Compass: Dreamy and energetic tunes from the magical sisters of Celtic music.
Sounds like: Mozart, Secret Garden, Anuna, Altan and Riverdance.
Track listing:
1. Compass 2. Water is Wide 3. The Landing 4. Solid Ground 5. Guinevere 6. Call and the Answer 7. Fairy Dance Jig 8. The Whistling Gypsy Rover 9. A Song for Lark 10. Feast of the Elven King 11. Danny Boy 12. Flying Sails
The great thing about doing Celtic music podcasts is the opportunity to reach more ears and to spread the beauty that;s Celtic music. Also, the idea of relaxing and still want to play Celtic tunes to get that inspiration moving. This is what happened yesterday. I got the time to listen to the album of the Gothard Sisterscalled Compass. It’s their new album. What is different about this one is the energy they put so much in their recording performance.
There are slow tunes especially the traditional ones like Danny Boy but most of the tracks are electrical in their execution. Take for instance the third one called The Landing. That one literally stopped me from my idle listening and sent me to perform my improvised step dancing. I was so amazed how music can do that. Especially when it is performed with so much passion that the music dictates your feelings.
Compassis an exciting album. As the title suggests, it’s all about gravitational attraction as the compass signifies the direction to the magnetic field of the earth . It tells us what direction to take. The sisters have done well in recording this beautiful album. I hope more ears will hear. It will be a shame if such a gem of a recording would go unnoticed. They can make Lord of the Dance have a run of their money. Check it out. I already featured the title track in my first Celtic Music podcast and I will be featuring more of them. Yes more and more until you remember to get out there and buy Compass.
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Huzzah!
I am running a
Win an album “The Calling” by MÉAV
contest!!!!
So watch out for my announcement. The winner will receive Meav’s autographed album .
When the state of Maine comes up, it reminds me of Stephen King because that’s where he lives. Check out the movies on the list set in Maine( though not of them are by King): Salem’s Lot(2004 TV mini series), Home Alone, Andre, Dolores Clairborne, A Summer Place, Charlotte’s Web, The Cider House Rule, Parent Trap etc.
It’s such a pleasant surprise when the committee of the Crossroads International Celtic Festival informed me about this upcoming event which will be held in the month of September this year. What’s amazing is the mouth-watering lineup of amazing musicians that will ravish your thirsty soul that’s hungry for Celtic tunes. Oh yes I know you probably know them. Some of the artists already appeared in this site as part of my album review. Sounds like a growing “Woodstock” of Celtic music minus the riot hahaha.
I think you should see it. God know’s I’d see it if I live in the United States! These artists are from Canada and the United States so expect to hear Acadian, Cape Breton and Irish traditional music. Below is the complete press release. My big thanks to Charlene Williams for sending me the article:
Crossroads International Celtic Festival
Announces Artist Lineup
~ Festival to bring top acts to Western Maine ~
SOUTH CARTHAGE, Maine – The inaugural Crossroads International Celtic Festival (Crossroads) has lined up an impressive group of artists for the multi-venue concert series to be held Sept. 11 – 15 in several communities throughout Western Maine. Musicians from all over the Celtic world including Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Scotland, Ireland, and the U.K., as well as from across the United States, will join the finest of Maine’s musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers.
Celtic Musicians Shannon and Matt Heaton
“We have taken great care to create the perfect mix of both performer and venue so the experience will be authentic and exciting,” said Phill McIntyre, artistic director of Crossroads.
In all, 18 live performances will take place along the scenic routes through the towns and villages of Rangeley, Stratton, Carrabassett Valley, Kingfield, Phillips, Farmington, South Carthage, Rumford, Oxford, Lovell, South Paris, Fryeburg, and Bethel.
Acts include David Munnelly & Mick Conneely from Ireland; the Maeve Gilchrist Trio from Edinburgh, Scotland; Buddy MacDonald and Sprag Session from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; and the Don Roy Ensemble of Portland, Maine. A complete list of artists can be found at http://crossroadscelticfestival.com/artists.
Celtic Musicians Mick Conneely and David Munnelly
Tickets went on sale July 1. Visit the festival website for the most up-to-date information.
A consortium of partner organizations has created this dynamic, cross-county festival to celebrate Celtic music, promote economic development in western Maine and support local arts organizations. Crossroads International Celtic Festival is sponsored by United Insurance, Linda Clifford Scottish & Irish Merchant, and supported in part by grants from the Maine Office of Tourism, the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Arts Commission, Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation, and the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust.
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About the Crossroads International Celtic Festival:
The Crossroads International Celtic Festival is a non-profit organization currently under the fiscal sponsorship of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. Our large-scale, multi-venue festival showcases Celtic musicians of the highest caliber, and offers audiences a rich cultural experience while generating new opportunities for regional economic growth through cultural tourism. For more information, tickets or reservations visit the festival website or emailinfo@crossroadscelticfestival.com.
From Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada; Arseneault are going to be part of the festival.
Genre: Acadian, Cajun, Celtic
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Huzzah!
How are you weekenders? It’s another busy week that’s almost done. I’ve been busy with projects but I still have time to blog because I know you will be reading this. Perhaps I should let out bits of my life since you’ve been with me since 2009. I am still trying to adjust to the situation. It’s almost three months since my beloved mom passed away and I tell you, something like that changes you inside. It is hard to explain but whatever goals you had, or aspirations; they all seemed to have been swept away by this ravaging tide. No one is ever the same once he or she experiences that. But that is life and one has to go on living even though living sometimes feels like a chore. The years simply stretch beyond into this dream that one day, you will see that person you love the most. That is, if you believe in the after life. I don’t know. I am still looking fir something to believe in. I will take whatever I can. Be it music, art or the company of good friends. I will take it to keep me alive.
Ok, enough of heavy stuff, I want to show my support to the new Cara song. I saw this posted by the great piper Ryan Murphy. It’s their charity single. All proceeds go to Musiker ohne Grenzen (Musicians sans frontiers, Musicians without borders), a charity organisation that uses music to help people. There five projects right now in Ecuador, Jamaica and India. Info about the organization here: www.musikerohnegrenzen.de or www.youtube.com/user/musikerohnegrenzen
I love this tune. It’s the singing and the instruments. Cara are one of the best bands in Celtic music. If you have not heard of them yet you better check them out and buy their albums. You wont regret it. It’s one of the bands you have to hear before you die.
Sounds like: Dub reggae drum and based mixed with fiddle, pipes, whistles, mandolin, banjo and accordion.
Album notes: Groundbreaking Celtic Dub album mixing Reggae Drum and Bass. Pipes, Fiddle, Box, Banjo, Low Whistle, Tin Whistle fused with heavy delay/echo, re-verb and Drum and Bass. A MUST for Ambient Dub lovers. Nicely mixed and mastered by U2’s engineer Pete Maher.
If you followed my previous post about The Celtic Reggae Revolution, then I know you already have an idea what kind of sound to expect from their new release Celtic Dub Vol. 1. Sounds from this album will appeal to those who have eclectic tastes. And I have to say this, the production quality is excellent. Whither you are using headphones of large speakers, the tracks have this seamless connection to each other. There are various effects present: loops, fade outs, echo and sampling bits thrown in the mix. All of these made possible by the genius of U2’s engineer Pete Maher who mixed and mastered this album .
I find myself tapping my feat to the beat and it is the kind of album I can take and play anywhere because it will also appeal to those who like dance, rnb and rap music. But if you are into traditional Irish music then this is also for you. It’s something you can just chill out to if you want something not so trad-ish or hip hop-ish. A kind of music that is in between if you know what I mean.
Celtic Dub Volume 1 sees the band growing their sound into a more radio friendly style without sacrificing their exotic sound. St. Brendan’s Dub is the opening track that introduces you to the sounds that will come as you listen along. The fiddles and other Celtic instruments blossom in and out of the field of sound that’s groovy and lush. The reggae beats are there to support the instruments, complimenting the musical ideas instead of drowning them which usually happens in a lot of fusion albums.
I have my personal favorite and that’s Celtic Truth Dub because it simply moves you. It has that easy breezy feeling in the midst of the sunny tune. Dub music is a sub-genre of reggae that became popular in the 60s and branched out on its own. With Celtic Dub Vol.1, new listeners will come to appreciate the beauty of Reggae and Celtic music and I am sure they will definitely love these specific genres. It’s what happened to me. I discovered traditional Irish music because of Celtic fusion. So Celtic Reggae Revolution are doing a great thing to the music world: they are getting people to listen to different musical cultures through fusion.
It’s been confirmed that the new album by the million-selling Irish group Clannad is called “Nádúr” (pronounced as Ned-dur). This is the Irish Gaelic word for Nature. Wow the last album that they released was Landmarks and that’s like fifteen years ago! But though Clannad were in a long hiatus, lead singer Moya Brennan has been busy with Voices and Harps. It’s a collaborative work with harpist Cormac de Barra. Yes I will wait for that album. More here: http://www.clannad.nl/2013/07/new-clannad-album-titled-nadur.html
For those who love harp music here’s a link to the wonderful documentary that you will love: The Harp
A very inspiring and informative documentary about the history of the harp, its relation to middle-eastern tunes, to its status as a Celtic symbol for Wales,Ireland and Scotland..how Handel wrote a harp concerto for a Welshman, Robert Ap Huw (the introduction of binary system in musical notation during the 16th century)and its evolution as an instrument spanning genres. It’s hosted by harpist Catrin Finch Really worth watching.
