Honorable mentions: Acoustic Bloom, Andrew Slim Black, Blair Dunlop, Celtic Twist, Dom Duff, Fiddlin’ Frenzy, Live Ireland, Marc Gunn,67 Music, Michael Curran, Song of the Isles, The Ryans Band.
Acoustic Bloom left irresistible clues that lead me to their lead singer Tom Bolger.
The Little Bug Band is a track by Irish band Acoustic Bloom. I describe the song as infectious on top of a nice animation. Their combines the tempo of traditional music along with sophisticated production techniques. The music is really addicting.Give it a listen. They are still recording tracks for an upcoming album so, not much info is available yet. However according to the band:
“Acoustic Bloom are an Irish band from Kilkenny, writing and recording our own original material. We are currently recording a number of tracks which we plan to upload over the coming months. In the meantime we hope you enjoy our first upload ‘The Little Bug Band’!
Acoustic Bloom is fronted by well known local singer/songwriter Tom Bolger. Tom has achieved much success as a solo artist and original tracks from his widely acclaimed album “The Wish” are available on his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/tombolgermusic.”
So who is Tom Bolger? I went ahead and checked his myspace page. Slide Over Hill is the first track I heard. Itmade me smile! Hey if Tom is the lead man on this band then we will expect more awesome tracks in the future. I won over! ” Slide over here, close your eyes, let me hold you tender hand, ease your mind”…Says the chorus. One Life is unapologetic pop rock that fans of Luka Bloom, Thin Lizzy and Hothouse Flowers will love.
What is consistent in his solo project is the emphasis of unobtrusive the string section. Never starts with the piano track, followed by one of the sweetest orchestration I heard in a ballad. Reminds me of Chris De Burgh. The vocal harmony is a killer! ” Never been so close, never been so deep , when I hold you in my arms, and watch you when you sleep.” It is a kind of song that even with its unabashed declaration of love, it still sounds so dignified.
Old and Grey is also nice to listen to. The Wish cements my impression of him as a fine vocalist. These tracks are all taken from his solo album The Wish. I wanted to find out more so I clicked the link to his official website http://www.tombolgermusic.com/
That’s a nice looking site. I also found his influences that made his compositions sound that way. I will paste this blurb: “Tom Bolger has a magic CD out called, “The Wish”. I believe Tom Bolger is a modern Neil Diamond-Gordon Lightfoot. Tom Bolger was always the most magnetic and magical of the many singers / musicians that I encountered in Ireland. I’m very glad that Tom has this album completed and available. Whenever I am homesick for the Emerald Isle I put on “The Wish” and I’m suddenly transported back to Ireland.”
– Kim Fowley American musician / producer / composer.
Ok, now I understand why Acoustic Bloom sounds like that. So I think the band is an extension of his artistry, a growth out of his usual sound. Not a bad idea. And although his solo project caters more to the country/easy listening audience, Acoustic Bloom is definitely Celtic.
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Young Fiddle Duet Fiddlin’ Frenzy
The young people are taking Celtic music by storm. I have no idea if this is because of the internet or parents exposing their kids to good music at an early age but whatever it is, it’s doing an awesome job. Fiddlin’ Frenzy is a pair of siblings from the west coast of Canada. I am browsing through reviews of their performance and they are really making a great impression!
The Celtic Twist Game starts now!
The Celtic Music Fan would like offer a free copy of Twist in the Tale to the winner of a competition which will start now. This is how it goes. All you need to do is find an answer to a question which in the animated picture blow. all you need to do is go to their official website http://www.wix.com/hollandandpalmley/celtictwist to look for the answer. A winner will be announced at the end of this month. Phil and Dave could send it directly to you with a short note of congratulations. How’s that? For those who are new to this album, here is the link to the review I did back in June 27 of 2012.
Huzzah!
Welcome to our everything goes column Huzzah. As I explained this term originated from a Jamie Smith’s Mabon track. And lead man Jamie Smith is our featured artist this week. Someone in our facebook page said “Pin Up Boy!” referring to the featured photo. By the way If you are not aware yet, I update the featured photo every week to mirror our featured artist. Back to the pin up comment, I often get across that compliment the featured artists. Well, I think it is amazing that mother nature has blessed our Celtic musicians with both talents and looks!
