Cormac De Barra

Moya Brennan Has A New Single Plus My St Patrick’s Day Podcast.

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Great news about Moya Brennan! The first lady of Celtic Music(and the voice of Ireland) has just uploaded a new single via iTunes. It is called Erin Gra Mo Chroi (Ireland the Love of My Heart). I love it when she gives emphasis on the Irish Gaelic language in her songs.

Have you heard it already? Let me tell you what I think. Her voice sounds pristine in this song. Like the way she sounded in the early Clannad albums (circa the 70s). It is great to hear such a voice unadorned by technological armour which is so prevalent not just in pop music but also among her musical culture. That is how you sing with confidence! She is joined by the amazing harpist Cormac De Barra.Thank you Moya (and Cormac)for continuing to shower us with your artistic gifts! You can download Erin Gra Mo Chroi  via iTunes: id1092658199

Here’s my latest podcast for those who miss the kind of music I love to listen to:

Clannad’s Daughter Aisling Jarvis in the United States

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Feisty Irish singer/songwriter Aisling Jarvis is conquering the United States with her scheduled tours. She is performing either as a solo act or supporting her mom Moya Brennan. It’s only last year when she released her solo EP called Romeo and Juliet and now she is displaying that unbridled confidence playing live, and showcasing her strong voice.
Her music is very contemporary combining elements of pop, new folk and traditional Irish. You would think that this young artist would veer too far away from her Irish roots based on her punk influenced get-up and stage attitude. But she has proven that she can deliver her own fresh sound while still representing her Donegal roots.
As a sound Engineer, Aisling Jarvis introduced her own mixes adding a strong and upfront sound to Clannad’s new album Nadura. I think with her talents and amazing persona, she is going to travel far and wide, and set hearts on fire.

https://www.facebook.com/AislingJarvismusic

An Irish Christmas to Keep Us Floating

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Moya Brennan – Vocals, Harp, Keyboards
Paul Byrne – Drums, Bodhran, Timpani, Tubular Bells, PercussionMoya Brennan an Irish Christmas
Fionan De Barra – Guitars, Bouzouki, Keyboards, Vocals
Cormac De Barra – Harp, Vocals
Éamonn Galldubh – Uilleann Pipes, Whistles, Flute
Yoshinobi Izumi – Electric Bass
Sam Jackson – Piano, Keyboards
Sinéad Madden – Fiddle, Vocals
Frances Mitchell – Keyboards

Additional musicians

Máire Breatnach – Viola, Fiddle
Anthony Drennan – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Dobro
Úna Ní Chanainn – Cello
Tim Jarvis – Keyboards
Aisling and Paul Jarvis – Vocals on Oíche Chiúin

I can understand why some people get allergic to Christmas songs. It’s because these artists come up with the same old thing. And people get tired of it. I mean, I imagine those vocal acrobats that can make any reindeer suffer vertigo. Give me a break! This season is all about Christmas songs-of a different kind. And I think no better December it is than to celebrate  it with An Irish Christmas by Moya Brennan.

I love the way the Carol of the Bells was arrange to give that ‘suspense’ and haunting feel. Then the song explodes into choir and percussion-plus of course, Moya Brennan’s amazing harp. Some tracks are in Gaelic so it works for me. My favorite is Gabriel’s Message. It’s a track covered by such diverse artists as Sting but none had the impact as this arrangement of Moya Brennan has. This tune has a long history that goes all the way back to the Basque. Read the full history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel’s_Message

The reason something like this works again and again is due to the style. Celtic music styles will never go old. Because it is already old. Go figure 😉

This Christmas doesn’t promise us happiness.  Personally, I am dealing with few tragedies myself and I know some of you are too.But music is there to keep me afloat. I love this and will play this every year!

The Elemental Music of Karin Leitner

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Karin Leitner

Flutist and composer Karin Leitner has sound magic.

With her extensive studies in classical music, flutist Karin Leitner has mastered the tempo, dynamics and  expression of the instrument. She also plays the Irish tin whistle Susato Kildare model key C and Yamaha wooden flute. Whither she is playing the classical pop rendition of the theme from the Titanic, or rendering the chromatic beauty of some of her works, it is true that she leaves listeners enchanted and refreshed.

