“ Sleepy Maggie” captivated North American listeners and the world. This Ashley McIsaac song features Mary Jane Lamond. Cape Breton , Nova Scotia has always been the fore runner of Interesting music in Canada. I first saw Ashley performed in Gael Force, that was in 1997 . His fiddle playing has an irrestible, devilish charm. His controversial actions however created a polarity among listener.
Celtic
Irish Tin Whistle
More infos can be found here
Album Review:Lunasa The Other World
The Other Word(1999) is the second release from Traditional Irish band Lunasa. The name is taken from Lughnasadh, an old Irish harvest festival. Fiddle, whistles, flute,bass and uilleann pipes are featured in this festive collection. Most of the tunes are jolly ,innovative and sparkling with tight craftmanship.
The album is kicked off by the first track Goodbye Miss Goodavich / Rosie’s Reel. Infectious, sensual and yes other worldly, the tune calls to mind fairies and leprechauns dancing in a traditional toe tapping Irish dance.
The Floating Crowbar / McGlinchey’s / The Almost Reel follows with it’s merry introduction of uillean pipes. The track moves into a duel with a tin whistle complete with bodhran taps.
The Butlers of Glen Avenue / Sliabh Russell / Cathal McConnell’s is acoustic guitar induced amidst the trio of fiddle,whistle and and flute. The bass provides that syncopated rhythm .
January Snows / Laura Lynn Cunningham opens with a solo mournful air of flute. The vigorous way it’s being played however prevented the song from being sleepy. This is one magical track in this album.
The jig of The Miller of Drohan is something that any Altan fan would roll his or her eyes on. It’s infectious and sweet. It’s like a sound of an old friend beckoning you to the fire to keep warm.
Dr. Gilbert / Devils of Dublin / Black Pat’s is a another dance tapping piece. The uilleann pipes is highlighted again. There’s a nice fast flute solo in the middle with a bass drone from the uilleann pipes.
Autumn Child / Heaton Chapel is a jazzy guitar/flute piece. Both lovers of Celtic and Jazz music would love this one. The song ends with a jig of fiddles. Nicely done.
Stolen Apples sways and watltzes into your mood with a sunny day brightness.
Taylor Bar, 4am / Ceol Na Mara is flute induced with tin whistle and acoustic guitar.
Lafferty’s / Crock of Gold / Lady Birr / Abbey Reel is pure furious energy. It’s like observing a horse brake out of the barn. This is where Irish music becomes mesmerizing. Especially when the melodies weave themselves skillfully and fast .It’s like observing a beautiful complicated piece of lace.
O’Carolan’s Welcome / Rolling in the Barrel ends the album with forlorn but positive melodies. So far this is a magical album showcasing brilliant musicianship and traditonal instruments.
For more info , visit the group’s official site
To hear tracks, visit their official MySpace site
The Welsh Triple Harp
Wow talk about a bunch of strings! This instrument is not your typical Celtic harp because:
The Welsh triple harp (telyn deires) is a type of harp using three rows of strings instead of the common single row. The Welsh triple harp today is found mainly among players of traditional Welsh folk music.
The sound is beautiful as any Harp sound can get. It has a deeper quality than most Celtic harps because of its bigger size.
For a harp maker’s site you can find it here
Watch and listen how it is being played here
Celtic Music Fan 