Concerts

Fiona J Mackenzie’s US Tour, The Celtic Tenors and Story Girl!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

It is lovely to hear news from Fiona J Mackenzie every now and then.  I still enjoy her last release “A Good Suit of Clothes”  and I think it is a must for those who love the beauty of Scottish Gaelic singing.  She will be in the US soon! Catch her live as she conducts Gaelic workshops and concerts next month-  concert in Atlanta, Tues 8 Nov- Java Monkey @8pm. Then in Albuquerque as follows- workshop, Sat 12 Apple Mountain Music @2pm. Concerts- Mon 14th – Main library and Cherry Hills Library- see http://www.ampconcerts.org/index.php for more updates. For those who are interested to get a copy of her albums, check this link: http://www.fionamackenzie.org/Recordings.html

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I received the Feels Like Home  CD  by The Celtic Tenors in the mail yesterday. Special thanks to my friend Anita Daly of Daly Communications for making Celtic music accessible to everybody. From the first track “Going Home , written by Mary Fahl up to the last track  “Westering Home”, The Celtic Tenors know how to captivate listeners with their amazing individual styles and vocal harmonies. Superb arrangements and awesome packaging. Love it to bits! I will make a comprehensive review soon and a possible interview with them.

Celtic Tenors Official Site: http://www.celtic-tenors.com/

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I received an early copy of Story Girl, the new album by The Gothard Sisters. The trio have what ti takes to really grow and conquer more ears in the industry because of their overwhelming talent. Thy can play, compose and dance. They are also photogenic. Story Girl is a perfect album for the season because it rings of winter. Their classical discipline also helps in making the album having that crossover appeal . Together with the CD is  this amazing note from Willow:

Hi Jose!

I hope you enjoy

our new music!

Here’s an early

copy of

“Story Girl”

for you

❤ Willow

Well, what can I say Willow? I love the album. It’s like chocolate  for a lonely day. It’s bright, cheerful and has that crystal sparkle. looking forward to get a story out of you and the rest 🙂

http://www.gothardsisters.weebly.com

October Rising

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

Hi CMFs!  The month of October is going to be exciting because there will be more music . As the cold season sets in and there are less sunlight , there are people who get moody. Wanna hang out with me? Wanna have a walk on the foggy side? Just listen to my lists of bands and you will know what is it to be in this mind.

To be honest, it’s been more than two years when I set this site up, but whenever I face the screen and start to touch the keyboard, I still don’t feel that confident. I have done interview with musicians-which is easy because I know the formula. But doing something in between. Like covering music or writing a feature is something else.  I don’t want this site to be too ‘academic’ not too informal. I also don’t want this to be just a blog where I confess my sins. I want this to be a lot of things. But I really don’t know what to expect after typing away and sending my message in a  bottle.

I have been moody all day which explains why I have been away from facebook. If I am there all I’d do is post sad songs and that is not helping either. It’s just something in me that I can’t explain when the season is in transition.  There is a risk involved though. I don’t know how many friends are going to be put off by this. It’s the dark months-ah wonderful mysterious time of the year.

My friend Fiach Moriarty is releasing an album and he needs your help. Please go ahead and listen to his songs by visiting his website and his facebook page. I made an interview with him which i enjoyed so much. Fiach is truly a hard working irish musician and he deserves the love:

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Fiach Moriarty-Be a part of my second record

Location
In Studio
Created by:
More info
About a year ago I signed up for www.slicethepie.com, a site where you upload your tracks and allow other members to rate them. If, after a certain period of time, your songs are rated above 75% you qualify for a showcase. I was lucky enough to qualify and got to choose an amount to raise from other members to record my second record. I opted for €3000 which translates as $4000 according to the people who run the website. You can pledge as little as $5 or go up to $500. In exchange for this there are a list of treats such as free gig tickets, signed copies of album, your name on the album sleeve, free download of all tracks on slicethepie.com and more. If the target is not hit, everyone that supported will get a full refund. Check it out here:
http://backstage.slicethepie.com/artist/fiach

