albums

Alan Stivell Releases New Album Emerald

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 7 Comments

I have listened to Brian Boru and Tri Martolod by Alan Stivell these past few days. What a surprise it has been to receive a letter from his website about Emerald , the new album. A coincidence! I would like to share the news to those who love Breton music and the talent of the one and only Alan Stivell. According to his official site:

It’s been almost 40 years since Alan Stivell released “Reflets” (Reflections), his first album featuring him singing. An Emerald anniversary, one could say. It’s definitely a return to the roots, a return to the violin and to folk-rock (“Chemins de terre”), much as he did with “Brian Boru”. But it’s also an album for 2010. It fuses electric and acoustic bagpipes – like his latest acoustic and electric harp prototypes – in musical arrangements that are as eclectic as they are original. Alan, the singer and the Breton of today: with his Gaelic, Anglo-Saxon, Indian or African influences and his very distinctive vocal and writing styles, he effortlessly blends Breton, French and English (along with Gaelic and Welsh). In addition, Alan wanted to present songs that were popular in the Brittany of yesteryear as well as in English-speaking and other Celtic countries … songs of his youth that are today forgotten. He brings them back to life and hopes others will love them too..

emerald

It is also in the chapter nostalgia that he invited the very beautiful Ensemble choral of the “bout du Monde” for “Mac Crimon” (a homage to Gwennole Ar Menn, Eliane Pronost, Roger Abjean, Paul Ladmirault and to Scotland).
He invited his stage musicians to join him on this disc, and also invited Dom Duff (song) for “Brittany’s” and “Tamm ha tamm”, Solenn Lefeuvre (song) for “Lusk”.
An album with much of emotion and festive.


Tracks

1 – BRITTANY’S – Ar bleizi mor – 5:56
2 – LUSK – Skye Boat Song – 4:08
3 – MARIONIG – 3:29
4 – TAMM HA TAMM – Rennes, Nantes & Brest – 3:16
5 – GAEL’S CALL – Glaoch na nGael – 6:07
6 – HARPLINN – 4:13
7 – GOADEC ROCK – 5:17
8 – EIBHLIN – Eileen A Roon – 6:52
9 – AQUARELLE – Er penn all d’al lanneg – 3:44
10 – AN HIRAÑ NOZ – Noël, espoir – Ar hyd y nos – 4:41
11 – MAC CRIMON (part I) – 2:23
11 – MAC CRIMON (part II) – 4:51
11 – MAC CRIMON (part III) – 2:58
Alan Stivell : vocals, harps, bagpipes, bombarde, flutes, percussion, synthesizers, piano, arrangements, production and composition.
Loumi Seveno : violins, alti, viele, bodhran (1,2,4,5,7,8,9).
Christope Peloil : alto (2).
Gaetan Grandjean : acoustic and electric guitar.
Nicolas Méheust : Hammond organ, melotron, piano and bass.
Marcus Camus : percussion, drums.
Iwan Ellien du Bagad Gwengamp : Scottish soldier drum (3).
Dom Duff : vocals (1,4).
Solenn Lefeuvre : vocals (2).
L’Ensemble choral du Bout du Monde directed by Christian Desbordes (11,12).
Samples of the tracks can be heard  when you go to the official site:

www.alan-stivell.com

www.alan-stivell.com/blog

Sarah McLachlan’s New Album and More Bands.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

Update! Sarah McLachlan’s new album will be launched in June 15 2010 . She ‘s one of those artists who take years to release a follow-up album. I am sure fans will be delighted with this news. I find the cover totally amazing. I am sure the tracks are heavenly, as can be expected from this singer who possesses one of the most beautiful voices in the world. The new single is “Loving you is Easy” which you can download from Itunes. Although Sarah’s music is not really Celtic, she does have a voice easily loved by Celtic music fans.

http://www.sarahmclachlan.com

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Cape Breton based band The Cottars has just released Feast. This is a huge relief from the uncertainty fans have after years of almost no update from the band.  The foursome of Bruce, Ciaran, Claire and Fiona will surely cure hungry ears with their latest release now available in record stores.

May 6, 2010
THE COTTARS Make The Folk Music Charts
THE COTTARS rank in the Top 10 in the categories ‘Top Canadian Album’, ‘Top Canadian Song’ and ‘Top Canadian Artist’ in the DJ folk survey.

