Enda Seery

Celtic Music Fan Podcast #5

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Last Saturday’s playlist is here. But due to unfortunate circumstance (the computer did not record my stream) I had to reconstruct the playlist track by track and in order that I played them. So it’s the still same. Only this time you can’t hear my voice.

Enda Seery-He is part of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and teaches weekly flute and whistles classes in Co. Westmeath. He has released two albums The Winding Clock and he is going to talk about the new one!The interview starts around 15:55.

Ballybrolly Jigs-Flook
Morning Nightcap-Lunasa
Lament-Fraser Fifield
Interview with Enda Seery
Sailing-Moya Brennan and Cormac DeBarra
All Around Town-The Rattling kind
A Winter’s Night-The Picts
Bantry Bay-Samuel Smith
Easter Lily-John Breen
The Black Mill-Irish Moutarde
Martyn’s Yellow Tea Pot by Nua
Beauty’s Daughters/Thy Name The Spriggans

Listen every Saturday 3 to 6 pm (with 1 hour auto dj) German time @www.radio-happy.com

“Síocháin na Tuaithe” by Enda Seery

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Artist: Enda Seery

Album: Síocháin na Tuaithe

Location: Streamstown, Co. Westmeath

Players:ENDA SEERY-Whistles, flute, keyboard, vocals. JOHN BYRNE-Guitar.

JAMES HUGHES-Fiddle. EOGHAN MACAOGÁIN-Whistle. TOM DELANY-Guitar.

Tracks:

  1. The Scholar/Sam’s Delight (ES)/The Night Owl Time (ES) Reels 4.02
  2. The Castle/The Nightingale Jigs 3.25
  3. Peggy in the Settle/Day Trip to Galway (ES) Single Reels 2.47
  4. It’s A Working Man I Am Song 5.12
  5. The Dairy (ES)/The Belfast Hornpipes 4.06
  6. Santa Cruz (ES)/Friends from the States (ES) Jigs 2.38
  7. Amhrán na Leabhar Slow Air 3.03
  8. An Bhfuil an Fear Mór Istigh? Set Dance, Slip Jig 2.39
  9. The Golden Keyboard/John Blessing’s/The Highlandman Who Kissed HisGranny Reels 3.23
  10. My Aunt Jane/The Gullane/The Rambling Sailor Polkas 3.42
  11. Jearóid/You Rogue You Daren’t Meddle Me Slow Reel, Reel 3.02
  12. The Killeigh/Langton’s of Kilkenny (ES) Hornpipes 3.20
  13. Loving Hannah Song 4.28
  14. Tatter Jack Walsh/An Luradán/The Hag With The Money Jigs 3.31
  15. Síocháin na Tuaithe (ES)/Ralph’s Paw (ES) Slow Waltz, Jig 3.23
  16. Larry’s Favourite/The Floating Crowbar/The Chicago Reels 4.51

Close your eyes when you listen to this album. I think “Síocháin na Tuaithe” accomplished what it intends. Like its cover art, the album has this languid, pastoral and unhurried atmosphere. For someone who monitored his career for more than two years, I can say that Enda Seery has been known as a musician of delicacy and elegance through giving emphasis on the beauty of a single note. And because of this, his album has attained a peculiar atmosphere that calls to mind recordings from Altan, Lunasa and on his vocal tracks that of Anuna. It is this love for the beauty of notes that make  Síocháin na Tuaithe a rewarding experience.

The album has 16 tracks. Two of which are recorded with his own vocals. This is also the first time that he explored the idea of recording his singing voice although he’ d been singing for years. The album’s varying tempo of each track plus the great number of songs is enough to quench your thirst for the music of the tin whistle. Very appropriate because it took him two and a half years to release. Nine of these sixteen tracks are composed by Enda. Including Sam’s Delight a reel recently recorded by button accordion player Colin Nea on his album Between the Jig and the Reels. It’s also the opening track of Síocháin na Tuaithe.

