A blog featuring John Breen, Fraser Fifield and TradConnect
It is great to realize that soundcloud has grown into a site where musicians and listeners can interact and repost music. Have you been reposting the music you heard too? I have been doing this today. I have not uploaded my podcast in soundcloud as I use mixcloud for that. But soundcloud is still the biggest site where you can reach many people.
From a mere(passive)listener of tracks you can actually make a difference by reposting. So you don’t have to be a blogger to influence people if you have a soundcloud account. Just share what you are listening to and the Internet will take care of the rest.
When bloggers like us experience a downtime in traffic and comments, we launch into conclusion that perhaps we have done something wrong to put our readers off. Maybe we are not doing good enough and that is why readers are going somewhere. Well, the truth is, you are wrong. For niche bloggers like me, it is expected that I will get specialized subscribers who are really passionate about Celtic music. I don’t expect pop listeners to check out what I post. This goes with other niche blogs out there.
Too many choices.
As new bloggers crop up everywhere, competition becomes deadly. The market is no longer dominated by those who are ‘stalwarts’ in this industry. Prepare for that. When you are doing video blogs or simply writing blogs, don’t be discouraged when you have lost view counts. This is normal. It happens to everyone. It’s even happening to Tech vlogger Chris Pirillo.
Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Are you afraid that if you do something different you will turn certain subscribers off? Don’t be. In fact it might be a good thing. Blogging is like marriage. There are times when a relationship hits plateau and you need to do something different to spice the relationship up.
Going back to soundcloud, I have discovered new posts today and I am sharing them with you. Yes this post is after all about soundclous. But if you get something helpful from by detour then good!
John Breen’s Compilation
I enjoyed many songs from John Breen. There is this simplicity in his way of delivering songs. Expect a range of songs going from simple to grand treatments. This time he compiled his own soundcloud playlist of what he thinks are his top artists.
Fraser Fifield Playlist
Here’s the Scottish master of eclecticism. This is a good introduction to what his music is all about. There are other amazing talents that share the spotlight with him, in these recordings.
TradConnect playlist:
If you are looking for something purely trad then this is the best site for that.
October 5 is the opening night for the music festival that has become an establishment . Her new albums is called ” Cape Breton Girl”. Are you going?
Here’s the festival headline:
No one found it surprising when Natalie MacMaster called her latest album “Cape Breton Girl”. Tonight everyone’s favourite Cape Breton girl is home to open the festival and share her beloved island with friends from other islands and provinces…from Shetland the amazing fiddle band Fiddlers’ Bid, from Jamaica Pepito Pinto, Metis dancers the Asham Stompers from Manitoba and close buddies Rachel and Sabin from Quebec. Rachel is actually from Cheticamp, so she, along with Goiridh and Cyril will complete the Cape Breton musical welcoming committee. Be prepared for surprises!
Hello Celtic Music Fans. Another week of musical discovery is here. Sue Aston is now available in Bandcamp. Those who don’t have her albums yet can listen to sample tracks. Let the healing melody wrap all over you. The title reminds one of Cornwall’s beautiful beaches.Soon it is summer. What a great time to go surfing over there.I was listening to this track again and again today. I am being reminded that there is truth that certain type of music has a calming effect on troubled hearts.
Interesting Article about Breton Musician Dom Duff:
The latest addition to Celtic Music fan’s people that make the Celtic world go round. Hamish Burgess is a graphic artist based in the island of Maui Hawaii. His works are amazing and I can look at them for hours and feel totally relaxed and happy. Here’s a little blurb about his profile:
Hamish Douglas Burgess is an artist living on the island of Maui, in the Hawaiian Islands. He continues the ancient practice with his own Celtic art, traditional and modern. Coming from Celtic stock (Scottish), and living for many years in a Celtic area of Britain (Cornwall), he has a love of Celtic art and music instilled in him, producing Celtic artwork in different media, photography from the Celtic Lands, and playing the bagpipes – he also holds the Hawaii State tattoo artist license. He regularly spends time in the ancient Celtic areas of Britain, Ireland and Europe, studying ancient works of Celtic art, and visiting other artists. Recent works have included album covers, book illustrations, commissioned pieces, original celtic tattoos, temporary celtic tattoos and even an entire car!