Pics courtesy of the band’s official website:http://www.thecottars.ca/

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Eden’s Bridge, creating a kind of music that makes you think: this is probably how angels sigh. Melodic, layered and polished to a luminous intensity. The band merge Celtic music’s distinctive style and Christian sensibilities creating a kind of material that appeals to both secular and religious tastes. Originally from Yorkshire England has been around since 1997. Their old website will be updated soon.

Sarah Lacy-Bird : vocals
Richard Lacy : keyboards
Terl Bryant : Drums, percussion
Jon Large : bass
David Bird : guitars
Michael McGoldrick : uilleann pipes, whistles, flutes

http://www.myspace.com/edensbridge

Shhhh! Listen to Skeeal Music

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

From their MySpace witten in Manx:

she possan dy wheig ‘skeeal’ jannoo ymmyd jeh feddanyn mooarey, gitar as coraaghyn. tayrn veih stoo tradishoonagh as bunneydagh, t’ad cummey reaghysyn sheiltynagh as smooinaghtagh, gleashaghey eddyr ny tree chengaghyn gaelgagh. t’ad voish mannin ny keayrtyn.

Another reason to off the lights: Skeaal has arrived coming from the sunny Isle of Man. This band has brought with them not only the Manx identity but also the ancient spirit of the culture by singing in Manx Gaelic which I and the rest of my readers will also like. When one speaks a foreign language …and turns t into a song, it really doesn’t matter if you don’t understand a thing. How the words and the infliction merge with each other becomes a music on its own. And it is not difficult learning the language this way. In my research , the last native speaker of  Manx died in 1974. But I know the language is making its revival with the help of bands like these. You can’t  force people to learn the language…you have to coax them into it. And this is how you do it.

The music is rich in melody and the instrumentals stand on their own. Relaxing yet has the flavor of Jazz, Rock and Folk. The band has been together for five years and the new album Slipway is out.

http://www.myspace.com/skeeal

BARLEYJUICE releases “ BONNY PRINCE BARLEY”

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Wow I used to hunt for news on the web. Now news goes to me. That’s why I can’t be away from my mailbox because I get surprises everyday.  Take for instance this band profile sent to me by my correspondence. Barleyjuice has one of the loudest instruments in the Celtic family, the bagpipes. It’s also a coincidence because it has been a week that I have been hooked to bagpipe music. Sometimes I really want my music that loud. So these guys will really amuse you, not only with their interesting backgrounds but the fact that the music is really fascinating. Expect great instrumental playing and Highland dancing. Expect to be carried away. Check out the videos and their music page to get the idea . Anyway I am just posting the info I got here and hopefully , you will get your own CDs of Barleyjuice out in the stores right now.

BARLEYJUICE releases “ BONNY PRINCE BARLEY”

February 1st on Ryf Records

“This album takes no more than seconds to drag you in, wring you out…”

Shay Clarke, WDCB Radio/Irish American News

Bonny Prince Barley named Celtic Rock Album of the Year by CelticRadio.net

BARLEYJUICE— Kyf Brewer, Keith Swanson, Billy Dominick, Jimmy Carbomb, Eric Worthington and Gregor Schroeder – on their latest release, Bonny Prince Barley, will excite their fans with this album of unrepentant Celtic Rock.  Here you’ll find great tunes, smart lyrics and a few instant classics from these great songwriters and musicians.

Barleyjuice have been described as “Infectious…fun…delightful” by Jamie O’Brien, music critic for The Irish Edition.  Bonny Prince Barley is Barleyjuice’s fourth studio release. With only ten carefully picked selections, it rounds a new corner for the band, further defining their trademark sound within their penchant for creating the perfect package.

Steeped in originals that sound like traditionals, Bonny Prince Barley leaps out of the starting gate on a high note and keeps you happily riding the wave until the very last note has faded.  Shay Clarke adds that Bonny Prince Barley is  “Toe tapping, hand clapping, whiskey drinking, crowd pleasing, high stepping music that makes the blood flow a little faster.”

BONNY PRINCE BARLEY is available on the band’s web site and at live appearances. For lyrics, song credits, more music and to learn more about the band, visit www.barleyjuice.com.   For further information/media contact Anita Daly, Daly Communications, 212 772 0852 or anitadaly@yahoo.com

A brief description of the songs on Bonny Prince Barley:

Track #1: “Drunkard’s Ambassadors” – penned by Kyf Brewer & Keith Swanson, is a high energy tune with both political and alcoholic gleanings. Having enjoyed this song in the group’s live show for over a year, many Barleyjuice fans refer to the band members using this term!

