Celticmusic

Ardyth & Jennifer : Magical Harps and Voices from Nova Scotia

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

Plus: Clydagh Valley by Gearoid O Duinnin, River Underground, Sean Nos Dancers and Genius Loci Cornwall

Yes! Our new edition is out and yours truly is bringing you nothing but the best in Celtic music. All the fresh tunes you want to hear, all the cool bands and music news you want to know-they are in this site!

Everywhere I look there are Celtic inspired companies cropping up. There are young bands and also veterans who continue to create awesome music. A few days ago my muse was inspired by the beautiful Celtic artifacts found in Moravia, the Czech Republic. This goes to show that the Celts were all over Europe during the ancient times and the spirit lives on through us! We are family. Let us continue keeping the flame alive. Slainte!

My friend the legendary and awesome Layne Greene has mixed their harp tunes for the live performance as part of his summer job. That’s how he was able to share these artists. I love the harp and the vocals. Listening to them is a mesmerizing and magical experience.Their track Just Summer speaks of endless possibilities. Sometimes jazzy as in the case of Still Waters, one can feel the spiritual rush of The Angel Gabriel; a tune taken from the Basques. The duo continues to evade being pigeonholed yet are confident in their unique sound that no band sounds like them.

About them:

Ardyth & Jennifer have been performing and giving workshops for many years with their unique mix of harp and original songs. For a list of our favourite links, click here.
Ardyth Robinson

Ardyth Robinson is currently living in the valley with her two girls, Nadia and Claire.

Ardyth Robinson and Jennifer Wyatt met more than a decade ago at a traditional Nova Scotia kitchen party and have been performing together ever since. Bringing their eclectic mix of harps, vocals, bass, percussion, whistles and original songs to audiences throughout the Maritime Provinces and into the New England States they have developed a unique style that combines elements of traditional music with the influence of jazz and contemporary songwriting. They have played at many premier folk festivals and concert venues, showcased in the Roots Room and songwriter’s events at the East Coast Music Awards and at the Juno Fest in Halifax and they have been featured on many local radio and television programs. As they have travelled, their unique style has earned them critical acclaim within the music community and an ever-growing fan base in the Maritimes.

http://www.ardythandjennifer.com/

http://www.myspace.com/149124303

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River Underground Surfacing.

It is great when bands or their friends come forward to promote their music. I know that there hidden gems out there waiting for the light of the day to catch up. How would we know if they keep silent right? I have been fortunate to receive a message from Nick Rossiter about the band River Underground. This is what he wrote.

I am from St. John’s N.L. I love the pubs of George Street, and all around the downtown area!! It is part of a long heritage of Downtown, St.John’s, N.L.
I’m just writing to ask if you could post on your wall, a Celtic band called ” Skraeling”, otherwise know as “River Underground”!!
They are based out of Toronto, Ontario, and quite frequently, Vancouver, B.C. And they do extensive traveling to all places, everywhere!!
They have released 3 C.D.s so far.
They are, quite possibly, Newfoundland’s “Best Kept Secret”!!!
They played Erin’s Pub last week for 3 nights, to a crowd that absolutely Loved them!!
The band members are, Jamie Snider(of the Wonderful Grand Band), Mike Rossiter, and a nice young man on drums, who calls himself “Animal” Pearson!!
They are in Newfoundland till mid August, and then they head back to the mainland after that!!
Also, they are looking for more bookings in any of your local pubs or bars, so if you could repost these links on your wall, it would be greatly appreciated!!
A good contact # is 1 416 873 7886.
Thank-you for sharing this and listening!!
Cheers!!

P.S. This is three of their links to get an idea what their sound is like!!
http://riverunderground.com/ https://www.facebook.com/riverunderground https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skraeling/71575184364

I listened to the music samples and I automatically like their music. It glides in smoothly and everyone in the band plays with such beautiful gusto it makes you want to get up and dance to the jigs.
Sound Samples here: http://riverunderground.com/
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Our pic of the day: Clydagh Valley by Gearoid O Duinnin

Since the day Clydagh Valley came out, it has been shared so many times. This image is by painter Gearoid O Duinnin who is based in County Cork, Ireland. The wild splashes of deep colors hold the imagination. The artwork speaks in volumes.  I can stare at it again and again and imagine I actually live there. I got in touch with him and conducted this little interview.