The tracks are arranged in a way that feels like a thread is running through the album. Everything feels right and how they fit in the order of the tracks. There is a strong balance all over Síocháin na Tuaithe. As arrangements are never repeated in the order. For example, after the sweet high tune of the tin whistle is The Castle which is dominated by fiddle and flute. After that, another arrangement and so on. The Working Man is a vocal track which reminds me of the  Nightnoise ballads. The same goes for Loving Hannah. Enda Seery possesses a beautiful voice in the style of the late Mícheál Ó Domhnaill.

Síocháin na Tuaithe promises to appeal to many listeners both of the New Age and Traditional kind. It’s a kind of album that will gain more brilliance with years. And perhaps be rediscovered and shared again and again.

Buy Síocháin na Tuaithe  here: http://www.endaseery.com/

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Huzzah!

Let me plug a friend’s book here. She’s Kerry Brennan from the Celtic East Coast of Canada. Under  Northern Stars is a collection of her poems.

Kerry Brennan

Click to preview

Artist of the week Alan Cooke uploaded this fascinating audio. This is about his upcoming book Spirit of Ireland Book – An Odyssey Home. I think it is a beautiful work in itself which can stand on its own even though it is a promo for the book. This is  a prose about Ireland.

http://youtu.be/jyBCPyYCNWA

A beautiful new memoir by Emmy winning Irish Writer Alan Cooke. He takes you on a journey back to his homeland. Back to the spirits, the landscape, the pain, the beauty and the majesty of Ireland. Coming soon as an Ebook and Hard copy all over the world. For more information go to www.wildirishpoet.com

Kevin O'Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell

Here is the 6th and the last part of the Kevin O’Donnell teaser:

Preview

Prior to the release, preview the song “Factory Girl”, keep informed on the album and release events, and, beginning May 3rd, purchase your copy of DEEP IS THE WELL on the web at www.deepisthewell.com.

For more information, promo requests, or to set up an interview, please contact:

Noah Smulkis

Ceolwind Productions

PO Box 5489, Evanston, IL 60204

promotions@ceolwind.com

708-363-6616

Here’s the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/168806033277199/

For those who love Cornwall, you got to see the Minack Theatre. It is a fascinating venue on a scenic spot. As they say, you have never been to Cornwall if you haven’t been to the Minack Theatre. Thanks fo my friend UrbanKelt for posting this link.

The Minack Theatre is Cornwall’s world famous open-air theatre, carved into the granite cliff overlooking the spectacular panorama of Porthcurno Bay. It’s a must-visit for drama, musicals and opera in the most dramatic of settings.

Publisher: Visit Cornwall http://www.visitcornwall.com/
Producer: Sideways Collective http://www.visitcornwall.com/
Music: Bhopali
Artist: Van Maximillan Carlson
Source: Sideways Collective

Enda Seery: the “Síocháin na Tuaithe” Interview

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Recording for Síocháin na Tuaithe

Recording for Síocháin na Tuaithe: Black Rose Studio

Enda Seery(Éanna Ó Saoraí) is releasing his sophomore album Síocháin na Tuaithe which means Peace of the Countryside in English. The album is traditional but with added ingredients that incorporate a bigger “Celtic” sound. We can take this interview as a sort of a closer look into the process of creating an album. And there are many challenges when one is doing it independently. So it is quite interesting to learn something from someone who spent a great deal of time polishing the album and working with the best musicians in the field.

Your new album is going to be released this April. Are you nervous, happy…excited?

I suppose I’m nervous, happy, excited all of those. In all honesty, I’m very satisfied with how the album turned out. It’s a much more varied and detailed album than the first album “The Winding Clock”. I’m a little bit nervous of how people will react to my vocals and flute playing but I think if one wasn’t nervous there would be something wrong! I’m really excited about the launches that will take place around Ireland with three planned and maybe one more.

You laboured with the tracks for months. You even sang vocals. What are other new things that listeners can expect on Peace of the Countryside?

