His arrangement of The Ashokan Farewell for acoustic guitar. Played on a McIlroy AJ16
Dermot McIlroy is a versatile artist. Apart from playing in his project bands, he is also a guitar builder. Have you tried visiting McIlroy Guitars? The video will give you an idea what one of them sounds like(the McIlroy AJ16). And he plays really good! He executes that depth and craft in the video Ashokan Farewell which has a rather interesting background.
Dermot McIlroy in Antrim, Antrim, United Kingdom. Photo by Daniel Burne.
I love instrumental music. They don’t have resistance or aggression. They are compatible with almost anything. The Ashokan Farewell plays like a peaceful river. Everything flows without bumps and uncertainty. And the notes are clear like golden silver. Can you hear it? That certain feel to it?
I think there should be a solo instrumental album from McIlroy don’t you think? I think, for that to be realized one day will be a truly wonderful experience. Solo guitar music is timeless. I love collecting them. I can play them anytime and anywhere. I hope this post(and most importantly the accompanying music lights up your week) inspires you as you start your day or recline to sleep.
I will be posting a blog about Derek Smith of this Welsh trio, Glasnant. According to him:
“Glasnant means Blue Stream in English. Our music will be like a stream flowing through the Celtic countries.” They will go to Ireland on March 12th-16th to take their interceltic music to the Aran Isles. Sounds exciting!
Let me introduce you to this energetic group from Boston. They combine different genres with Celtic music as the central focus , creating a new style that groovy, pop and fresh. It only takes a minute through A’Ghrian, one of their tunes and be hooked. Yes I have kept them in my radar for weeks and now I am raving about them in this blog. I wish to see more news from Soulsha because I think they can open doors to intelligent music as we are really in need of that these days.
As a fusion project, they combine Scottish and West African traditional music. Think of Afro Celt Sound System as their cousin, with a little bit of funk and urban. Expect the cool singing of Elias Alexander(who also plays the border pipes), The awesome keys and mandolin of Neil Pearlman, the groovy bass of Aaron Bellamy, the wall shaking drums of Joe Galeota, the exciting fiddling of Galen Fraser, the afro beats of Dough Berman and the soulful sax of Dylan Sherry.
Their influences are wide and far – reaching as they include Kila, Michael McGodrick, Tower of Power, Lunasa etc. I am sure you get the picture. I don’t know about you but I can’t stop dancing. The music is really infectious and full of good vibes. No depressing moment. Just lovely grooves and awesome melodies. I encourage you to try listening to Soulsha! https://m.soundcloud.com/soulsha-afro-celtic-funk
Why a casual Celtic music fan would love North Star by singer/songwriter Kyle Carey-It has a universal appeal.
Every album is a musical journey. The experience is always complete when one listens to all the tracks in the album (in the order they were recorded) instead shuffling.I think Kyle Carey has worked hard in recording every track in North Star. This is a follow -up to her highly acclaimed Monongah. Every nuance is given emphasis.
North star is a journey across continents. It has taken her to Scotland, in order to record the twelve tracks, each with its own story to tell. In the title track (Northern Star), she sings of how each point of light draws a constellation. Like the album itself, it is about seeing the bigger picture from the complexity of notes and melodies. We are part of each other. We are connected by this endless chain of histories. The album is a testament to the modern and ancient Celts.
Apart from the melodic merits, North Star has superb packaging and meticulous recording process.The music doesn’t intrude. Yes it draws you in because of the beautiful songs (this includes the instruments, the chords and yes the amazing voice of Kyle Carey). This is highly recommended for lovers of chill out pop and indie folk. Her sound has evolved. She blends Gaelic and English songs in this album seamlessly. Everything feels supple, organic and also healing.
The word north conjures many thoughts. One of them is the cold and quiet that an artist needs in the gestation period of his or her creativity. North Star is Polaris which has been embodied in a lot of myths. The fact that this album is produced by Seamus Egan proves that she is backed by stalwart talents.
North Star is one of the great releases of this decade. Everything works. Her vocals are more stretched and exploited as there are tracks where she lets those pipes loose. I love Sios Dhan An Abhainn. I got goose bumps listening to that song. It is my personal favorite. Across the Great Divide is also poignant and memorable.
And lastly…I love the album artwork. I think the images and overall design give justice to the feel of the album. Her persistence and professionalism has paid off. This started off as a crowdfunding project. This album proves that those who are passionate about this kind of music are out there! Now looking forward to the next album.
