Bagpipes

Here’s Blarvuster For You!

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Photo by Michael Weintrob

Sneak preview of  Matthew Welch’s project band…

“The ensemble’s border-busting music is original and catchy. . . Blarvuster is worth sticking around for.” – The New York Times

The first reaction is ‘Whaaatttt!?” You’re probably trying to say blockbuster? is that’s it? Or your mouth is just full.

No guys I am serious. It’s another band. And they are not making typos. They are even making music enough for you to create typos. The polyrhythm is just awesome. The instruments are delectable that will make your ears water had they been place in a wrong part of your face.

Matthew Welch ( bagpipes, voice, soprano saxophone) lead this 9-piece band in a tight rein that displays undeniable virtuoso. I love the way the bagpipes ride the crispy drums. A loud wind instrument needs loud percussions. But the production is slick. this is a kind of record you can play over and over to let your siblings know that there’s still hope after Lady Gaga or Justin Beiber.

Matthew Welch – bagpipes, voice, soprano saxophone
Leah Paul – piccolo, flute, alto flute
Karen Waltuch – viola
Mary Halvorson – electric guitar (High Street and Bottoms Up)
Ian Riggs – bass guitar
Ches Smith – drums, glockenspiel (High Street and Bottoms Up)
Emily Manzo – piano (Canntaireachd Masolah)
Matthew Hough – electric guitar (Canntaireachd Masolah)
Mike Pride – drums, vibraphone (Canntaireachd Masolah)

Listen to the tracks through this link: http://blarvuster.com/listen/

Gaelic Culture in Cape Breton

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Whether you are listening to headphones or theater speakers,the production quality of Putumayos’s Celtic Crossroads will satisfy both formats. The good thing about these compilation as well as the rest that’s been floating around is that they introduce us to popular as well as unheard of artists. These albums are teasers on what to expect if you get into these unique acts.\par
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For instance, the first track Parting Glass from Emer Kelly is head turning;  with a voice that is breathy and ethereal as well. Capercaillie’s Hoirean O also made a surprising addition to the mix. Rough energetic styles like Keltik Elektrik’s Wild Mountain Thyme, Peatbog Faeries’ Captain Cou and Ashley McIsaac’s To America(with Mary Jane Lamond on vocals) spar well with Cara Dillon’s diaphanous alternative folk She’s Like the Swallow.Then, there’s Mick McAuley’s luminous track The House Carpenter. Still other known acts like Sinead O’Connor performing Her Mantle is stunning. Alan Stivell’s E Kreiz Hag En makes you long for more Breton music . Gwenno’s ethereal scruffy vocals on Tryweryn makes you wish for a full length album. Michael McGodrick’s Sully’s is a testament to Celtic music’s ability to fuse with other styles and genre yet making it still distinctively world music. This is a must have for those who like their Celtic music a bit of something else and totally familiar.

Tracklist:
Emer Kenny – Parting Glass
Capercaillie – Hoireann O
Keltik Elektrik – Wild Mountain Thyme
Michael McGoldrick – Sully’s No.37/Lucy’s Reel
Gwenno – Tryweryn
Mick McAuley – The House Carpenter
Cara Dillon – She’s Like the Swallow
Alan Stivell – E Kreiz Hag Endro
Sinéad O’Conner – Her Mantle So Green
Peatbog Faeries – Captain Coull’s Parrot
Ashley MacIsaac featuring Mary Jane Lamond – To America We Go

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I found this wonderful video about The Gaelic Culture in Caper Breton. One of the best places in the world!

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One of the best attractions when you go to Santiago de Compostela ,Spain is the music.