Yes I did labor with the tracks for months. I like to get things right and the way I want it. As I stated “Síocháin na Tuaithe” is a little different than “The Winding Clock” whistle album. As well as the vocal tracks, listeners can expect flute tracks too. Also there are some duet tracks on the album. One track is a flute/fiddle duet with myself and James Hughes from Co. Offaly and another is a whistle duet with myself and Eoghan MacAogáin from Limerick accompanied by Tom Delany on guitar with a French/Irish family background.

What were the challenges in conceiving the second album that was not present in the first?

Well the challenges were taking the feedback on board from the first album and trying to put them in place for the second. I took the constructive criticism on board with the duet tracks, flute tracks and vocal tracks. Not to sound big-headed, but my repertoire of tunes has greatly increased in the last few years, so it was a major challenge trying to pick out suitable tunes for certain tracks. I got some brilliant tunes on the Masters course in Traditional Irish Music Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.

 Any expectation upon the release?

My expectations would be higher this time round. I’m now a full-time traditional Irish musician, composer and teacher so as I said in the sleeve notes introduction, “music is now my life”. That’s why I’m a having a mini-tour of launches this summer. I want to promote the album to as wide an audience as possible. I also have the expectation and hope that my compositions will gain further recognition. I love composing and I especially love mixing my own tunes with older tunes and other recent compositions of others.

What are the memorable moments in the studio working with other artists in this one?

Yeh a few funny and happy memories alright. As well as recording most of the album again with Rob Laird at Black Rose Studios, Kilcock, Co. Kildare, I also recorded two tracks at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. I had great fun recording with James Hughes, Eoghan MacAogáin and Tom Delany. James and I were surprised how well the flute/fiddle track came out considering we had been out late the night before! We also had a quite unusual set-up for the microphones in the studio which I won’t go into too much detail about!I enjoyed working with John Byrne on guitar again. He was calling me “one take Seery” after getting a recording take in one go! Some really accomplished and intricate guitar playing from John on the album.

What instruments and brands did you use in recording Peace of the Countryside?

Well I rarely record and perform without my trusted John Sindt whistles these days. I absolutely love them. I have four: D, Eb, C, Bb. They are really hard to get with the long waiting list so I consider myself lucky to have them. I play a Martin Doyle D flute on the album along with a Yamaha keyboard.

Why the title?

The title “Síocháin na Tuaithe” (Peace of the Countryside) is a reference and celebration of the beautiful countryside of Ireland, particularly that of Co. Westmeath where I live. It is also the title of a slow waltz I composed last year which is on the album. I was delighted to play the tune at my brother Ciarán’s wedding to Margaret last July. I am a fluent Irish speaker so Ireland’s language, culture and heritage, is very important to me. I like to name some of compositions in the Irish (Gaeilge) language.

What’s the list of things you will be doing this year in promoting the album?

As I already stated I will be having three launches, one in my home county of Westmeath on April 26th in Áras an Mhuilinn, Mullingar. Another launch will take place at the Fleadh Nua festival in Ennis, Co. Clare on May 25th or May 26th. In August, I will be having a launch at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Derry, Northern Ireland. The venues and times of the launches in Ennis and Derry will be confirmed soon. In July, the new album will feature as part of the Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim where I will be teaching an advanced whistle class for the week. Irish Music Magazine will have a feature article and interview with me during the summer too. Finally, tracks from the album will hopefully get some air play on radio stations in Ireland and abroad too.

After the completion of “Síocháin na Tuaithe” , what have you learned so far in the whole experience. What thought would you impart to readers who are trying to gather materials for their own solo albums?

I have learned that variety is important. You have to try broaden the horizon a bit. My experience in Limerick has certainly broadened my mind and outlook on music a bit. I am still very much into pure trad music but I now am open to variety. There is a wide range of material on this new album, ranging from the regular jigs, reels, hornpipes to polkas, slip jigs, slow pieces and of course the songs! My advice is those trying to gather material for new albums is to take time and do it right. No point rushing it just for the sake of releasing an album.

