Celticmusic

Make Way for Ranagri

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Jean Kelly , Eliza Marshall , Tad Sargent and Donal Rogers

Jean Kelly , Eliza Marshall , Tad Sargent and Donal Rogers

I wrote a post about flutist Eliza Marshall two years ago. Now she is part( playing the Flutes/Whistles/Guitar) of Folk/Acoustic/World band based in London called Ranagri. They are currently recording their debut album. You can listen to two of their singles Sad Songs and the amazing cover of The House Carpenter.

It took me one listen to Donal Rogers and that’s it. He has a warm and friendly voice. There are Celticky instruments like the Harp,Electric Harp and Piano played by Jean Kelly. Tad Sargent  adds the Irish spice with his   Bodhran, Bouzouki and Whistles.

Their music video for Sad Songs is really fantastic. It really represents the dazzling sound of Ranagri. I am excited to hear the new album. Check out the youtube sampler below. I already predicted my future favorites from the album.

 

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Loreena McKennitt releases The Journey So Far
The Best of Loreena McKennitt

After 30 years in the music business(and running her own company Quinlan Road) The Journey So Far will prove to be a retrospective and interesting ‘music book’ covering her songs that span continents and culture. Ms McKennitt has always created ‘global’ Celtic music fusing different ethnic styles but still true to her folk roots. To get an in-depth info here is the link: http://www.quinlanroad.com/explorethemusic/thejourneysofar.asp

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If you haven’t yet check out my latest Podcast!

http://old.mixcloud.com/thecelticmusicfan/the-baxteria-podcast-21/

Matthew Bell and Celtic Percussion Plus Podcast #21

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There is a thread running through this post that started when I wrote about the bodhran. To be honest, the instrument has taken a huge degree of interest on my part because I am trying to be good at it. Everyday is great when I get to practice. It also opened a big world of percussion to me and various rhythms that dominate all types of music all over the world.

This thread also pointed me to a remarkable artist and teacher in the world of percussion. I am talking about Matthew Bell who runs a successful project called Celtic Percussion.  He merges Irish and Scottish drumming styles with the infusion of other world influences. He is very zen in his vlogs as he tries to calmly explain the basics of drumming. He combines the Kerry and top end of bodhran playing.

The youtube videos are just samples of the potential that he can offer. His recent book is The Contemporary Bodhrán:
A Modern Percussionist’s Perspective on an Ancient Instrument

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Here’s the general info about Celtic Percussion found in his official youtube site:

The Celtic Percussion Collective is comprised of several of the Washington, D.C. area’s biggest names in the Pipe Band and Celtic Music Communities. Matthew Bell formed the CPC in December of 2012 to expose audiences to the truly unique percussion concepts inherent in Celtic Percussion. The CPC is available for a variety of educational and performance-based functions. Please have a look around our website. We look forward to working with you.

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The Baxteria Podcast #21

http://old.mixcloud.com/thecelticmusicfan/the-baxteria-podcast-21/

With:

Alan Stivell-Eliz Iza
Sinéad O’Connor-Oró, sé do bheatha ‘bhaile
Baal Tinne-Toss The Feathers
Brendan Mulholland-The King of The Pipers
Clannad-In a Lifetime
Luka Bloom-How Am I To Be
Ashley MacIsaac-To America We Go
Sleepthief-Reason Why
J.P. Kallio-Greener Grass
Teenage Fanclub-Take The Long Way Around
Von Shakes-Last Day on Earth
Jazzotron Vs Jamie Berry-Kiss Me
Róisín O-Here We Go
Who Does Music-Looking Around
Samuel Smith-The Agony

Interview with Brian Cunningham (audio)

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Interview with Brian Cunningham of the Atlantic Steps by Baxter Labatos on Mixcloud

Brian Cunningham of Atlantic Steps took the time to have this interview . He talks about:

1.How are things going on the creative side

2. What can we expect from Atlantic steps this 2014

3. As a producer of a tour.

4. Teaching Sean Nos  Dance lessons in Milwaukee.

5. How he maintains his agility as a dancer.

6. What’s great about sean nos dancing and why should people come and see or even learn the art.

You Tube version of the interview:

Atlantic Steps promo clip:

Traditional Music: The Music of the People

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A set of reels recorded for the fleadh program in Cavan 2012. Thanks to Brian Cunningham for sharing this video.

