Folk

Carré Manchot in The Music Map

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

There are so many reasons to go to France. Not only that it is the country hosting the biggest Celtic music event called Interceltique Festival, the west coast is also home to Breton music. There are so many musicians that are already out there stirring the scene with their brand of Celtic music and some of them made it to our ears. Let me present now

Carré Manchot

This  I got from the official website:

Carré Manchot is a traditional dance music band from Brittany; it was founded in 1986 by Remi MARTIN (box accordion), Jean-Claude RIOU (fiddle), Herve LE LU (bombarde) and Gilbert LE PENNEC (guitar), who still plays with the band today. The same year, they produced their first recording: “Tabalich”.


In 1988, Remi and Jean-Claude left and were replaced by Ronan ROBERT (box) and Ronan PINC (fiddle). After two albums (“Mab ar Miliner” and “An Disparti”), both Ronan left the band and three musicians joined: Yannig ALORY (wooden flute), Erwan VOLANT (bass) and Yann-Loïc JOLY (box accordion). Together they released five albums: “Noz!” (1996), “Riboul!” (1997),”Liyannaj” (1999, featuring Guadeloupean group “Akiyo Ka” and breton singer Patrick Marie), “Degemer” (2001), “Liyannaj Live” (2003). In 2005, Stéphane SOTIN (percussions) replaced Erwan Volant and in 2006, Carré Manchot recorded a new album “Laÿoù” and celebrated their 20th anniversary on July the 13th in Mûr-de-Bretagne, along with many Breton musicians and bands.


In 2007, Herve LE LU, founding member, and Stephane SOTIN, percussionist, hit the road for some new musical adventures…
Uilleann piper Loïc BLEJEAN joined in January 2007.This new line-up keeps playing with the same energy that has made Carré Manchot one of the most acclaimed Breton music band for more than twenty years on the dance floors of festou noz in Brittany and elsewhere…

My personal observation:

This is quite unique coming from Breton music. The melodies are gentle, the instruments are not the usual wall of sound you would expect without the bombarde and the binou. It is also interesting to note that the band has been around since 1986 and yet they still play with the same energy the day they started. They are still here, still making beautiful music for us. And I think this is what makes the rest of the guys wonderful.

http://www.carremanchot.fr/carre-manchot-home/1.html

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For those who are curious about the Yaouank music fest in Brittany is, this is a good link:

http://www.myspace.com/yaouankgouel

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And here is my friend

Dom DufF

with the Bagad Rosend Mor at Paimpol Chant de Marin

He has an updated website:

http://www.domduff.com/

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The last but not the least,

Hamon Martin Métamorphose Project

Wow, I love the energy of these guys. The instruments are something you would like to dip your ears into and experience a moment  of bliss. Sweet, spicy and a lot of Celtic Spirit. So watch out for these guys.

Shhhh! Listen to Skeeal Music

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

From their MySpace witten in Manx:

she possan dy wheig ‘skeeal’ jannoo ymmyd jeh feddanyn mooarey, gitar as coraaghyn. tayrn veih stoo tradishoonagh as bunneydagh, t’ad cummey reaghysyn sheiltynagh as smooinaghtagh, gleashaghey eddyr ny tree chengaghyn gaelgagh. t’ad voish mannin ny keayrtyn.

Another reason to off the lights: Skeaal has arrived coming from the sunny Isle of Man. This band has brought with them not only the Manx identity but also the ancient spirit of the culture by singing in Manx Gaelic which I and the rest of my readers will also like. When one speaks a foreign language …and turns t into a song, it really doesn’t matter if you don’t understand a thing. How the words and the infliction merge with each other becomes a music on its own. And it is not difficult learning the language this way. In my research , the last native speaker of  Manx died in 1974. But I know the language is making its revival with the help of bands like these. You can’t  force people to learn the language…you have to coax them into it. And this is how you do it.

The music is rich in melody and the instrumentals stand on their own. Relaxing yet has the flavor of Jazz, Rock and Folk. The band has been together for five years and the new album Slipway is out.

http://www.myspace.com/skeeal

Creating Authentic Breton Music:Poor Man’s Fortune

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

When one hears the sound of the bombard as well as the binou  one will realize that this could only come from one place in the world-Brittany. For years now, Austen, Texas based Poor Man’s Fortune has been recording and performing authentic Breton music. This 5-piece band is consist of French, Scottish and American members who are recognized in their individual fields as accomplished musicians. And accidental browsing through YouTube brought them to my attention and from this moment on, their albums are a welcomed addition to my growing collection.

Official site:http://poormansfortune.com/music/

Grada: Softly…Surely!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments


Once in a while  there come a band with a bit of everything and yet sounding like no other. Grada’s approach to traditional music is fresh, evocative and often times laced with optimistic spirit that soars high. I came across The Landing Step recently and realized that I have been missing something. The music is close to American Blue Grass with Annie Marie O’ Malley’s lead vocals sounding a bit like Alison Kraus(current vocalist Nicola Hayes is closer to  Sandy Denny of The Fairport Convention).

From the first track “Tread Softly to the last ” A l’Envers” one is drawn into a Folk, Acoustic and Alternative experience.  The band has a new album out called Natural Angle(released January 26, 2010 with previews available) You can check more info about the band, each members and tour dates right at their official website:

Band members:

NICOLA JOYCE vocals & bodhran GERRY PAUL guitar, banjo & vocals ANDREW LAKING double bass & vocals DAVID DOOCEY fiddle, whistle & concertina STEPHEN DOHERTY flute, whistle, accordion, bodhran and cajon

Sources: http://www.myspace.com/gradamusic

http://www.gradamusic.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A1da

The Legacy of Brenda Wootton

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 6 Comments

Brenda Wootton put Cornish music on the map when she started her music career in the 60s. Blessed with an amazing voice and a gift for poetry and story telling, she was seen as an ambassador of Cornish music. Listening to her sing in this video now, I realize that no one will ever have this voice again. Thanks to the Internet, a lot of young people are once again rediscovering this wonderful artist. More about Brenda Wootton here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Wootton and  http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/people/brenda_wooton.htm

Here is also a helpful guide to the music of Cornwall :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Cornwall