Where can we buy “Síocháin na Tuaithe” ?

At the moment “Síocháin na Tuaithe” is only available directly from my website at www.endaseery.com. Go to the buy albums link. After the release on April 1st, the album will be available from the regular distribution outlets for traditional Irish music which I’m working on at the moment. Of course people in Ireland can buy the album also by going to the launches too!

Video:

Síocháin na Tuaithe

Síocháin na Tuaithe ..fresh ready for delivery.

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Huzzah!

Yes we are up to date with our artist of the week. Yes that’s Enda Seery above. A review of  Síocháin na Tuaithe will be out soon but I feel that doing an interview is a great intro to his album.  So what do we have on the menu? I will tell you:

Welsh musician Derek Smith recommended Ta Fechu from Chile. According to him: ” I had the privilege of meeting Ta Fechu from Chile at Lorient in 2011. They’re great people and they deserve to be heard.” Here is the video of the song called Añoranza. You got to admire the sound of pipes in this track. I also love the use of Latin flavour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz9c5aSvQ3s&feature=share

Deep Is The Well

Deep Is The Well

Here is the second part of our teaser for the Kevin O’Donnell upcoming release

More Than an Album

As the acclaimed author of Fadó: A Memoir of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,Kevin is known as more than a singer-songwriter but also an author and historian. DEEP IS THE WELL is a work of historical fiction drawing extensively from real-life events. Kevin has penned a novel-worthy history of the Fagan family, from 1837 through today, steeped in a real American past.

Upon purchase of the album, we invite you unlock interactive multimedia content at www.deepisthewell.com. From there, as you listen to the album you can become acquainted with each of the songs’ characters as you read their complex backstories , view their family photographs, and explore their family tree. Watch videos, listen to the author read a chapter from his book, Fadó, download a bootleg bonus track, and gain access to the lyrics, chords, and the author’s personal notes from the album. Those curious about the evolution of writing and recording a song, from the first lilt of the melody to the last day in the studio, will be especially interested in a short documentary on the making of one of Kevin’s most intriguing songs.

Calum Stewart

Calum Stewart

Here is something from Calum Stewart:

North by East – Featuring Gareth Davies-Jones . Short video recorded during album launch in Newcastle. Short cameo by the beau gosse Heikki Bourgault. More information here:www.garethdavies-jones.com

Here is the video of Calum and Gareth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2N6HwXmY2c

Dave Rooney

Dave Rooney

Check out this Dave Rooney promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ncEE2Pxog&feature=share

It is concerning the Dave Rooney and Dave Browne, The Dream tour 2013. More info at : http://www.daverooneymusic.com
http://www.cobblestonesam.com

Siobhán Armstrong

Siobhán Armstrong

If you love harp music check out this upcoming special Galway performance hosted by Galway Early Music, the Historical Harp Society of Ireland and others.

Here’s what it says:

Thursday, 21 March 2013, 5.00pm
NUI, Galway, Galway
March 21 is the first European Day of Early Music, and under the aegis of the European Early Music Network (REMA), events happening all over Europe are being live-streamed via U-Sophia.com. Galway Early Music takes this opportunity to introduce all of Europe to Ireland’s medieval harp and its music in a live-streamed talk and concert by historical harpist Siobhán Armstrong. So, even if you can’t make it to the Moore Institute, NUI Galway, you can watch this event live via U-Sophia.com. Siobhan will start with a short talk on the construction of the instrument and the sources for its music. This will be followed by a concert, with an opportunity for questions and answers at the end. The event is organised by Galway Early Music in co-operation with the M.A. Medieval Studies, NUI Galway, and the Historical Harp Society of Ireland.
​​​​ ​Strathclyde-based Celtic duo Celtic Twist