Track #2: “Swig” – Keith Swanson hits his high mark with this intricate jig, his first recorded since Another Round’s “Taylor’s Fancy”. Note the smattering of Jethro Tull, which comes in the form of whistler Jimmy “Carbomb” Parkinson’s solo.

Track #3: “Songs For Sinners” – Following such tongue-in-cheek faves as “Tartan is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair” and “Love With a Priest” from Six Yanks, Kyf Brewer follows through with more twisted wit and wisdom done Irish style. We’ll all lay together, beneath the bloomin’ heather…

Track #4: “Hard Life of Ivan MacRae” – Brewer turns a corner with this serious and touching ballad of a common Irish townie and his not-quite-realized dreams to break out. Expertly sung and heartfelt, with a touch of the traditional, “March of the King of Laois” woven throughout.

Track #5: “Weekend Irish” – a fist-raising anthem to the festival lovers. Described as Bruce Springsteen meets the Pogues, this shout-out chorus is a favorite at every event, and a popular Celtic radio request. With the inclusion of the bagpipe on “Rising of the Moon”, penned by the powerful matrimonial writing team of Kyf & Kay Brewer, co-authors of “What’s Up Yours?” from Another Round, and “Love With a Priest” from Six Yanks.

Track #6: “Nancy Whiskey” – done in ska fashion, the latest Barleyjuice Nancy song, traditionally sung by Keith “Swanny” Swanson, which joins a list of Nancy songs included on previous offerings, in honor of his wife of 20-odd whiskey-and-beer-soaked years.

Track #7: “Jo’rneyman’s Song” – Brewer’s rustic ballad, which sings well in the pubs and tells of the highs and woes of a traveling musician and the good folk he bids hello and goodbye. Jimmy Parkinson accompanies Kyf’s bare-bones acoustic guitar & vocal with a lone bass whistle.

Track #8: “London Calling” – a Celtic rock-up of the Clash’s classic tune, featuring Billy Dominick’s bluegrass fiddle on excerpts of “Road to Lisdoonvarna”.

Track #9: “My Bonnie Lassie and Me”  – a gentle, lilting ballad of life in the highlands of Scotland. Written and crooned by Jimmy Parkinson.

Track #10: “Bleary-Eyed Beauty” – hats off to the Pogues, Brewer’s powerful lullaby carries the same energy as “A Pair of Brown Eyes”, and sings of looking after a favorite femme after a full night of partying. Originally written for his young daughters, the appeal is widened by the fact that the lyrics are easily adaptable to a wild love affair with a very unpredictable young lover.

As the last bars of the repeated chorus fade, the message of Bonny Prince Barley rings clear. The little bar band from Philly has done it again… only better! Thanks for your support.

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DALY COMMUNICATIONS
Specializing in Niche Marketing, Promotion and Publicity
217 East 86th Street, #151
New York, NY 10028
212 772 0852 // dalycommunications@gmail.com

REPRESENTING BETTER MUSIC FOR THE WORLD
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Album Highlight:Tears of Stone

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

I remember the days way before the Internet. I do my research of what’s new and cool in music magazines and newspapers.Sometimes through movies(end credits) and TV shows.That’s how I discover artists. Publications like Time Magazine,Newsweek and locally published musicmags(with guitar chords) were really helpful. There are music reviewers who are so good that they give you an accurate detail of what the music sounds like way before you get hold of the album.

I got hold of my very first Chieftains album The Long Black Veil in the mid-90s . My collection was growing then . I had
friends come over and I bragged about my collections that no one in the town or country has heard of. But then again , my
taste even in literature was already defined at that time-way before I hit my 20s. The first track will tell you at times
all about the whole album. Sometimes you’d be surprise.That’s why I will never buy a single. I am an album guy and I love
how the songs work together to create an album. I love the high and low moments. I love the suspense of what the new track
will bring. It’s like wading through sonic geography where songs are landscapes. I love the liner notes, the album
artwork, the lyrics ,musician credits, where it was recorded..even how the new paper smells. My hands shake and my heart
beats so fast every time I open a CD or cassette tape out of the plastic wrapper. And there I just described what I felt
like when I got my first Chieftains album-or any album that I love.

