Album Reviews and Debut Video

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Featuring: Jamie Smith’s MABON, Brendan Mulholland, Slim, Scott Hoye and Jeremy King

Hello readers of the page. We are featuring two album reviews in this edition.  I am also sharing a video for Peggy Gordon by Slim. He has been busy promoting his album Gallows Tree Tales which is a good album. We have one traditional album by Irish flutist Brendan Mulholland. This album satisfies your craving for traditional music which has not been present here lately since we have become very eclectic but I assure you once in a while this dude goes back to the roots.

We are starting this edition with the review of the stunning Windblown by Jamie Smith’s MABON. Iolo Whelan provided the album liner notes. I really love liner notes because they explain in detail what the music is all about. I don’t understand people who just listen to music without wanting to get their hands on the liner notes. It is just plain weird to listen without understanding what you are listening to. It is like eating something without knowing the ingredients.

What makes me like these albums? You will find out.

Album Review: Windblown

Band: Jamie Smith’s MABON

Track listing:

1.HUZZAH!

2.LADY OF THE WOODS

3.TUNNAG’S TUNES

4.SUMMER’S LAMENT.

5.THE GORDANO RANTER

6.GARETH & AOIFE’S

7.YES WE SING NOW

8.THE JOY OF LOWENNA

9.CARU PUM MERCH

10.THE WHISKEY BURP REELS

This month marks the release of the most anticipated album from Jamie Smith’s Mabon. Windblown is composed of ten tracks with varying moods. The common denominator however is that each song is finely crafted. There are tracks that are veering on being candidates for top 40 tunes. One fine example is the carrier single Lady of the Woods. All the tracks are sung by Jamie Smith and backed by the band. His voice is a pleasant surprise. I know this man to play the accordion like a devil but hearing him sing stops you in your tracks.

Windblown can withstand the great divide: between pastoral beauty and urban sleekness. The band members are well informed about the UK pop/rock scene as well as the varying styles of Celtic music all over Europe. All tracks play like pieces of poetry blown from another world- messages of beauty and grace from the subconscious.

The overall mood varies. It’s like watching a subtle intersperse of motion between light and shadow playing intricate pastiche of sound, creating patterns and breaking like scattering leaves on nameless roads. This is where you pick up the pieces of things unsaid and could have been. A hopeful painting of our times where tradition wrestles with technology. Here the two embrace like pieces of the same puzzle. They don’t fight but complement one another. I think even those who don’t listen to Celtic music will be instant converts. The band is the testament that our musical culture doesn’t stay in the museum but constantly evolves, takes other forms yet still retains that sacred identity.

I think the most hunting song in the album is the Welsh vocal track called Canu Pum Merch which starts slowly then builds up into a rhythmic play of classical and ethnic styling. This is the song that will leave you wishing the band creates more of this style in their future albums.

The album closes with Whiskey Burp Reels that is mesmerizing. I am fascinated with the way the band combines trad reels with electronica. Oh yes you heard me!

Windblown is like a voice from a friend telling you: Hey we’re in business. Let’s go ahead and spread beautiful music to the world!

Liner notes by Iolo Whelan:

‘Windblown’ is the crisp new 10-track studio album from Jamie Smith’s MABON, where Wales’ finest purveyors of original, InterCeltic music celebrate the autumn equinox after which the band is named.

Following on from Mabon’s award-winning Live at the Grand Pavilion, ‘Windblown’ is a “coming of age” album from a young band of virtuoso musicians spearheaded by composer and accordion maestro Jamie Smith.

Already established as “a mighty instrumental force” (The Independent), the band also unveils songs for the first time, including the aptly named Yes We Sing Now and the haunting Welsh-language track Caru Pum Merch (Loving Five Girls).  These songs take the band’s well-loved sound into new dimensions, but stay in the same ethos – reaching into contemporary soundscapes but still firmly rooted in their Celtic heritage.

From slick songs to joyful jigs, graceful mazurka to ecstatic muiñera, ‘Windblown’ is an emotional journey, an expression of joyful musicality: an autumn storm of youthful energy balanced by a mature restraint – taking Jamie Smith’s MABON on to a brand new page of their ever developing story.

“stunning” – R2

“stratospheric” – Financial Times.

“Both fur coat and knickers. Uplifting, energetic and cerebral in equal measure” fRoots

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

THE ALBUM

The theme for the album is derived from the band’s name: Mabon is the name of the autumn equinox in the old pagan calendar, thus ‘Windblown’, and the leafy, stormy, autumnal theme.

The album’s title also refers to a line from one of the songs: “windblown leaves whispering” advice to the song’s central character.

THE MUSICIANS

Jamie Smith: composer, accordion, lead vocals.

Oliver Wilson-Dickson: fiddle, backing vocals.

Adam Rhodes: bouzouki, backing vocals.

Matt Downer: bass, upright electric bass, double bass, backing vocals.

Iolo Whelan: drum kit, percussion, backing vocals.

THE GUEST MUSICIANS

Tomas Callister: fiddle, banjo.

Tom is an occasional ‘dep’ for Oli, and has made a great contribution to the album’s sound. Raised in the Isle of Man (yet another connection!: Adam, as well as Jamie’s and Iolo’s wives are all from the isle of man) and trained in Scotland, he features alongside Oli in places, and as the main fiddler in one track, ‘Huzzah!’.

As well as standing in for Oli in this band, Tom plays alongside Jamie and Adam in their acoustic Manx music trio, Barrule.

Calum Stewart: flute.

