Enter the Haggis-The Modest Revolution

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Featuring: Book review:Naked in New York, Nolwenn Leroy, Mandolin Improvisation in A minor track, Karen Marshalsay, Clannad 70s flashback and John Breen‘s new track.

ENTER THE HAGGIS

ENTER THE HAGGIS

The Modest Revolution by Enter the Haggis is courting mainstream listeners. The songs are all catchy with pop hooks and definitive Celtic sound. The style has always been part of the band’s emblem since they formed in 1996. The songs stick like bread and maple syrup. And I mean stick immediately after hearing the first track Year of the Rat. Strings and uilleann pipes hug the chorus- verse -chorus structure. It is  a tune that is also radio friendly.

I mentioned about maple syrup hinting that they are from Canada. Yes a nation that has contributed amazing acts in all genres all over the world including Celtic  music. Now we move to the second track Can’t Trust the News. Yes who does these days? Everything seems to be filled with agenda. This song has a chorus that’s really easy to remember and also great to sing.

“trust your eyes
they will follow the light
it’s a new tragic story
trust your heart
it will swallow the dark
it’s a mecca of heartache and doom
you can’t trust the news.”

You bet I am singing along to this part raising my voice the way lead singer  Brian Buchanan does. Craig Downie knows how to make a listener smile with his trumpet playing. There are lots of great arrangements all over The Modest Revolution.

Down the Line is straight ahead alternative rock with hints of ska and blues. I like that part that starts at 2:50, where the drums create these beats of anticipation amidst the teasing bass lines of Mark Abraham, only to explode in a harmonica driven instrumental riffs around 2:56. I encourage you to check that part out and tell me if I am wrong. These guys know how to start the fire!

Scarecrow is upbeat with a touch of cajun, bluegrass and even melodic style reminiscent of American band Gin Blossoms.

“if you fall
fall with grace
don’t let ’em see the fear upon your face
if you break
break the reins
it’s better up in lights than down in flames.” Yes another great singalong chorus that never fails to please listeners across genres.

Balto has that Celtic fiddling that will temp you to do step dancing. Trevor Lewington  gets listeners on their feet. This is also made solid by Bruce McCarthy’s drumming. After the adrenaline rush of the previous tracks, we are greeted by the gentler Letters.

your love is a compass rose
steadfast through this sand and stone
wind, carry these letters home to Joan
old memories come to life
a last dance in this amber light
wind, carry these letters home tonight

By this time one can notice the beautiful lyricism that wraps around Enter the Haggis. The guitar riffs are contained during the verse part which sets the mood for the song. Instrumental bonanza near the end part of this track along with the rolling drums that make up an ecstatic listening experience. Pardon is another alternative rock driven track. It is an ok song for me. But Hindsight pulls my interest due to its unique arrangement. It almost sounds like a hymn.

Footnote is groovy with a pop rock kind of vibe.  Copper Leaves in a little bit country.The kind of track you would be glad to play in your car when you are driving long distance. Blackout dips into a relaxing mood in the first verse only to build up into an emotional release in the chorus part.

Up in Lights closes the album with a spiritual vibe. I think it is a perfect placement of the track. kind of serenade after the energetic arena rock vibe of the entire album. Yes this is Celtic rock with a top 40 appeal. This is likely to be embraced by old and new listeners…even those who are not familiar with the genre. Actually it sounds hip. Very urban, sophisticated and can fit anywhere. But the Celtic vibe is definitely there. The band just made sure that part is accessible to all.

Credits:

Mark Abraham – bass guitar, vocals
Brian Buchanan – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, fiddle, banjo
Craig Downie – trumpet, flugelhorn, bagpipes, whistle, glockenspiel, harmonica, vocals
Trevor Lewington – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, octave mandolin, B3, Farfisa
Bruce McCarthy – drums, percussion, vocals

Guest vocalists: The Adam Ezra Group, Erin “Izzy” Griffin, Catherine Wiegand, Kelly Elvin, Claire Rayton

Uilleann Pipes on “Year of the Rat”: Tyler Duncan

Additional Piano and B3: Joel Goodwin

Additional Percussion: Tim Price, Dave Wallace

Meaty claps and thunderous stomps: Matt Elvin, Kelly Elvin, Ellen Griffin, Erin “Izzy” Griffin, Dave Wallace, Catherine Wiegand, Claire Rayton, Patty Volpi

Cello: Michael Olsen

All music and lyrics copyright Enter The Haggis, 2012 (SOCAN/ASCAP.)
All arrangements by Enter The Haggis. Published by Firebrand Entertainment Inc.