In short time I became a huge fan of this Irish band(though rock bands U2 and The Cranberies were so popular here  that students from every University even know how to sing a lot of songs from their albums). My favorite hangout was either the library or record stores. I kept an eclectic gang around(metalheads,Goths,nerds,ethnic musicians,poets etc). I listened to all kinds of music but made sure this type of music has a special place in my shelf. For years The Chieftains never ever disappointed the public with their releases. Several Grammy Awards and TV specials can attest to that. And Tears of Stone is one of the greats that came out before the end of the decade. Too sad it was  never  made available locally at that time. So I had to wait more than 10 years to get hold of this beautiful album(and having the money to get music too,instead of saving my allowance for clothes,shoes and even food just to buy a CD). But the wait or time is never an issue. Music like this never gets dated after all. So I a giving the spotlight to this album today.

Released February 22,1999
Label: BMG
Genre:Folk
Producer: Paddy Moloney

1. “Never Give All the Heart” – 2:50 (Anúna and Brenda Fricker) Irish Choir Anúna dazzles here vocally. I ‘ve always been a fan of their airy choir approach. Brenda Fricker’s narration adds a poetic touch to this haunting track.
2. “A Stór Mo Chroí” – 3:46 (Bonnie Raitt) Boys on the Side movie made Bonnie Raitt’s very familiar with “You Got It”. Her sad whiskey meets  Ealr Grey tea flavoured contralto is perfect for this mournful track.
3. “The Lowlands of Holland” – 3:46 (Natalie Merchant) Former 10,000 Maniacs vocalist contributed beautiful and strong distinctive vocals here. ..and these stormy seas came between my love and I”It’s hard not to feel like dying as she sings this last line.
4. “The Magdalene Laundries” – 4:59 (Joni Mitchell) A very touching subject involving nuns and ‘ cast the first stone those who have not sinned’ kind of narrative. You can almost see Joni Mitchell’s indignant expression as she sings each line .
5. “Jimmy Mó Mhíle Stór” – 4:37 (The Rankin Family)Like rubies on stony ground, the vocals provided by this musical family shifts between the angelic and the earthly.
6. “I Know My Love” – 3:54 (The Corrs) Andrea’s lead vocal adds a pop touch in this fast gypsy flavored track.
7. “Factory Girl” – 4:23 (Sinéad O’Connor) It is hard to hear Sinead’s beautiful haunting voice and not be moved by it.
8. “Deserted Soldier” – 4:39 (Mary Chapin Carpenter) This is sung in Gaelic flawlessly by an American Country singer.Each word flow effortlessly like golden chocolate. The second part of the song is a jig with her bright tinkling piano.
9. “Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure” – 4:33 (Loreena McKennitt) A Celtic album is not complete without the rich vocals of this amazing Canadian singer. Expect the sae dramatic appeal found in her albums.
10. “Sake in the Jar” – 4:28 (Akiko Yano)So what happens when Japanese vocals meets Irish music? The combination is as exquisite as Sake in the Jar.Akiko Yano (Akiko Suzuki) has already established herself as pop and jazz musician in Japan since the release of her 1976 album Japanese Girl.
11. “Raglan Road” – 6:19 (Joan Osborne) “One of Us” became a grunge anthem in the 90’s. Very few knows what happened after. Well this one happened after, and this is an excellent performance by Joan Osborne who I remember fondly with that nose piercing.
12. “Siúil A Rún” – 4:35 (Sissel Kyrkjebø) After Titanic, Sissel joined the Chieftains not only through recordings but also touring with the band. This Viking fairy has never failed to enchant us with her own album releases. Her flawless airy soprano just glides in this track like an ethereal blanket, while singing in Gaelic.
13. “The Fidding Ladies” – 10:23 (Natalie MacMaster, Eileen Ivers, Maire Breathnach, and Annbjørg Lien) Expect a party of virtuosity as instrumentalists of epic proportion gather here. The toe-tapping track makes you want to have another round of that Guinness.
14. “Danny Boy” – 5:28 (Diana Krall) Jazz meets folk.Canadian Diana Krall who is married to Irish rocker Elvis Costello, adds her own sultry contralto vocals to this sad traditional track. She gives an ai of those 50s black and white films. And this song also ends this wonderful album that will surely be rediscovered for decades with its beautiful vocals, instrumental arrangement and choice of material.