Scottish flautist, long-time Mabon friend and collaborator Calum appeared on the last two Mabon albums. He is now based in Brittany, but appears on several tracks of Windblown, and one set on the album features a composition of his too.

Will Lang: bodhrán

Another long-time collaborator, Will adds his trademark bohdrán sound to several tracks.

Dylan Fowler: acoustic guitar, lap steel.

Dylan engineered Windblown in his eco-studio in South Wales. His creative musical contribution in the control room inevitably spilled over into instrumental contributions too.

THE TRACKS

HUZZAH!

An instrumental album-opener, in classic ‘Mabon-style’!  A set of three tunes – slip-jig, jig, 6/4 reel – that starts off very traditional and works its way into a full band groove.

LADY OF THE WOODS

A tribute to Jamie’s love of epic fantasy, this adventure song is a reminder that nobody is entirely immune to the temptations of the flesh, and that those who think they are can be the first to fall prey to infidelity.

This song includes backing vocals from the whole band – a great candidate for singing along in the kitchen!

TUNNAG’S TUNES

Tunnag was a particulary crazy Manx cat of Jamie’s. Tunnag is Manx for ‘duck’, and the cat was so named because, as he had no tail, he looked as if he had a duck’s arse.

This is an elegy in several parts: ‘Mr Nibbles Cheats Death’ is the story of a field mouse which survived Tunnag’s attentions and was nursed back to health; ‘Farewell Tunnag’ is self-explanatory; and believe it or not, the name of the last tune, ‘Feed the Worm’ is totally coincidental, though curiously apt.

SUMMER’S LAMENT.

A self-explanatory title, Jamie sings about the end of summer: and so the autumnal theme pops up again!

THE GORDANO RANTER

This dramatic piece is dedicated to a lonely member of night staff at Gordano services on the M5, who launched into a long, unbridled rant about modern society and celebrity culture when Jamie and Oli were just getting a coffee on a late drive home from a gig.

GARETH & AOIFE’S

Written for Jamie’s good friends Gareth and Aoife Roberts and performed at their wedding in October 2011. Features special guest guitarist Dylan Fowler, who opens the track with a solo introduction.

YES WE SING NOW

The first song Jamie wrote for the band when we decided to introduce vocals to our sound in 2011. It’s a positive song about finding happiness through the forgotten art of contentment. Pursue goals and seek to improve your lot, but don’t forget to enjoy the ride!

THE JOY OF LOWENNA

The first of these two tunes is dedicated to Jamie’s daughter, born earlier this year. It’s a beautiful, sensitive tune played acoustically by Jamie, Oli and Adam.

The second tune, A Costa de Cricieth, was written in a north-Wales hotel room overlooking the sea, and is in the style of the Galician ‘muñera’.

CARU PUM MERCH

The band’s first Welsh-language song, with a melody by Jamie and lyrics by drummer iolo, whose mother-tongue is Welsh.

The material is in a very traditional style – a slow, haunting air with lyrics about love and death, written in iolo’s local dialect and reflecting his region’s rhyming style: but the treatment is very contemporary, with epic arrangement, rich production and a driving groove.

THE WHISKEY BURP REELS

Jamie Smith’s MABON is a concert band in nature, and flourishes best in front of an attentive, seated audience: but a lot of our fans love to dance too, so this one is for them – a feel-good, dancey track to round off the album.

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Album Review: Jean’s Hill

Artist: Brendan Mulholland

Track listing:

1) Reels: The House of Hamill – Sean’s Reel
2) Hornpipe & Reel:The Tin Wedding – The Maids of Castlebar
3) Slow Air: An Chuilfhionn
4) Jigs: The King of the Pipers – Behind the Haystack – The Maid On the Green
5) Hornpipes: The Belfast Hornpipe – The Newry Hornpipe
6) Reel: Farewell to Ireland
7) Slow Reels: The Laurel Tree – The Sally Gardens
8) Jigs: Dermot Grogan’s – The Pullet That Wants A Cock – Erin Go Bragh
9) Hornpipes: Factory Smoke – The Acrobat – The Sunshine Hornpipe
10) Reels: The Pigeon On the Gate – The Thrush In the Storm
11) Slow Air: The Hills Above Drumquin
12) Reels: Sailing Into Walpole’s Marsh – Corney Is Coming – The Chattering Magpie

Released: 1st April 2012
Catalogue Number: THM001
Barcode: 5060092483292
Running Time: 46mins.

What makes the wooden flute interesting is its resonant and sonorous sound. In really good recordings you can even hear the air passing through the holes which makes it possess an almost human sound. I think what is great about traditional recordings is how a particular instrument is highlighted. In these recordings it’s the instruments that become stars. Although the player’s virtuosity is important, artists take the backseat and let tradition shine. In music there’s always room for everything. There’s room for expression and that is why we have singer/songwriters. But we also have musicians who take the other road which is building the attention towards a style that defines the musical culture. It is true that although we have Celtic artists who make fusion music, it is through these traditional recordings that the roots are defined and gives the whole community its Celtic identity. And I am not just saying this is about Irish music. This is about the music of the seven Celtic nations.

Jean’s Hill by Brendan Mulholland takes the elegance of the wooden flute and embellishes it with tunes which he learned from family and friends. If you pick a copy of the CD and browse through the liner notes you can see how he explains the history of each track. By the way I have to add that the album packaging is excellent. It has this coffee table quality. Yes the tracks are awesome but isn’t it nice that they find a CD case that describes how great this recording is?

