Traditional Scottish and Jazz. Those are the two styles that define the new album Esotero by Fraser Fifield and Graeme Stephen. It is a work layered in intricate textures. I encourage you to give it more than twenty spins before you say anything what the album.What I am saying here does not even define the whole album because, Esotero has MORE to offer as part of your listening experience. But we can agree that it is an impressive album with loads of surprises.
I like the how space is given emphasis between instruments and tracks. It is almost like stepping into this white room and seeing a few instruments on display. It is easy to get lost in the passion behind the making of tunes like the title track Esotero, The Bank of Time and Immigrant eyes among others.
These two artists go all the way back with an impressive array of albums to celebrate. I would like to unlock the secrets to the melodic alchemy of Fraser Fifield but it is hard. His approach is always unique and sometimes the way he plays with scales is uncanny. His delivery gives a sense of atmosphere and mystical qualities to each track. And yes, the guitar works of Graeme Stephen completes the alchemy, giving Esotero a timeless and satisfying listening experience for all.
For years now I consider Geantraí as one of the most important sources of traditional live performance in Irish music. For this week comes a surprise. I was going through my youtube stream when I found this upload of the latest performance featuring Enda Seery & John Byrne. These two made a tight breath-taking performance by making their two acoustic instruments feel like a full set. In most of Enda’s performances, there is that distinctive, delicate way of playing-his love for expression and texture over speed. The style where he shines. John Byrne compliments the tin whistle with his rhythmic guitar strumming and making sure that their sounds merge seamlessly.
He and John will be playing for Gael Linn ‘Siamsaíocht @6’ concert series next Tuesday, 19th November from 6-8pm in the Central Hotel, Dublin. His latest second studio album ‘Síocháin na Tuaithe:Peace of the Countryside'(2013) is available on http://www.endaseery.com/buy-albums.html
Video info:
Geantraí, TG4-Programme 3, 2013.
Enda Seery (Eb whistle) & John Byrne (guitar).
Reels: Day Trip to Galway (comp. Enda Seery)/The Golden
One of the most anticipated releases this year is out. Esotero is a joint project between two fantastic artists in the Celtic fusion scene. And this sampler will give you an idea what the album is all about. A few weeks ago, Fraser Fifield was a special guest on my weekly radio show and I really enjoyed that time with him. He even did an impromptu low whistle performance!
Esotero is a musical project between Fraser Fifield and Graeme Stephen. These two artist go all the way back and they already collaborated in many projects including Traces of Thrace and Slow Stream. You will hear elements of Jazz, Prog rock and world ethnic influences. There is always something for everyone.This is a fun album that you will enjoy this holiday season.
I decided to go ahead and just upload the whole show instead of chopping it up into bits and deleting some. Hey what’s more interesting that letting the world hear your bloopers right? It is a very human thing. And I like human thing 🙂
So yes that’s three hours of music and some talk in between tracks. I love Saturdays because that’s the time I become a pilot of the cyberwaves. I live for music and I think it is what makes me live. What about you? What is that thing that makes you want to wake up every morning?
Despite the power failure at the start of my indie variety show(not again!) I was able to save the stream so I will be playing back the whole three-hour show 8 hours from now but I need to catch sleep first. Here are the tracks I played today:
Autodj featuring Loreena McKennitt (3pm German time)
Stolen child/ Snow/ Ancient Pines/All Souls NightThe Old Ways/ Full Circle/The Mummer’s Dance/Penelope’s Song/ The Wind That Shakes The Barley visit: http://www.quinlanroad.com/
Heeeello! Celtic music fanatics. I have named the winner of the Meav Ni Mhaolchatha autographed CD giveaway! His name is John Cranmer of Madison, GA USA. All the more reason why you should check this blog every now and then because there are always goodies to giveaway. Tip: these things happen when artists are either launching a new CD or starting a tour. And they are always excited to give something to their fans for the continued support. Isn’t that awesome??!
I was truly knocked out by the video of Meav doing her new song “The Calling”. I truly felt relaxed as I watched her smoothly sing this song. She has, in my opinion, the very greatest voice of today. To list words of description would certainly be long, but I’ll try to use just a few. Enchanting, relaxing but exciting at the same time, moving. I’ve been a fan of Meav since I purchased her first CD. It really seems that her performances get better each time. With “The Calling” she has hit a new high. I look forward to her continued success as she continues to knock our socks off.
John Cranmer
Madison, GA USA
So yes, Meav is sending out that autographed CD to John and I am sure he is going to be happy about it. Thank you all my American readers for your support and I will make sure to give out more surprises often because it will keep this whole thing I am doing exciting. I also want to give my appreciation to Irish artist Meav Ni Mhaolchatha. She really cares about her listeners. Her sweetness will definitely bring more and more fans. And yes she will always have the continued support of The Celtic Music Fan for her shining 5000 watts of pure talent!
Those who tuned in this Saturday might have found yourselves not hearing my show The Baxteria. You weren’t dreaming. We are off the air for the following reasons which I will attach here:
Radio Happy is being taken offline for a few days in order to facilitate a transfer and upgrading of the service we provide to our listeners. Therefore, Saturday’s show with DJ Baxteria, Sunday’s show with DJ Yolande, Monday’s show with Johnny Normal and Tuesday’s show with Flip Martian will not go ahead but will return the following week as normal.
I know you’ll miss us – but please be assured this is only temporary while we put things in place to ensure the service is more robust and reliable in the future! Part of our ongoing commitment to making Radio Happy a professional and reliable source of online entertainment.
More news on the relaunch will appear over the next few days.
Thank you to you all for choosing Radio Happy up to now and thanks for your understanding and patience at this time.
Celtic Music Fan 