Recorded at Saint Claire Recording Company in Lexington, KY – October, 2012.

Produced, engineered and mixed by Zach McNees

Assistant Engineers: Tim Price and Cailon Williams

Mastered by Leon Zervos at Studios 301 in Sydney, Australia

Photography by Rosco Weber

Album art and packaging design by Brian Buchanan

Gallery

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Book review:Naked in New York by Emmy Winning Irish actor/poet Alan Cooke.

A beautiful journey…

It seems that all great literary pieces of the world always include a rite of passage. Of a story about leaving the familiar and walking into the unknown. Dante’s The Divine Comedy starts with

“In the midway of this our mortal life,
I found me in a gloomy wood, astray….”

Jack Kerouac also made the same allusion with his real life road trip that resulted to a book On the Road. Now I am not going continue quoting tall literature or set a serious tone because I am just an ordinary reader like you. So what’s a blogger thought after reading Naked in New York by Irish multi Emmy nominated actor writer and film maker Alan Cooke?

Well, to start with, the book reads like music. He writes in a distinctive rhythmic pace. This isn’t the 3-minute-pop-song you-hear-on-the-radio kind of style. Think of a symphony. And though readers might miss the fact that this is an artistic writing using autobiography as vehicle, the sad scenes in Naked in New York are embellished by defining moments.

” History is littered with those that chose to never go outside of the familiar, men and women, dreamers that ached but refused a calling to another life and yet remained behind to toil a groove into a long weary existence.” Alan Cooke made a recurring theme along that line all throughout his book. Anyone who has undergone a personal awakening knows that this is the truth. We all want to know something behind this mundane existence. And we do unfamiliar things so that one day we may drink to that fountain of precious memory to say: I have done that. I know what it’s like!

The story takes off as he starts leaving for New York. ” My God are you mad? That place is burning.” Says the cab driver to him. Ah to be a poet in a huge city.

” As New York drew near, I look out the window and finally saw the skyline of Manhattan. I saw the ridges and jagged lines of America’s greatest city. It looks surreal. The plane veered towards JFK. I could not take my eyes off the city. It already had me in its gaze.”

There are patters of microscopic observations in passages like…

I walked down the steps and through the tunnel. The faces seemed mute and sullen. It was a sharp reminded of what had happened here. I had been above the earth in silence for many hours and now I felt the sudden rush of America.”

The thing about Naked in New York is that it is part commentary, part poetry and part autobiography. It is populated by interesting characters. Alan Cooke has this deep compassion for the lost and the forgotten :the old raggedy Ann dolls that got tossed because someone’s got a new toy to play with.

From a crazy landlady:

“I quickly found another place to live and confronted her with my deposit. But she wailed and screamed and made excuses, run out the door and did not come back.”

To being a victim of hit and run:

“…suddenly a car smashes me into an abyss. Death takes its aim at me and I am alone. This road where I lie in the Bronx is cold and full of treachery.”

His narration includes subway mad men, good friends, death of a relative an being broke, cold and sick: “My sanity vanished in these panicked moment yet something deeper was allowing this to happen, to strip away the primal essence in New York. I felt naked in New York in these moments, alone and exposed, a wire cut by a sharp blade.”

Naked in New York takes us on an emotional ride but never losing the theme in which the story revolves upon: The transformation of a poetic soul in a vast city called New York. And although this is a book about his own journey, it never fails to evoke a kind of universal familiarity in all of us. After all, we have taken the same decision through different roads. And we have either safely arrived or broken. But we know this feeling. We know this symphony of the soul that transforms us into better beings. A kinder and more profound version of ourselves. It is a brilliant book that reads like fine wine. I recommend it to everyone who loves Irish writers and also the great city, the capital of the world called New York.

