Blair Dunlop on Style, Legacy and the Horizon Award (Interview)

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Blair Dunlop

I am a big fan of The Fairport Convention. To talk to someone like Blair Dunlop who is genetically linked to the musical greats, is such an amazing thing. He has crafted his own artistic identity through the release of his solo album Blight and Blossom(Rooksmere Records).  Get to know him more through this interview.

Breton singer/songwriter Dom Duff introduced me to Blair Dunlop. “He met me in Midlands airport last September.” Dom added that Blair’s new album is now out and that his father’s the founding member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Albion Band. Another interesting trivia: Blair appeared in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as the young Johnny Depp.  So Dom offered Blair’s contact information and I took it from there. See how blogging connects people?

So I got in touch with the singer/songwriter and we introduced one another before launching this interview. He provided his phone number in case I want to do it by phone by I suggested doing an email interview would be easier for both of us. And it gives us more time to think what to write each other.

Your hands are full between promoting The Albion band and your solo album. It must be a good start of the year for you.

Yeah it’s a busy time, but it’s exciting. I like to push myself
musically, so to have different projects on the go feels right for me.
They’re very different projects too, so that keeps me stretched as a
musician. Which I like.

How do you describe the sound on your solo project compared to The Albion band which I believe has a more Celtic sounding style?

The sounds are very different. The Albion Band sound is definitely
fuller and rockier. Not really Celtic though, it’s English folk rock
based on traditional English tunes and traditions as opposed to Irish
or Scottish. My solo stuff is far more stripped back and showcases
more of my songwriting and acoustic guitar playing. In short, it’s
more acoustic.

What’s the feeling  after bagging the prestigious BBC folk award?

Winning the Horizon Award was great. It was a great night and I met
some great people, but to be acknowledged by the BBC was special. It’s
an organization that has a reputation all over the world, so the award
has a certain weight. It was a welcome start to the year.

What are these projects you hinted on the first question and can you expound on them for the benefit of our readers?

I have my solo work (I now go out solo, as a trio and as a band)
doing my personal material; the Albion Band which is a more folk/rock
outfit; and an EP and some gigs in April with 2 American songwriting
sisters, the Lovell sisters of Larkin Poe.

How do you describe your smooth singing style and who are your vocal influences growing?

It’s easier for me to cite guitar and writing influences as opposed
to singing influences… Hmm, good question. My biggest singing would
probably be Jim Moray (who I have a gig with tonight, actually!)
because he treats traditional material in a very modern way, we have
similar voices naturally and I can see some of myself in him.

 How does it feel to be part of the family that made the legendary band Fairport Convention?

It’s normal for me I guess, so it’s hard to answer. It’s a great
family of people and musicians and it’s been a big part of my growing
up, especially Cropredy Festival. The traditional music is inside me,
and that’s probably largely to do with Fairport.

Blair Dunlop is currently promoting his album Blight and Blossom all over UK. You can catch him through these venues by visiting http://blairdunlop.com/gigs/

Links:

http://www.blairdunlop.com

www.thealbionband.com

‘Blight & Blossom’ is now out on 180g Vinyl. Available at all good retailers and direct from http://www.rooksmerestudios.com/buy-online/blair-dunlop-blight-blossom-vinyl

Bio:

Blair Dunlop is 20-years old, a captivating vocalist, and has rapidly emerged as one of the finest of singer-songwriters. His vocals have a paradoxically light and raunchy feel, a very much ’once heard, never forgotten’ sound. On guitar, he is forging a style of his own which is quite breathtaking and featured recently in Acoustic magazine purely as an up-and-coming guitarist. Listen to the beautifully crafted lyric of Blight and Blossom (title track) to understand then song-crafting beyond his young years. This coupled with contributions from, friend, Richard Thompson who has given Blair one of his own previously unrecorded compositions -Seven Brothers – to début on his new album. The full-bloodied sound on the album is created by Blair interacting with a wonderfully cohesive, intuitive and sympathetic group of musicians. Among the latter are Larkin Poe, Joan Wasser (Joan As Policewoman), the legendary Ashley Hutchings, Pete Zorn, Tim Harries, Mark Hutchinson, Guy Fletcher and a string quartet. Blight & Blossom is truly an adventurous and unique affair. In performance, Blair has confidence and a very real stage presence. Certainly, having started out as a young actor, appearing on TV and in the Johnny Depp/Tim Burton movie ’Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’, will have helped in this regard. Yet when it comes to discussing his own songs, Blair can be quite modest and happy to let critics and the listeners decide what they think of them. After a little coaxing, however, he talked a little about their genesis and the context from which each grew.