So what do we have today?
1.I was smiling hard when I got updates from twitter and email that Live Ireland featured one of my blog posts over there. Live Ireland happens to be the first site I created an account with because of the music and also because of the wonderful and supportive folks over there.
2. Marc Gunn posted this amazing article about Celtic Music where he explains important points, points I really agree with! If you are not aware yet, the Celt father has just released a new album called Not Every Day Is St. Patrick’s Day.
So those are two announcements I need to make. On the other hand I am glad that there is a site devoted to Celtic songs. I know we have jigs and reels but I noticed the depletion in the promotion of ballads.
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My awakening to Celtic music was with the ballads by Connie Dover, The Chieftains, Loreena McKennitt and even Enya(with her Gaelic songs). The others followed after. Song of the Isles continues to support this form of art and check out this new post featuring Julie Fowlis.
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Here is another discovery. The Ryans Band won 2 awards at the Irish music awards, there website is www.theryansirishband.co.uk and they are also on facebook. There is one song Let the People Sing that is available for streaming via their website. It is beautiful! Have a listen.
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67 Music owner Skot Cranmore invited me to join The Global Celtic Music Community via linked in and here is one info you might love to hear: A Celtic Music TV show is coming up soon. According to Skot: “67 Music begins production on a new Celtic Music TV/Video show in early 2013. We are seeking sponsors and advertisers now Global exposure and still save on your advertising budget! Email skot@67music.net for all details.” How’s that! Our community is really gearing for world domination 😉 And oh I have been getting skill endorsements for Sahara and Oona McOuat! If you haven’t yet, better join the Celtic music community via linked in because that is where the party is.
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Trad Irish musician Michael Curran who is part of Celtic Music Fan’s alumni posted this TV show on his facebook status yesterday. Along with that post is this message: “Great programme recorded back in the summer for Irish TV Showcase channel…skip to 50:40 for a wee cameo of myself and mighty man Vincent Griffin!!” he added: “You should be able to skip straight to it, but still loads of lovely music before that!!”
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Who is Blair Dunlop? Breton rocker Dom Duff is endorsing Blair’s new album Blight & Blossom
Blair acted in Charlie and chocolate factory (young Johnny Depp, Little Willy Wonka ) his father is the founding member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Albion Band .Very huge Celtic connection there. Now I am not sure if we can get Blair’s story through an interview here but I will keep you all posted. In the meantime enjoy the music and at the same time, I am going to listen to The Fairport Convention again!
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Explore the Barnanez cairn, the largest Megalithic mausoleum in Europe, lying at the top of a steeply sloping peninsula in the bay of Morlaix in the Finistère.
Speaking of Dom Duff, I got this amazing site about The Cairn of Barnenez. I check on the link he sent to me and it says it dates back to as early as 4,500 B.C. Info with pictures .
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Andrew “Slim” Black, the soulful Celtic singer who brought us the compelling Gallows Tree Tales just updated his facebook page. Have a listen to that album if you haven’t yet and I guarantee you will like it. You can get latest updates from this amazing singer/songwriter/producer via http://www.facebook.com/gallowstreetales
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Here is a fantastic upload from Barrule. This is an amazing Manx music educational tour, starring of course the artist of the week Jamie Smith and the rest of Barrule: A montage of video taken during a week’s tour of Scotland and Newcastle. Barrule visited Plockton High School, Benbecula, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Edinburgh University Highland Society and Newcastle University, performing and teaching Manx music to the students at the various courses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33sy2Ox8Ae0&feature=youtu.be
Prior to this video, I woke up to this wonderful view of Ogham Stone.
Top 5 albums I listen to this weeK
1. Banba by Clannad
2. If Ever I return by Connie Dover
3. Parallel Dreams by Loreena McKennitt
4. Foxlight by Iarla O’Lanaird
5. Windblown by Jamie Smith’s Mabon
Celtic Music Fan 