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Caladh Nua at ChristChurch Waterford

One of those traditional Irish bands I love to follow. Be part of their performance:

Time
01 October · 20:00 – 23:00
Location
Created by:
More info
See http://www.caladhnua.com/christchurch.pdf for booking information

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Moya Brennan, Cormac De Barra LIVE VOICES & HARPS, Liffey Bank Sessions

Ah yes the First lady of Celtic music is promoting her latest album and please please do check it out because it’s worth your money and time. Now is the time to promote Celtic music because I noticed the decrease of sales due to the popularity of mainstream music. So get off your coaches lazy bears and go out there on the street and do your souls a favor by supporting and promoting these artists I mention here.  Yes Moya and Cormac will uplift your spirits.

Time:11 October · 20:00 – 23:00
Location:The Grand Social
Created by:Moya Brennan
More info
Moya and harpist, Cormac, continue their series of extraordinary performances.


Orla Fallon My Land Tour

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

Wow finally I am back home! It feels great to sit here writing about what is hot and latest in our musical culture. Orla Fallon who is part of the successful group Celtic Woman is busy promoting her music from the new album My Land . She is making rounds around venues in the United States until October. Fans of her clear soprano will surely  don’t want to miss this.  Here is the calendar for here tour dates: http://www.orlafallon.com/Tour/tabid/1159/Default.aspx

She is also doing media promotion. By the looks of it , her management is really doing its best to back her up and make sure she makes waves around the US. Just check this out:  http://www.orlafallon.com/TVAirDates/tabid/1158/Default.aspx

Orla made an impact for me personally when she played the harp singing Carrickfergus. Her red hair and beautiful voice make her distinctive from the group. And yes she’s the only one playing the harp.

I wish Orla more success in her tour and hopefully we will be able to catch her when she performs live ion our town!

The new album My Land is now out. Visit the official store:

Tracklisting:

Tracklist:
1. Mo Ghile Mear
2. Distant Shore
3. Morning Has Broken
4. Ni Na La
5. Down To The River To Pray featuring The Dublin Gospel Choir
6. Isle of Innisfree
7. Both Sides Now
8. Red Is The Rose featuring Tommy Fleming
9. My Land
10. Spanish Lady LIVE with the Dubliners
11. I’ll Tell Me Ma LIVE with the Dubliners, featuring Damien Dempsey

Dropkick Murphys And Mentionables

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

I like the way this blog has turned into an interactive page. We have musicians postings along with listeners. There is an influx of so much ideas and inspirations that I am grateful to be part of it all. Remember, you are the stars of this page. I am merely the moderator.

I feel so drained after talking to 32 people today,  But music has a way to take it all away. It is true that great songs are like ships that sail is into far distant places that only the mind can conceive. Celtic music is always and evocative  Celtic music has vehicle.  Unlike most of the music that usually receive the Grammys, this type of music has a Robin Hood appeal to it. But while Robin Hood is  a British Hero( and I am pro Irish or anything in the seven Celtic nations which excludes Great Britain) this page champions diversity.

So what’s the commotions?

New Album Basting The Speakers: Celtic Punk

It looks like a lot of people are talking about Dropkick Murphys latest album Going out of Style. I checked out whats the deal. It’s been four years since they released their album The Meanest of Times. Now they are back to rock the house. They even enlisted Bruce Springsteen to sing one of their songs Peg o’ My Heart.There are ballads amidst the ska induced tunes.  After all this is a band that encourages you to get up and slam rather than sit and relax…which works for me sometimes when I need an exercise. There is this nice bagpipe into in Deeds Not Words.