Videos:

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Huzzah!

Hello beautiful people of the page. Yes, I am currently featuring Blair Dunlop. In a span of a week, you will be getting news from him . Our  Huzzah is getting to be a great source of  buzz where you can get fresh music and gig news. So make it a habit to spread The Celtic Music Fan.

LES DOIGTS DE L’HOMME – GET A GRIP. It’s the first time I heard of this group but all members are fascinating. Check this video out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDTMwikvQ8Y&feature=youtu.be

Goitse perform for the Ojai Concert Series. My big thanks to Jeremy King of Poitin for sharing the link to this terrific performance! Here’s the video: http://youtu.be/0k6EUKpx_GI

Enda Seery is currently shooting a video for Síocháin na Tuaithe.

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Live show for Deep is the Well coming this May!

Hear the complete new album – Live!

Join Kevin O’Donnell for a rare live performance of Deep is the Well, along with a bit of storytelling.  The shows will feature many guest artists from the album, including: Maurice Lennon, Jim DeWan, Larry Gray, John Rice, John Williams, and more…

Be among the first to purchase a copy of Deep Is The Well – and join Kevin for a pint at the pub.

Only two Chicagoland performances, so don’t miss out:

Sunday, May 5th  –  1pm-5pm  –  Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant and Pub

8 N. Vail Avenue

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

(847) 577-7733

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Album promotion time!

Ok I am going to renew, my album recommendations.

Ghosts Of Our Past – Biblecode Sundays

The BibleCode Sundays: Always a joy to listen to. Never boring, always energetic and totally amazing melodies! Ghosts Of Our Past is released in 2006 by this London-based celtic rock band. Their music is a lively mixture of traditional Irish folk music and contemporary rock music.

Listen and buy the tracks by following the link below.

http://www.last.fm/music/Biblecode+Sundays/Ghosts+Of+Our+Past

Barleyjuice:Skulduggery Street

To quench your rockaholic Celtic thirst is the album called Skulduggery Street  by Barleyjuice. 14 tracks filled with Celtic rock music, comedy and poetry. I reviewed this album around 2010 and got a  nice response.

” Nice review and this looks like a really cool group. I can definitely see what you mean about the catchiness. I’ve only played the video once and it’s already sticking in my head.

It also looks like they have enough spirits on that table to keep their fest going for quite some time!”-http://andrewjwalsh.com/

Get this album through the band’s website: http://www.barleyjuice.com/

Aisling na nGael (An Irish Dream)

People love their Celtic music to rock, some to haunt but there are those who want a more operatic approach. This is where Irish singer Emma Kate Tobia rises to the occasion. Co-produced by Frank Buckley, Niall “Herbie” Macken and Emma Kate, was recorded in St Multose Church in Kinsale and the lofty acoustics fit perfectly with Buckley’s arrangements.

“Aisling na nGael introduces traditional Irish Songs to the world as rich orchestral and choral masterpieces,” says Emma-Kate.

http://www.emmakatetobia.com

Deep is the Well by Kevin O’Donnell.

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Deep is the Well

Artist: Kevin O’Donnell

Album: Deep is the Well

Players: Jim DeWan, Finbar Furey, Larry Gray, Kathleen Keane, Bill Lanphier, Maurice Lennon, Haley O’Donnell, John Rice, John William, and Jessica Willis

Style: Irish Country, Americana

Tracks:

  • A Letter Home
  • When I Was Young
  • Factory Girl
  • Downtowner Motel
  • Girl from Durango
  • Illinois & Michigan Canal
  • Camp-Farm Road
  • Rusted Dreams
  • She
  • The Ballad of Jackie Ryan Fagan
  • Saint Malachy’s Waltz

There are recordings that accomplish the purpose of entertaining. There are those that serve to tell. Deep is the Well by Kevin O’Donell accomplishes both of these aspects. The album reads like a biographical book as it explores the lives of Irish immigrants to the United States. Those who are fascinated by Irish history and the American Antebellum period will take this album close to heart as any jewels uncovered from the treasure chest.

