Americana

I Will Carry You-Shishonnah

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(R) Jenne Lennon (L) Liz Madden Photo by Roland Labana

(R) Jenne Lennon (L) Liz Madden Photo by Roland Labana

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.  ~Christopher Reeve

Hope is the physician of each misery.  ~Irish Proverb

The new single from duo Jenne Lennon and Liz Madden known as Shishonnah will definitely thrill fans of Loreena McKennitt, Connie Dover and Enya!  The song  “I Will Carry You” starts out with a gentle piano melody that builds up into a sweeping choral and chamber extravaganza. The classically trained  lush voice of Jenne, and Liz’s supple ethereal folk voice compliment each other well- like they’ve been born to sing together. This song talks about hope and healing amidst all the pains that life hands us. Listening it again and again is such a joy!

Their first single Dance with the River is so unique and powerful. Especially the chanting  and percussion part. This is a kind of song that I think Capercaillie wish they recorded.

Jenne Lennon:

Known as “The Janis Joplin of Celtic Music!”, Jenne’s mission as an artist is to become the first American singer/songwriter internationally known in the new genre of Celtic World Fusion music, and to use her music as a platform for social awareness of poverty, AIDS and Native American rights http://jennelennon.com/   and http://www.glencoerecords.com/

Liz Madden

“If a harp had a voice, it would sound like Liz Madden.  With a sound that flows through the air like rose petals through a wind chime…” Gregg Senko of Why So Blu?

A patron of the Irish charity Bee for Battens, Liz is also a supporter of the Children in Crossfire charity and recently performed at two events accompanied on guitar by Richard Moore, Director of Children in Crossfire. Liz had the honor of singing ‘A Price for Love’ written by the late Christie Hennessy, patron of Children in Crossfire. Liz is the first artist since Christie Hennessey, to sing this wonderful song. Along with various other charity work and activism, Liz has also just completed her first book entitled ‘Letters from The Ancients’. http://www.lizmaddenonline.com/

Come into the Folk Alley

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What I love about maintaining this blog is that it also serves as a bookmark for the links I stumbled upon via the Internet. And sharing these links to readers out there is one way to spread the Celtic spirit in Cyberspace. Though Celtic music is of European origin, American musicians contributed their style to it. Thus Blue Grass was born.

Been listening to Folk Alley an on-line station offering live-streaming 24 hours a day. It was launched in 2003 produced by WKSU-FM in Kent, OH, which also built and maintains the web site. It will appeal to those who are into easy listening. It offers news, new releases and tour news. The site design is patterned to the color of the banjo which is the official instrument of Blue Grass music. You’d be expecting the hear from artists like Kate Price, Bella Fleck and The Chieftains when you  tune in to Folk Alley.

The Elders:Have a Taste of Irish Americana

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What happens when an Irishman with the love of all things American meets a bunch of  Americans who love everything Irish? Well you get a band called The Elders. Fronted by Ian Byrne from County Wicklow Ireland, the Elders is composed of guys who are seasoned already before recording together.

If you are curious as to how The Elders  sounds like, then check out the official MySpace page. The music reminds me a bit of Traffic , Hothouse Flowers and The Pogues. I could not help but get goosebumps with The Lock of the Irish . It’s a tribute to St. Patrick and what makes Ireland what it is now. I think Ian Byrne gives you a glimpse into Irish history in this five-minute song.

Overall, the band is something  not to be missed. Quirky stage performance, excellent vocal and instrumental arrangements go hand in hand. And yes ,a slice of Americana thrown in the mix…which would make any Spin Doctors fan smile.

P.S.

Big thanks to Christi Broersma for introducing me to this American based Celtic band!