Those who contributed their talents in this album are notable names in the trad scene.

Lineup

Brendan Mulholland – Flutes
Stevie Dunne – Guitar & Bouzouki
Francis McElduff – Bodhran
Paul O’Donnell – Piano

If you are just learning your way around traditional Irish music then this is an amazing introduction because once again, the liner notes are very helpful. This album is also produced by Brendan Mulholland himself and I’d say he made a good choice having Brian Connolly Engineer the tracks. This man really captured the warmth of the music. The beauty of this album isn’t complete without the talent of Paul Conlon who added his visual style to this packaging.

There are three tracks that are original compositions while the rest are traditional. One of the tracks, the opening called Sean’s Reel is composed by the artist for his son Sean.Check the video I added above as reference. Jean’s Hill has played on my working table for days while I let the rays of the new day in. A zen way to start the day. Brendan Mulholland made an uplifting excursion into the mystery and beauty of traditional Irish music. A must have!

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Video Debut: Slim | Peggy Gordon

At last what we have been waiting for is here. Peggy Gordon video was released in September 18. I waited for this to happen because this is one of my favorite tracks off the Gallows Tree Tales album. I know that I have friends who like this song totally. I mean it is not often to get a traditional inspired song to pull your beating heart out of your chest and have it smashed with the song’s riveting intensity. Slim’s voice has the power to inspire hurt, joy and redemption. The ballad starts with him singing gently and then the sweeping blanket of the choir takes you through landscapes of longing and release. A perfect song. One of the best I heard in ages. Check this awesome video!

BUY THE NEW SLIM LP ‘GALLOWS TREE TALES’ – visit www.slim-music.com and www.facebook.com/gallowstreetales

Filmed by Bruno Vincent at Slim’s album launch for the ‘Gallows Tree Tales’ LP, at Proud Galleries, Camden Town, London, on Wednesday 8th August 2012. Band personnel: Slim – vocals & guitar, Benn Cordrey – bass, Seb Wesson – guitar, jh – piano, Emma Bowles – backing vocals, Sam Kimmins – percussion, The Singology Gospel Choir conducted and arranged by Reese Robinson.

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Belated Happy Birthday to Scott Hoye

September 11 marks the birth of this wonderful singer/songwriter. Scott Hoye introduced me to the whole new world of harp music. There I met Rachel Hair and her Trio, Corrina Hewat and a whole lot more . These artists appeared in several editions of The Celtic Music Fan. I owe that all to Scott. I am still waiting for the physical release of his album which I am sure will be very interesting.

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Jeremy on Czech Radio talking about music, comparing life in CZ and in UK, etc.

http://prehravac.rozhlas.cz/audio/2721413

It is great to hear Jeremy King’s speaking voice. Although this is in Czech it is nice to hear him talk about music.

Czech band Poitín (Irish traditional music) at pub Balbínka in Prague
www.poitin.cz

Will Tun and the Wasters Time is a Bastard EP Interview

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Will Tun talks about the band, the music and their future plans.

A good week to you all. We have a new featured band this week and it’s Will Tun and the Wasters. Their music isn’t something you can just take for granted for the following reasons: Youthful energy, foot stomping beats, amusing lyrics and a style that appeals both to punk and traditional Irish/Scottish music listeners.

Their new EP is called Time is a Bastard. I enjoyed the five songs because they struck a chord in  me. It is good when music has the capacity to do that. It shows that we are all connected in some way beyond our cultural and geographic distance. As a fellow Asian, I am really rooting for Will Tun’s involvement in the Celtic music scene. Way to go bro!!!!

I got to know the band a couple of weeks ago and it was fun looking at the pictures of crazy things they did on their gigs. I think they are in the right track. It would be interesting how this band would progress musically. Fast forward to the future…say five years from now. That’s actually one of the questions here. Check out their video Community at the end of this interview.

 

 What can listeners expect from your new EP?

The new Will Tun and the Wasters CD “Time is a Bastard” is a 5 track release containing Pogues-Levellers inspired folk punk songs. It also veers of in places to include a gypsy song.

Lyrically it is varied, from narrating a story of getting drunk in Spain to running away with the circus as well as having love songs and political protest songs.

 How long did it get you guys to get together and then decide to form a band?

I met Declan the tin whistle player at a house party one drunken night 3 years ago and we took off from there. He soon introduced me to the rest of the Wasters. Our most recent recruitment has been in the form of a French Rapper, MC Amalgam who raps in the 2nd track “Community”. We intend to do much more collaborations with him in the future.

What were the challenges creating WTATW and also representing an eclectic blend of Celtic and Punk influenced music?

Most of the band members go to university in different parts of the country. Traveling long distances to a gig can take it’s toll after a while… I once did a gig, stayed up all night at the party that followed and then took the 6am train back across the country so I could make it took a compulsory lecture at 9pm…

but at the end of the day, we are all so passionate about making the music that we love and we’re having so much fun going crazy at our live shows that it’s worth the long distance travel.

We all graduate next year and plan to move into Bristol in the West Country so we can keep making music for the years to come. Hopefully, travel should become a heck of alot easier after this.

There’s not a huge amount of punk bands with Celtic influences in the UK circuit at the moment, and I think we set ourselves out by being the only one of the genre with an Asian front man and a French rapper. Musically as well we’re becoming more adventurous… Already in the last month, we have written a waltz, sea shanty and a gypsy jazz tune to give you a taste of the experimentation to come! We’re all excited about the years to come as we mature musically and begin to mix up our song style even more!