She already released evocative albums titled: Earthmagic, Seamagic and the upcoming Skymagic (June 21). Earthmagic has  received positive reviews from music critics. The album has 16 tracks. If  you are stressed out and in the mood for escapist tunes then just take out one of her CDs and you are off to go  with the destination of your choice.  Even if such journey is in your head. Seamagic has twelve tracks all water themes asopposed to the  Earth themes of Earthmagic. Her compositions are closer to the elements : Earth, Sea, Sky…go figure.

Her delivery is seamless as she slides from meno mosso to molto expressivo with the grace of a swan. You should check out her Theme from the Titanic video. She breathes new life into the wooden flute making the instrument sound the way we sing. I can hear traces of vibrato  the way a human voice does, until the diminuendo leaves listeners gasping for more.

For those who are hungry for classically inspired music with Celtic, orchestral or mystical influences then I am sure she has a hungry  market out there waiting to get her releases, all eight of them! Trivia: She is playing concerts with harpist Cormac de Barra-they recorded an album for Ireland’s Blue Book Music of Great Irish Houses.

EARTHMAGIC: http://www.amazon.com/Earthmagic-Karin-Leitner/dp/B0035ZWQKO/ref=sr_1_2_digr?ie=UTF8&qid=1370355058&sr=8-2
SEAMAGIC: http://www.amazon.com/Seamagic/dp/B0063PI3MS/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370355073&sr=301-1
SKYMAGIC will be out on 21st June.

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Huzzah!

Check out the album release launch of Moya Brennan and Cormac De Barra:

Grammy award winning musician, Moya Brennan, and internationally renowned harpist, Cormac De Barra, are set to release their brand new album titled ‘Affinity’ this June. The recording is the result of a merging of two of Ireland’s most acclaimed musical minds. Join the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/177927489035726/

Affinity: Moya Brennan and Cormac De Barra.

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Affinity cover highres

Track list for Affinity: 1. Intro (Suas Síos) 2. Sailing 3. The Lass of Aughrim 4. Worlds Collide 5. I Feel You Breathe 6. Crúiscín Lán 7. Captain O’Kane 8. Seoithín Seó 9. Stóirín Rua 10. When the Morning Breaks 11. Ardaigh Cuan 12. Suas Síos

This year marks the release of Affinity which is a product of musical collaboration between Clannad’s Moya Brennan and Corma De Barra. This project has been anticipated due to the build up of interest mostly brought about by their live shows. Listening to Affinity( 12 tracks plus on radio edit of the single Sailing), one can’t help but notice the musical chemistry between these two artists. It isn’t surprising considering the fact that they have worked together for years.

The album’s official single is Sailing. It’s a song originally done by Christopher Cross in the early 80s and now given a new life. With the harp replacing the piano as the song’s official and consistent hook, the two have preserved the rhythmic element of the original song but added an original sound and atmosphere  to it.

Sailing showcases Moya’s contralto range that was seldom highlighted during her years with Clannad(with the exception of Banba). I often marveled at the evolution of her voice. If you picked up Clannad’s 70s recordings you will notice the difference. In this decade, she often sang in the soprano range. Then came the 80s and the voice evolved with more depth and expression. It’s also during this time that she became known for her haunting style of singing: part airy and part traditional-in which she has been known to possess up to the  present.

The Lass of  Aughrim is a moving remake. If you haven’t seen movie version of The Dead where this song was performed then you better see it. I swear it’ll give you goosebumps as the implication of the song weighs heavily on your heart:

O don’t you remember
That night on yon lean hill
When we both met together
Which I am sorry now to tell

Moya has given this song new life while adding her sound signature. Worlds Collide is notable for its dynamic percussion arrangement. Actually the whole album is a showcase of percussive beauty. They are all over (I feel You Breath, Cruiscin Lan, Captain O’Kane, Storiin Rua, When the Morning Breaks and Suas Sios)    giving the songs their driving power yet toned down for a less intrusive effect.

Cormac DeBarra shines in Seothin Seo. His sean nos style of singing feels at home to his unique way of playing the harp. He also made amazing backing vocals to Worlds Collide.The merging of acoustic and electronic instruments is what fans of Clannad will love about this album. Focusing on the beauty of voices and harps, Affinity has achieved what few albums have achieved in this decade: A haunting, captivating and inspiring listening experience.