***
I among those fascinated by the music of Breton singer/songwriter Cecile Corbel. It has something more to do with the melodies in her songs than her vocals or arrangements. Although it is worth noting that her arrangements are superb as well! She’s one of those artists celebrating the beauty of Breton music(the other one is Nolwenn Leroy). I think these two artists are the best in terms of putting out Celtic music with pop appeal. She continues to dazzle our imagination with her Arthurian concept.
This is a captivating song called Entendez-vous from La Fiancée. Would you agree it’s beautiful in all aspects?
***
Celtic Colours Int’l Cape Breton, Canada
Celtic Colours continues to be an influential festival in North America. Great shows, fantastic artists and a wide array of genres (or colours). Here’s a Soundcloud sampler of music you get to hear when you attend the festival.
***
I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Next, I will be writing about American group Soulsha: Afro-Celtic Funk, so watch out for this one.
It is great to be visited by the muse of the cold months. With that comes the kind of music suited for reflection. It is the time of year when people like to stay indoors watching the leaves fall. It is a moment of contemplation and artistic stimulation. It is an honour to introduce this new recording by England-based ambient/folk group Red Sonnet. Their music has been likened to Enya and Clannad due to the haunting female vocals and fascinating melodies.
The piano is the dominant instrument in this album but there are other gossamer instruments that weave their smoky embellishments around classical and soft rock influenced tunes. I love how the tympani in Across the Bridge creates that epic moment as if I am in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. And yes that is the title of the album too.
The overall experience is pleasant. I recommend this for people who love Loreena McKennitt, Sarah McLachlan and those I have mentioned earlier. There are moments when the vocals can sound a bit shy so I would encourage more confidence in future Red Sonnet recordings. But this is a great atmospheric treat and you know me, I LOVE atmosphere.
***
For a taste of trad and fusion here’s King & Cillian Doheny with MUSICOPHILIA. I let the purity of the music embraced me again. I remember the first time I started this blog and how this type of music inspired me and the creativity I found within. Perhaps traditional music is mostly technical but if you go further and see it in a different perspective, you will realise the spiritual aspect that has always been elusive but prominent. And I am reconnecting to that source again and hopefully bring you more review.
This is performed by Cillian King and Cillian Doheny. I just found out the name is pronounced as ‘Kill-yan” and not with the Sil-yan as I used to do. Beautiful performance. You can see the listeners love them!
***
Been listening to this today. This is a perfect tune to welcome Autumn. I am a fan of Robert Doyle so whatever he puts up in his youtube gets me excited. This man is an amazing artist with his strong grasp of contemporary and traditional Irish music. He also expands his interests to include other styles and cultures.
About :Sliabh Russell/Out on the Ocean
These are two jigs I first heard on Matt Molloy’s classic ‘Heathery Breeze’ album from 1985. The arrangements are by Scottish guitarist Mark Thomson.
The tuning is DADGAD with capo on 1 and the guitar was built by Frank Tate.
Let me express my huge apologies to this band for not posting this video sooner. I got this on August but was not able to post due to my hectic work schedules. They are based in France specialising in folk and world music. Very good! You should check them out. This is Nabila Dali & band performing the traditional “Bedlam Boys” in Paris on December 6th 2013.
Official Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nabila…
To celebrate the Scottish spirit of independence, I scouted for old and new tunes from Celtic fiddler Iain Fraser. There is something magical in the way he plays that fiddle. It’s akin to silver snow falling. I’ve been looking forward to exchange messages with this legendary composer and I am glad I finally did. He is such a down- to- earth man with a positive energy which can be felt across the world and it shows even if you don’t meet him in person. I am sure those people who watched his many live shows can attest that his music is like a force of nature.
He recently, over the summer, filmed some older Scottish material from his book of Fiddle Tunes and the link is below. He likes to promote the videos a bit more in advance of a new book coming out next year of older Canadian tunes. I encourage you to listen to these wonderful tunes. Just leave the blog on after the first tune because the rest will follow.
That’s just him unadorned. This man doesn’t need an orchestra. The rich emotion he brings out of the fiddle is huge as the orchestra itself. And I felt strangely fine after listening to his music. I hope you enjoy and have a great week!
About the videos:
A series of short videos of slow airs and slow strathspeys taken from my book of “Scottish Fiddle tunes.”
60 Scottish tune for the fiddle, published by Schott Music in 2006.
….about the tune.. it was first published by Niel Gow’s son Nathaniel in his “Fifth Collection of Strathspeys, Reels etc” in 1809. Although it is a lament for the death of a loved one, I think it has an underscore of optimism and celebration.
Celtic Music Fan 