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Cape Breton’s Best Music Mix, The Coast 89.7

Celtic and otherwise , this is a station that suits my mood today: breezy. I just feel like taking a long ride closing my eyes while the sun is filtered by the trees and everything feels new. Listening to this station takes you to the heart of Cape Breton. There are also new breaks and other informative stuff you will love to check out. You can listen to live streaming through the website: http://www.coastalradio.ca/

Bands for Celtic Weddings

For people who wants to express love through rings, this is the best guide for you. Beautiful designs if you ask me.  http://shoes-sizes.net/eternity_wedding_bands/celtic-wedding-bands-celtic-wedding-bands-probably-the-best-irish-wedding-rings-you-can-find/

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Celtic Good Reads:

If you dig the culture not just for the music but for academic purposes, then check this link for Celtic Literature’s Good Reads.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/726306-teresa-read-all-over-reviews?shelf=celtic-studies

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The 6th Annual CELTIC MUSIC NIGHT

Friends in Massachusetts, this is the time to get together and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in your way. Beautiful night of piping, dancing and other instrumental playing. Plus performances by John Sullivan, champion highland dancer Morgan Pell, world medal holders Irish step dancers Tracey Manning-Dingee and Greg Murphy, and the national youth snare drum champion, Quinn McCormack, as well as harpist Anne Paus, a former member of the Cape Cod symphony. More here: http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2011/02/28/6th-annual-celtic-music-night-to-be-held?blog=225

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List of recommended Celtic Punk/Irish Rock Bands:

The Pogues
Flogging Molly
Flatfoot 56
The Tossers
Blood or Whiskey

Fiddler’s Green

The Tossers

Gaelic Storm

Add your own list 🙂

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Irish Country And Blues


Country music lovers will give this a listen. Patrick Wall’s I’ll Sail My Ship Alone. I am putting my Hank Williams record back to the shelf an give this a try. Buy it here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/patrickwall

The High Kings, The Chieftains And Hints of Gypsy

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

Welcome back Celtophiles. I have fresh news for you today. Just finished my jug of black tea and all geared up to rock the keyboards…..

If you are looking for irresistible vocals with great instrumentals then Memory Lane by The High Kings will bring you those. From the lively Star of the County Down backed by a nice banjo to a capella Red is the Rose will surely grow on your Irish music garden.

The High Kings just returned from their successful January 29 The Children Need You Concert. As what these guys say:

“We are honoured to have performed with 12,000 champion children, who are the Hallelujah choir over the course of 3 days. Thank you for being the best backing choir ever!”

Memory Lane will be  released on  March 8, 2011!

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American fans in Indiana, be  sure to catch The Chieftains , who will be appearing at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the IU Auditorium. These guys brought us decades of magical Irish music that are love by both old and new.

Originally founded in 1962 by Paddy Moloney, the band’s style  is grounded in traditional Irish instrumental music. From playing only  the fiddle, flute, tin whistle and bodhran, which gave the music a rustic and traditional sound, they incorporate world materials byt collaborating with artists like Loreena McKennitt, Sinead O’ Connor and MOya Brennan. More news in this link: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=80100

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Florida Welcomes Scythian

Gypsy grooves meets Celtic spirit, Cythian(sith-ee-yin) will set you on your feet with their brand of fusion mixing blue grass, and world styles. Yes the core is Celtic and these guys have their own punk humors to keep you amused. I love them and you should check them out as they perform live at Skipper’s Smoke House courtesy of WMNF88.5 FM.

Source :http://www.wmnf.org/events/scythian-plus-holy-ghost-tent-revival?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WmnfEvents+%28Upcoming+WMNF+Events%29

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With a voice darker than Sarah Brightman’s but with music more organic than Enigma or Era, Hayley Griffiths unleashes Silver Screen. The title will probably give an impression of covers but the press release has confirmed she adds her own trademark to the songs. Check her out with that sample video. What do you think?

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Hearing the Legend.

I stumbled upon Cape Breton’s fiddle legend Dan R MacDonald. Gives me shivers. More here: http://danrory.com/home.html