Catch La Unica at New York City’s The Shrine

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I did two articles about La Unica and I am always attuned to what’s going on with bands who got their names in this page. So it is always a pleasure to present to you what’s happening to them. Later this month, La Unica will be  playing at a New York City venue called Shrine. This is going to be an exciting musical even because you know what to expect from La Unica right? It will be a night filled with Latin grooves and Celtic melodies. Plus I have mentioned about the cover of the U2 song( With or Without You) which is something you should hear live! I mentioned that because I am once again listening to U2’s The Joshua Tree. A fantastic album. This cover is worth hearing because they added their own twist to it.


Meanwhile…

Irish actor/book author Alan Cooke a.k.a The Wild Irish Poet is writing a new book. Details are hush hush at this time but he shared a passage from that book. Here it is:

She lied back on the bed and gradually dozed off the jet lag claiming her. She had another strange dream…
  She is walking in a field of blood. There are many people. Bone faces and dying. Broken bodies. Crawling around her putting grass in their mouths. She walks through the fields of many thousands of Irish men and women. She comes across an open bare piece of land. She wept at all the pain. The sky rumbled above her. She looked up and could hear terrible screams so far up above her head. She felt dizzy and fell to her knees. Her hands on the dying earth. She felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around and was confronted by the face of an old woman. Her face was sunken. Her skin hung off her body in terrible folds. She was a human bone. Her eyes were bulging and filled with some terrible pity of all the ages.  The woman has old grey hair and bald patches around her head. She held out her sickly hands as if pleading to her. She tried to cry out but only a low moaning sound was heard. She was frozen. The sky turned a velvet black. The sun was erased and all the sickly millions wept in unison. The woman fell against her and shattered into a thousand pieces. ..’
She awoke and for a second she could not breathe.

Sounds like a horror novel to me. But let us wait and see. He wrote two books about his experiences in the literary vein of James Joyce: Naked in New York and The Spirit of Ireland. These are two books I enjoyed reading and I am sure you will too. But there are details of  thriller he is polishing which has a Hollywood movie potential. I will give you the details when it is out.

And Lastly…

Enjoy this lovely track from singer/songwriter John Breen!

Kernunna and other great tunes from Brazil.

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Kernunna

Kernunna

Band:

Album:TBA

Type of music: Folk/Prog/Rock

Members:

Alex Navar (Braia) – Uilleann Pipes, Tin e Low Whistle
Bruno Maia (Braia/ Ex- Tuatha de Danann (Vocal,Guitar, Flute, Banjo, Bouzouki and mandolin)
Daiana Mazza (Transfônica Orkestra) -Violin
Edgard Brito (Tuatha de Danann and Braia) -Keys
Diniz (Band Nevermind Tribute to Nirvana) – Guitar and Vocal
Khadhu (Band Cartoon) – Vocal, Baixo, Violão, Cítara and Esraj
Rodrigo Abreu (Tuatha de Danann) – Drums

Ever wonder what I do when I am not reviewing albums? I get in touch with musicians who appeared in this site and talk about musical things. The plus side of being a music blogger is that you get to be friends with a lot of artistic people and they are always willing to help out in promoting other artists. One of those is Jp Kallio of Sliotar. He told me about musician  Bruno Maia from Brazil. Bruno has been involved with other Celtic bands like Braia and  Tuatha de Danann. His current project is called Kernunna.

The seven members are from Minas Gerais Brazil. The music of Kernunna is Celtic metal in the vein of Tuatha De Dannad and Irish counterpart Cruacan. What differentiates them from the other metal bands is the use of mainstream rock vocals.Yes not the low doomy singing like that of the late Peter Steele. Think of what happens when Megadeth goes Celtic/folk. The music can also be described as Continental Celtic with world/ethnic influences on top of the high energy metal delivery.

I noted how the band handle the softer side of the music. If they give so much energy in their high powered tunes (like in the case of The Seim Anew), then expect nuance and expressiveness in their instrumental/traditional based tracks. Bruno Maia also played/still plays with other bands and just a brief introduction of one of these bands:

Braia: More folk oriented sound. World and ethnic influences can also be found. Tracks evoke a sense of being transported into another time and place. Expect elegant and atmospheric delivery in their live shows. Instruments are more acoustic: uilleann pipes, mandolin, female vocals, drums flute etc. Also expect to hear reels and other Irish inspired tunes from the band.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kernunna/379475808776654

Méav – The Calling

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Méav The Calling

Artist: Méav

Album: The Calling

Sounds like: For fans of Anuna, Celtic Woman, Enya, Secret Garden and Loreena McKennitt

Tracks:

The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face/The Calling/Light Flight/Listen, Listen/The Songline To Home/Wayfaring Stranger/Sovay/Shenandoah/Once You Were My Lover/Glimmering Girl/Glasgow’s Burning/Black Is The Colour

Total time: 43.28

To be released on 26th August 2013

Released by:Warner Jazz

I am listening to The Calling by  Méav (Full name Méav Ní Mhaolchatha)on a cloudy afternoon. The soothing and spiritual atmosphere of the album is a perfect getaway. The twelve tracks take you on a journey which very few artists can do these days. Her fusion of world, classical and traditional elements really work in this project. She also incorporated a few nods to the direction of folk and jazz which you can encounter as you listen along. This isn’t the same as the full-blown, up front arrangements of Celtic Woman (which she was part of from 2004 to 2007). This is more of an intimate record with lots of intricate details and rich arrangements.