 Do you see a polarity between old and young listeners when they hear this kind of music?

I think there is a whole range of personalities and music tastes found in both the young and old generations. I think young kids nowadays are more likely to be open minded about music since they have grown up in a generation where access to different forms of music is but a click of the button away on the internet. Having said that, we have met some “old folks” who are just as open minded and insane as the young.

What is the creative process when you guys start writing music. From conceiving the lyrics, the melody to post production? 

Often I write the song acoustically and then take it to the band and we add in the melody and percussion. Other times another member of the band writes a chorus, a concept or create a chord sequence and I am left with the job of finishing of the verse lyrics.
The song “Community” is a great example of how we hope to write our songs in the future once we live together in Bristol. This is probably the best example of a song in the current Wasters repertoire where the song is composed as a full on team effort

Before going into the studio, what are the things that you bring with you and things you leave behind in terms of attitude.

When recording “Time is a Bastard” Aymeric our French rapper made us a brew of honey, lemon and ginger mixed with a spirit made from the extract of Pine Trees grown from the Alps, it did wonders for rejuvenating my throat after singing for hours as well as making me tipsy haha.
Our attitude in the recording studio we’d like to think is professional but that can be disputed at times…

What do you plan to achieve being in the band five years from now.

In 5 years from now, we hope to be still making the music that we love and playing mad festivals in England and hopefully around the world! We plan to release our first album in 2 years time so watch out for it!

 

 

 

Wow just think about it. They really have big plans. So let us go ahead and support this band. The music culture needs something positive, wild and fun.

This is a self-produced video of the first single-
COMMUNITY- from the upcoming release: “TIME IS A BASTARD” by WILL TUN AND THE WASTERS

Footage was shot in Reading by:
Stu Brooks- vimeo.com/user4610841/videos
Aymeric Voirin
Jared Dyer
Editing was done by Jared Dyer.

Lyrics

As the rich get rich and the poor get fucked
as the fear begins to creep
as the bombs go off and the nights ablaze
we return to Cable Street
and the wheels of history turn again
they’re looking for someone to blame
a media storm is coming our way
and it spins like a hurricane

Chorus
but I know where I’m from
and I’m no time bomb
Have some faith in what you see
this is our community!

we’re the underdogs, the alley cats
the rats trapped in a maze
we’re the immigrants that came to shore
and we are here to stay
the name of our enemy is fear and greed
it crawls beneath our skin
but music will always shine a light
from a single flame within

Chorus x2

Pourquoi s’assimiler à une catégorie de personnes
L’apogée du mimétisme quand le droit à la différence se prône
L’Homme siège, trône, bien haut sur l’absurdité
C’est l’esprit abasourdis que j’aspire à être compris
Comprends, qui veut, qui l’accepte et qui l’entends
Espérant de toujours plus recevoir plus d’enseignements
M’efforçant de réduire et ceci efficacement
Ces leçons pas comprises ou omises volontairement
Chaque être est unique, mais tellement se ressemble
Et c’est bien triste à dire, mais la connerie rassemble
Ne pas devenir aigri, en luttant contre la misanthropie
Aujourd’hui c’est aussi difficile que de connaître ses amis
Amis, sache que, l’époque veux que
On se tire dans les pattes en tout temps et en tous lieux
On cherche le bonheur et une vie toujours meilleure,
On cherche dans l’argent ce qui se trouve au fond des gens

Check their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willtunandthewasters

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Featured band: Lachan

http://www.reverbnation.com/lachlanirishamericanfolkduo

Wow an Irish band based in Holland. I shall write more about them soon but have a listen to their reverberation link. I am sure you will find something that you like. There is definitely that unmistakable Dutch  flavour in their Irish music which makes it really interesting. It is hard to explain in writing you please have  a listen.

History
Marlies Janssens and Marc van Mulkom started Lachlan in November 2005. They were soon recognized for their own unique sound especially their rhythms that just pull you in. Within a very short period they were not only to be found in the Irish pub-circuit, but were also popular in all kinds of cafe’s and venues.

At the end of October 2009 Marc decided to leave Lachlan and Marlies was looking for a new colleague. It did not take very long and a few weeks later Wesley joined Lachlan. The partnership has already proven to be successful.

Lachlan is gaining popularity and appreciation in the Dutch folk world and you will have to hear them for yourself to fully appreciate their wonderful sound. Lachlan performs in pubs, clubs, cafe’s, parties and on festivals throughout the country. Check their schedule to see where you can catch them next!

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Flashback: Gaelic Storm – Titanic Set

We all know that Gaelic Storm earned international notoriety by appearing in the set of the movie Titanic.Remember that part where they do the Irish dance? Yeah that’s them. A blue ray DVD of the movie is going to be released soon. So watch out for this one. I love it when someone in the entertainment industry tips us about these things!

 

Midweek Music Extravaganza

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Feautring: Kinfolk, Jamie Smith’s MABON, McAuley/Horan/O’Caoimh, John McSherry, Michael Shimmin, Joe Dart, Wilber Calver with Moya (Maire) Brennan & Shane McGowan

Featured Single: The Lady of the Woods

I mentioned the new single from Jamie Smith’s MABON in my last edition (with the amazing Corrina Hewat as featured artist). A few months ago, drummer Iolo Whelan announced that they are in the process of recording the new JSM album. It was later revealed that the title of the said album is “Windblown”. Anyone who followed their career in the old line up will know that they have always played lively instrumental tunes. You have to understand my surprise when I discovered that the carrier single Lady of the Woods features male vocals including top  notch harmonization. The song uses influences from pop/rock and traditional music. The song is radio friendly enough that I am sure with the right timing and promotion will be one of those top 40 UK singles like what fellow Celtic bands  Capercaillie did with Coisich, a Ruin and Manran with Latha Math.

