ballads

Have you heard of Tom Acton?

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If you haven’t picked up Down The Irish Gravel Road by Dublin based singer/songwriter Tom Acton yet, then you better. Mr Acton has a wonderful voice and he loves recording happy tunes. I heard three full tracks so far: Sligo Fair (very catchy), The Great Johnny Doran and The Water Song. The latter is very close to my heart because of its beautiful, poignant and somber atmosphere.

I made friends with Tom Acton when I signed up with Live Ireland. I remember him as a friendly and jolly fella. It is great to discover that his talent has a timeless appeal. He has a voice that catches you right away. As if he is meant to be heard on the radio. There are people who are born that way I guess. They are so natural onstage and off stage.

His songs are wrapped up with beautiful instrumental arrangements. These are things that would make you compare the tracks to the likes of Planxty and The Dubliners. But Acton has an original sound. It is a confident style that transcends time. You should hear his album and listen to the lyrics. He has a lot to say. He has a lot to sing about!

Samples and artist info can be found here:

http://www.fullspiral.nl/?MUSIC

 

The Ballads of Mickey Coleman

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I am listening.

Listening to Mickey Coleman. I am in the mood for ballads. Songs of longing, missed soul mates, loss, nostalgia and hope. I think these themes are close to my heart than anything else. But Mickey’s songs are also a variation of those and fast tunes.  I also heard funny ones. The thing that carries his tunes is his style of singing-part choir tenor and   part brew that brings smoke into your eyes. Highlands of Belfast and Coaisland Girl make you sit down and really listen. Somewhere Else Instead became my song today. I urge you to come  and join me. It’s the right time and the right mood.

Listen to his tracks here:  http://www.mickeycoleman.com/gallery.html

The Legacy of Brenda Wootton

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Brenda Wootton put Cornish music on the map when she started her music career in the 60s. Blessed with an amazing voice and a gift for poetry and story telling, she was seen as an ambassador of Cornish music. Listening to her sing in this video now, I realize that no one will ever have this voice again. Thanks to the Internet, a lot of young people are once again rediscovering this wonderful artist. More about Brenda Wootton here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Wootton and  http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/people/brenda_wooton.htm

Here is also a helpful guide to the music of Cornwall :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Cornwall