Affinty marks the continuation of the musical partnership which also includes Voices & Harps workshop in Donegal. This is their second album together. You can hear the music samples via : http://www.moyabrennan.com/ and http://www.voicesandharps.com/

Bio:

Moya Brennan and Cormac De Barra both come from large musical families in Ireland and their mutual admiration for each other naturally developed into a stimulating musical relationship.

Their new album, Voices & Harps, is the culmination of their friendship and creative synergy over the past decade. They combine the simplicity, depth and beauty of the extraordinary skills which make them unique in their own field.
The album and workshop unveils a new chapter in their partnership.

Grammy award winner, Moya Brennan is the singer of Clannad as well as having a successful solo career. She has sung on most of the world’s great stages and has collaborated with many notable artists including The Chieftains, Paul Brady and Bono. She is also part of the female traditional group, T with the Maggies.

Cormac De Barra is renowned internationally as a versatile harp virtuoso. He continually pushes the boundaries of the Irish harp through his work with a wide array of artists, including Hazel O’Connor, Julie Feeney and Clannad. Cormac also tours and records with his brothers Fionán and Éamonn in the family group, Barcó. Besides his busy performing schedule he regularly gives workshops and masterclasses around the world.

Press release:

MOYA BRENNAN and CORMAC DE BARRA

Release their brand new album ‘Affinity’ on June 7th 2013

 

NEW YORK:  Grammy award winning musician, Moya Brennan, and internationally renowned harpist, Cormac De Barra, are set to release their brand new album titled ‘Affinity’ this June.  The recording is the result of a merging of two of Ireland’s most acclaimed musical minds; both artists hail from highly respected Irish musical families and have successful careers in their own right.

Ms. Brennan has been admired around the world as the ‘Voice of Clannad’; she is the lead singer of that group since 1975, releasing 18 albums with them, including two with her world famous sister Enya. Simultaneously Moya has managed to parallel an incredible solo career, with 7 albums to her name. Overall her career to date includes over 20 albums, numerous film scores and performances with many great artists such as The Chieftains, Robert Plant, Shane MacGowan and Bono.

Cormac De Barra is renowned internationally as a versatile harp virtuoso. He has continuously pushed the boundaries of the Irish harp through his work and collaborations with an extensive range of artists including Hazel O’Connor, Julie Feeney and Clannad. He writes and records regularly with his family group Barcó and hosts master classes world-wide.

‘Affinity’ features Moya and Cormac trading talents on harps, vocals, keyboards and bodhrán backed by a host of incredibly talented musicians.  The record has been independently produced by the duo and mixed by John Reynolds (Sinead O’Connor, David Byrne, Peter Gabriel) and Tim Oliver (Robert Plant, New Order, Indigo Girls).

Christopher Cross’ mega hit, ‘Sailing’, is the lead single on the much-anticipated 12 track album.  Moya says about the song, “Sailing is part of the soundtrack of my youth. It was so exciting to interpret the song with our harps and vocal layers. We didn’t want to change it but I hope we bring freshness to a timeless classic.”  There are original tunes on the album including a number songs sung in Gaelic, the native Irish language.

Over the years Moya and Cormac’s reverence for one another has grown strong and they have forged a powerful musical relationship. The past decade has seen the musicians unite their creativity on several projects.  “I think that the fact that Cormac and I  understand Irish traditional music so well has given us a shared confidence to extend ourselves, push the boundaries and venture beyond our comfort zone”,  says Moya.  Along with their first collaborative album, ‘Voices and Harps’ in 2011, Moya and Cormac have joined forces to host an annual ‘Voices and Harps’ workshop in Ireland, which is geared towards those with a keen interest in combining singing with harp playing and is now in its third year.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Anita Daly, Daly Communications, anitadaly@yahoo.com / 212 772 0852

For online sales go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/affinity/id646136677 and for physcial cd :
Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/Affinity-Moya-Brennan/dp/B00CKAHY48

www.voicesandharps.com,  www.moyabrennan.com, www.cormacdebarra.com