Download the single that is given by the band for free here: http://www.jamiesmithsmabon.com/windblown/

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Introducing: McAuley/Horan/O’Caoimh

Artwork by The Celtic Music Fan

More from this link: http://www.mcauleyhoranocaoimh.com/

And check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mcauleyhoranocaoimh

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Album Review: Kinfolk- This Land

A track by track review of the amazing CD.

Principal musicians: Brian McDaid & Gerry Power

Other players: Johnny Cameron,David Mclean, Damien Mullany, Alan Burton, San Proctor, Dorothy Swift and Paul Fox.

From the first few notes emanating from the acoustic guitar of the intro to This Land, one is given a tip that this album is composed of songs that you can sing along. Coupled with great accompanist from the trad scene , Kinfolk has an album that makes you feel like you are watching a family album. I call this a grand offering due to the number of guest players ranging from bouzouki, mandolin, keyboard, banjo, accordion, fiddle, uillean pipes, and other vocals and instruments. The harmonies are solid and breezy. When you are driving long distance, this is one of those albums that you’d like to listen to on your way home from a long day’s work.

Tracks:

There are 13 tracks. There are ballads , instrumentals and upbeat songs. They are arranged in a way that reminds of of a plot in a novel. Each song tells a different story but still related to the bigger picture that makes this album solid.

This Land: A tribute to Ireland and anyone who has an immigrant soul will relate to this:

” Well I hope and pray her smile will be there to greet me

Though my home’s far away I can still hear her sing so sweetly”.

Donegal: The upbeat tempo of this track makes one wonder. If this album has enough airplay and this track has enough promotion, this could be one of those top 40 folk tunes. The fiddling and singing reminds me of Scottish pop rock band Simple Minds. It is irresistibly catchy and poppy.

Stac Pollaigh: Acoustic guitar, whistle, keyboards make this instrumental track have that New Age crossover appeal. Something spiritual, relaxing but still very traditional sounding.

The Hunger Roars: Hunger Roars recall the term ‘starving artist”. I personally think it is about one goes through in life mourning over relationship we can’t salvage from the ruins. A kind of existential anguish permeates the track. It is a song that you can interpret based on your own personal feelings. It has that kind of hoe down tempo. In spite of its lively tempo, the melody is steeped in melancholy atmosphere. Something luminous but somber at the same time.

Wonderful Day: Another finger snapping and toe tapping track. An uplifting and positive track which is a tribute to a beautiful landscape. Embellished by the nice sound of the banjo and the other instruments, this song is one of those undiscovered gems in the folk music scene.

Campsie Glen:

“ Will you come with me this summer,

To the fells in Camsie Glen..

This idyllic track takes me back in those years when everything seems like a scene through a rose colored bowl. Thoughts of childhood are precious and this is something that will save us from the twist and turns of adult uncertainty. The fiddle is bright and the vocal harmonies are rich. The simplicity of this med tempo track is what makes it such a pleasure to listen to. There are ven sounds of birds at the end of this.

Bound for New York: No need to expound on the thoughts of this one because I am sure you know what t is about. And I agree! Once again, the vocal harmonies and the chorus that goes:

“So I’ll have to go,

I’ve got to let you know,

My ship will leave the harbor in the morning

Cross to the sea so blue,

But my heart will stay with you,

I’m bound for New York City in the morning..

If this song doesn’t make you misty-eyed then you are either made of steel or a frickin’ robot. I just lost it!

Lady of the Isle: The drone of the keyboards coupled with the tin whistle makes the intro to this song very ‘soundtracky’. The vocal follows with the beat of the percussion. It has the characteristic of a slow marching song. The spacey arrangement creates a haunting atmosphere which has that lament sound.

“ But we cannot be together, So I’ll love her from afar,

For she is to wed another, and that day will break my heart”.

Thingamajig: Is a jig…but has a pop rock flavor. A great fusion of styles. The percussion and fiddling makes me want to go out and dance in the rain!

Working for the Company: Voice and acoustic guitar feels like a break from the grand instrumentation of previous tracks. A tin whistle and scattering of ‘ohhhs and ahhhs’ in between the chorus and verse plus other spare vocal ‘cloak’ makes this one a must for listeners of chill music.

Home to Ireland: The use of Major 7th chords gives this track a pastoral flavor. Major 7 reminds me of golden wine and gentle rays of the sun. “ Why don’t you come home to Ireland, All the way back to this green green land. This actually expresses my sentiments why I consider Ireland as my spiritual home.

Paddy’s Shout: Another instrumental track that showcases the mature and excellent musicianship of Gerry Power and Brian McDaid. I find my self rocking my head to this gentle uplifting track.

I Blame the Whiskey: The closing track. A tongue in cheek song about…well, you with your Celtic blood would understand and relate to. But this is also a song about trying to cope with a bad experience in life. We all have that. Yes we blame the whiskey, cigarettes or anything we can get out hands on to quell that ache..anything to keep us alive. A beautiful track that I can relate to.

My verdict is: Buy this album. It has a general appeal even to those who aren’t into Celtic music. The tracks are easy to the ears and all of them are worth your listen.Maybe music can’t really heal our pain or existential anguish but it is such a fine company when we feel lost and lonely. I love this album! Buy this album here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kinfolksongs

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Featured mp3: Bridge of glllass

Here’s the pre-release track from  the olllam album (with John McSherry, Michael Shimmin, and Joe Dart) Ah something refreshing from the trad scene. This music grows on you!

