Bagpipe

Cisalpipers and The Emilian Bagpipe

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Band:Cisalpipers

Hometown: Center-North region of Italy Emilia-Romagna, formed in the fall of 2004.

I’ve been meaning to post something about this folk and Celtic band called Cisalpipers. But due to personal events it too longer than I intended. But here it is finally. My take on this energetic five-piece band consist of Chiara Temporin, Fabio Vetro, Davide Candini, Marco Vinicio Ferrazzi and Mauro Pambianchi.

Th incorporate world influences. There are traditionally inspired tunes. There are moments when I think I am hearing a prominent Galician and Asturian piping. But it isn’t. They are actually showcasing the unique sound of The Emilian Bagpipe which has an interesting history.

Bagpipes in general are pastoral instruments. They evoke the beauty of nature. They echo the simpler times. The laughter and sorrows of the field workers. They’re the people’s instruments. Thanks to technology and the resurgence of love for unique instruments, The Emilian Bagpipe has once again found an audience. And this is due to the experimental music and love for fusion of the Cisalpipers.

Other instruments with the band are Scottish Bagpipes, Whistles, Drums and Percussions. You should check out their energetic youtube videos. I am sure seeing them perform live is such a breath taking experience.

You can download the full presskit from the link here: http://www.cisalpipers.net/documenti/presskit-cisalpipers.zip

The official band website has an option for both in Italian and English (upper right) Thanks to JP Kallio of Sliotar for introducing me to this amazing group.

Have you heard of Morenn?

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I discovered the music of Morenn after clicking the link posted by Francois Marchal of Caliorne on facebook. I think Morenn is a fascinating project and needs a good support from lovers of Breton Celtic music. There are three videos posted in their kisskissbankbank crowd Morennfunding project in which one of them I decided to post here. Their approach to music is eclectic, blending traditional Breton sounds and other World influences. The music is lively, optimistic and evokes the landscapes of Brittany.

Members of Morenn are Xavier Boderiou , Sylvain Barou and Pellen Jacques. The three  are the finest in the world of Breton music. I am quoting this interesting blurb from the site so you will have an idea what the project is all about:

The “Morenn” project is the result of the meeting between Xavier Boderiou, Sylvain Barou and Jacques Pellen around the classical music of Scottish bagpipes.The piobaireachd is usually performed solo. The songs here are unstructured, merging three instruments consistently. This unique creation combines bagpipes, guitar, flute, but also a hint of experimental music around a centenary book for an explosive result in imprecise, nebulous … Morenn.

Here is the link to the project site:http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/fr/projects/morenn

Defecatio Imperatrix Mundi by Barbarian Pipe Band

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Album: Defecatio Imperatrix Mundi

Band: Barbarian Pipe Band

Hometown: Biella, Italy

There comes a time when you just want a single type of instrument to stand up. And also everything that’s  composed around and about it. This is the case of The Barbarian Pipe band. Pure bagpipe richness dipped in spices and good to the heart. And the music comes big drums. Of course loud music like this needs something to set the balance.

Be warned. This is loud. For those who expect something sweet and gentle would rather be somewhere else. But if you like your sound loud , hot, kicking and enveloping then Defecatio Imperatrix Mundi is your thing. best played outside with bonfires, friends around and hardcore Celtic partying.

My picks are Ruvida because of its warlike energy amidst its tribal beauty. Those pounding the drums really know how to make your brain heat up with primal appreciation. in Nutri-Ego we get a gong like sound with a little ‘broadcast feed.’ There are other tracks worth noting but I really don’t pay attention to the title because once it starts you just get lost to the sounds. A true charmer o an album for those who want their bagpipes to shine like crazy diamonds!

Barbarian Pipe Band

Bio:

Biography

The booming music of Barbarian Pipe Band overwhelms audiences of all Europe since 2001 (see the band’s CV).
Archaic sounds and modern arrangements solve space and time into powerful trance, wild dancing and deep emotions. Playing on stages, streets, theaters, churches, feasts, motor gatherings, weeding parties, rock festivals these five musicians fit everywhere from medieval-folk to metal-rock contests.

Barbarian Pipe Band propose two types of shows. Amplified or acoustic.
Acoustic show can be on stage or everywhere.
The amplified one has to be on stage and is followed by their own sound engineer.
Both shows may be enriched by live visual performance.

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbarianPipeBand?fref=ts

Website: http://www.barbarianpipeband.com/

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Huzzah!

CD DOM DUFF - BABEL POW WOW

Hello friends. Weekend is here. How are you doing? Life has been hectic here. There’s rain too.Yay!