Bio:

In search of a grand adventure, Alan Cooke decided to move to New York in 2001. Has has been an actor, writer and film maker in Dublin since the 90s. While there, he created artistic projects. One of them  was an improvised film about his life in the city as an Irish Immigrant called ‘ Home.’ It gave him an Emmy award.

to quote his Amazon bio:

“He got 6 A list stars to become involved in the project including Mike Myers Woody Allen, Susan Sarandon and Woody Allen. They all felt they needed to support a positive film about New York. Alan then went on to win an Emmy for his writing on the film. He continued his writing and acting and developed all his diaries thoughts and musings into what has become his debut literary memoir ‘ Naked In New York.’

‘ The Spirit of Ireland – An Odyssey Home’ is his follow up memoir.  He is currently trying to develop a documentary film of The Spirit of Ireland. He also has a radio podcast show called ‘ The Wild Hour Show’ which is a series of conversations with artists , actors, writers, singers and explorers from around the world.

Alan will also be releasing a thriller set in Ireland called ‘ Jack Tully and the Midnight Killer’. The first in a series about the life of a tough heroic small town cop who lives on the wild coast of southern Ireland and his pursuit of the criminal underworld in dark times.”

He currently lives near the epic Cliffs of Moher on the West Coast of Ireland.

SITES : www.wildirishpoet.com
www.thespiritofirelandfilm.wordpress.com
www.thewildhourshow.wordpress.com
www.homethemovie.com
Facebook : http:// www.facebook.com/wildirishpoet
Twitter : @wildirishpoet

Get your own copy of Naked in New York through Amazon.

Alan Cooke picture

Alan Cooke a.k.a. The Wild Irish Poet

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Huzzah!

Mama mia! You can’t believe the reaction I got after hearing Nolwenn Leroy‘s rendition of a Kate Bush classic Wuthering Heights. She nailed it! I tell you this woman is so amazing! If you haven’t heard of her then check out my database and type Nolwenn Leroy and you will get results from previous articles I wrote about her. In this Women’s Awareness Month Nolwenn Leroy certainly carries the flag with her achievements. More of this event here: http://www.mytaratata.com/Pages/EMISSIONS_voir.aspx?TvShowId=510

Traditional music meets futuristic online teaching

Online teaching has revolutionized the way Irish traditional musicians teach music. Read more of this interesting article by Martin Doyle. If you love mandolin music, check out this Mandolin Improvisation in A minor track by American musician Thomas McGregor. It really highlights the gentleness of the mandolin sound without the distraction of other instruments.

Now, if you are a harp student and you want to learn the instrument, Karen Marshalsay is taking advantage of online teaching as well:“I do skype harp lessons as do some other Scottish players – and I’ll be doing my first UHI lecture on Scottish harp from my home this month – looking forward to how that works out – with lecturer and students all over the highlands and beyond!” Check out more about her harp lessons and music via: http://www.karenmarshalsay.com/ and http://scottishharpmusic.wordpress.com/

Clannad 70s flashback

Before Clannad embarked in their huge musical success in th 80s, they sound like this in the 70s. I confess I prefer their 80s and beyond music; more than their earlier efforts. But like any listener one has certain mood swings in listening to music. So it is really great to be able to get back to the simpler audio recordings of the 70s  where everything was raw. No one was cheating in terms of effects. That video was taken during their live performance in Germany. German people really appreciate Irish music.

Before we close this episode, check out John Breen‘s new track uploaded via youtube. It looks like inspiration is boiling in the heart of our favorite Irish singer/songwriter. Have a listen to The Night Visiting Song.

Peter Purvis of Gaelic Storm:Titanic and Playing with big bands (Interview)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

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Peter Purvis strikes me as a person who’d rather play than talk. But when he starts talking about music, it gets very interesting. I guess this is due to the part of him that loves teaching music. Growing up in the Ottawa valley immersed him to the culture of fiddle players, step dancers and yes even developing the love for maple syrup!

