 2011 at Ray Stevens music in Nashville.
I have featured interviews about Irish artists touring the United States. This time it is the other way around. This interview focuses on Max T Barnes who is a million-selling American artist and his tour of Ireland which is happening very soon.
It is great to get fresh perspective from a mind that has seen it all. But Max T Barnes does not carry the attitude of “ been there done that.” In fact he continues to thrive in the music world with a sense of humility underneath the wisdom. He shares them all unconditionally. And he is one fascinating artist that many can learn from.
1. After many hits in America, and having more than 20 million records sold worldwide, do you ever feel nervous or excited about this upcoming tour of Ireland?
MTB: That is a great question. We are coming to have fun with the folks and make friends. Of course I am a little jittery about this tour – “Will they like me” etc. But I am coming over with a great partner in Craig Curtis who is a great singer and showman and that gives me some peace. We all are striving I guess for what we have yet to achieve. That is the human condition I reckon.
2. You wrote songs for major labels like Warner Brothers, Sony, Curb, Polygram and MCA. What have you discovered so far? How competitive is the music environment?
MTB: I would say it is dog eat dog but that would be an insult to dogs 🙂 just kidding. No at the level which you are consistently having hits, it is very fun and rewarding but in your mind it can be very tense. Imagine you have to write a song a day. now imagine it has to be a great song a couple times a week. Now imagine your songs have to beat the biggest names in country music to get a #1 -consistently – it is heady stuff. I have learned humility. Having said all that, I really don’t understand it fully — I think God must have given me this gift and I hold on to my faith in God.
3. You will be joined on stage by Craig Curtis, with Paul Hollowell. How do you feel performing with these talented artists?
MTB:Paul is my best buddy and we talk every morning but he will be on tour with Dolly so he can’t come this time
I know they are playing Dublin and Belfast on their world tour “Blue Smoke” which I think is sold out.
Craig Curtis has a Randy Travis like voice and I have a Vince Gill/Colin Raye Type voice so it’s a good blend. Craig is a very funny guy and we have a big big time on stage. Where appropriate, we have a beer on stage and ask the audience to join in our drinking game 🙂 We have a good time and I tell stories about these hits we sing – behind the scenes stories no one has heard. He and I write all his stuff together so it is very comfortable – Vey fun!
4. What’s the reason behind your decision to launch a music tour in Ireland?
MTB It is complicated- another story, but I love traditional country music and from what I understand the Irish do to.
That’s why.
5. What will your Irish fans expect to hear from you?
MTB My big hits and my dad’s 24 hits. These are very well known songs “Love me” by Collin Raye – “Who’s gonna fill their shoe”s by George Jones “Look at Us” by Vince Gill and so many more so fans will recognize them but the cool thing are the stories about the back scene in the biz. With the exception of Craig’s new stuff, We sing nothing but hits.
6. What are the places you wish to visit when you are there?
MTB I took my wife Robin some years ago for a 10 day vacation there so I have seen the tourist stuff. (it was amazing!!)
But this time, I could think of nothing better than to see the inside of someone’s home because we got an invite because we made a new friend.
7. What’s the pivotal point in your upbringing that made you decide you want to be in music?
MTB True story— I was 17 at a movie by myself because a girlfriend broke up– and I remember thinking what do I want to be?
and the answer was —be in music (play guitar) and I realized that I needed to practice!!! so I got up and left in the middle of the movie, went home and practiced!!! Still practicing 🙂
8. Can you tell us a bit about your record collection these days? What tunes are you listening to?
MTB I don’t really have a collection. I have maybe 7 or 8 hundred cd’s from artist’s my dad or I have cuts on — or friends cuts — or my artist friends.
I am typical of songwriters though- in that I rarely listen to music on purpose . I was cleaning out the barn the other day and my wife asked me why did I not have the radio on? I told her because I like the records in my head better – I really do hear music in my head and I sing along – But my mental jukebox is eclectic! Coldplay, Bad Co. Hank Jr. Randy Travis (a lot of Randy lately) And I love to sing in John Anderson’s voice!!
John Anderson was over to my house just yesterday recording!! Oh my gosh I love his voice!!!
A set of reels recorded for the fleadh program in Cavan 2012. Thanks to Brian Cunningham for sharing this video.
We can’t deny that traditional music is the music of communion. Be it Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Breton or any music of the seven Celtic nations, there is always that sense of community whenever one goes to these sessions. Unlike the ‘star versus the spectator’ culture of pop music, Celtic music encourages the audience to participate-be it dancing or playing. It is after all the music of the people.
As someone who is trying to learn how to play traditional Irish music instruments, I feel that sense of connection to the culture through these instruments. As if the music is telling me that it doesn’t matter if I am no expert but to play is to be part of something timeless.
My bodhran and tin whistle.
I think there are more and more music schools being built and organized because the demand to learn traditional music is increasing. People can just buy a bodhran, Celtic harp, tin whistle or fiddle from ebay. Everything you need is there. You just have to know where to look. Even youtube offers free lessons. You just have to be enthusiastic enough to learn how to play.
Jeremy King of Poitin mentioned that his son is learning the accordion at such an early age. I mentioned in my previous post that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in the accordion. Scottish singer/harpist Anna McLuckie has wowed the mainstream audience with her unique performance of a mainstream tune. People now know that her musical upbringing is rooted in traditional music.
As I have mentioned above, traditional music is the music of the people. Wherever you are in the world, when it touches you, then you belong.
Celtic Music Fan 