Ok first of all I want to give a shout out of congratulation to Breton singer/songwriter Dom Duff who released his album today called Babel Pow Wow. A review will follow soon. I love this project because I’ve followed this while it was being created and even sent Dom videos for his use to promote the album. Again if you see this album, have a listen and buy it. It’s really a wonderful effort. Here’s the link about the album: http://www.coop-breizh.fr/cd-et-telechargement-5/telechargements-10/chansons-voix-bretagne-260/cd-dom-duff-babel-pow-wow-5093/zoom-fr.htm

Picture of the day:

Click for bigger image

...here’s my view of what will be the biggest crowd of me life … 2000 odd LA downtowners. Onstage in a couple of hours. Supporting Dropkick Murphys and their crazy punk fans! -Andy Slim Black

Here’s an EPK to remind you of this week’s featured band Enter the Haggis

Cornish Music Loud and Clear!

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In this edition: Merv Davey, Julian Goodacre, Alan Rosevear, Sevenoaks, Brenda Wootton and Sue Aston.

Picture – Large round stones on Porth Nanven beach, Cornwall.

Today I am exploring Cornish music. It’s been a while since I did an exclusive in one of the Celtic nations. I love the music of Cornish bagpipes as you can see and hear in the Cornish music session. When I think of Cornish music I remember my introduction to it through the late Brenda Wootton,the band Dalla and Sue Aston. They all come to mind because they’re the artists that got me started. Cornish music continues to grow as you can see here.

If you want the biggest online music store devoted to Cornish music then you just visit http://www.kesson.com and EVERYTHING is there!

Cornish trad session

Cornish music session in the Barley Sheaf, Liskeard, Cornwall. ‘Coer Elath’ (Choir of Angels) is a traditional tune with additional parts composed by Merv Davey, seen here playing bagpipes.

Sources

http://www.myspace.com/barleyfolk
http://www.an-daras.com/W_Pyba/index.html
http://www.myspace.com/dallamusicuk

Now for those who are wondering about the Cornish bagpipes, one of the commenter made a clarification:

The Cornish bagpipes are a traditional instrument in both Cornwall and Briezh. The oldest depictions of Cornish Bagpipes being played date from c.1400AD. The pipes have likely been played in Kernow/Cornwall for at least 2000 years. I am sorry to disappoint anyone who believes incorrectly that they are a recent invention or have been ‘made up’.-The Cornubian

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The Cornish Pipes:

Now it has a distinctive sound. More mellow and sonorous than the Scottish bagpipes or the uilleann pipes.Check out how it is being played! With two reeds. This tune is however a traditional English tune called Shepherd’s Hey. But you get the idea of what it sounds like. Anyone interested to learn the Cornish bagpipes?

Video info: Shepherds Hey; traditional English tune played by Julian Goodacre, played on Cornish double bagpipes in D

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Lamorna – a Cornish folk song

I have always been fascinated by the beauty of   folk singing. Especially when sung without instrumentation. It gives you that soul of the song because it becomes intimate. The simplicity is what gives it a pleasure to sing.  This is one beautiful song I would love to learn. I am posting the lyrics here and the video as performed by Alan Rosevear

LAMORNA
So now I’ll sing to you , it’s about a maiden fair,
I met the other evening at the corner of the square;
She had a dark and roving eye, and her hair was covered over,
We rowed all night in the pale moonlight
Way down to Lamorna.
(Chorus)
T’was down in Albert Square; I never shall forget,
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
And the evening it was wet, wet, wet;
And her hair hung down in curls
Her face was covered over,
We rowed all night in the pale moonlight
Way down to Lamorna.

As we got in the cab, I asked her for her name,
And when she gave it me, well with mine it was the same;
So I lifted up her veil, for her face was covered over;
To my surprise, it was my wife
I took down to Lamorna.
Cho

She said I know you know, I knew you all along,
I knew you in the dark, for I did it for a lark;
And for that lark you’ll pay, for the taking of your donna,
You’ll pay the fare, I do declare
Way down to Lamorna.

about the song:

A folk song popular in Cornwall. There are several candidates for where you could have a night of pleasure in Lamorna – Lamorna Cove near St Just is probably the most likely. Sung by Alan Rosevear in Exeter.

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Sweet Nightingale (Cornish folk song)

What an amazing tune. Especially that it is enhanced by natural sounds like the birds and rustling leaves and even an audience coughing. There  lots of amazing Cornish talents. You just have to look.

According to Mark Potts who uploaded the video:

Recorded at the Eden Project in April 2007. I was in a local folk trio called “Sevenoaks”. The guitar arrangement was based on McCartney’s “Blackbird” style and I reference my source at the end of this piece! I’d forgotten what a lovely voice Charlie the singer had

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Brenda Wootton – The Trees They Are So High

What is Cornish Music without Brenda Wootton?  This one is  from the 1975 Sentinel album. A duet with Dennis Bartlet.

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The Home Coming by Sue Aston Celtic Music with Classical Twist from Cornwall

The Amazing Sue Aston closes our episode with The Home Coming. I made an interview with her when this site was new. That was memorable. makes me smile when I think of it. She has released a couple of album already and is very much active in the Cornish music scene these days. Visit http://www.sueaston.com