​​​​ ​Strathclyde-based Celtic duo Celtic Twist

The duo of Phil Holland: Clarsach (Irish Harp,Celtic Harp), Fiddle, Vocals and Dave Palmley: Guitar, Vocals have their website redesigned to give you more access to graphics and music. Have a listen and also check the goodies in their music store. Support your independent Celtic musicians.http://hollandandpalmley.wix.com/html_celtictwist

Gladstone Theatre

Gladstone Theatre

Want to know how’s the Irish music scene doing in Ottawa Canada? Please join Irish Music Ottawa: http://www.facebook.com/groups/172682729446933/

Ok that’s it folks. If I miss anything the next edition is this Friday. Take care 🙂

Siobhán Armstrong

St. Bridget’s Weekend Trivia and Celtic Album Giveaway

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Featuring: Caliorne from France, Holland and Palmley podcast, Peace of the Countryside and more useful links below. Be sure to check.

Happy St. Brigid’s Festival everyone. We have a great weekend filled with music news from our musician friends all over the world. What’s on the menu? We have a transcript of a conversation I had with Dave Palmley of the Holland and Palmley dou. We have an album artwork preview of Trad whistle/flute player Enda Seery. Then I want to introduce you to a French band playing Celtic rock music that is fascinating

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as it is beautiful!

Celtic Twist Podcast and album giveaway.

Ok first on the line:I had an energetic  discussion with Dave Palmley of the Holland- Palmley duo (also known as Celtic Twist ) regarding their guest appearance at the Celtic Music Radio. I have heard of their studio and youtube uploads but I haven’t heard them in a natural environment which includes being interviewed by a DJ and also playing impromptu. This news about their recent radio gig was a pleasant surprise and I asked Dave about it. For those who are curious about this show, here’s the link: http://podcast.canstream.co.uk/celticmusic/index.php?id=8176

Dave: Just got back from Glasgow where we were playing a live session on Celtic Music Radio for Celtic Connections…if you missed it live but want to hear it anyway you can catch up later by clicking on this link! It’s the second “Live from Celtic Connections Friday 1 February” that you see on the page…there’s an announcement and one song before our set starts

Baxter:Listening to your segment now. You both sound good.

The guys from the radio were really nice!

I am listening to the first track you played live. Phil  has a nice  speaking voice. Dave you have a wonderful accent too.

The Lancashire! Phil’s voice is, after years spent travelling, a sort of generic British with hints of God only knows.

She sounds almost American!

Yikes really? Crikey!

Yes very pleasant. Sometimes she sounds Irish.Hard to tell at times

Actually Baxter, when Phil played in America in the 80s she was made an honorary citizen of the town of Towanda Pennsylvania and she did perform for president Reagan on the White House lawn (but she tries to keep very quiet about that).

OH wow that is a nice trivia! Great to hear that. This proves to be a great show with both of you.

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!

Now I hear Phil singing. Unbelievable. She has this natural audio mixed in her throat!

Thanks! She was worried that she sounded terrible…she’ll be glad to hear your words of encouragement.

At first I thought it wasn’t live because it sounded so pristine. The microphone loves her.

We’re hoping that a few people will hear it and want to join us here on Facebook…

Well this is a fantastic show. First time for me to hear you both speak live and perform live as well. You should do more radio guesting.

Thank you…we may well do that!!! we were a bit nervous but now we’ve tried it we’ll be fine to do it again.

You had an amazing debut and I don’t notice signs of nervousness! In fact you both sound like you have been doing this for a long time. Very natural.

Good to hear that! We will be popping off now for a walk down to the castle with Moony the dog…maybe we’ll see you later!

Cool. I will continue listening. Phil is explaining about the The Wild Geese . See ya!

See ya

The Celtic Music Fan would  like offer a free copy of Twist in the Tale to the winner of a competition which will start next week. This is how it goes. All you need to do is find an answer to a question which will be asked at the end of an article. This will take place next week. I will present a question and 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.