How long did you work on this painting?

I will always work on a painting for about two months, Layering and layering it with a plain colour. Then I attack the canvas with all the paint. Maybe 5-6 hours for the final bit.

What is your inspiration in creating this painting?

I actually live there. The funny thing is that when I painted it, I had just moved there and a friend pointed out to me afterwards that I had painted the Valley. I wasn’t intentional. I don’t paint from photos etc.

Can you give me the artists who influenced you in terms of your style?

I do like Jackson Pollock and Francis Bacon a lot but mainly for what they had to say about the subconscious as regards to painting. The pictorial result is different but the experience is the same feeling.

You are also a musician on the side. Any plans of pursuing this career or is this just for fun?

I’ve never had any aspirations as a musician. It’s something I do and other musicians ask me to play with them. I’m an accompanist and a fan of the music I suppose. I’m very lucky because I get a front seat in hearing some of the best musicians we have.

What can we expect from you this year in terms of artistic works?

Well…. I’m busy painting at the moment and I hope to have an exhibition that I can take on tour next year. I’ve had some help this year from Udaras na Gaeltachta & the arts council that enabled me to buy badly needed art supplies. Now that the house is full of canvas and paint, I feel confident.

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Video of the day: Sean nós dancers

There is an old form of Irish Dancing called Sean nos which like the style of singing means: Old Style. It is simple, fluid and improvisational. Through the years Irish dancing have grown and developed into other forms but it is great to look back sometimes and realize that everything has origins. My special thanks to Karen Victoria Smith for introducing this form of dancing in her vampire novel Dark Dealings. Here;s her blog to get more info about the book.

http://kvictoriasmith.blogspot.com/

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Featured media and marketing company: Genius Loci

Although known as a media and marketing company, Genius Loci actually started life as an independent Record Company. We are proud to be behind the most popular Cornish video on youtube ‘The Home Coming’ and also have a number of new musical projects in the pipeline…

About

Internet Marketing & Media Consultancy. Website Management, SEO photography design. Also involved in music & yoga promotion.
Description

Genius Loci means the ‘spirit of place’, and our skills will enable you to stand out from your competitors and be the leading light in your area of business.

Stephen Ducke: “A Complete Guide to Playing Irish Traditional Music on the Whistle”

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Plus: The Stride Set, Brian Femming and the late Maeve Binchy

Learning of an instrument as a journey, rather than a destination..

286 pages with illustrated examples and also audio materials accompanying this book should  be a joy to those trying to learn the tin whistle.

I have a brief background in the recorder and it isn’t hard for me to understand the notation as well as terms that Stephen Ducke used in this book. I should tell you that even though you don’t have a musical background and have just picked up the instrument, this book is straightforward and free of any cumbersome words that might hamper the learner.

It will also give you a complete understanding why Irish music sounds that way. Learning through this book will reward you in twofold: playing the tin whistle and understanding Irish Celtic music. The rest is up to you to find out. I cached up with Steve and popped him few questions: .

I see that you are managing 9 blogs all and all. How do you find the energy to teach and blog at the same time??!!

The author: Stephen Ducke

 

Actually, my Blogger blogs are mostly collections of videos, and Irish traditional news stories found online (with links to the original articles) It’s a way for myself to keep abreast of the news, and there does seem to be a readership too. My principal site is Tradschool, and this is all my own work: In the blog I regularly post tune recordings on flute and whistle, band profiles and other information. There’s also a news section that I update when I can, although less so in summer for example, when there are more gigs and workshops and I’m not often at home…

You play other instruments apart from the whistle:concertina, uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, guitar and bodhran. Man, do you even sleep? What are the challenges of playing the tin whistle for beginners?

