bodhran

February 2015 Celtic music updates.

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..And so we have amazing tunes to start the big bang of Celtic music for 2015!

Welcome to my ‘conversational post’ where I talk like a normal person especially when I am not doing album reviews or interviews. 2015 brings us fantastic tunes in the trad and fusion department. Celtic music is colorful as it embraces many. I will

The winning image from the Bodojo Header competition by Matthew Olwell.

The winning image from the Bodojo Header competition by Matthew Olwell.

bring you fresh uploads from musicians you have not or probably heard already. But guess what they have in common? Yes it’s fantastic music. These are artists who dedicated their lives in perfecting their craft. They have released albums independently and I think their persistence is admirable. Especially in a world where ‘common’ or ‘ordinary’ music is praised. But think about it. What’s so great about common right? Why not spice up your life with something you seldom read up the Billboard or Rolling Stone reviews. Why be part of the herd when you can be different. Think different. Act different and dare to be you.

This is a fresh upload from Irish musician Enda Seery(with James Hughes). I think a new album is on the way. What do you think? I love this tune.

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I will be posting an album review of this amazing artist. He is John Breen. 

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Have a taste of Buan, the new album by Danu. Yes they have a new album out if you haven’t heard yet. It’s been creating quite a stir in the trad community these days. Worth a check! Thanks to Trad Connect for this link.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_eYEmuc0hM

Fans of Scottish artist Julie Fowlis will be pleased. She has released a new album called  GACH SGEUL – EVERY STORY. As always, her vocals are in between the haunting realm of Celtic music and the simplicity of indie pop. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/juliefowlis

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http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVvUXsA7is

Bodhran Drum Solo – Abe Doron

Fans of bodhran music will love this! I love the bodhran and I am trying to be an expert but I guess I need more time. If you want to check out anything related to this instrument then be part of Bodojo https://www.facebook.com/groups/bodojo/?fref=ts

Have a great weekend everyone and more to follow!

Two Available tracks from Wish by Poitin, via Soundcloud.

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Yes you heard it right. The new album Wish by Poitin is finished. The main reason to rejoice.

Just when the thought the seas have calmed, Poitin brings out a new album called Wish. I am not sure about the details of the album yet, but I know the band have worked in recording tracks around Autumn last year. They uploaded two track via soundcloud: The Broomfield Wager and Toffee Jigs. The former is a vocal track showcasing the versatility of Jeremy King’s voice. It is also an acoustic and bodhran driven song. The latter is an instrumental collection of traditional tunes.

Like I said, I have not listened to the whole album yet, but I can tell this is something new. The poitin flavor is still there. But there is that slick and superb texture that I noticed in these two tracks. It is easy to judge that the album will sound this way. And this is an exciting release!

The album will be available everywhere and I will tell you more about it in my future post about the guys of Poitin.

Debut Album of CrossHarbour Coming Soon!

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CrossHarbour takes the vibrant spirit of Traditional Irish music to new listeners.

CrossHarbour, is the name of the band after a London tube station. But it could also imply “crossing into another country’ through the sea. I love the idea that traditional Irish music blends well with any genre. It is so pure it sounds good with Jazz, Rock, Folk and even Classical music. Rosie Hodgson completes the circle, although she is not present in this video. They recorded their soon-to-be-released debut album at Livingstone Studios, London.

CrossHarbour are: Orlaith McAuliffe (flute), Sam Proctor (fiddle), Philippe Barnes (guitar), Tad Sargent (bodhran) and Rosie Hodgson on vocals. Hodgson has perfect folk vocals that sound warm and smooth. I am sure it’s going to be a fantastic debut album. To quote from Tradconnect: “I saw the future of trad music and its name is CrossHarbour.”

I keep on watching the bodhran technique of Tad Sargent as I am a bodhran student myself. His thundering chops are showcased in these live videos. You can tell they love being onstage. The listeners love them too.

Preorder the album here: http://crossharbourmusic.com/?album=crossharbour-2

 

visited us At Livingston Studios during the recording of their debut album (photos by George Staines)

 

 

Bodhrán Theory and Technique-Where the best bodhran tutors hangout

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Bodhrán Theory and Technique-Where the best bodhran tutors hangout

Only a few hours joining the page called Bodhrán Theory and Technique and I got an awesome welcome. Bodhran masters like Jacob McCauley, Matthew Bell and Australian percussionist Jeremy Sibson are frequent visitors. Members post amazing links that newcomers can learn. I think my journey as a bodhran student is more on info gathering. I want to share the discovery to other aspiring musicians. Of course the perks of learning the instrument is being able to play in a local Celtic band. And I already got an invite from my friend Ralph who plays the tin whistle in his own band.

I will be interviewing bodhran teachers in my upcoming posts. In the meantime, I invite you to visit Bodhrán Theory and Technique. Feel at home and post your ideas.

Disclaimer from the page: Bodhrán Theory and Technique group is for the open discussion, critique of language, concepts, theory used associated with and the analysis of technique and the sharing of exercises, lessons for the furthering of the art of playing music of any kind on the Bodhrán.

Anything that is not a discussion on the aforementioned may end up being removed!

Don’t worry it still can be fun!

Haha I like the idea of fun while learning.

Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bodhran.tnt/

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Ireland Timelapse from Lucie S on Vimeo.

My friend Jeremy King of Poitin shared this amazing video made by her friend(an uilleann piper, she’s Czech, works as a vet in Ireland, (that’s a story in itself, isn’t it!?)  called Lucie Šmahelová . She’s just made this beautiful video of the places around where she lives).

Enjoy!!!!

Post Bodhran Questions to the Bodojo Bodhran Community

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I became an official member of  bodojo(known as THE Bodhran Site & Community) this week. If you find that your bodhran lessons seem too technical and complicated then you should check bodojo.  The members are always helpful whither you are a beginner or an expert. People are always there to answer your questions. You don’t even have to post questions. All you need to do is just check out any thread and there will always be people posting answers (or asking questions) relevant to you.

The website started in 2001. With new great information and discussions every day, I know that even those with no inkling on the instrument will be encouraged to learn. The bodhran has gone a long way. It is now raised beyond its pulse-keeping past. I confess I get that want to own many bodhrans as there are lots of shapes and sizes being made out there.

I really thank the people in the bodojo community for getting me started.

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Please don’t miss my radio showon www.radiohappy.eu every Saturday afternoon (4:pm German time) where I play mostly Celtic music along with other genres.