We can’t deny that traditional music is the music of communion. Be it Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Breton or any music of the seven Celtic nations, there is always that sense of community whenever one goes to these sessions. Unlike the ‘star versus the spectator’ culture of pop music, Celtic music encourages the audience to participate-be it dancing or playing. It is after all the music of the people.

As someone who is trying to learn how to play traditional Irish music instruments, I feel that sense of connection to the culture through these instruments. As if the music is telling me that it doesn’t matter if I am no expert but to play is to be part of something timeless.

My bodhran and tin whistle.

My bodhran and tin whistle.

I think there are more and more music schools being built and organized because the demand to learn traditional music is increasing. People can just buy a bodhran, Celtic harp, tin whistle or fiddle from ebay.  Everything you need is there. You just have to know where to look. Even youtube offers free lessons. You just have to be enthusiastic enough to learn how to play.

Jeremy King of Poitin mentioned that his son is learning the accordion at such an early age. I mentioned in my previous post that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in the accordion. Scottish singer/harpist Anna McLuckie has wowed the mainstream audience with her unique performance of a mainstream tune. People now know that her musical upbringing is rooted in traditional music.

As I have mentioned above, traditional music is the music of the people. Wherever you are in the world, when it touches you, then you belong.

A New Year’s Message Plus Podcast #18

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My peers have already their 2013/reflection up so I guess I have to add my own. A brief one. I started this site around 2009 as a way to relieve boredom. I was working on a night shift in another part of the country. I remember that my first article was all about Planxty. Back then I had no idea as to what kind of direction this blog was going to take. But I knew I need one in order to connect to the world. I knew back then that there’s a big world out there. All I needed to do was to tap into that energy and things will just happen.

And things happened. Good and bad. But they are part of the bigger picture. They had to happen so that life can unfold. That way, things will be set in motion. Bands come and go. Friends arrive and leave. But it’s just the natural order of things. We ebb and flow…and strangely find our paths to each other again. All we need was to have patience and to have a sense of detachment and trust that things happen so that they can set our destinies in motion.

It is beautiful to devote one’s life to music. Be it as a performing artist or a chronicler of the music. There are many wonders to be found. There are blessings that await us. Celtic music opened doors for me. Because of this site I got recommended and now I have other affiliations. www.celticmusicfan.com

www.spheremusic.com

 

www.expatspost.com

 

http://www.mixcloud.com/thecelticmusicfan/

 

www.radiohappy.eu

 

and www.subkulture.net

It is good to be part of bigger things. But it is also great to remember where we came from. I think that naïve, provincial and awkward part of us is that part what we should always hold close. The world will always try to shape, pound and level us into something that’s acceptable and ‘normal.’

But to be like a sponge requires good memory and persistence. They can confine us, hold us and put us in a box for a moment. But we will always return to our original form. And this is what makes us who we are. Happy New Year.

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For those who missed my radio show this Saturday  Podcast #18 is up!

Playlist:

Robert Doyle-Flags of Belfast
Michael (Blackie) O’Connell and John Joe Kelly – Traditional Medley
Eamon Murray- Bodhran Solo
Paddy Keenan-Uilleann Pipe medley
Tri Yann-L’Irlandaise
The APRILL-Fun Times
Nouvelle Electro-Radio
Sean McCarthy-Anami ( A prayer for Earth)
Joel Sarakula-I Will Deliver
Sarah Vaughan-The Man I Love
Gavern-Crystal Clear & Light is Passion (Incantation)
Samuel Smith-Bantry Bay