I play the flute and whistle, and am lucky to have some colleagues who participate in sending me recordings for the website, so I am able to post concertina and fiddle tunes also, and sometimes uilleann pipes.

Please tell us more about this e-book tutorial that you are selling on your site right now.

The tutorial came from my teaching of flute and whistle, in Ireland but especially over the past 10 years in France. Many of the questions my French students have about the music and the instrument were not the type of question I was used to answering in Ireland – technical questions about the music, style and interpretation, for example. As a teacher, I feel a responsibility to at least try to answer the student’s questions, and this called for a lot of reflection on my part, and a closer examination of the music than I was used to; I realized how many things I had been taking for granted as an Irish player.

The tutorial’s format will be familiar to anyone who has taken my workshops – I adapt what I like to call a “layered” approach to playing the music, beginning with the rhythm and adding each new element little by little. I believe that, as an orally-transmitted folk music, Irish traditional music is necessarily based on a simple system, and to properly appreciate and play this music, an understanding of the system is necessary.
I feel that this tutorial is different in that I try to bring the student to an understanding of the musical style, not so he can imitate the recordings provided, but so that he can go o  to interpret new tunes and form his own style and repertoire. Where I feel many other tutorials miss out is that they provide repertoire, and descriptions of ornamentation, but very little explanation of how it all goes together. I try to examine the logic behind the music, so the student can feel confident in his understanding of the style, and confident enough to make his own choices in style or interpretation.

If I am in my 60s, do you think it is too late to master the instrument?

It depends what you mean by “master” – at 37, I’ve been playing the whistle almost 30 years and don’t feel I’ve mastered it yet; however the journey to where I am today has been immensely rewarding and gratifying. At sixty, it’s definitely not too late to start, and it’s not too late to take pleasure in playing this wonderful music. I prefer to look at the learning of an instrument as a journey, rather than a destination…

You can get your own copy though this site: http://irishwhistletutor.blogspot.com/

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Video of the day: Beginner Bodhrán: FREE Lesson No.1 of 2 from OAIM.ie with Brian Fleming

It is nice to be enlightened from various sources. Even though you are not going to be a serious musician, looking at these tutorials can enhance your appreciation of the music. I think that knowledge and esthetics go together. You can’t enjoy something you don’t understand right?

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Today in pictures: The Stride Set

Meabh O’Hare (fiddle)
Jani Lang (fiddle)
Patricia Clark (fiddle)
Michael McCague (bouzouki)
Josie Harrington (guitar/vocals)
Kevin Jones (drums)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stride-Set

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People: The Late Maeve Binchy

An undated handout image provided by Christine Green Authors’ Agent in London, Irish novelist and playwright Maeve Binchy passed away after a short illness at the age of 72 on 30 July 2012. Photo credit: EPA/Liam White

Her  book Circle of Friends introduced everyone to Ireland in the 50s. I like the fluidity of her prose. She can be subtle but also funny. Books like Tara Road, The Lilac Bus, The Glass Lake among others, stayed with me and I can still remember how the characters are. I think all Irish people have the gift whither it is musical, visual or literary. Their passion speaks in volumes and it can me be contagious. She will always stay in our hearts.

Harp Builder Timothy Des Roches for Harp Talk (Interview)

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Plus: The High Kings and Festival Interceltique de Lorient

Timothy Des Roches: The invisible noodle(string)

The harp  fascinated me since childhood. I owe that to the movies and also the late  Japanese jazz harpist Tadao Hayashi (in grade school) who started me in this path. He made me realize that the instrument can create a lot of sound  textures depending on the player.

With my journey to the discover of Celtic music, it was not hard to fuse the past and the present. Hearing the instrument gives you deeper meaning when you know its history and its construction. How or why does it make such sound? As what poet  Lao Tzu says about traveling..”A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” And also “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” –– Robert Louis Stevenson. Learning is a great journey -by knowing the harp more.