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Enda Seery album coming soon. Album artwork revealed.

Somewhere late December, Irish instrumentalist Enda Seery announced that he is working on a new album. If you remember in my previous article, I mentioned about the new tracks and also the fact that in this sophomore album, he will be singing for the first time. IT is quite a bold step for someone who has started his niche as a player of tin whistle. But I think this is eventually something he would be doing. As an English and Irish teacher, he has been using his vocal capabilities and singing is just another logical step. The album is doing fine .

You can read all about it here: http://tradconnect.com/profiles/blogs/the-road-to-my-second-solo-album-blog-5-by-enda-seery

Gallery:Recording for Síocháin na Tuaithe, Black Rose Studio

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Caliorne – Celtic rock band from France‏

Members: Daniel – Batterie
François – Cornemuses, Veuzes, Binious & Clarinette diatonique
Hugues – Guitare électro-acoustique 12 cordes
Kevin – Guitare électrique
Olivier – Clavier & Bombarde
Patrick – Basse

Genre: Rock celtique, Celtic Rock, Fest-Noz

Here is an amazing band from France fusing rock and traditional music. The result is an electrifying blend of soaring melodies focusing on the beauty of the bagpipes. There is one track that I heard for the first time the notes being bent. Francois the piper really knows the capabilities of the instrument and making sure it is showcased to the fullest. There is that familiar Breton beat all over and also the melancholic flavour that is typical of Breton music. However these are balanced by the electrifying arrangement and fusion of mainstream rock styles.

More about them here:

Gallery

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More links

Just talked to John Ryan via linked in. Linked in is amazing in bringing people together who have common interests. Anyway I am listening to samples of The Dublin City Ramblers and they make good sounding music! Have a sample:)
http://www.dublincityramblers.com/ This is the fb band page to those who are curious http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dublin-City-Ramblers-Fan-Page/223644963693

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Sharing the page of one of Celtic Music Fan’s interview alumni and featured artist Andrew “Slim” Black 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/gallowstreetales

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From Paddy Ryan : Don’t know if you heard of them, but the Ryans Band won two awards at the Irish music awards, there website is www.theryansirishband.co.uk and they are also on facebook.

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Attention: Celtic musicians in Indianapolis, Craig Stonebraker of Murphy’s Steakhouse looking for entertainers on march 16th for St pats celebration. Venues: murphys steakhouse & murphys pubhouse Fishers & Indianapolis In.Phone: 317-545-3707
Fax: 317-545-3766 Email: craig@murphyssteakhouse.com http://www.murphyssteakhouse.com/

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Irish Music Group via Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=709717&trk=anet_ug_hm

This is an amazing group I found in linked in. For months my linkedin was really boring until I found people in my niche. And this is one energetic group right now. I encourage you to join. I met new friends there including Skot Cranmore of 67 Music!

A Look into the Future, A Nod into the Past (Including two Interviews)

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Celtic music…what do you think will happen and how social networking can influence your ways of getting heard.

Featuring: interviews with Enda Seery and Calum Stewart. Featured performances: Enda Seery, Calum STEWART & Heikki BOURGAULT, bands and a documentary.

As 2012 draws to a close, 2013 promises to be more exciting with the arrival of new albums. There are new bands out there who will probably reach our awareness next year. But these young people are fierce. They are armed with both the musical knowledge and tech savvy necessary in getting their music heard.

With technology  you have the power to make anything possible. But one must be aware that competition is all around. This is due to the sheer volume of music being released day after day. You  have to work twice as hard than before. There are musicians who became  friends and I  found that without being ‘involved’ socially then nothing can really come out of one’s effort.

Whither we like it or not, music is a social activity. You don’t write music for your own personal enjoyment. Whoever argues with this please raise your hand. Because I don’t believe in such a thing. Artists write music to be heard. If you think otherwise then you have to ask yourself if you are in the right business. With that said let me get into the main course which is of course music.