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Featured Artist: Wilber Calver (AfroCubanCelticMusic)

Gran concierto en Einsiedeln, Switzerland !

I want to introduce you to this exciting artist and whose album Diaspora is making waves! Jazz musician Courtney Pine (the first Jazz musician in my cassette collection as a kid) praises Wilber Calver’s album saying: “Wilber Calver is a unique new artist who has created a brilliant original sounding album that is steeped in the traditions of his Cuban culture and the Celtic folklore of his chosen instrument the bagpipes. I can’t stop playing it.” http://www.wilbercalver.com/

We have another legendary artist in the making!

From the official website:

About Wilber Calver

Wilber Calver Rodríguez “The Ebony Piper” was born in Holguín (Cuba).  In 1997 he enlisted as a percussionist in the traditional music group of the Centro Gallego de la Habana, with whom he performed in many festivals.  In 1998 he took his first bagpipe lessons with Professor Eduardo Lorenzo and it was from this moment that he fell in love with the pipes and took the decision to dedicate himself to the instrument.

During the following years he built up his performance experience and was included in the EU documentary “The latest Bagpipers of Havana”, won the “Premio iberoamericano ” Rey de España” ( 2004 ), appeared on the feature film “Havana Blues” (2005) directed by Benito Zambrano.

His TV appearances include : Musical ” Cuerda viva ” Cuba ( 2004 ), ” De la gran escena ” Cuba ( 2004 ) -Progra ESPECIAL ” Día da Patria gallega ” TVG España (2007) – ” A compañenos ” TVG ESPAÑA( 2008) – Serie “Padre Casares ” TVG España ( 2009 ).

He has been reviewed in the following publications : Revista Bohemia ” Con la gaita a cuesta ” Cuba ( 2004 ) -Revista ” O anuario da gaita ” Epaña ( 2000 ) – ” Gaitas con tumba..o ” Diario La voz de galicia

Wilber now lives in the Swiss Alps – Einsiedeln – and is in the process of recording his first album which will be an exciting fusion of celtic melodies with Afro-Cuban roots, arranged and produced by Alex Wilson.

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Flashback: MOYA (MAIRE) BRENNAN & SHANE McGOWAN – You’re the One

As my personal tribute to the amazing late Irish novelist Maeve Binchy, I am posting this beautiful video by two equally mesmerizing artists, Moya Brennan and Shane McGowan. The song is written by Michael Kamen. It’s the ending track for movie Circle of Friends.

 

Corrina Hewat: Between Life and Music (Interview)

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Plus: Nova Scotia singer/songwriter Layne Greene for our EP review, Lady of the Woods: New Single from Jamie Smith’s Mabon album Windblown and Cormac O Caoimh

https://www.facebook.com/corrinahewat

http://www.corrinahewat.com/

http://www.unusualsuspects.uk.com/

http://www.myspace.com/unusualsuspectsscotland

Corrina Hewat is our featured artist this week. She is a mom, a harp teacher, and a good friend to the harp community. She is promoting her project the Harp Village . “We have The Duplets, Maire Ni Chathasaigh and me and David the whole weekend, so it is a lovely mix of music and company!! The more people who come along, the better, so all publicity is great.”

Corrina Hewat has an eclectic sound. She walks between the world of traditional and avant-garde music. Listening to her album My Favorite Place  her project bands including  BACHUÉ give me a glimpse to her wide influences. Her music captures the Celtic sense of atmosphere and space while her refined style made her recordings at home with the urban world.

You have a huge catalog or recordings now. Do you have recordings you wish you could have improved? I am not saying they need improvement because your recordings sound polished but personally what do you think ?

All my recordings are purely ‘snapshots’ of where I was then. All the recordings are affected by where they were recorded, who was playing, how I was/we were at the time. I only ever set out to capture moments of time, and I believe that is what they all are. Every single one of them I would change and every single one of them I would keep the same as well. I don’t tend to listen to myself too much, and it only ever comes up on shuffle in the car mostly, so I can press ‘skip’ and move on. Or sometimes I listen and say ‘woah, what the heck was I thinking?!!’. Or ‘ooh that is a surprising bit’ or ‘wish I had done that instead’ or all sorts. Anyway, it’s all past stuff, so I don’t really have time to think about what I would have done better. I could have done it all better. And I will always think that.

So far, how is the experience working with BACHUÉ. Is there another BACHUÉ project in the making ?

I loved Bachue very much. It was a good fun thing and a happy thing. But it got swamped with all the other stuff that was going on, so it took a back seat for a while. I am going to do a duo gig with David Milligan in September at the Harp Village (28th – 30th September in Cromarty, The Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland http://www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk/the-harp-village-2010.asp) and that will be the first time in ages we actually have done a gig together in such an intimate format. I’m looking forward to it. We play well together!!

You also teach harp. Does teaching come first and being an artist second?

 Being an artist/musician comes first. Not that teaching comes second, but at the moment for me, I still want to write music, play and perform music, and if I can fit in teaching as well, then I do. I took on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Principal Scottish Harp Tutor job last year, and I have the help and support of Heather Downie. If I didn’t have that secondary support, then I couldn’t have said yes to it. I believe I need to continue to work towards being an inspired, creative musician and writer and strive to better myself and my work. My students will then have a happy, sharing, generous, inspired teacher. I have very few private pupils, due to my time constraints and time away touring or teaching workshops/week-long schools.