The album starts with A Letter Home . The spoken letter takes us back to the sentiments of someone sending a message to those close to the heart more than a century ago. There is something poignant and also I sometimes feel the hair on my skin stand as I realize that that the owner has been dead  a long time ago. To uncover these intimate details about another person’s life long after he or she is dead is such a fascinating thing.

Factory Girl is the promotional single which is available online. It’s a story of Mary Helen Dougherty (1879-1918)

Born a blue-collar daughter in an old river town,

where the slow-rolling water from the prairie run down

the bend of the river is the edge of her world,

there’s no place it seems for the modest of dreams of a Factory Girl…

Makes you want to find out more right? There are more vibrant lives through the liner notes of Deep is the Well.

The rest of the album play like old pages with the breath of freshness. Something like old pages smelling of tobacco, dust and the lives exposed to it. The music is lush, vibrant but unhurried. It is a story teller’s album. The intention is to tell you something with the accompaniment of music. The spotlight is on the lyrics, although the musical depth and richness are always present. Cellos, viola, acoustic guitar, dobro and other beautiful sounds embellish this album.

Kevin O’Donnell has a resonant and expressive voice that can appeal to any genre. The production is crisp, clear and bright. Appreciation also goes to the album packaging. That cover artwork is a piece of eye candy.

Inspiration (at least the great ones) always comes from something deep. Something that’s steeped in history and the passionate lives led by people who handed out their legacy to us through books and songs. This is what I found in Deep is the Well. It’s an album that’s focused on something that is lasting. It speaks of feelings across time, and the wisdom comes with age and experiences.

Do you recall how  older relatives tell us how life was harder and how they struggled to make ends meet. I realize how everything comes easy now, in this age of instant gratification. How we get spoiled and would like everything to happen when we want it. They struggled and fought just to get us where we are now. It isn’t hard to acknowledge all the sweat and blood that paved way for something like a generation of the free. It’s the very sentiment that’s found in Deep is the Well. Just acknowledging and not forgetting , I think is enough for those who came before us.

I recommend this album to people who are fond of history and ballads. You will get so much out of Deep is the Well, not just musically but something to feel your soul.

About Kevin

Singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and published author: these are the distinctive hallmarks of Kevin O’Donnell’s public career. He is affectionately called “uncle tunes” among his family and close circle of musician friends, and is more broadly recognized in Chicago music circles as the founder and front man for the Irish-American folk group Arranmore.

Kevin’s commercial success as a songwriter dates back to the 1986 release of Island Home. He has frequently been compared to such writers as Gordon Lightfoot, Cheryl Wheeler, and Bill Staines. Americana and folk artists have recorded his early works and his historically based compositions have been featured in television documentaries both in the USA and Ireland.  Under Kevin’s leadership and direction Arranmore attained musical success in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Kevin traded concert stages for theatrical stages in 2000, performing with the prestigious Racine Theatre Guild, playing leading roles in several plays including Twelve Angry Men, The Sensuous Senator, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Flowers for Algernon, and Neil Simon’s, I Ought To Be In Pictures.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/deepisthewell

https://twitter.com/DeepIsTheWell

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Huzzah!

Hi friends. Sunday edition comes too soon. That’s because this week is really hectic for me. And this is a good kind of busy because it’s all about music and writing projects. I hope your Sunday is being spent wisely: more naps and music. Yes those are good things. Anyway what you will meet below are links to what’s hot today. At least these are the things that people are talking about. So let me start:

An event for  Battlefield Band:

“A warm welcome back to Scotland’s BATTLEFIELD BAND Thursday April 11th. This a a fundraiser for NC Chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma. We hope you will come out and support the event . Local Celtic Musician James Olin starts of the evening at 7pm with a 45 minute set of Celtic Music, Award Winning Wake & District Pipes & Drums open for ” The Battlefield band. Tickets are $8 in advance on ticketleap.com. or $10 at Door. Great Raffle Prizes plus brilliant Scottish Dinner special will make this salute to Tartan Day a great Celtic event. Please call 919 833-7795 to reserve seats stage side for dinner.”-Tir Na NOg Annie

Here’s the amazing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDiVyra7jd0&feature=share

Whoa! The Edinburgh International Harp Festival

Wow if you are in the area better check this out. It’s filled with amazing artists. According to Corrina Hewat:

“A good day! And tomorrow will be even better as the CH Band are playing. Me and Fraser Fifield Alyn Cosker Tom Lyne Dave Milligan Woop. I suppose the sensible thing to do would be to create an event and invite you all, but on the other hand, I could just catch up with friends, hear harpy goings on and not be in front of the computer. I choose the latter!”

Wild Irish Poet

Photo from Wild Irish Poet

Spring has Sprung in Ireland: Our featured artist Alan Cooke, The Wild Irish Poet this week has posted this photo of the sunny Ireland today. It looks like the sun is finally here to stay!

Tyde: Punchy, danceable and intricate

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Tyde

Band: Tyde

Genre: Folk

Members:

Heather Gessey – fiddle/vocals
Seth Tinsley – guitars/vocals
Andrew Waite – piano accordion

Hometown: Newcastle

Album: ‘The Hidden Spoon’ released February 2013!

Thirty seconds into the Hidden Spoon, and I knew already that Tyde has something special to offer to discriminating ears. Their brand of electro folk and textured sound have something to do with their Newcastle environment. Mesmerizing melodies, angelic male and female vocals are just few of the many qualities you can find when you listen to Tyde. They have mastered the art of groove. They are also well acquainted with modern music and they use various styles to create their own original sound.

Most of the songs have folk goodness coupled with interesting samples and loops. They are true to what they are known for: creating punchy, danceable and intricate tunes. It is no wonder they’re part of the finalists in the BBC Radio2 Young Folk Awards in 2008. The music is rooted to the spirit of British Isles. Its brilliance is all over the tracks and the haunting qualities of these tracks are the things that make Tyde special even to those who are not into Celtic music. Fresh, modern and dynamic. The ever-changing soundscapes and moods that their songs evoke upon the listeners are here to stay and will be enjoyed through generations.

http://www.tydefolk.com

Bio:

Tyde are a 3 piece that draw upon influences from every corner of the British Isles and beyond to deliver music and song that is dynamic, fresh and quite brilliantly played. In 2008, as finalists in the BBC Radio2 Young Folk Awards they captured the hearts of the live and broadcast audience. Then through several club and festival appearances in 2009 they began to build a strong following with their great sets and infectious onstage character. Tyde’s hotly anticipated debut album was launched in spring 2010 by Mrs Casey Records.

“Three brilliant players with a musical maturity way beyond their years. Their music goes straight to the heart of the audience, with an appeal second to none. A must for a concert venues. Pure Joy.” Tom McConville

“The best young band I’ve heard in years” Mike Harding – BBC Radio2

“Fantastic musicianship… If I could play like them now I’d be very happy, If I could play like them when I was their age I’d probably be living in the Bahamas!” Damien Barber – The Demon Barbers

“Watch out Lau!” Spiral Earth

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Huzzah!

Surprise? I know it’s not even a few days and I have this post.  Something occurred to me today. I told myself why wait? Why put a schedule in what I do? When I feel like writing then write. I am prolific (hahaha) that’s why I blog in three more sites other than the two that I already own. Yes my brain has that capacity, so why limit it? So expect that I would no longer be putting numbers to what I do. This is me and I live my life free.

The Wild Irish Poet Alan Cooke has been a subject of online interviews including a radio show where he guested and talked about his writings. And this is the link to that show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1/2013/03/27/alan-cooke-irish-emmy-winning-writer-actor-filmmaker

Well, he has his own program where he interviews people in all walks of life. The conversation is up an hour-long and it’s a spot on type of thing. And this is where this other side of him, the media side really shines. http://thewildhourshow.wordpress.com/

Blair Dunlop


Click for details

Blair Dunlop is our next interview artist to be featured here. Ok no more surprises. I am letting you know what to expect this early.

Sahara

Click for details

if you haven’t yet, now is your chance to add something to unique to your collection of Celtic albums. Sahara is a duo of Singer/Songwriters Trish and Dave Long. They are based in Mornington Peninsula, that’s in Australia and they’re originally from Ireland. I have their new CD A New Beginning and I really enjoyed  it and continues to do so.