Enda Seery and A New Album Next Year

Enda Seery is working on a second album which will be released next year. I am looking forward to it because I love the way he plays. He has that style of playing that is hard to find these days. I’ve had many pleasures interviewing and featuring his works. Right now, he is busy doing interactive teaching. He is also working on other projects. His cousin Colin Nea also  released and album this year and he is  supporting the album.  I got questions about his new album. He answers them as best as he can. But before that, take a listen to this track!

An Luradán/Santa Cruz/Only for Barney (Jigs)
Final Performance for Masters in Traditional Irish Music Performance
Enda Seery-Sindt D whistle
Tom Delany-guitar
An Luradán composed by Junior Crehan
Santa Cruz composed by Enda Seery
Only for Barney composed by Josephine Keegan
Recorded live at Theatre at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, September 11th 2012
Recording Engineer: Niall Keegan

Here is another version of the track above without the talking in the intro. For those who just like the music.  In my case I like them all. Just saying 😉

Enda Seery talks about the upcoming album

How’s the second album doing?

Second album is coming along quite well. This is a big release for me with two years and a bit since The Winding Clock release and music being more or less my career now. Recording is finished. At the mixing and editing stage now and all the other details that come with releasing an album. Check out my blogs on tradconnect. Oh by the way, the album will be called ‘Síocháin na Tuaithe’ (Peace of the Countryside)!

You will be doing vocals in two of these tracks. This will be the first time I will hear you sing. Were you nervous?

Not that nervous to be honest but I suppose a little. I have been singing a while since being in my family’s céilí and pub band we had many years ago. I enjoyed recording the vocals in studio but singing live will be a different matter altogether! I spend so much time composing and researching other instrumental and dance tunes that I forget about looking for songs so this will have to change.

 What can we expect on the second album?

Well more of my compositions will be included. Nearly 10 in total between jigs, reels, hornpipes and slow pieces. A good bit of material and new tunes was got from my time on the Masters in Trad Performance course at University of Limerick. I had an absolutely brilliant year there. Also some duet and trio tracks will be on the new album with some great musicians I met in Limerick. I have expanded the repertoire on this album too as to not focus entirely on jigs and reels. I suppose the big change will be the songs and also the flute tracks along with my regular whistle playing tracks.

Ahoy! can’t wait to get my hands on that new album next year!

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Calum STEWART & Heikki BOURGAULT – “L’heure avant l’Aube”

I had a pleasure putting Calum Stewart as part of my featured artist of the week. It is also amazing to see his project with Breton artist Heikki Bourgault take off. Calum drops by for a little chat about the video. Cool guy. But before reading that, check this video out.

Published on Dec 18, 2012

“L’heure avant l’Aube”

trad / Calum Stewart – arrangements Calum Stewart & Heikki Bourgault

http://www.calumheikki.com

Calum talks about the video:

Can you tell us the whole experience making this video?

We recorded this video in an amazing venue, called Amzer Nevez: Near Lorient, in Brittany. It’s a venue strongly associated with Breton music, and the promotion of the Breton language, dance and song.

Can you give us a little background about this track?

The track is a set of 2 reels. The first I picked up while in Belfast, Ireland. It’s normally played a little more layed back than the way we do it: but we like this groove with the 2nd reel. The 2nd was written at 4.30am during the amazing Shetland Folk Festival: “L’heure avant l’haube” (The hour before dawn)!

What’s upcoming for Calum STEWART & Heikki BOURGAULT this 2013?

2012 has been a really busy year for the duo, and we’ll keep things moving in 2013. We are working on an album release for late 2013, which features a new repertoire. It’s always great to move onto new ground and keep things fresh!

Hmm late 2013 seems like a long time when you think about the sheer artistry of these two! But yes let us enjoy the current repertoire and let the music enrich our souls.