He picked up the Highland pipes at 12. He progressed to the Uilleann pipes and Irish whistle at 16. His musical upbringing provided him the great opportunity to be trained by the great musicians in the field.These lessons helped shaped his musical path to this day.

Peter joined the  Gaelic Storm in2004.  The band  brought  three albums to #1 in World music on the Billboard charts. Gaelic Storm have performed side by side, Goo Goo Dolls,Zac Brown Band,Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris at events such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Milwaukee’s Summer Fest.  So let us welcome this week’s featured artist Peter Purvis!

Gaelic Storm’s tour calendar is busy until April. How is the American tour doing so far?

The US tour is great. We do most of our touring in the US these days. All of us are based here now. I’m engaged to a wonderful and beautiful girl from Chicago so that’s where I spend my days. We try to get over to either Europe, Asia or Australia at least once a year, but we typically do about 100-110 shows in the US every year.

The movie Titanic helped skyrocket the band to the American Top 40. What were the memorable things that you remember achieving such mainstream success?

Haha…..Well I has about 14 when that movie came out. My mother drove me to the theater because I wasn’t old enough to drive. That’s a question you would have to ask the other guys in the band.

When you are a touring piper, what do you need to remember in terms of comfort and getting ready for a gig?

Tuning, tuning, tuning…… Keeping a well-tuned bagpipe is a hard thing to do in perfect circumstances and my circumstances are anything but perfect. The climate on the road is always changing, making it difficult and time-consuming to stay in tune. Additionally, my pipes are being thrown around in road cases all day. Plus your instruments are in a freezing cold trailer in the winter and a boiling hot trailer in the summer.

Your first pipe instrument was the Highland pipe at the age of 12. What were the challenges learning those instruments at an age where everyone wants to pick up a guitar and be a rock star?

I think I hear this question everyday, and I still don’t have a great response. I had family friends and relatives that played, plus Braveheart had just come out. As a 12 year old a had a man crush on William Wallace (Mel Gibson) All those factors together got me interested and once I started I became obsessed and haven’t looked back.

You have an online bagpipe lesson page. Would you please tell me about that?

I love to teach and wasn’t able to do much of it because I’m on the road so much. So, I wanted to figure out a way to continue teaching with my schedule. Online seemed to be the perfect solution. I’ve created lessons on my website, www.bagpipelesson.com, and from there, I’m able to provide a month of lessons for people to work into their own schedules. These online lessons also cost less than in-person lessons. 

What I love most about it is that I’m able to offer lessons to people who don’t have access to good instruction and classes because of where they live or they simply can’t afford it. I have students as far away as Japan and as young as six years old.

What are the no no’s that one must remember when picking up a bagpipe as it differs from an Uilleann pipe?

I have been playing both for so long now that I never get them confused when playing. There are a couple of highland pipes embellishments that I will accidentally do on the uilleann pipes. However, for the most part they are such different instruments it’s hard to get them confused. As soon as your fingers hit the chanter your brain goes into an autopilot and you always know which one your playing.

What suggestions can you give to anyone trying to pursue such musical path?

If you love music and you want to make it your profession, just go for it.  Who would have thought that a bagpiper from the small town of Merrickville, Ontario would be playing at some of the biggest music festivals, venues and musicians in the world?  Anything is possible, you just gotta go for it. It’s not all about practice and trying to be the best. It’s also about getting out there, meeting people and being social. Above all, you really have to love what you do. I’m grateful enough to be able to do what I love for a living. 

Are you doing studio work apart from the band right now? And care to tell me about it?

Currently, I’m working on two studio albums. One is a more contemporary Celtic/world/rock album and the other is new highland dancing album. I hope to have both out sometime in the summer. Gaelic Storm is filming a DVD on St. Patrick’s day in Milwaukee as well.

Who is Peter Purvis when he is not performing live or doing studio work?

It’s hard to ever really escape the bagpiper in me. When I’m at home, bagpipes are still a part of my everyday life. I give a lot of lessons and play in a pipe band. I do what all other Canadians do. Sit on my Chesterfield, watch hockey and eat maple syrup (the real Canadian sort) and poutine.