Micka O’Brien – The Ballad of the Downtrodden: Always a pleasure to discover young artists through recommendations of friends. This time we have Micka O’Brien and recommended by CMF’s best pal John Breen:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gsy7Y0SWaU&feature=youtu.be

Follow him through facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MickaOBrienMusic

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill performing together. Wow what an amazing performance. According to Enda Seery:” I could listen to this all day!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96bKIE37gwQ

“Síocháin na Tuaithe” by Enda Seery

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Artist: Enda Seery

Album: Síocháin na Tuaithe

Location: Streamstown, Co. Westmeath

Players:ENDA SEERY-Whistles, flute, keyboard, vocals. JOHN BYRNE-Guitar.

JAMES HUGHES-Fiddle. EOGHAN MACAOGÁIN-Whistle. TOM DELANY-Guitar.

Tracks:

  1. The Scholar/Sam’s Delight (ES)/The Night Owl Time (ES) Reels 4.02
  2. The Castle/The Nightingale Jigs 3.25
  3. Peggy in the Settle/Day Trip to Galway (ES) Single Reels 2.47
  4. It’s A Working Man I Am Song 5.12
  5. The Dairy (ES)/The Belfast Hornpipes 4.06
  6. Santa Cruz (ES)/Friends from the States (ES) Jigs 2.38
  7. Amhrán na Leabhar Slow Air 3.03
  8. An Bhfuil an Fear Mór Istigh? Set Dance, Slip Jig 2.39
  9. The Golden Keyboard/John Blessing’s/The Highlandman Who Kissed HisGranny Reels 3.23
  10. My Aunt Jane/The Gullane/The Rambling Sailor Polkas 3.42
  11. Jearóid/You Rogue You Daren’t Meddle Me Slow Reel, Reel 3.02
  12. The Killeigh/Langton’s of Kilkenny (ES) Hornpipes 3.20
  13. Loving Hannah Song 4.28
  14. Tatter Jack Walsh/An Luradán/The Hag With The Money Jigs 3.31
  15. Síocháin na Tuaithe (ES)/Ralph’s Paw (ES) Slow Waltz, Jig 3.23
  16. Larry’s Favourite/The Floating Crowbar/The Chicago Reels 4.51

Close your eyes when you listen to this album. I think “Síocháin na Tuaithe” accomplished what it intends. Like its cover art, the album has this languid, pastoral and unhurried atmosphere. For someone who monitored his career for more than two years, I can say that Enda Seery has been known as a musician of delicacy and elegance through giving emphasis on the beauty of a single note. And because of this, his album has attained a peculiar atmosphere that calls to mind recordings from Altan, Lunasa and on his vocal tracks that of Anuna. It is this love for the beauty of notes that make  Síocháin na Tuaithe a rewarding experience.

The album has 16 tracks. Two of which are recorded with his own vocals. This is also the first time that he explored the idea of recording his singing voice although he’ d been singing for years. The album’s varying tempo of each track plus the great number of songs is enough to quench your thirst for the music of the tin whistle. Very appropriate because it took him two and a half years to release. Nine of these sixteen tracks are composed by Enda. Including Sam’s Delight a reel recently recorded by button accordion player Colin Nea on his album Between the Jig and the Reels. It’s also the opening track of Síocháin na Tuaithe.

The tracks are arranged in a way that feels like a thread is running through the album. Everything feels right and how they fit in the order of the tracks. There is a strong balance all over Síocháin na Tuaithe. As arrangements are never repeated in the order. For example, after the sweet high tune of the tin whistle is The Castle which is dominated by fiddle and flute. After that, another arrangement and so on. The Working Man is a vocal track which reminds me of the  Nightnoise ballads. The same goes for Loving Hannah. Enda Seery possesses a beautiful voice in the style of the late Mícheál Ó Domhnaill.

Síocháin na Tuaithe promises to appeal to many listeners both of the New Age and Traditional kind. It’s a kind of album that will gain more brilliance with years. And perhaps be rediscovered and shared again and again.

Buy Síocháin na Tuaithe  here: http://www.endaseery.com/

***

Huzzah!

Let me plug a friend’s book here. She’s Kerry Brennan from the Celtic East Coast of Canada. Under  Northern Stars is a collection of her poems.