You have to realize this didn’t take place in one day. Tim and I just sent messages and ideas back and forth as we went along:

I got a brilliant idea for the interview. Why don’t we make a picture discussion. I will go ahead and post pictures from your picture  gallery and let you explain further. We will make it as informal and chatty as possible.

Or if you prefer we will make it on the main conference with Scott(Hoye). Anything that makes you comfortable.

After sometime….

He said: This may be mildly interesting to you. I’ve been discussing the build of a traditional wire strung harp with someone for some time now. This person desires a replica harp with an English Walnut pillar and column (the sound box is to be carved from Linden/Lime ,latin: tilia. Our conversations started over a year ago. Well, after about one year I came upon a proper log for the carved sound box (the wood needs to be green/wet), and after countless hours of searching I just found the English walnut in the right thickness (rare) in Southern Poland. Enough for many harps and pleasantly priced – WAAAAY cheaper that it would be from a US vendor, even though the wood is actually more common here than in Europe. It’s very odd to me how these things seem to make themselves available when I’m close to being ready for them even if the odds are stacked against me. Money is always an issue – I have little and wood and transport are costly – and transport is always challenging as I haven’t a car.

In the picture the shorter lengths are about 1.5 meters long and 7 cm thick, the rest is 5cm thick and about 3 meters long. The wood has “seasoned” naturally for five years. Commercial wood is usually kiln dried, which is less desirable for musical instruments.

Now this is a great thread starter 😉

Hey, I know that pic (referring to the picture below).

Let us discuss about wood carving in this picture. How long did it take for you to finish this one?I am actually in your album now.

Hmmmm, 80 hours maybe. But “in the round” like that is a real pain and I never clamped that piece while working on it. Or rather, I clamped it with my left elbow while carving with the right and left hand.

You seem to take harp making a step further by adding intricate designs. How do clients react to your finished products?

The design took longer than the carving – I can take a long time to settle on a design. When it’s for me, as this harp was, I want something I can live with, something that fits the harp. If a carving is for someone else THEY decide; that makes things easier.

What clients? Thus far it’s all for my wife, except one small wire harp. They liked the carving a lot, it made the harp more personal. For myself, I enjoy finding what the wood has within and adjusting to the grain. Thankfully, every piece of wood is different so even if you’re making the same design over and over there’s always something new, but hand carving adds another layer to that.

Interesting!

I didn’t know you have so many” weapons” ( see picture). How did you get into harp building?

I like “les armes blanches!” There’s absolutely no such thing as too many chisels. Grab and air-sickness bag, love got me involved. It was my 5th anniversary that was approaching and I wanted to give Magda something special. The fifth anniversary calls for a wooden gift so I set myself to thinking. I remembered that she had once told me that as a little girl her dream was to play the harp, but in Communist Poland that was beyond the grasp of all but the luckiest of talented youths, so she opted for classical guitar. So, I researched and bought a harp kit from Musicmakers; it was a 26 string Limerick harp in walnut. I did some simple carving to to make it truly hers and found an interest in both harps and carving. Later I made a connection with the harp maker Rick Kemper of Sligo Harps and have been enjoying a kind of intl. apprenticeship with him. Rick’s harps are awesome and he’s been very patient and kind to me. It’s now four summers that I’ve been cluttering his shop with myself and one harp project or another.

That is the best gift I have ever heard in ages!Look at these gorgeous harps she got.These are wire strung harps right? How many of these are in your house now?

Actually Magda has an irrational preference for nylon or gut strung harps. Those floor harps in the picture are nylon strung (there’s no money in my piggy bank for gut). On the left is the second harp I “built” for her, a Muscimakers Voyageur (another kit) on which she wanted carved dragons. On her right is a cross-strung harp that was the result of my second summer spent in the company of Rick Kemper. So, that’s two, then there’s my little 19 string wire harp (bronze strung) of lime and cherry, a nineteen string wire harp of cherry and maple (strung in brass), the 32 string Lamont strung in bronze and silver, and a small 22 string nylon harp bought before I decided to build a kit harp. That makes 6, and I’m currently working on a triple strung harp (81 strings) for Magda because there’s still room to throw a cat in the music room. Oh, and we live in flat that’s right in the middle of Lodz.

That one is really tiny. I haven’t seen a size like that before.

Small wire-strung, that’s the lime/cherry – fruit flavoured! Except that lime/linden trees aren’t fruit bearing and the cherry is a wild and rather unpalatable fruit bearing variety – better for cabinet making than jam making. That is actually the first harp I made all on my own. The wood for the soundbox came from a tree being felled on my way to work.

Let us talk about construction. What are the yes and no of making levers and of the kind of materials you use?

Whoa! I don’t make levers and wouldn’t want to. Levers are made by elves and dwarves in unknown lands (I do fear that some of this activity takes place in China – at least component manufacture, but I may be wrong…I hope I’m wrong. I have installed levers, and shall likely do more of it in the future although it’s not my preferred way to spend time. The levers in the picture are Camac levers and are very popular for their quality of tone and ease of use – by the harpist. Other brands exist: Truitt, Delacour, Peter Brough, Loveland, Robinson… Each type has it’s advantages and disadvantages.

Peter Brough Brilliant bronze semitone levers

Thanks!

Nylon and steel strings…the difference in sound, construction and the challenges making each?

Wow, esoterica. Interestingly enough, nylon and steel strings both call for just about the same vibrating length. Wire harps are strung (usually) with brass or bronze. Brass and bronze call for shorter (significantly so) vibrating lengths for a given note than than nylon. Nylon, gut, nylgut (a synthetic), or fluorocarbon strings all produce a “typical” harp sound with some being darker, some brighter, some punchier… Brass and bronze strings sound closer to a harpsichord when played with great technical skill. The wire strings have a greater sustain and typically less volume from the harp although in some ways the sound carries better. Steel strings sound more like little bells, more tinkly.

Nylon harps are lighter built than wire harps and requiring a greater length of string material for any given note. Given a wire harp and a nylon or gut harp with the same range of notes, the nylon/gut harp will be bigger. Wire harps tend to be styled after existing historic harps or harps depicted in stone carving or period illustrations. There is a greater freedom of form and materials used that can be perceived in the nylon/gut strung harp arena. Many lever harp players cry out for lighter and lighter harps, one builder even builds in carbon fiber – ultralight. You’re more likely to hear wire harp types clamoring for archaic dry joinery (no adhesives) and specific woods. All types of harps have their merits and uses.

For more on string theory, try to get your head around my friend Rick Kemper’s brilliant explanations:
http://www.sligoharps.com/string.html

Tim, if people are looking for great harp manufacturers, where would you refer them?

Who are they? WHERE are they? What kind of music do they want to play?

Generally I’d tend to go with one woman/man operations. You get more of a dialog, more personal service. USUALLY a better instrument. Big name companies are more interested in NOT having to perform warranted repairs and that forcibly affects building strategies and sound. It’s nice to buy local. If not, make sure a competent luthier lives within a couple of hours drive. A floor harp can be expensive to ship for repair work!

Timothy Des Roches is the guy you might want to look for if you want a harp builder. His bio says:

I live in Lodz (woodge), Poland with my wife, Magda, my son, Mieszko (myeshkoh), and my dog. Life just keeps getting better.

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Featured video: The High Kings – “The Rising Of The Moon”

Check out the new video “The Rising Of The Moon”, from Ireland’s ‘Best Folk Group of the Year’ THE HIGH KINGS. Their new album “Memory Lane” is out now in the US.

Get your copy at Amazon here – http://amzn.to/h53CHG

My appreciation to Christi for posting this on her network. One of the best Irish groups!

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Today in Pictures: Festival Interceltique de Lorient Grande Parade 2012

Copyright Michel Renac- FIL2012

Celtic 5 String Banjo Player – Dave Hum‏

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Plus:Featured mp3s: Dan Aston, New video by Cheers! and Nolwenn Leroy

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. ”
–Bob Marley

Featured artist Celtic 5 String Banjo Player – Dave Hum‏

“An instrumental selection of traditional Celtic, bluegrass and old time tunes, featuring Dave Hum playing the five string banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica and percussion.”

The  music of Dave Hum is like  a friend who comes to visit to bring you great news. It  overflows with an almost Rastafarian philosophy that is all embracing. It is a kind of feeling you get with when you take that time off  from the harsh realities of life . The seductive rhythm invites you to throw your worries and close your eyes. Imagine someone you have not heard for some time announcing he is dropping by. You don’t know what to expect. He comes marching in. Then he cracks a joke. Everything dissolves into a familiar warmth of old friendship and easy fun. That’s exactly what his music is like!

He sounds like no other. I’d call his music timeless, with the mood elevating qualities of dark chocolate.  In place of words, he uses his mastery of melodies and arrangements. There aren’t any stumbling block in his musical path…it is like a great river rushing, where everything flows so smoothly.

It surprises one to know that there is only one person behind this big sound. Yes he plays everything that you hear in the recording.

http://www.davehum.com

http://www.myspace.com/davehum

 

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This Edition’s Fresh Video: Cheers!

Finally, the most anticipated video from Celtic rock group based in the Czech Republic is out.  It features the band playing live interspersed with an old Czech film. According to  Pavel, the lead singer of “Cheers!”:

“We used this movie – to point out the culture in its roots. Even if we play something totally else”..

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Featured mp3: Dan Aston

If you are very active in the Celtic folk in scene in Cornwall, then you might have seen Dan Aston as  the guitarist of Cornish language band (with both his parents in it) An Derow. His music is inspired by artists like John Martyn, Nick Drake and Gary Moore. These are selections off his soundcloud page. Dan is a fine singer with a good range. His voice is in perfect shape and pitch. When asked about the possibility of releasing an album:

“I am currently working on my debut album which will hopefully be out in January 2013.”

That is a good sign. So what can we listeners expect from his debut album?

“The listeners can expect a selection of my original songs that have strong roots in folk, blues and jazz genres as well as possessing a Celtic touch. Working with local Celtic group An Derow and having played on Sue Aston’s recent album ‘Between Worlds’ has influenced me in this direction as well as my natural love towards renowned musicians in the folk/Celtic genre such as John Martyn and Nick Drake. Some of my songs will be expanded instrumentally for the album and will feature additional musicians to add further depth and textures to their musical landscapes. The expansion of my songs will also include myself playing lead guitar and harmonica which doesn’t currently appear on the soundcloud demos. The record will be musically diverse and will hopefully appeal in one way or another to listeners from all musical backgrounds.”

Dan has a live show and according to his status update:

“I will be playing at Goldsithney Charter Fair this Saturday, performing my usual mix of folk/jazz originals and covers with some new covers by Deep Purple, Bruce Springsteen and Blue Oyster Cult! Hopefully see you there should be a great event.”

Don’t miss this awesome artist live and have a listen to his recordings below.

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Today in Pictures: Nolwenn Leroy

Raphaële Beyssier / 11 Le Magazine

She brings sass and spice to Celtic music.

Eamon Doorley : The Bouzouki You’ve Heard Before

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Plus: Manau, Jeremy King,The Levellers,Dead Can Dance New Album Anastasis,Rachael Mccormack, Dom Duff and the spirit of the Olympics!

Be ignited or be gone

-Mary Oliver

Life is about passion. It is inspiring to see people doing something again and again despite being ignored. There are those who do art because for them it is an outlet-or a sickness however you want to see it 😀

folkbyfarr.co.uk

Today, CMF highlight’s the talent of bouzouki player Eamon Doorley. Those who own records of Danu and Julie Fowlis already recognize his name in liner notes. His sound is warm, luminous with the delicate playing style that is his own.

Hearing him play is like listening to a pouring water.  Eamon Doorley and Julie Fowlis had little Aoibhe born on Christmas eve last 2009. 2012 is a good year for the couple. After taking part in the big  animation The Brave, they are back on stage for more musical performances.

More of his bouzouki here: http://www.myspace.com/eamondoorley

Here is a video by Julie Fowlis. The song was used in the movie The Brave. This time, Eamon Doorley gave his bouzouki a rest in favour of a guitar.

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New album by Manau

Fans of Celtic rap artist Martial Tricoche who created  Manau have the reason to celebrate. This year is the release of the new album Panique Celtique. It has been a while since the release of their last album that spawned the hit La Tribu de Dana. That song features a sampling of Tri Martolod by Breton harpist Alan Stivell.

The video of the carrier single La Rumeur  is medieval by design, inspired by the burning of heretics. The new video  is a follow up single called  Le curé et les loups  is now available for viewing. I don’t know if it is just me or the theme of the video La Rumeur borders on S&M?!! Anyway I am glad the Breton rapper is back. It has been years and he is surely missed by fans.

More here: http://www.manauofficiel.com/

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Today in pictures

Happy Birthday Jeremy King of Poitin. May you have more birthdays to come. May you always touch listeners with your music and also inspire young bands to do more and be the best. Slainte!

Listen to The Congress Reel by Poitín

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Flashback: The Levellers

Remember the good old 90’s and this band? We are back to Doc Martens and of course the Celtic folk/rock band  The Levellers. I think I got into their sound at the same time I got into The Paperboys. Back then, Celtic rock was new to me- having been exposed to New Age  music and traditional folk. Great tune. Nice memories.

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Dead Can Dance Are Back!

Dead Can Dance isn’t exclusively Celtic, but they blend Celtic elements to their Gothic/Medieval inspired World Music. I bought my first DCD  album on cassette tape in the early 90’s following Everybody Else is Doing it So Why Can’t We by Cranberries and Banba by Clannad. What can I say? The early 90’s was cool for Irish music and everything unique. After listening to insipid and forgettable music of my high school years, college was an exciting stage in everything  musical.  Dead Can Dance made a huge wave in my musical taste.  How can one forget the haunting quality of Lisa Gerrard’s vocals as she delivered”The Wind that Shakes the Barley”? I think Brendan Perry’s “I Am Stretched on Your Grave “ is still my favorite Halloween music.

I really jumped with joy when I heard that they are now touring and has released a new album called  Anastasis  after 16 years! Wow 16 years. A child born after The Spirit Chaser would already have relationship issues by now! Or a dog would be so old it would have passed away by this time. 16 years….Did you know that they have a track available for free download? All you need to do is  sign up for their newsletter through their official website.

Tracklisting for Anastasis
01 – Children Of The Sun
02 – Anabasis
03 – Agape
04 – Amnesia
05 – Kiko
06 – Opium
07 – Return Of The She-King
08 – All In Good Time

More news here: http://deadcandance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DeadCanDanceOfficial

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Fresh Tunes from Dublin Rocker Rachael Maccormack

 “I can think as far back as 6yrs of age when I’d be tugging at my mams jumper saying I want a guitar, or I’d make one out of a shoe box and shoe laces hahahaha. So Dublin to me is one big song with many choruses. Let’s face it, us Irish know how to party, so adding the music element is like water from a tap: It comes naturally I guess,we’re a nation of storytellers and the songs are there to guide us along the way”.

Taken from her essay Welcome to the Musical Dublin

You can listen to new tunes by Rachael Mccormack here http://breakingtunes.com/rachaelmccormack

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Influential Breton Rocker Dom Duff

Checking what our pal is up to lately.

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The Spirit of Olympics!

Now the link isn’t about Celtic music but it has been getting a lot of shares from my network. . Hmmm  you be the judge who wins XD  http://thefw.com/olympic-diving-funny-faces/

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The Celtic Music Fan mourns for the passing away of someone close to a dear friend. He is flying to Scotland  for the funeral of his  grandmother. He helped me make this site what it is now. My heart goes to him and his family.