Since touring with Gaelic Storm, you’ve had the chance to perform with groups and artists like Sarah McLachlan, Hanson, the Barenaked Ladies, and Collective Soul.  How was it like?  What are some other highlights of touring and performing with Gaelic Storm?  

Playing with these big bands is incredible; it’s something I never thought I would be able to do. However, it’s not very different than touring with any other band. They are all very down-to-earth and always ready to have fun.  Some highlights in my time with the band include: performing at the Milwaukee Irish fest for a crowd of about 25,000 as well as playing at Telluride bluegrass festival with some of the best musicians in the world (Elvis Costello, Bella Fleck…..). Additionally, we do massive festivals in Europe that are just out of this world.

We also play music festivals on cruises around the Caribbean. “The Rock Boat,” one of the cruises that we’ve done, is the most fun that you could possibly have in just five days. If it weren’t on water, I’m sure it would be against the law to have as much fun as we have on it. Over the years, we have been joined on this boat by Sister Hazel, Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, Hanson, Zac Brown Band, Barenaked Ladies, Sara McLachlan, Great Big Sea and many other great bands.  It’s an absolutely wild time.

While on tour, anything can happen – from our singer Patrick Murphy slugging Russell Crow (It’s true. Look up our song called “The Night I punched Russell Crow”) to skydiving.  Every day is different and more exciting than the last.

You can find out more about me at:

www.petepurvismusic.com

www.bagpipelesson.com

www.gaelicstorm.com

Videos:

Music video by Gaelic Storm performing Rag and Bone. (C) 2012 Lost Again Records

Gallery:

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Huzzah!

After the previous article’s experience, I find it hard to write something without getting personal or not mentioning any reference to that incident. But then again I make sure to keep a balance between being informative and humorous (that is if you even find some of my writings humorous). But I understand the value of really being true to oneself. Flaws and all. You know when you get to that point in your life when you think you have created every unimaginable faux pas, every grain of hopelessness that permeates the unbearable lightness of being, that’s when you stop caring and just let everything flow. And when you allow that feeling to flow then your fingers simply follow and the brain works at a speed that is comparable to ordinary speech.

The Celtic Music Fan celebrates along with the billions worldwide, March as the month of Women. So today I will feature all women artists that I think are amazing in their fields.  The first one in this list is Kyle Carey. I am amazed how she is able to maintain the balance between lightness and resonance in her singing.

I discovered the music of Heather Dale two years ago and once in a while she pops out in my status discussion.Musician Jim Wearne recommended her. Between funky sounds and spruce up renditions of classics, she maintains her vocal identity while highlighting the beauty of the Celtic harp  :

If you don’t know yet, Shauna Burns combines the beauty of Goth, Americana and Celtic atmosphere in her every song. To me she is the Celticky Tori Amos and the god child of Siouxsie Sioux in the fashion department. For those who are more into the spiritually driven music then Shauna will haunt you with her fascinating melodies.

We are also celebrating St Piran’s day in Cornwall! So what better way to celebrate than the music of Dalla and Sue Aston!

Sue Aston has the most haunting Celtic violin.

If I didn’t include other notable female artists, it means they were heavily featured in my other editions so it doens’t mean those who are not here aren’t great. Everyone always finds her way back here 😉

Larry Kirwan’s Celtic Invasion

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 10 Comments

The Buzz: “Album review:Larry Kirwan’s Celtic Invasion, Qristina Bachand and Malvariche!

