Have you heard of a harp music that makes tap your feet the way you do with a bodhran? If not then I recommend you listen to Rachel Hair. Her style is exciting and the vibrancy of her music rubs on you like expensive perfume-it lasts.
She is aware that the soul of Celtic music is not just playing with speed and ease. It is also about atmosphere. It is perfected in the track Cancro Cru where the melody pulls you inside. I think the voice layering is artfully crafted. Jenn has the voice of an angel. The varied artistry of the tracks are also due to the contribution of band members Jenn Butterworth alongside top Scottish double bassist Euan Burton. To know more about her, simply read this very detailed interview made by Arperia: http://arperia.com/2012/05/07/interview-with-rachel-hair-english-version/
From reality show to being an ambassador of Breton music to the world.
Being typecast is every artist’s worst fear. This must have been a struggle for French singer songwriter Nolwenn Leroy after bagging the first place in the French reality show Star Academy. I think that show holds the same prestige as Big Brother and American Idol. I don’t know about other shows in the UK because I am not a fan of these shows. But then again there is this polarity that is common between serious music lovers and the pop audience who go for Hollywood glamour. I think Nolwenn got all the flack for appearing in that show where contestants are said to stay inside a castle.
Picture courtesy of: mademoiselle-nolwenn.fr
In 2010 Nolwenn traced her Breton roots. She was born in Saint-Renan, Finistère, Brittany . Her parents left the place when she was only four. But every one with a Celtic blood will eventually gravitate to music. When Leroy was eleven, her music teacher noticed her musical talents and encouraged her to learn the violin. This lead to he winning musical contests and finally albums.
Right now she is an ambassador of Breton music to the rest of France and to the world. Stretching out of pop music which she started and creating a timeless Celtic recording Bretonne in 2010, she broke boundaries and gained huge following both from mainstream listeners and hardcore Celtic music lovers .
My special thanks to Tim for making me curious about the picture of Nolwenn with a violin..that curiosity eventually lead to this article. Visit her official website : http://www.nolwenn.org/
I think these days the harp has been overlooked in much of Celtic music. Chicago based harpist/singer/composer Scott Hoye has added charm and elegance to this instrument making it fresh as a ripe fruit ready to be plucked for your sonic hunger. He weaves his personal style to traditional tunes to create something new out of the old.
As for the singing, this man can sing! Right now the rain is falling as I write this piece. His music is a perfect companion to that mood. You should try this: make yourself hot chocolate with bread and butter. Find a great spot by your window. Look at the glistening leaves under the gray sky.. and smell that wet scent of the earth rising along with other organic scents. Close your eyes occasionally to the sound of harp music. You will be in a good mood later. I am at peace oh yes! Feeling calm now.
Scott was a founding member of the Celtic ensemble The Spriggans, as well as the progressive rock band Seranati. His repertoire includes traditional and original tunes on Celtic harp, vocals, whistles, and percussion. Scott gathers inspiration from traditional sources of Irish, Scottish, other Celtic, folk, and world music, while mixing them together with contemporary sounds to create a new, sonic brew.
Mirror mirror on the wall, who has the best album cover of them all?
I believe that every topic merits an article. The little conversation that I had with Christi and Connie inspired this piece. It has something to do with the post Christi made of the Irish band Lúnasa. Through the years this band made amazing recordings of top notch traditional interpretations that got them into the global spotlight.
They have a new album out called Lá Nua’. As always we expect nothing but amazing music . However something has been overlooked in forum discussions as well as reviews from other Celtic magazines. It is the amazing album artworks. My first Lúnasa album was Otherworld(1999). The impressionistic photography and dashes of blue and green colors are really eye-catching. There are albums out there that sound really great but the artwork don’t really give justice to the music. To see more of the band’s album artwork just visit the photogallery section of the official site.
Nothing beats waking up to a great voice of Deirdre Shannon!
Well well well, at last it is official. This site will now become http://www.celticmusicfan.com. Hahaha I am basking at the thought of it all. For two years I dreamed and now it is going to be my official baby with the help of my two angelic Celtic warriors who are my best pals for life. What would I do without them? Anyway I am so happy and so overwhelmed that I am afraid I might not be able to write an article because of this…joking!
It is a nice warm Sunday. So how are you folks doing? I spent the whole day listening to Celtic music and I was not aware that myspace actually transmits all the songs I listened to online so you can’t imagine the shock I felt upon looking at my twitter widget. I apologize to my followers who were bombarded by such updates. Perhaps it was too early for some of you to get such insistent notice.
Morning is best when it is greeted by a calm, relaxed state. And yes, meditative music helps. I am not one of those who start the day by playing dance music. I’d rather wake up to the Gregorian chants at 5 am than the sound of techno. That will wait until the evening.
Now this lass I am presenting here looks familiar doesn’t she? That is because you must have seen her already in shows like Lord of the dance, Celtic Tenors and The Canadian Tenors. Deirdre Shannon’s career blossomed in the mid- 90s when she joined the Celtic choir Anuna.
She has pure and beautiful soprano that comes with a crossover appeal. Not too high brow classical nor sweet bright and popsy. Just the right combination. I think people remembered her as the Goddess Erin in Lord of the Dance. I have to tell you I can listen to her for hours and never get tired.
There are few artists who can be naturally beautiful both inside and out. Deirdre is one of them. She doesn’t have to try. Her beauty shines forth sans make up. And yes that voice can make you forget she is a human being.
She has a new album out:
Deirdre’s highly anticipated album – Anamceol – is available for purchase through CD Baby, be sure to click on “Deirdre’s Shop”!
In this her second album, Irish singer Deirdre Shannon shares unique treasures from her country’s rich musical heritage. This collection of songs, reminiscent of a time almost forgotten, leads you through a rich tapestry of Celtic life. Deirdre guides you on a journey of love, nature and mythology, to a place where your heart is consoled. She brings you music for the soul. Anamċeol.
I think these days the harp has been overlooked in much of Celtic music. Chicago based harpist/singer/composer Scott Hoye has added charm and elegance to this instrument making it fresh as a ripe fruit ready to be plucked for your sonic hunger. He weaves his personal style to traditional tunes to create something new out of the old.
Celtic Music Fan 