How has motherhood shaped your music and what is different now compared to when you were starting being a recording artist?

Motherhood changed me completely. Life is a joy, not a struggle now. (I used to think it was all so hard. And had a heap of crap I was carrying on my shoulders which I needed to unburden myself of, to move on.) And I lived a very ‘messy’ lifestyle but now there is no need for all that. The joy is in me and around me. Music is a joy – although finding time for it is slightly complicated sometimes. But I love being a mother so much. It ‘completed’ things for me which I didn’t realise needed completing! And I still believe my life, the traveling, the ‘being all consumed by music when in the middle of writing it’, and all that goes with being a musician, is still worth it, as I am a more fulfilled person. And if I am happy then I am a better mum.

What are the things you want to introduce to the harp scene? What is your grand vision?

I wanted to introduce a more relaxed approach to harp, and a more relaxed and creative approach to arranging. I found when I started playing that there were very few arrangements out there I even liked! Boring chordal movements, same patterns over and over again, as if that was all the harp could do! So pretty much as soon as I started learning the harp, (around the age of 12 or 13) I started writing music on the harp, arranging traditional tunes, putting mad sets together, learning music off tapes (remember them??!). I had a great teacher to start me off – Christine Martin (who is the book publisher Taigh Na Teud) – she gave me the basics, introduced me to the Clarsach Society (who I eventually hired a harp from for many years), and introduced me to the work of Savourna Stevenson. That gave me the impetus to keep writing and playing and trying to make more of the instrument. I have had amazing teachers, although sporadic. Christine for a year, then yearly weekend courses until I went to the RSAMD (now called the RCS) where i had Sanchia Pielou for a year. Then Maire Ni Chathasaigh when I was doing the jazz degree course. These three teachers gave me so much input and I thank them for it. I was a ‘wayward’ child, and they steered me well. Sileas also gave me inspiration as they were doing fun things with the harp in trad music.

My grand vision?? I want to inspire folk with my music. Inspire them emotionally, move them. Write music which people can live with and enjoy. Move them like I have been moved by others music.

Please visit the Harp Village project here: http://www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk/the-harp-village-2010.asp

Sample recordings:

A live clip of the Unusual Suspects at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, 29 January 2011 as part of the Celtic Connections Festival. Featuring the tunes “Sandy Broon’s” & “Bogle’s Majority”.
Line-up:
Corrina Hewat (harp/vocal)
Ewan Robertson (guitar/vocal)
Eilidh Shaw (fiddle)
Anna Massie (fiddle)
Catriona Macdonald (fiddle)
Patsy Reid (fiddle)
Mairearad Green (accordion/ pipes)
Calum MacCrimmon (pipes/ whistle)
Donal Brown (pipes/flute)
Rick Taylor (trombone)
Nigel Hitchcock (saxophone)
Ryan Quigley (trumpet)
Colin Steele (trumpet)
Dave Milligan (piano)
Tom Lyne (bass)
Alyn Cosker (drums)
Donald Hay (percussion)

Here’s a clip of Scottish harp player Corrina Hewat playing a jig she wrote for Martyn Bennett. This is from Corrina’s online Scottish harp (clarsach) course at ayepod.net. Check it out at http://www.ayepod.net/webcasts/teaching/teaching.htm

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Lady of the Woods: New Single from Jamie Smith’s Mabon.

Album art for 'Windblown"

Ok I have heard the entire song and I like it! It is catchy, well crafted and the vocal harmonies are amazing. First time I heard a vocal track from the band that is known to perform great instrumental tunes. If you haven’t yet have  a listen here and also download the track for FREE: http://www.jamiesmithsmabon.com/windblown/ 

If you are a band I’d suggest you get a photographer this band has. The pictures do an amazing way to promote the music!

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Nova Scotia singer/songwriter Layne Greene with Live!EP

Tea buddies: Layne Greene-Vocals/Guitar
Alexander MacNeil-Guitar
Artwork by The Celtic Music Fan.

Carving the modern Nova Scotia with the stories of people and places.

Genre: Folk

Released  August 30, 2012

Personnel:
Layne Greene-Vocals/Guitar
Alex MacNeil-Guitar
Shawn Bisson-Mixing/Engineer
Andy Cunningham- Photography/crew

http://laynegreene.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/LayneGreeneFolk

Knox Presbyterian Church located in Blue Mountain, Nova Scotia

Recording a crisp clear album impromptu takes a lot of skill to achieve. But singer/songwriter Layne Greene has been mixing and arranging music for years. So the live EP was conceived out of the desire to come up with songs that he recorded and arranged in the past but wanted a different take on them. This  Business Administration major from St. Francis Xavier University(now in his sophomore year) juggles between making music and seeing himself producing them in the future. He even jokes that :” If worse comes to worse, I can work a crappy, well

paying, desk job”. Well I am sure it won’t come to that because he makes excellent songs that are well crafted.

One of the songs here called Working Man is dedicated to his grandfather who is a carpenter and builder of musical instruments. There are other songs that are biographical in nature. His lyrics show an introspective and philosophical nature. Although he admits that he isn’t much of a lyrics guy. He is more prone to think of songs like cathedrals with their intricate structures and designs.

Alexander MacNeil is a jazz musician who is also working with Layne on another recording. He adds his distinctive guitar style to this project. He  also did the backing vocals in Iron Town. He has his own jazz Trio and Quartet. You can tell that these two made a great tandem in this EP.