Gavin Friday: I probably saw 70% of the films that he wrote music to(In The Name of the Father, The Boxer etc)and just saw Breakfast on Pluto(which he appeared as an actor). In the spirit of Irish post-punk (he was the lead singer of The Virgin Prunes)Gavin was the hero. Another youtube video worth checking out:
Thanks to my blogger friend Christi. She posted this link on her facebook page and tagged me. This will help determine which Celtic Tree Sign you belojg to. I am Birch. Want to find out your own?
WHAT CELTIC STAR SIGN ARE YOU?
Celtic Astrology had been around since about 1000BC and it’s based on 3 basic strands of belief … remembering your ancestors and the past … having an understanding of nature so you can work with it, not against it … and exploring the connection of everyday reality with that of the spiritual realm.
In Celtic astrology, the zodiac was based on trees and vines, each being connected to a lunar month and so, unlike the zodiac we’re familiar with, the Celtic calendar has 13 astrological signs. Here they are …
January 22 – February 18 … THE ROWAN (the thinker)
February 19 – March 17 … THE ASH (the enchanter)
March 18 – April 143 … THE ALDER (the trailblazer)
April 15 – May 12 … THE WILLOW (the observer)
May 13 – June 9 … THE HAWTHORN (the illusionist)
June 10 – July 7 … THE OAK (the stabiliser)
July 8 – August 4 … THE HOLLY (the ruler)
August 5 – Sept. 1 … THE HAZEL (the knower)
Sept. 2 – Sept. 29 … THE VINE (the equaliser)
Sept. 30 – October 27 … THE IVY (the survivor) … me!
October 28 – November 24 … THE REED (the leader)
November 25 – December 23 – THE ELDER (the scholar)
December 24 – January 21 … THE BIRCH (the achiever)
When listening to Celtic music, why not embellish your coffee table with something lasting and beautiful as well? Michelle Butler Ceramics offers a unique way of looking at crafts. If you want something striking and personal then her designs are definitely something you should consider as gifts to loved ones, souvenirs if you happen to be in Northern Ireland or if you just want to awaken the ‘other you’ buried by years of cultural sleep.
Celtic Stone-Peacock Plaque Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 5mm
I know how priceless these items are because I happen to own two of her ceramics. One is the Celtic stone peacock plaque and the other one is a brooch with a Celtic knot work design. She made sure the items have natural surfaces. She developed a style which reconciles primitive Celtic influences with contemporary designs and forms. What’s more, they are all handcrafted using textured stoneware clay and are finished with a rich metallic oxide producing a depth of luster-according to her website.
If you look at her catalog you will see that there are so many designs and they are divided into four types: Celtic stone, iron stone, jewelry and the unique. There is also a section for new products in case you are searching for something else. Her designs are so addicting that I am actually thinking of ordering items in the future for my growing collection of Celtic art at home. My big thanks to Northern Irish singer/songwriter Eve Williams who sent me these items. Thank you Eve for giving me something tangible and lasting. And also thanks for doing it at the time when I need something comforting and beautiful.
About Michelle Butler:
Michelle Butler is a Design Graduate from Falmouth School of Art, Cornwall, where she specialised in Ceramics. In December 1998 she started her business in the Omagh Enterprise Centre from where she relocated, in August 2005 to a barn at her home on the Gortin Road, Omagh where Sperrin Ceramics Studio was born.
Her stoneware ceramics have developed a style which reconciles primitive Celtic influences with contemporary designs and forms. The pieces are all handcrafted using textured stoneware clay and are finished with a rich metallic oxide producing a depth of lustre.
One of the brooches
A large variety of glazes are used to apply colour to specific areas of pattern and relief creating a rustic earthy ambience that makes each piece a unique gift from Ireland.
Celtic Stone, Iron Stone, Unique and Jewellery Collections are available in outlets throughout Ireland and abroad. Celtic Stone draws its influence in strong ancient Irish legacy while Iron Stone includes more contemporary designs and forms; Ironstone also features larger pots and lamp bases which are coil built and handcarved and are available as commissioned pieces.
The Michelle Butler Jewellery Collections boasts as amalgamation of these styles in a range of smaller distinctive jewellery items.
And now few ads from friends:
Purchase the CANTUS LUNARIS – Debut-Cd : Fabula antiqua
Thank you for order and we hope you enjoy listening of our vocal-instrumental ensemble for old music and celitc !
Kind regards Cantus Lunaris www.cantuslunaris.com
Dundalk, Scotland,Canada and anywhere in the world, Nuala Kennedy plays music for every ear.
Help me welcome this fantastic musician this week. She is Nuala Kennedy. She became the focus of my interview request after seeing a post by The Riverside Celtic Society announcing her Canadian tour. It’s to promote her third release “Noble Stranger.” After seeing her youtube videos and listening to her tunes, I told myself that I have to get her story. She would make a wonderful featured artist. I was right.