Larry Kirwan's Celtic Invasion

Album: Larry Kirwan’s Celtic Invasion
Genre: Celtic Rock
Tracks:
“Weekend Irish” – Barleyjuice
“Clash of the Ash” – Runrig
“Uncle Jim” – Black 47
“You’re So Beautiful” – Pat McGuire
“Savage Earth Heart (Live from Glastonbury)” – The Waterboys
“Buile Mo Chroí (The Beat of My Heart)” – John Spillane
“22” – Celtic Cross
“Wacko King Hako” – Peatbog Faeries
“Irish Rover” – Blaggards
“Sullivans Lake (The Flood)” – Garrahan’s Ghost
“Meet Me on McLean” – Shilelagh Law
“Sí Do Mhaimeo Í” – Hothouse Flowers
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I love this album because it has everything…Mostly focused on Celtic rock style and composed of bands compiled by Celtic rockster himself Larry Kirwan of Black 47. Bands like Hothouse Flowers,Peatbog Faeries, The Waterboys and much more. The thing about the label “Celtic Rock’ is that there are a LOT of those out there and it is hard to pick out the best from the bunch. It is amazing Mr Kirwan has done this task for us all, so we know only the best in genre. It is also a way to represent the bands in the field.
My journey to Celtic music was through a different vehicle. Think of World and New Age inspired Celtic music. Yeah those were my introduction. Rock music came later in life and so were the other forms of music-in this case Celtic rock. There is not much to write about these bands except what you already know. And also your personal impression of each song. When you get your hands on a copy of Celtic Invasion. First, this is a compilation.It is hard to single out which is better. Every band excels through its own style. And this is a compilation of the creme de la creme of Celtic rock. It’s like riding the kaleidoscope of sounds where everything sparks up and it is hard single out one color from the other.
Larry Kirwan’s Celtic Invasion#1 is something you should bring with you when you want to liven up a party. If you are having your own party at home then better crank this up. This is the best. You know why? Because it isn’t just rock music. It is Celtic rock music. And the C of Celtic also stands for COOL! I know rock aficionados who like to comment on guitar rifts, bass lines, drums or even the vocals. Hey Celtic rock’s got fiddle and pipes and a whole lot more! Something you can’t find in ordinary music. So….Mr Kirwan certainly compiles something awesome with Celtic Invasion#1. May we get a follow-up to this!
The album comes with the liner notes detailing introduction to every track.
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What’s Hot This March!
Check out the gigs around the United States:

BLACK 47, March 9th at the Boulton Center, Bay Shore NY www.boultoncenter.org + at BB Kings NYC on March 16th www.bbkingsblues.com

THE SAW DOCTORS March 8th at The Paramount Theater, Huntington NY, www.paramountny.com + at Irving Plaza NYC March 15th SOLD OUT!!

THE CELTIC TENORS March 16th at Lehman Center for Performing Arts, Bronx NY, www.lehmancenter.org + at West Hampton Beach PAC on March 17th , www.whbpac.org

Also check out the new CD in time for St Patrick’s Day by ENTER THE HAGGIS, ‘The Modest Revolution’ www.Enterthehaggis.com “Each track of ‘The Modest Revolution’ is sing-a-long song with killer harmonies and masterful instrumentation and captures Enter The Haggis at the top of their game.” Paddyrock Radio

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Huzzah!

I had a bizarre experience reading a post by Qristina Bachand. It was  about a certain musician who cyber bullied her. The comment was directed to Qristina’s looks onstage.  I am so glad that Qristina has more class and obviously more brains to defend herself from these accusations. It is sad when oppression against women is directed not by men but by women themselves! It is ridiculous.  March is the month to show appreciation to the women in history. They were and are obviously beautiful inside and out. So what if you are blessed with both looks and talent? There is nothing wrong with that. If you have it, flaunt it. If you don’t then keep it. That simple. Ok enough of Qristina’s unquestionable looks onstage (which I say is fantastic!) and on with the music. This is together with brother Quinn:

Now, let’s go to Spain. Here’s an amazing video introduction to the Celtic inspired music from that region. The recommendation came with Spanish text so I don’t really understand it but the music is fantastic!

Here’s what it says:

MALVARICHE en acústico

21 de Abril de 2013

Auditorio “Victor Villegas” (Murcia)

20h. – Entrada: 10 €

http://www.ticktackticket.com

Surefolk

Tél. +34 659 28 41 08

Fax +34 968 29 22 16

+info en : http://www.surefolk.es

I have more album reviews so watch out for the next edition. I don’t want to overload your neurons with too much information and names. But sometimes it is fun to know what’s happening . Ok until next time. Spread the love and please say no to cyber-bullying!

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John Breen, Nick Burbridge, Jim Wearne and Alan Cooke a.k.a The Wild Irish Poet

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Presenting, the important voices of our time….