Kerry Brennan

Click to preview

Artist of the week Alan Cooke uploaded this fascinating audio. This is about his upcoming book Spirit of Ireland Book – An Odyssey Home. I think it is a beautiful work in itself which can stand on its own even though it is a promo for the book. This is  a prose about Ireland.

A beautiful new memoir by Emmy winning Irish Writer Alan Cooke. He takes you on a journey back to his homeland. Back to the spirits, the landscape, the pain, the beauty and the majesty of Ireland. Coming soon as an Ebook and Hard copy all over the world. For more information go to www.wildirishpoet.com

Kevin O'Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell

Here is the 6th and the last part of the Kevin O’Donnell teaser:

Preview

Prior to the release, preview the song “Factory Girl”, keep informed on the album and release events, and, beginning May 3rd, purchase your copy of DEEP IS THE WELL on the web at www.deepisthewell.com.

For more information, promo requests, or to set up an interview, please contact:

Noah Smulkis

Ceolwind Productions

PO Box 5489, Evanston, IL 60204

promotions@ceolwind.com

708-363-6616

Here’s the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/168806033277199/

For those who love Cornwall, you got to see the Minack Theatre. It is a fascinating venue on a scenic spot. As they say, you have never been to Cornwall if you haven’t been to the Minack Theatre. Thanks fo my friend UrbanKelt for posting this link.

The Minack Theatre is Cornwall’s world famous open-air theatre, carved into the granite cliff overlooking the spectacular panorama of Porthcurno Bay. It’s a must-visit for drama, musicals and opera in the most dramatic of settings.

Publisher: Visit Cornwall http://www.visitcornwall.com/
Producer: Sideways Collective http://www.visitcornwall.com/
Music: Bhopali
Artist: Van Maximillan Carlson
Source: Sideways Collective

Truth and Dare:The Wild Irish Poet (a.k.a. Alan Cooke) Interview .

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Alan Cooke

Alan Cooke. a.k.a.  is an Emmy-winning actor/poet/novelist who just released his literary piece called Naked in New York. The book is the  result of his experiences, when he embarked on a journey to New York city just after the 9/11. He has acted and written since the 90s and then one day he just decided to leave it all behind and take a plunge into the unknown.

Naked in New York is a coming of age for the soul. He mentioned to me in one of our conversations that if he put all of his experiences in New York on text, then it would have taken him more than a thousand pages. This is a book of poetic beauty that flows in abundance through the pages. There are moments of pure illumination amidst the harsh realities in which he describes without sugar-coating. The poetry of his ideas are implied rather than expressed. And it is through one’s poetic soul that the beauty of his experiences is revealed.

This interview is kind of amusing. I have told him to hurry with the interview and not be distracted by other topics. We were doing a sort of dare. If you’ve followed one of his radio interviews, you will realize that he has an ample sense of humor.

“Ok last time give me those questions. I’ll do them right NOW.” The zeal of an Irishman! So we started with the interview.

“Hold on.” I was sifting through my original questions.

“Hurry up.” I was imagining him with that cocky smile at the other side of the monitor. And we started.

Alan with the release of Naked in New York, what do you plan to accomplish personally?

Well this is the first of three books. Naked in New York is a debut. I would like to go to New York this summer and read and promote the book if possible.

You have done stage and acting and I know your are very musically inclined. Any plans to dipping your vocal chords into an EP devoted to Irish music in the future?

Click to enlarge

I doubt it. I adore music. I adore the sounds of Ireland and the breath and depth of musicians. I do have a strong singing voice but I might make my own single one day . I like to try out new mediums who knows..

How do you feel about the reception towards Naked in New York?

Well whomever has read it has been very moved in many ways. But the promotional aspect I find exhausting. It is way more difficult than writing the book I have to admit. But then it only takes one piece of media coverage or the right person to read the book to bring it to a much larger audience.

Are you planning to do a sort of book tour in a form of public readings in the US?

I would love to yes. I am a performer. I am an orator. I am not a writer hiding out. I love to be in the world. In front of people speaking my words. I like to try and transform a room with the connection between teller and listener. That is the crux of all art.

You have upcoming projects. Can you give us an update on them?

Well as I said, I have two other books. The Spirit of Ireland and Jack Tully and the Midnight Killer. I hope to release both of them this spring. One must keep creating. Keep the candle burning in the midst of dark times. Someone out there could be moved or changed by your work. So I try never to give up.