One of the things that I really appreciate about this EP is the atmospheric beauty of all the tracks.  I asked Layne if they used studio reverb and he said no. Everything in this project- especially the acoustic density -is through the interior of the  Knox Presbyterian Church located in Blue Mountain, Nova Scotia, Canada. Engineering/mixing credit goes to  Shawn Bisson who flawlessly captured the soul of the venue with such exquisite attention to detail.

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Music VLOG: Cormac O Caoimh – Just Love here

http://www.thecitadels.net/

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/artist/cormac-o-caoimh/id467679675

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/CormacOCaoimh

I recent;y got acquainted with this wonderful artist who just released his album A New Season for Love. I am impressed with his vocal quality. I love it and his music is really worth your ears after  a long day’s work.

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More album reviews coming up in a few days!

Tuned Up, Cobblestone Sam, DÁN,Brenda Wootton and Dom Duff

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Album review:Brendan Mulholland/ Brendan Hendry/Paul McSherry with Tuned Up!

Tuned Up is a project which lovers of traditional Irish music will love to collect. Energy, solid harmonies and top notch players in the trad scene are things that you will find here. From the start of track 1 (Reels: Fox in the town/In the tap room/The Belfast traveler) one can already say ‘ ah this is a trad album I have been looking for’. Big nod to Paul McSherry for kicking the tunes with his punchy guitar strumming that paves the way for all the wonderful tunes to come.

Plus points:

Liner notes. There is a comprehensive written by Kevin Crawford to introduce the trio. Kevin is known as the flute player and chatty man with Lúnasa. It is great to have his presence in this wonderful CD.

Tracks:

There are traditional and traditional sounding original compositions. There are ten tracks but there are divided into the following: reels, jigs, slow reels, air/hornpipe, waltz and polka. This is a great introduction to people who are trying to study traditional Irish music because of the description of the musical style in each track. Brendan’s flute playing really shines in track 7 with Air/hornpipe. Here you will really appreciate the round tunes produced by this wind instrument.

Sound quality:

I like spaces in between songs. They make the tracks breath and give you the time to get acquainted with the soul of the music. The sonic production is excellent. There is a balance of a really clean recording that reaches to the surface of the sound in each instrument. To cite an example, the warm fiddle sound of Brendan Hendry is captured really well in track 4(Slow reels/reels). There is that brightness in the instrument that calls to mind wood sprites dancing. There is also a good use of reverb in the midrange and it gives all tracks their natural warm sound.

Verdict:

They need to come up with another project like this one. There’s the undeniable chemistry between these three musicians and personally it was one of those satisfying and educational listening experience for me. Tune Up is the life of a party. Just crank it up and listeners will clap their hands and tap their feet.

Sound samples:

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Debut: Cobblestone Sam the musical

Cobblestone Sam the musical promotional poster

http://www.cobblestonesam.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobblestone-sam-the-musical/128719787272930

New musical written by award winning singer/songwriter Dave Rooney and writer actor bill monks.
based on the life of a homeless temple bar character

Here is one musical even about an Irish unsung hero. This is a must see both for the music and for the story. I got to ask Dave about his involvement in the project and other important info:

“This musical started when I used to meet a homeless guy on the

street during my breaks on gigs in Temple Bar. He was homeless and we

got chatting. I only met him 4 or 5 times and we chat for about 15

minutes. He was in his eighties and he liked to reminisce. He told me

little bits about his life and and I listened with intrigue.

 

I didn’t see him for a few months and I asked some of the

homeless people where he was, and they said he passed away.

I was saddened by this and I decided to write a song about him.

and so was the birth of millionaire. This was to be the catalyst

for the whole project.”

About the production:  

“I hooked up with Bill Monks who is a writer/actor and we set

about putting his life in a story, an adaptation, based on limited

info about him, and how his life unfurled from our perspective.

I’d like to tour this musical in the states because it has an

Immigrant side to it. I feel it would be a draw for any of the diaspora.

I’ve written all the songs for the play. I did some re-recording and a bunch

of new songs all woven into the story line.

 

It’ll be held at the merchants arch in Temple Bar starting next

Monday September 10th,  and hopefully will be ongoing.

People are always asking (tourists) where they can meet real

Irish people and learn about real Irish life. I think this will

bring something real. It’s refreshing to be involved in something

new. I’ll be reaching a new audience and I think it’s a really good

angle to have the music exposed”.

Promotional videos:

Featured band: DÁN – making fine Irish music

I got a beautiful treat when I stumbled upon the tunes these musicians make. They are a trio called DÁN. The spare piano lines amidst the

DÁN – fine Irish music

traditional fiddling make them sound like no other. Groovy bass lines make that driving motion in the overall tranquility. I think I listened to them again and again because one time isn’t enough. And oh, they are from Germany. This isn’t the first time I featured German bands that make amazing Irish music. Check them out: http://www.myspace.com/fineirishmusic

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Flashback: Crowdy Crawn (Brenda Wootton) – No Song To Sing(1974)

http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/people/brenda_wooton.htm
http://www.brendawootton.com/

Here is one relaxing track uploaded via a vinyl recording(You can hear the nostalgic scratches) by the late Cornish folk singer Brenda Wooten. This is a duet performance with Rob Bartlett.

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Dom Duff: From Brittany to Manchester

Singer/songwriter Dom Duff has traveled a lot lately. There is a warm reception towards Breton music these days and It is because of musicians like him who continue to inspire the awareness of Breton music and culture.