Some instruments are show pieces that their appeal goes beyond , just being heard. They have to be seen. The bombarde is no exception. It’s a musical instrument associated with Breton music. It is often used with the Breton bagpipe(biniou). Don’t let its small size fool you. It produces a powerful strident sound. It also required powerful breath to play.This is what I am talking about 🙂 And here’s with the biniou .
Now before we all get headaches from too much information, let us first get to know Cornwall through this link The musical culture of Cornwall is not so different from that of Brittany due to its geographical proximity. There is this radio station that plays music exclusively in Cornish. But what exactly is Cornish if you may ask? Learn more here
So are you ready to hear Cornwall’s own brand of folk music?
Just click on this link
The main podcasting blog is here:
http://kernewegva.podbean.com/
Now let me warn you that it’s in Cornish.
Irish Dancing in New Zealand
After listening to Hayley Westenra’s recordings, I became fascinated with New Zealand and how Celtic music has brought such influence to its people . In one interview,the traveling Enya said that New Zealand reminds her of Ireland. I think the beautiful landscape says it all. The same thing that made Peter Jackson shot the Lord of The Rings Trilogy there.
So how Celtic can New Zealand get? Very Celtic. But so far the resources stopped giving updates after 2006. But I was able to salvage this site in case you want to know recordings already released. You might also want to follow musicians like Bob McNeill who is currently touring to promote his new album Following Distance.
For those of you who are fans of American band Solas, this is the link to their official website. The guys have been delivering to us great music since the late 90’s. The site contains info about present tour schedules and the new album For Love and Laughter .
Just a recap
Band Members are:
Seamus Egan – flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, low whistle, guitars, bodhran
Winifred Horan – violins, vocals
Mick McAuley – accordians, concertina, low whistle, vocals
Eamon McElholm – guitars, keyboards, vocals
Máiréad Phelan – vocals
If you want your vocalist to have a strong distinctive voice(ala Natalie Merchant), yet ethereal enough to be called Celtic, then New York based Mac Talla Mor is for you. If you want something traditional but spliced with irresistible dance beats, music that’s hip but never loses vision then this band is for you.
Scottish pipe playing has always been Mac Talla Mor’s focal point along with the Illana Regina’s strong vocals and classically trained piano playing. What’s more, each member can play other instruments which makes hearing them a rewarding experience. They have been coined ‘music for the masses’.
Mac Talla Mor in Gaelic means ‘great echo”. Learn more by visiting their home page and watch an uploaded video. Unfortunately there is not much resources on the web at this point. But with your support, the band will go places!
Albums out:
* Piping Hot 2005
* No Man’s Land 2006
* Jacob’s Ladder 2007
* The New Colossus 2008
You can listen to samples and buy mp3s here:
Celtic Music Fan 