You often discuss this light and dark contrast in the Irish psyche which is also the focus of your thriller Jack Tully and the Midnight killer. What do you think in brief paragraph, might have caused this phenomena?

Our history. Our colonization. Our religious repression. We are a mythic native culture at our root base. We are powerful poetic and magical in a sense. Our previous overlords knew this and crushed and starved and enslaved us for hundreds of years. So although we have a gift still in our Celtic souls, it is split I believe. At one side is a beauty for poetry and laughter and lightness. On the other is self loathing, self-destruction and hatred of our identity. You see it in the drink culture and the low expectations and learned helplessness that is very dominant here. So I like to explore that in my writing. But I think soon the Irish will rise into the full version of themselves again. Into the colour light and beauty of their own soul. They need to see and explore the myths. They need to cast out shame and sadness and realize we are powerful. Self love is the key. This landscape is filled with such amazing magic and depth. We only have to walk into it and say I AM.

Click to enlarge

Tell me more about your spoken words via youtube. You have released 3 so far right? What inspires you to make those?
Well I am an actor who hasn’t acted in quite a while. So my narrations are really my way of exploring my performance and my writing together. Both are intrinsically linked. The power of voice and the word is such a potent force when used for good. That is why I try and make these videos to combat so much destructive messages in the media.

I am curious what you have in your music player right now. Can you give me at least five Irish albums you are listening to?

Oh.. ! Well not many. I like the old U2 Albums when they were less concerned about massive profit and more about art. I like Thin Lizzy and also a lot of Uileann Pipe players. I love the Dubliners and Luke Kelly. I need to listen to more music again. !

You mentioned once that the book is a distilled version of what really happened in New York. If you’ve decided to write the story as is, it would have taken you a thousand pages. But as you mentioned, it’s more like an ‘art writing’ but also autobiographical. How did you decide which scenes in your life made it to the book and what didn’t and why?

It flowed in a certain rhythm. It was more an exploration of my feelings related to the experience than the actual experience if that makes sense. All reality is subjective. All magic or true experience is blended at times. I needed a certain level of discernment and trust of my gift to allow the flow to happen. What seemed important at the time of my journey became oddly trivial and then what seemed like an innocent road or a tiny moment became this momentous occasion in the book. I guess it is all perspective. There is no real truths only that which is your feeling of what you believed at the time. New york was such an overwhelming environment that I can only conclude my writing ultimately helped me undo the knots in my soul from the experience.

Let’s do another plug here. Where can they buy your book and the various formats that they can buy of naked in New York?

Well if they go to www.wildirishpoet.com they can buy the audio version of the book. If they go to www.amazon.com/author/wildirishpoet they can guy the kindle version .

Cat:”She is a godless. She is my familiar. Very very special. deeply intelligent and been through it all with me from New York to here.”
Click to enlarge.

Three more questions.

I’ll kill you.

Work it.

What is your idea of a good Irish holiday Alan?

Roaming the west in a car. Going to Kerry, Cork, Connemara. The wild ragged west of Ireland with the people, the food and hopefully in the summer. The long evenings and the sunsets and the magic of animals and mountains. It is all there in the very substance of every tree and river and in the eyes of the old people here. Magic in Ireland will never die.

So …what do you think? Should we stop here? Do you want 10 more questions?

No that’s enough let it roll. Off to do yoga in my house and weights, then porridge.

Copyright 2012 – Alan Cooke and Wild Poet Films. All footage is copyrighted. His Blog: www.wildirishpoet.blogspot.com
Buy the book on http://www.wildirishpoet.com on Audio release soon. Email to order your copy : wildpoetfilms@gmail.com

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Huzzah!

It is another interesting week for our featured artist edition. We have Alan Cooke above and also links in this column that you should check out because they are interesting! There are things that are yet to happen which will be revealed through my conversation with an artist. Yes, you will get an idea how I talk regularly.

Here’s the fifth teaser for the Kevin O’ Donnell album:

Kevin O'Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell

The Album Release

DEEP IS THE WELL will be released and available online Friday, May 3rd for purchase from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. A music video for the first single “Factory Girl” will be launched April 16th. Stay tuned for Album Release Events scheduled for May in the Chicagoland area, which will feature many of the guest artists on the album. More at www.deepisthewell.com.

