Yes it is true. For those who never heard it, Clannad is recording a new album and is probably finished and confirmed by the official site http://www.clannad.ie/ The Grammy -winning band who gave us Theme From Harry’s Game as will as I Will Find You (theme from The last of the Mohicans) is once again in perfect form.This is worth the wait.
Celtic
Loreena McKennitt’s New Compilation CD
I am glad to hear that Canadian recording artist Loreena McKennitt has released ‘A Mummer’s Dance Through Ireland’. The record is a compilation of her Irish themed music which I think is very appropriate since she did find inspiration in Ireland when she was still starting up in the 80s. It’s the serenity and melancholy of the Irish landscapes that lend themselves in tunes like Stolen Child (Elemental), Bonny Portmore (The Visit) and Mummer’s Dance (Book of Secret). Loreena is what J.K.Rowling is to fantasy enthusiasts. She has created a distinctive genre singing in that strong and unique voice of hers that one critic likened her to a Homer’s Siren in The Odyssey.
My interest of things Loreena McKennitt started when I read a review about her in Newsweek magazine somewhere in the mid-90s. It was a brief account of her evocative voice and her references to St.John of the Cross and William Shakespeare. I also got my first taste of her recording when a friend lent me the tape of Mask and the Mirror. I fell in love with the whole haunting atmosphere she introduce on each of her recordings. For me atmosphere is very important. That is something lacking in Rock, Jazz and pop music and you can’t blame me if I really like artists who are into re-verb and stuff. Congratulations to Ms McKennitt for being back after a ten-year absence from the music scene.
More infos are available here: http://www.quinlanroad.com/shopping/mummers.asp
Ailein Duinn(Dark Allan) by Capercaillie
 Category: |
Music |
| Genre: | Other |
| Artist: | Capercaillie |
Capercaillie is a Scottish Celtic band composed of
Karen Matheson -Vocals
David Chimp Robertson — Percussion
Donald Shaw — Keyboards, accordion
Charlie McKerron — Fiddle
Michael McGoldrick — Flute, whistle, Uilleann pipes
Manus Lunny — Bouzouki, guitar
Ewen Vernal — Bass
Che Beresford — Drums
David Chimp Robertson — Percussion
The group attracted international attention in the 80’s due to its brand of music,that is adding energetic arrangements to traditional airs.The popularity was further fueled after being featured in the movie Rob Roy.
Karen Matheson‘s voice is the force behind the band.She has been labelled by music critics as having the throat ‘kissed by God’.If you have seen the movie Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson, then you would have seen her performance as she sings this tune is one of the most haunting part of the film.
There are a number of existing versions of the song by the band. The movie version is embelished with strings as well as traditional instruments. The single version has been remixed to reflect a trip hop feel.It’s a sad and haunting music showcasing the emotion behind it.
Like an ocean wave,Karen’s voice rises from barely a whispher into a cry,making us think of an angel who has lost her wings.Swirls of traditional instruments like the uillean pipes , the the Irish cousin of the bag pipe(it has been known to have a ‘sweeter’ and gentler timber),enhances this century old Celtic piece .
Ailein duinn is taken from their 1995 album “To The Moon”
Ailein duinn (“Dark-haired Alan”) has a history that goes all the way to 1788.It’s actually a lament written by Annag Chaimbeul (“Annie Campbell”)about her fiancée Ailean Moireasdan (“Alan Morrison) who died tragically.This is an excerpt from wikipedia:
In 1788, Ailean, a sailor, set off with his ship to Scalpay, Harris, where he and Annag would be married. In a tragic twist, the ship sailed into a storm and all on board were lost. Annag was devastated and lost her will to live, dying several months later. Her body was later discovered on the beach, not far from where Ailean’s body was found. Before she died, Annag composed this lament for her lost love.
Ailein Duinn(Dark Allan)
Language:Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic)
Traditional; arranged by Capercaillie
Ailein Duinn, o ho hi, shiubhlainn leat,
(Ailean Donn, o ho hi, I’d go with thee)
Hi ri ri, ri u o, hi o hug hoireann o, Hi ri ri, etc.
Ailein Duinn, o ho hi, shuibhlainn leat.
(Brown-haired Allan, o ho hi, I’d go with thee)
‘S bochd an nochd na bheil air m’aire,
(Tonight sad thoughts my mind are filling,)
Miad na sine, fuachd na gaillinn
(The strength of the storm, the cold of th’ tempest)
Miad na sine, fuachd na gaillinn
(The strength of th’ storm, the cold of th’ tempest)
Dh’fhuadaicheadh na fir o’n charraig,
(That drove the men from the shore’s shelter,)
Dh’fhuadaicheadh na fir o’n charraig,
(That drove the men from the shore’s shelter,)
Chuireadh iad a’ bhoid dha’n aindeoin
(Sent them on a voyage unwilling)
Far an trom an laigh a’ ghailleann,
(Where the gale blows so heavy;)
Cha b’e siod leam ar diol caladh,
(‘Twas not, I think, your choice of harbour,)
Ach Caolas Diadhair anns na Hearadh,
(Rather Diadhair Sound in Harris,)
Far am bi na feidh air bhearradh,
(Where the deer are on the hilltops,)
Dobhran donn is laogh breac ballach.
(Otter brown and fawn all spotted.)
Celtic meets Gothic
Black Tape For Blue Girl andFaith And The Muse are two bands I am keeping my ears to these days. They’re not new. They’ve been around since the eighties but it is now that cyberspace has given them ‘accessibility.Truth to tell , I’ve heard about them since the mid-90s from a Goth friend but records are hard to find . So you are at the mercy of whoever would lend you his or her tape. The common thing that they both share is the reference to Celticism, not only in lyrics but also on arrangements.
BTFBG boasts the talent of frontman Sam Rosenthal (also manager for Projek records) on programing and keyboards, Lisa Feuer on flute and vocals, Elysabeth Grant (also of Rachael’s.Surrender) on vocals and violin, Brett Helm (of Audra) on vocals, and Michael Laird (of Unto Ashes) on acoustic guitar and vocals. The most notable former member is the long-time vocalist Oscar Herrera.The band also explores themes like loss,vulnerability, isolation and a lot more.
FATM on the other hand is composed of Monica Richards and William Faith. So now I get it, Faith would have to be William while the Muse is Monica Richards. Makes sense? The band is also very eclectic in their approach to arrangement do it would be unfair to put them in a single category.
These days as depression sets in like the Autumn of the soul, it is not surprising to find both darkwave and Celtic on my playlist. It’s like a combination of velvet and green curtains, bellowing as the dusk wind chills the bones. There is really comfort in knowing that a style or artistry in music has the capacity to tell you ” it’s OK, I am here.You can turn to me in times of pain. I know you and I would never leave you”.
Discovering Planxty
I wish I was born in the fifties .By the seventies I would have been financially independent that I could buy whatever records available. I heard Planxty a couple of times in the Internet radio and I have been impressed by their brand of traditional Irish music.I’m talking about this one track called “Raggle Taggle Gypsy“.Amazing vocals and the emphasis on vowel and consonant sound that is close to the Scottish musical tradition known as Mouth Music.That’s the same band where Christy Moore came from.I like my male singers to posess deep strong voice-manly , as opposed to adolescent boys.
Celtic Music Fan 