Youhad a show in Canada this 24th of February! You must been very excited to greet your Canadian listeners. After all we know how Canada and Ireland are linked closely.
It was great to visit Canada again. It’s a fantastic country with a wonderful connection musically with Celtic music in Ireland and Scotland, especially on its Eastern seaboard, in places like Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland. I love the diversity of Canada, from Vancouver and the stunningly beautiful west coast, to Toronto and Quebec. I’m looking forward to touring and exploring more there, but I do have a special fondness for Cape Breton, its culture and people resonate with me and I love playing there.
You have a jazzy approach to Irish and Scottish music. Where did all the vibes come from?
I wouldn’t say my approach is jazzy, but I guess there’s a few different influences in there side by side with the traditional music. Edinburgh in the late nineties was an incredibly inspiring place to be a traditional player, with a lot of sessions and different musicians crossing paths and playing together. That was a hugely influential time for me. I always had an interest in other types of music too, in songs, contemporary music and in American folk music from the sixties and seventies.
Dundalk is the same place where The Corrs originated. It must be a wild place for Celtic music.Can you give us a background of your musical development? Do you think that the environment plays a big role in an artist’s artistic direction?
Definitely. I learned to play the whistle at around age seven, with a local teacher Mary Grennell. She taught me tunes out of the back of a shoemakers shop at the end of town. After I had a few learnt, I joined a local ceilidh band, ‘Ceoltoiri Oga Oghrialla’ which had some great older players as members. People like Tiarnan O Duinnchinn and Suzanne, Lisa and Patrick Conway, Brendan Needham. Fantastic players all, and I think I learned a lot from playing alongside them in the band, without even realising it really.
I was also encouraged to be independent and think for myself from an early age, by my parents but also by teachers and particularly my art teacher in secondary school who was a big influence on me. I loved the practical aspect of creating, the fact that you have a tangible finished ‘something’ at the end of a period of work. In Edinburgh, where I first went to study at the College of Art, it was difficult not to be influenced by all the amazing music that was in the city at that time. I returned often to Dundalk, where I grew up, and played with Gerry O Connor, with whom I now perform in the band Oirialla. I still go home very regularly, and it’s very satisfying to play traditional music from my own native area.
What do you look forward to this year in terms of live shows and recordings?
I’m currently working on a duo record with Mike Bryan, the guitarist from my band. It’s called “A Wee Selection: Some Scottish Tunes on Flute and Guitar” We recorded a bunch of our favourite traditional Scottish tunes. I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished CD! In a couple of weeks, we are launching Oirialla’s new CD. (Oirialla is an Irish trad. band featuring Nuala, Gerry ‘fiddle’ O’Connor, Martin Quinn and Gilles LeBigot) We are having a home town gig at the Square in Dundalk, as part of the Homecoming Festival. And I’m particularly excited about making my first trip to Alaska in September to play with John Doyle and Eamon O’ Leary. In October I’m taking the Snowflake Trio to Celtic Colours International Festival on Cape Breton Island, in Nova Scotia. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. The Snowflake Trio is myself, with Frode Haltli and Vegar Vardal, two incredible Norwegian musicians.
Can you cite other artists whose works inspired you?
by Louis De Carlo
Oliver Schroer was a huge inspiration to me. I also love Will Oldham’s singing and writing. I met the Birds of Chicago at Folk Alliance in Toronto this year, and really enjoyed their music. I’m a fan of lots of strong female singers and traditional musicians such as the late Ishbel Macaskill, Fiona Hunter, Kathleen MacInnes, Cathy-Ann MacPhee, Christine Primrose, Margaret Stewart, Padraigin Ni Uallachain, Catriona Mackay, Lori Watson, Shona Mooney… Also accordionists Martin Quinn and Julian Sutton. Of course Cathal McConnell continues to inspire me, especially with his musical musings on well known traditional tunes. I love his sense of creativity and the detail in his music.
Top 5 albums you are listening to right now?
Some of my favourite albums at the moment include Mary Custy and Eoin O’Neill, Oliver Schroer’s Hymns and Hers, Rickie Lee Jones’ Traffic in Paradise, Devon Sproule “I Love You’ Go Easy”, Oliver Swain’s CD ‘Big Machine’ and Nels Andrews’ Scrimshaw.
I am curious how you would describe this as a flutist: What’s amazing about the flute?
That it’s a physical extension of the human body, powered by breath? That every aspect of my particular flute was made from scratch by hand by one artist, including all the keys and silver work. (It’s a Chris Wilkes flute.)
background of your musical development? Do you think that the environment plays a big role in an artist’s artistic direction?
Celtic Music Fan 