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Featured trad video:The Steeple Session withConal Ó Grada, Dave Sheridan, Benny McCarthy and Colm Murphy

A nod to the past:

These songs appeared in my facebook status after fever hit me. I was getting all nostalgic and these bands and artists popped in my head . I realized that they are like anchor to the new bands I feature week after week and it is always great to look back and realize how music has evolved through the years.

Originating from Argyll, a region of western Scotland it’s Capercaillie with Waiting For The Wheel To Turn from LP Delirium (1991)
Karen Matheson — Vocals
Charlie McKerron — Fiddle
Manus Lunny — Bouzouki, guitar
Michael McGoldrick — Flute, whistle, Uilleann pipes
Donald Shaw — Keyboards, accordion
Ewen Vernal — Bass
Che Beresford — Drums
David “Chimp” Robertson — Percussion

“Coisich, A Rùin (Come On, My Love)”actually made it to the UK top 40 …lyrics in Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)

I still listen to ” Hi How Are You Today” by Cape Breton artist Ashley MacIsaac.In this track he is joined by Mary Jane Lammond singing in Cape Breton Gaelic. One of the reasons why I want to see the East Coast of Canada one day.

From Brittany…beautiful place fin the North west of France ..The father of Celtic harp music Alan Stivell.

Also from Brittany Cecile Corbel. At 18, she went to Paris to study archeology, still dreaming of music. Concert after concert in Parisian pubs and cafes, she self-produced her album Songbook 1, soon noticed by the label Keltia Musique (Sinead O’Connor, Loreena McKennit).

From Manitoba Canada, Loreena McKennitt studied to be a veterinarian but Celtic music took her away.

And…last Clannad and Bono of U2: From the album Macalla which is Irish Gaelic for Echo. I think this is really cool in a sense that it’s the first time fans of New Wave music and Irish music got together in the mid 80s to cheer for this amazing song.

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Irish Folk Music Revival – Documentary (90mins)

I took down notes while watching this documentary. For those who think it is long, I list down the names of speakers and artists who appeared in chronological order…These  are very familiar names that are in this documentary:

Ronnie Drew speaks(he appears all over), Bob Geldof(he also appears all throughout) the voice of Eamon Devalera, writer John Waters, Martin Hayes (also appearing many times),Paddy Moloney,….. watch the part around 7:15 ,Willie Clancy,Anne Briggs,Johnny Moynihan,Philip Chevron of the Pogues,Teada,Eamon Carr of Horslips,
writers:Brendan Behan appears with Patrick Kavanaghand Flann O’Brien, Paddy Glackin,The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem…

Sean Limmas, writer Joe Kennedy, The Dubliners, Christy Moore,Pecker Dunne,Sean O’Riada who added the orchestral movement to trad music in the mid 60s…
Johnny Moynihan, Donal Lunny and around 1968, the Troubles.
Terry Woods ofSweeney’s Men,Andy Irvine..this is the period when the bouzouki was introduced in Irish music….
Planxty, journalist Peter Lennon, ..the 70s was sweeped by the Planxty phenomenon, then Horslips happened in the mid 70s, Thin Lizzy followed, Then The Chieftains, Clannad, DeDannan and the rest…The Bothy Band took where Planxty left off, Paddy Glackin..
The 80s where irish music became prominent brought by the popularity The Boomtown Rats, U2 etc.
The Pogues, Neil Hannon of The Devine Comedy comments,the difference being London Irish and Irish Irish, Kristy Mccoll,
Then..the birth of Celtic Music spearheaded by Clannad through the evolution of their sound in the mid 80s…oh goosebumps!Maire Brennan appears in a clip. Also the lil bit about the Brennans.

Then came the 90s happened with sound clip from Sinead O’Connor,Mary Black, The Sharron Shannon Band,the rise of Irish women!

In the 2000s with Michael Flatley, Riverdance, Damien Dempsey the documentary closes with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill playing a tune.

http://youtu.be/39D0J8SzQMA

I hope you enjoyed this post as I did writing it..even during my fever. I am working on another interview article and more music.