Here’s the latest post from the Saw Doctors fan page: Later this year we are hoping to publish a book featuring 100 songs of The Saw Doctors. We will post a song each day as we reveal the 100.

We are looking for any photographs, stories or memories related to each of the songs for inclusion in the book. So let us know if you have a suggested contribution in the comments section.

Song #1 has to be the first song on our first album and also our first number 1 single 🙂

All 100 songs are available for download on iTunes and on CD from http://shop.sawdoctors/. And here’s the video: ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TRJ5CG_jIs

Eve Williams

Eve Williams

Check this track by Eve Williams. According to Eve: “It’s a song called Miranda based on the Tempest by myself, Andrew Price and Stuart Revnell. Stuart produced the song and he put a lot of work into the vocals.”

More at http://www.evewilliamsmusic.com/

Jenne Lennon

Jenne Lennon
Click to enlarge.

A Brief conversation with Singer/Songwriter, Writer, Composer, and Native American Rights Activist Jenne Lennon.

How are you Baxter? Its been ages……

I know Jenne but it is timeless in Celticland so it only seems like yesterday the vibes are still the same if you have anything you want me to post let me know id be happy to post it.

oh thank you! yes, a lot going on here. We signed with San Juan records and such. But, I was thinking of you. Last we talked you were feeling down. Are your spirits any better? New year….new energies…

Yes it is Jenne. Just like trees everything has its season. This is spring lol  

That’s good news! It is, although in chicago, today was our first day of sunshine and relatively warm weather. By warm I mean 45 F compared to -2 F!

Oh ok. Yeah brrrrrrr haha. Here it is the start of summer in the Philippines so it is getting hot. Kind of silent around due to the lent.

Absolutely. But this amazing city is making up for it. Incredible Celtic music here. A bit of a world music resurgence going on now.
Yes, I imagine it is silent due to lent. I am jealous of the weather though, my best friend who is Filipino told me not to be so jealous as its very humid there, hehe!

You will get one too. In a couple of weeks. Yeah! humid indeed haha. I am doing my blogging outside where there’s moving air and birds…flowers etc

Hehe….I hope so. Although our summers are very hard and humid as well. My ancestors were not cut out for it. I am Irish after all…..I can’t take strong heat or cold.That sounds lovely! what time is it there?

Yeah I can imagine it must be hard for northern skins. Here it is 10 am.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1/2013/03/27/alan-cooke-irish-emmy-winning-writer-actor-filmmaker  Listening to the wild Irish poet.

Nice! It’s 9:00 p.m. here. Are we 11 hours apart? Thanks for the link!

Yeah 11 hours.

But, this summer I will be in South Africa, which it will be winter then hehe.

In which I asked her about Shishonnah and a possible online interview.

Oh, great! I would love to talk to you about Shishonnah and the work I am doing in South Africa. I’ve started working with the Chicago Childrens choir and it has completely changed my life. My dream is coming true to go to South Africa this summer if I can manage to raise the funds….

Ok. So info is just in your site right? I can just go there and read. I just want to make sure I am asking relevant questions.

Sure. Or, you can ask me anything you like. I can update you about anything. But, yes, the south African stuff is all on the site. Except for my work with The Chicago children’s choir (who you HAVE to check out) very famous. You would love their stuff

Ok. I would like an update on the Chicago children’s choir. I can just study the south African thing on your site.

Yes, anything you’d like that organization really changed my life. Its been incredible. I will be touring with one of the choirs next month and they will be singing my arrangement of “siuil a ruin” and I’ll be a guest soloist. Too cool! And how are things with you? How is the blog?

I told her about the subscribers have increased and I am introducing changes to the blog. We chatted for a few more minutes before we said goodbye and will be talking again soon.

About Jenne

Site maintained by Glencoe Records and Healing Sun Productions. This is a promotional page for Singer/Songwriter, Writer, Composer, and Native American Rights Activist Jenne Lennon. One half of the World Fusion duo Shishonnah, Creator and owner Glencoe Records, an indie world music label.
www.glencoerecords.com
www.jennelennon.com
www.shishonnah.com
Congratulations Dónal McCague!
Dónal McCague

Matt Molloy ag bronnadh gradam Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana -Young Musician of the Year ar Dónal McCague Click for details.