Gem from 2011: Michael Cooney Pat Egan Uilleann Pipes and Guitar 2011(Thanks to Beebee Simmons)
Two instruments that work together. The mellifluous sound of the uilleann pipes can work well with the acoustic guitar. It is great to see the two instruments make a perfect tandem. Blurb:
Two of our favorite musicians in the world. Pat Egan and Michael Cooney. Philly House Concert…. Foxhunters is the reel… Thanks so much to Bette and Bob for hosting this concert!!!!
A Dose of Irish Traditional Music: The Shannon Family(Thanks to Beebee Simmons).
Traditional Irish music is fun to be heard as to be seen. You can just see and hear the passion there…and makes you pasisonate to do something too..like in my case write!
The She Amigos
They’ve got the funk, the grit and the free spirited music.Linda Welby, Dee Brown and Regina McDermott, collectively known as “The She Amigos”. They are three awesome women from Ireland. Learn more about them here: www.irishcountrymusicradio.com
Justus and Law – LIVE at the Gumboot Cafe – Dec 22, 2011
They are based in based in British Columbia. There is something about Canadian Celtic musicians…they add a fresh touch to traditional sounds. I love the fine way these guys play the instruments. So much passion and beauty. Please check the project
Been working like a rocket for the past few weeks now. But I will never ever miss this day which is like Christmas. This is the part of the year where everyone becomes Irish and everyone just love being green! I’ve seen films dedicated to this man and they all have different versions to tell. I discovered him after getting a copy of The Celts by Enya. In the liner notes it says:
The son of a Roman official, Patrick was captured by a raiding party of Celts when a boy, and spent six years in captivity. He escaped, became a priest and returned to Ireland. According to legend it is St. Patrick who is responsible for Ireland’s conversion to Christianity and the final loss of the old Celtic beliefs.
Traditional, Irish Gaelic
Tabhair dom ghrása,
Fíormhac Dé.
Tabhair dom do neartsa,
An ghrian gheal ghlé. Repeat
Give me your love,
true Son of God.
Give me your strength,
the clear bright sun. Repeat
(This video is done by Snuffesnuitje who, like me is also trying to find a good translation. His effort is highly recommended).
Alan Stivell’s 1995 hit does it for all generations
Been listening to Alan Stivell’s 1995 album Brian Boru today. There are actually two versions of the title track. One is the album version (Longer with elaborated percussion arrangement) and the radio edit which has been used in compilations.
There is a lot of everything for everyone in this album. Pan Celtica sums up what he does, combining the brotherhood of the Celts, covering not only his native Breton language but Gaelic as well. Although some people might be new to the style (Breton music and language is considered ‘harder’ than its Irish and Scottish counterpart) this will prove to be a good listening experience. A balance between groovy alt rock tracks with jazzy ,folkie and calming numbers; his harp shines through.
I have been looking for a translation of the title track that is appropriate and I found one. This is done by a guy that goes with an online name mhwombat: Now, it’s actually done both in Gaeilge and then in Brezhoneg repeatedly. http://www.irishgaelictranslator.com/translation/topic27600.html
Brian Bórú
Alan Stivell
(Gaeilge) Maraíodh Brian Boru chun beatha na hÉireann Síochain in gCuige Uladh agus i mBaile ‘Cliath Aontacht an teaghlaigh, aontacht na dtuath Aontacht an domhain is na gCeilteach
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
(Brezhoneg) Diouzh nerzh ar c’hadou da nerzh an ehan Diouzh ‘bed doueek bennozh ar c’haroud
(Gaeilge) O neart an chatha go neart na síochana On bhith dhiaga beannacht an ghrá
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
Duirt siad gurbh é seo sochraide ar muintire Gur choir duine bheinn sollunta féin Bíodh nach raibh brónach
They said that this was a procession of people
That people would be solemn
Be, were not sorrowful ??? Can’t make sense of the Irish ???