This week’s featured artist edition is special. It is the first time I submitted an interview article for another Celtic music site. So hold on to your seats Celtic music listeners. There are people I’d like you to meet. And as always I want to thank each one of you for your continued support in making this site worth blogging for. Much love to all of you.

John Breen picture

John Breen

Our featured artist for this week is John Breen

Yes you probably noticed the picture on the upper right of this site. That’ Irish singer/songwriter John Breen. He is this week’s featured artist after agreeing for an interview with yours truly. The great thing about this interview is that it is posted in 67 Music. Yeah the owner of 67 Music are friends and it is a great opportunity to be invited as a guest blogger. If you read through the whole thing you can tell that he has  a great sense of humor. His experiences are funny and interesting. I enjoyed doing this interview with him which was very comfortable. Great stuff here and yes good craic. Also loads of insights into the album making and promoting music in general. I find that this piece will benefit not only readers but also musicians on the ‘ how to and what if’ of music. So go ahead and have a peek. You will definitely enjoy this amazing piece that John Breen and I prepared for all of you. Here it is: http://67music.net/features/john-breen/

This video is a fine example of the raw appeal of John Breen’s live performance with the band Fenian Folk.

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Memoirs of musician/writer Nick Burbridge .

CARETAKERS: This was written some years ago and published in Songbook (ed. Dave White)

Check this amazing writing by Nick Burbridge. He is one of this year’s nominee for The Spiral Earth Awards. This writing will move you or even shock you. It is amazing how one can accomplish so much by being honest and not sugar coat things out of fear. I think aspiring writers will learn something from the prose of Mr Burbridge. So have tea and enjoy: https://www.facebook.com/notes/nick-burbridge-burbridge-arts/caretakers-this-was-written-some-years-ago-and-published-in-songbook-ed-dave-whi/132877240107871

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The Wild Irish Poet

NAKED IN NEW YORK – A MEMOIR OF THE CITY – EBOOK KINDLE GLOBAL LAUNCH ONLINE

If you have been eavesdropping upon the literary circle via facebook then you might have cached the buzz. Emmy-winning writer/poet Alan Cooke a.k.a The Wild Irish Poet is releasing an e-book called Naked in New York-A Memoire of the City. Alan Cooke spent seven years in New York and came to know it’s bright  and dark side. If you are curious about his prose, here it goes:

Excerpt : 2013 Copyright Alan Cooke New York is a thousand villages I have walked them all felt and touched upon a sense of each unique cultural quarter blending into each block I walked as they passed into the shadows of history and impermanency. For those who have never lived here they assume the city is one giant cosmopolitan fantasy but the living from day to day and moment to moment requires a realignment of the senses , you might never move far from your self sufficient hood which contains all you need to keep breathing. Sushi bars with quiet chopping sounds of perfectly sculpted fish dishes, delis with 30 meats and cheeses beers and atms to keep the wolf firmly in the dark, clothing and hardwares and cab companies and button emporiums, bars and libraries and …continue reading

Here is also an interview with the poet via Expats Post Magazine by my friend Dean Walker

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

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Jim Wearne our amazing Cornish folk balladeer.

Jim Wearne is another best representative of Cornwall. I think you should listen to his ballads. They are interesting. Now before you all jump and get excited, this is just a taster. I am definitely interested in getting Jim’s story. You will get that story soon.

Here’s his web site:
www.jimwearne.com

And a few of his songs on Soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/jim-wearne

Plus – He wrote a book, and it’s here
http://www.jimwearne.com/old_campaigners.htm

Gallery:

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Huzzah!

I am finishing this blog at the patio watching the rain fall. The smell of earth rising is intoxicating. The cool breeze is inviting. I feel refreshed and drunk after reading and listening to the music of today’s artists. It is great to be part of it all.

Things are getting really excited as we move closer to St Paddy’ day. For example, take a listen to this sampler.

Larry Kirwan has been carrying the flag for Celtic rock music since the founding of Black 47 in 1989. The expatriate Irishman lives in New York City where he has been hosting Celtic Crush on SiriusXM since 2005. Kirwan, also a respected writer, has published three books and writes a column for The Irish Echo – the USA’s most widely read Irish-American newspaper.