The album resulted in the meeting between Méav and  legendary producer Craig Leon in Abbey Road Studios, London while working together on the score of a space film in collaboration with NASA. They discovered the musical chemistry even in their different musical backgrounds ( pop and world music)and  they also quickly realized that they shared a love of song-writing and ethnic music.  The Calling is described as  a contemporary pop treatment of new songs and folk classics from Ireland, England, Scotland, Brittany, Galicia and America.

The album opens with The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face which was originally pinned by Roberta Flack and won her Grammy’s record of the year  in 1972. Méav gave a new sentiment to this song. Listen to how her voice sounds like she is imploring the forces of heaven around 2:25. Those high notes can get into your skin. I know because I got chills listening to that part.

In the title track The Calling, the choir voices are used to embellish the track which recalls the signature  sound of Anuna. This is also the carrier single of the album. The video features a studio session and the blur-to-detail effects of the camera is impressive.

My personal favorites are Listen, Listen(for the melody), the title track(For the arrangement especially the choral parts), Wayfayring Stranger, Once You Were My Lover (which contains the melody of Breton song Tri Martolod), Glasgow’s Burning( for the percussion and traditional inclusion of Alasdair MacColla  and Brian Boru’s March). The album closes with an interesting jazzy take on Black is the Color.

The Calling is perhaps the strongest solo effort of Méav. She is backed with amazing musicians. The generous amounts of spirituality and atmospheric beauty of this album promise to enthrall audience worldwide. Like she did when she was with Anuna, Celtic Woman and her solo albums.

You can stream samples of The Calling through this link: http://www.meav.com/music/

Trivia: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was originally written by the Scottish singer Ewan McColl  ( father of Kirsty) for Peggy Seeger- source of this info is Méav.

Conversation with Liam Ó Maonlaí

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Photo courtesy: Patrick Glennon

Liam Ó Maonlaí talks about his project Rian, working with Glen Hansard and  beyond.

Born is the first album I listened to from Hothouse Flowers, a band fronted by my special guest Liam Ó Maonlaí. The part of me that loved(and still does) U2, The Cranberries, Sinead O’Connor and a whole bunch of Irish rock artists warmed up to this album. Born  featured Wayne Sheehy on drums and Rob Malone on bass guitar.  This album contained extensive songwriting contributions from O’Toole( who stepped out of  his bass responsibilities to showcase his multi instrumental abilities). The album  featured mostly guitar, bouzouki and keyboards on the recording. This is one of their complex records  as the music also incorporated more elements of electronic loops, synthesizers and studio effects.

I believe that an artist grows with his listeners. Somewhere in the mid 200os Liam Ó Maonlaí supported traditional Irish music. His humanitarian efforts are notable and they continue to this time.  He admitted in interviews that as a child, he was mostly influenced by traditional Irish music and Gaeilge was spoken as the main language. He even went as far as releasing a recording called Learn Irish with Liam O Maonlai.With Rian and other projects on the way, the bard joins us in this amazing interview!

Since Hothouse Flowers and then your project with ALT (and also acting on the side), what are the driving forces that keep you in shape and give you the drive to continue in this artistic journey?

With Hothouse Flowers


Mostly I respond to what comes my way and within that I find inspiration. I spend a lot of time looking at the world, our history and our present. What worked ,what works and what might work. For some people on Earth, these are terrible times and I see us as one. Music always drives me.

I am one of those who got a copy of  Learn Irish Project and it is an amazing work. Are you planning to launch another Irish Language course soon?

I would like to and I do intend to…. I need to make sure I get it right.

 You are amazing both in Sean Nos singing and also in lending your voice/talent to other projects. What are your other Irish based projects that we should hear about?

I have been involved with a project called Rian . It is a collaboration with Michael Keegan- Dolan  and his company, Fabulous Beast dance theatre. Rian involves eight dancers and five musicians. The music is mostly traditional …the dances are newly created. It has been travelling the world to standing ovations. Next stop Singapore. Rian has been to Norwich, London, Dublin, Cork,  New York , Sydney, Hong Kong  ,Umea, Wiesbaden , Lyon and Paris. ..sell out shows mostly.

That sounds fantastic! You also do acting on the side. One of them is The Busker(2006). Do you find difficulty switching from your musical side to acting? Or is it as easy as counting 1 2 3.
…My mother said to me once that what I do with the Hothouse Flowers is acting . I think in a way she is right.

 You are a great Bodhran player. What are the things we should know about playing this instrument that other probably don’t know about yet.

Not to forget that it is a drum and that the drum has a voice and that is powerful. The player mostly listen and feel the music that is being played . A steady beat is a great thing.

Your video Sadhbh Ni Bhruinneallaigh has been getting a lot of views on youtube. Do you have plans of making another epic performance like this soon in shows like Highland Sessions or Live Trad?

… I hope so. The Highland Sessions and the Trans Atlantic Sessions were great projects .

You worked on a project with Glen Hansard. How was the experience and care to share a bit about that one?

Yes…Glen is full of enthusiasm and energy. He and Marketa helped finance my last solo cd To Be Touched. They were there as a force of encouragement and a lot of fun as well. He is an eager worker… not afraid to sweat. He tuned in to my way of working in a great way.

You are currently on tour with the Rian project. How’s it going?
It is going really well. It is a great show with a great team. We love performing it and I believe that comes across. We have been to Paris, Hong Kong, New York, London, Dublin, Cork, Carlow, Longford, Sydney, Wiesbaden, St Polten, Lyon, and Norwich. I may have left out some as well..

You are composing a soundtrack for forthcoming John Carney film. Can you give us a heads up about this one?

That film has been made and I handed over the composition because he was looking for a different style. I would love to work with john and we are talking about possibilities now.

 What’s your message to your fans?

Thank you for taking the time to hear my work. It gives me great healing and pleasure.

Last question:How can one deal with change both spiritually and artistically?

Well… Art is a great boat to take on the sea of change. Art is an observer and responds in an uncalculated way at its essence to all things. If you can be true to yourself with your art then your art will have meaning. Trying to be or work like someone else will only bring about second rate work.

Well said!

Also visit: http://www.rianrecords.com/

Michelle Butler Ceramics

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Michelle Butler Ceramics

These are fantastic ceramics by Michelle Butler!

When listening to Celtic music, why not embellish your coffee table with something lasting and beautiful as well? Michelle Butler Ceramics offers a unique way of looking at crafts. If you want something striking and personal then her designs are definitely something you should consider as gifts to loved ones, souvenirs if you happen to be in Northern Ireland or if you just want to awaken the ‘other you’  buried by years of cultural sleep.

Celtic Stone-Peacock Plaque
Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 5mm

I know how priceless these items are because I happen to own two of her ceramics. One is the Celtic stone peacock plaque and the other one is a brooch with a Celtic knot work design. She made sure the items have natural surfaces. She developed a style which reconciles primitive Celtic influences with contemporary designs and forms. What’s more, they are all handcrafted using textured stoneware clay and are finished with a rich metallic oxide producing a depth of luster-according to her website.

If you look at her catalog you will see that there are so many designs and they are divided into four types: Celtic stone, iron stone, jewelry and the unique. There is also a section for new products in case you are searching for something else. Her designs are so addicting that I am actually thinking of ordering items in the future for my growing collection of Celtic art at home. My big thanks to Northern Irish singer/songwriter Eve Williams who sent me these items. Thank you Eve for giving me something tangible and lasting. And also thanks for doing it at the time when I need something comforting and beautiful.

About Michelle Butler:

Michelle Butler is a Design Graduate from Falmouth School of Art, Cornwall, where she specialised in Ceramics. In December 1998 she started her business in the Omagh Enterprise Centre from where she relocated, in August 2005 to a barn at her home on the Gortin Road, Omagh where Sperrin Ceramics Studio was born.

Her stoneware ceramics have developed a style which reconciles primitive Celtic influences with contemporary designs and forms. The pieces are all handcrafted using textured stoneware clay and are finished with a rich metallic oxide producing a depth of lustre.

One of the brooches

A large variety of glazes are used to apply colour to specific areas of pattern and relief creating a rustic earthy ambience that makes each piece a unique gift from Ireland.

Celtic Stone, Iron Stone, Unique and Jewellery Collections are available in outlets throughout Ireland and abroad. Celtic Stone draws its influence in strong ancient Irish legacy while Iron Stone includes more contemporary designs and forms; Ironstone also features larger pots and lamp bases which are coil built and handcarved and are available as commissioned pieces.

The Michelle Butler Jewellery Collections boasts as amalgamation of these styles in a range of smaller distinctive jewellery items.

You can find more of her works in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Butler-Ceramics/10293475761

Online store: http://www.michellebutlerceramicartist.com/

Or the store address:

Sperrin Ceramics Studio, 92 Glenpark Road,
BT79 7ST Omagh

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Huzzah!

And now few ads from friends:
Purchase the CANTUS LUNARIS – Debut-Cd : Fabula antiqua
Thank you for order and we hope you enjoy listening of our vocal-instrumental ensemble for old music and celitc !
Kind regards Cantus Lunaris
www.cantuslunaris.com

Celtic music record in Belgium.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celtiquez-vous/259037564114379

New review of “Affinity”  Moya Brennan and Corma De Barra: http://www.newagemusicworld.com/affinity-moya-brennan-cormac-de-barra/