(Brezhoneg) Marv Brian Boru ‘reiñ buhez ‘n Iwerzhon Dihan e Bro-Ulad ha ba kêr Dulenn Unded an tiegezh, unded an dud-mañ Unded ar Gelted hag an douar
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
(Gaeilge) Maraíodh Brian Boru chun beatha na hÉireann Síochain in gCuige Uladh agus i mBaile ‘Cliath Aontacht an teaghlaigh, aontacht na dtuath Aontacht an domhain is na gCeilteach
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
(Brezhoneg) Diouzh nerzh ar c’hadou da nerzh an ehan Diouzh ‘bed doueek bennozh ar c’haroud
(Gaeilge) O neart an chatha go neart na síochana On bhith dhiaga beannacht an ghrá
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
Tá muid ‘nos na haimsire Go h-airid an ghrían Agus thogh muid áit bhóg cois ashann
We are like the weather
Especially the sun
And we choose a soft place beside the river
Note: I suspect ashann = abhann
***
Don’t forget to catch the music festival devoted to minority languages: Liet 2010. Here’s what I copied form the website:
The finalists of Liet International 2010
Faroese and Vepsian band in the final of Liet International 2010
In this pic: Fiach Moriarty
The selection jury of Liet International 2010 has selected the last five finalists of the 7th edition of European minority language song contest Liet International 2010, which will be held in Lorient, France on the 27th of November. The independent jury, which was composed of independant music experts from Brittany, Friesland and the Council of Europe, had a tough job. They listened to 46 songs in 21 different minority languages from all over Europe, from Galicia to Russia, from the Faroe Islands to Cyprus. Also the variety in styles was huge, ranging from folk to rock, rap, pop, tango and even folkopera.
Out of those 46 songs the jury has selected the following five artists for Liet International 2010 in Lorient, Breizh/Brittany, France:
1. Rachel Walker, Fada Bhuam, Scottish Gaelic
2. ORKA, Rumdardrongurin, Faroese
3. The Temporary, Cupan Toast, Irish
4. Mafia Gallega, Billarda Sempre, Galician
5. Jousnen Jarved, Verrez Tullei, Vepsian song from Russia
It will be the first time that Liet International will present songs in Faroese and Vepsian. Faroese is a minority language in Denmark, spoken by 48.000 people on the Faroe islands. The Liet Foundation is impressed by the quality of the music production in this small nation. The song of Eisvor Palsdottir was one of the nine songs Liet International received. All songs were of good quality and produced professionally. Vepsian is endangered Finn-Ugrian language spoken by only 4.000 people in Russian Karelia.
Five other bands/artists already qualified for Liet International earlier this year by winning a song contest in their part of Europe.
These five artists/bands are:
6. Xera, the winner of the Premiu al meyor cantar, Asturias 7. Pia Maria Holmgren, winner of the Sámi Grand Prix, Sámi from Sweden 8. Equal Souls, winner of Liet 2010, Fryslân 9. Stéphane Casalta, winner of Suns, Corsica 10. Resistence in Dub, winner of the public vote of Suns, Friûl, Italy
During the coming weeks the Festival Interceltique de Lorient (FIL) will select a Breton song and artist for Liet International 2010. As the host of the European minority language song contest it is their privilige to do this. This means that, apart from the Breton finalist, the line-up of Liet International 2010 is ready.
The seventh edition of Liet International is the first which will take place in France. Liet International was invited to Lorient, Brittany by de Region Breizh/Bretagne and the Festival Interceltique de Lorient (FIL). Since 2008 Liet International is organised under the patronage of the Council of Europe. Liet International is also supported by the the autonomous region of Asturias in Spain and by the province Friesland in the Netherlands.
Liet International was conceived and developed in Friesland, the Netherlands, by the Liet Foundation in 2002. Since then Liet International has become one of the larger events for the promotion of minority languages to a larger audience, attracting lots of media from all over Europe. The last edition of Liet International took place in Ljouwert/Leeuwarden, the Netherlands in 2009 and was won by Sámi rockband SomBy from the north of Finland.
Celtic Music Fan 