Arts and Entertainment

The Shee: Be Dazzled!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

Dazzling music from the UK 

A magical listening experience happens when you combine a group of young women with both vocal and instrumental prowess. Their amazing stage presence and dazzling technique of playing the instruments have won them followers from all over the world. The Shee  released two albums: A Different Season and Decadence. I wish I could write more about them but I have little resources. If you want to catch them live then you better be there on Friday 29th of June 2012 Sark Folk Festival, near La Moinerie, West Coast, Isle of Sark, Channel Islands.

Members:
Lillias Kinsman-Blake – flute/ fiddle

Shona Mooney-Fiddle/Viola

Rachel Newton-Harp/Voice/Fiddle

Amy Thatcher-Piano Accordion and clogs

Olivia Ross-Fiddle/Voice

Laura-Beth Salter-Mandolin/Voice

Online resources to help you:

Myspace   http://www.myspace.com/theshee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shee/232191416883

Website: http://theshee.webmasterdave.net/

‘An all-female revelation…fresh, feisty music’ fRoots

‘The Shee… are brilliant; their version of Tom Paine‘s Bones is one of my favourite songs of the last 12 months.’ Mike HardingBBC Radio 2

The Shee are an exceptional all-female band showcasing three powerful vocalists and an astonishing level of instrumental prowess. Their diverse range of individual musical influences combine to produce an adventurous brew of Folk, Scots, Gaelic and Bluegrass, earning them considerable recognition along the way with high profile performances at festivals including Cambridge and Celtic Connections, as well as concerts across Europe and Canada. Their debut album ʻA Different Seasonʼ was released in 2008, followed by nominations in both the MG AlbaScots Trad Music Awards and the BBC 2 Folk Awards 2009.

CONTACT US:

mail@theshee.com

Talk of the Town: The Bonny Men

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 3 Comments

Word gets around  fast for these guys..The Bonny Men!

For those who love music in the tradition of The Bothy band will love the sound this traditional group from Dublin . Bring together the knack for exuberant playing, charming vocals and great choice of arrangements then you get a good album like their self-titled debut. They are only a year old but they have accomplished so much. Read what Tradconnect has to say about the album.

They bring something to the Trad scene…that kind of feeling you get when the streets are wet after the rain. A sort of freshness and magic..something nostalgic but undeniably fresh. The album was recorded in Windmill Lane Studios Dublin..which I recall as the same place where Clannad recorded their Banba album in 1992.

Turlough Chambers – Fiddle
Conor Lyons – Bodhrán
Natalie Ní Chasaide – Piano
Maitiú Ó Casaide – Uileann Pipes
Íde Nic Mhathúna – Vocals
Adam Whelan – Bouzouki
Moss Landman – Flute
Barry Lyons – Guitar

You can listen and buy the album here: http://www.thebonnymen.ie/

Monster Ceilidh Band: A Foray Into Electronic Folk

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

There is no monstrosity here. Just interesting lively music from UK based Celtic electronica band  the Monster Ceilidh Band. The website design is really cute. But wait until you listen to one of the tracks. You will be overwhelmed by how much artistry and innovation this band have placed in their compositions. Part Japanese anime music, part traditional Scottish.

They have made quite a stir in the UK being electronic and folk crossover band.  They are on tour this month and with the kind of style they have, they will draw a lot of cult following from those who are into the hip and the novel. Just take a look at that video below. I love what I am seeing and hearing!

The band are:
• Amy Thatcher – Accordion.
• Carly Blain – Fiddle.
• Kieran Szifris – Mandocello
• David de la Haye – Electric Bass
• Joe Truswell – Drums

Have a listen to the tracks here http://monsterceilidhband.co.uk/listen-3/

or go to the website : http://monsterceilidhband.co.uk

Lúnasa: A Band with Consistently Beautiful Artwork?

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Mirror mirror on the wall, who has the best album cover of them all?

I believe that every topic merits an article. The little conversation that I had with Christi and Connie inspired this piece. It has something to do with the post Christi made of the Irish band Lúnasa. Through the years this band made amazing recordings of top notch traditional interpretations that got them into the global spotlight.

They have a new album out called Lá Nua’. As always we expect nothing but amazing music . However something has been overlooked in forum discussions as well as reviews from other Celtic magazines. It is the amazing album artworks. My first Lúnasa album was Otherworld(1999). The impressionistic photography and dashes of blue and green colors are really eye-catching.  There are albums out there that sound really great but the artwork don’t really give justice to the music.  To see more of the band’s album artwork just visit the photogallery section of the official site.

The Indianapolis Ceili Band

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

Do you ever get that feeling when you have  a lot of things to tell but you just have no choice but to it back and tell them bits by bits? That is what I feel with hundreds of bands I want to recommend but I have to take it easy because we can’t fit everything I  one page.

Today I am highlighting the Indianapolis Ceili Band.  The musicians in this group make music for the purpose of performing the songs in ceilis and also to show what it means to be American and Irish. Expect members to be just musicians and not a bunch of Celtic Woman or Celtic Thunder wannabes. Just guys performing together for the love of music.

Their album Every Wednesday Night is out. Now if you are curious to listen to sample tracks you can actually hear them for free through their official site’s music page . I heard few tracks and they are magnificent! You should check them out.

Members:   

Fiddles:
Maggie Davis
Samantha Stelting
Flutes:
Alberta Lathan
Dmitri Alano

Concertina:
Ed Delaney

Accordion:
Dianna Davis

Tenor Banjo:
Mario Joven

Keyboards:
Robyn Ton

Percussion:
Chris Deis

Visit their facebook band site

See also Ennis Clare Irish Band