Larry Kirwan’s Celtic Invasion features a dozen of his favorite bands and most requested rock tracks from his SiriusXM show Celtic Crush. The album includes legends like The Waterboys, Runrig and Black 47 (just to name a few) with popular U.S. touring groups Blaggards, Barleyjuice, Garrahan’s Ghost and Shilelagh Law.

Check out this preview featuring Barelyjuice, Runrig, Black 47, Pat McGuire, and The Waterboys!

Got an email from Tom Quick of  Celtic Music FM 98.5

I just want to inform you that my radio broadcast “Irish Horizons” will be changing it’s name to “Celtic Connections” as of March 3rd. I’m doing this so I can include Celtic music from other area’s such as Scotland. Wales, Cornwall etc:  If you would like your music aired on the radio show please contact me.

So yes, if you are interesting to get your music heard check out http://www.ckwr.com/

Celtic Twist Game:

The Celtic Music Fan would  like offer a free copy of Twist in the Tale to the winner of a competition which will start now. This is how it goes. All you need to do is find an answer to a question which in the animated picture blow. all you need to do is go to their official website http://www.wix.com/hollandandpalmley/celtictwist to look for the answer. A winner will be announced at the end of this month.  Phil and Dave could send it directly to you with a short note of congratulations. How’s that? For those who are new to this album, here is the link to the review I did back in June 27 of 2012.

Smithsonian Folkways, Nolwenn Leroy and Anticipating St. Paddy’s

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

I have a surprise announcement this Tuesday along with the new featured artist. I have to confess my dear readers that running this blog rocks! I have met over 70 Celtic artists and I don’t run out of interviews per week. I have new recordings to review soon so watch out for those. In the meantime, wait for out Huzzah! at the bottom of this post.

“Classic Celtic Music from Smithsonian Folkways.”

I received a copy of an EPK by Michaela Rollings regarding a Smithsonian Folkways recording called “Classic Celtic Music from Smithsonian Folkways,”which will be released this February 26. The album is compiled by music historian and folklorist Richard Carlin. This is the 20th volume in the popular “Classic Series.” This is a taster of what people can expect. Well here’s my observation. I never doubted anything coming from The Smithsonian compilations. They always deliver the best in the genre. I am also told that Richard Carlin is available for an interview. I will check on that later. In the meantime, “Classic Celtic Music from Smithsonian Folkways,” is an interesting collection that will make aficionados of Celtic music sway their heads with delight.

If you are curious how each of the track sounds like, here is the preview link:

http://www.folkways.si.edu/radio/classic_celtic/index.html

Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. Our mission is the commitment to cultural diversity, education, increased understanding, and lively engagement with the world of sound.

After listening to the entirely of this compilation I’d say get it get it get it!!! It is definitely worth your investment. Something you can pass on to the new generations of listeners.

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Nolwenn Leroy: It is called Breton Celtic Pop!

After listening to her new album O Filles de l’Eau, I can say that Nolwenn Leroy is the master of great tunes and excellent arrangements. I really enjoyed the recording due to the following reasons:

1. Awesome production.

2. Traditional, contemporary and original tunes.

3. Her vocal quality.

4. Nice packaging.

Yes the sales all over France and Europe can’t deny her superstar status. She is also courting North American ears by singing in English.

A detailed album review appears here: http://expatspost.com/entertainment/music/album-reviewo-filles-de-leau-by-nolwenn-leroy/

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Huzzah!

So what’s The Celtic Music Fan busy about these days? I have a LOT in my plate than I care to mention here. But I will give you a few 😉 I made Nick Burbridge commit for an interview. Yes the legendary author/musician will be appearing in one of our feature episodes. I also chatted with Blair Dunlop who is part of Albion Band. He is also promoting his solo project. For those who are not aware he is the son of son of folk musician Ashley Hutchings (formerly a member of Fairport Convention, and currently of the Rainbow Chasers).

Peatbog Faeries also said yes to us. Yes we are going to have a rockin’ month with Celtic tunes and also thoughts from musicians themselves.

Gallery: