Ireland

Dave Martin: Designing the Modern and Electronic Edge of Celtic Music (Interview)

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Also in this edition: Jamie Smith’s MABON and Alison Kinnaird

The many musical sides of Dave Martin

From The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh to his own collaborations with other artists, Dave Martin is trekking the frontiers that combine technology, ingenuity and tradition. And yes he loves his fashionable kilts! 

http://soundcloud.com/dave-g-martin

 

http://www.bigfatelectric.co.uk/

www.electrolabs.co.uk

I am fascinated by fat sounds. You know the kind of thing that hits the floor and sends your neurons flying. This is brought about by beats that only electronic music can produce. Here’s an artist that bridges the gap between tradition and technology.

Dave Martin isn’t your typical Celtic band member. You don’t see him playing any traditional instrument on stage (usually). Instead he has an arsenal composed of a 17″ Macbook pro, Akai APC 20 and 2 Traktor Kontrol x1’s and M Audio firewire audio interface and run Traktor Pro 2 or Ableton Live. He works in both worlds-Traditional Scottish and Electronic music. He doesn’t find the conflict between the two. In fact he enjoys the contrast.

He loves working with different many people from different musical backgrounds. Culture fascinates him. He notes the pleasure to have worked with musicians and artists from Sierra Leone, Egypt, France, India, Pakistan, Poland, Germany, Ireland, America, Scotland, England and Wales which has been really great and inspiring.

There is a great joy in the idea of mixing electronic with acoustic music and performing in weird and wonderful places like castles, churches, multi storey carpark, forests as well as nice venues and festivals. He adds that it is a nice mix going between working and performing with electronic music and also performing and working as a percussionist.

His idea of relaxing is spending time with his fiancé Jen. She is one of the world’s leading contemporary sporran makers-http://www.sporran-nation.co.uk/. She provides designs for the kilts he wears on stage. He likes reading history books with few glasses of whiskey, playing the tabla, walking by the sea, cooking and eating with friends. He is  also a movie enthusiast! He mentions that he has plans of learning the Hurdy Gurdy (one of my favorite instruments!-CMF). He recently found someone who plays and teaches and he is very excited about it.

Today, he is heavily involved with education as a percussionist and electronic musician. He runs workshops in schools and communities throughout the UK and also teaches bodhran and drumkit privately. Teaching and working with young people are two things he is passionate about.

 CMF:The spectrum of your musical influence is really wide. You must have had a terrific background growing up to be this eclectic musically.

Dave Martin: My ears were always open to music and I grew up with my parents regularly having parties with music being played a lot. I can also remember hearing different styles of music that made me feel good, excited, weird, funny – all sorts of emotions when I was growing up. Music from films, the radio, tv programmes, my parents and my parents’ friends. My ears seemed to be very receptive to all different styles. I loved those Hindu devotional programmes. I remember watching on BBC 2 when I was a kid. That’s where I first heard the Tabla! Hearing Gary Numan on the radio and music programmes on TV, punk which I was fascinated by especially the Sex Pistols was exciting. I can remember watching a Beatles documentary which had an impact on me especially with the Sergeant Pepper album. So even at a young age I enjoyed and was very open to all different styles of music.

..and they dance to the beats: Check out his gears!

 

The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh is an amazing project and I think it beings two sides together: tradition and expansion. What are your plan for the BFEC?

The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh has been amazing to work on and is having such a great impact in Scotland because it is taking this old Highland tradition and is giving it a very modern edge mixing up club culture and ceilidh culture which are both all about music, dancing, having fun, mixing with people. A lot of Scottish Culture and identity can be quite old fashioned in some ways but there is also a lot of really great contemporary work happening in Scotland which is very exciting, ie – the highland dress, music etc and we want BFEC to take the ceilidh scene into the 21st century mixing it all up and giving it a very modern edge bringing all sorts of people together – people who love ceilidhs and people who would never normally go.

We had a show at the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh during the fringe and we were told by the director of the promotion company who organised all the acts, which were pretty major, that BFEC was the highlight of their 2012 Assembly rooms programme because he had never experienced or seen a ceilidh like that before and loved it. He also wants us to come back next year to run it during the whole of the festival. People are loving it because of the modern and electronic edge.

 How did you get involved with the Kevin McKidd project? I think that video is fascinating.

I grew up with Kevin in our home town of Elgin and he was putting this project together to raise money for a children’s charity that he is involved with and I got invited because they were needing a percussionist who has lots of experience in Scottish Trad and folk music. Great project to be involved in. I hadn’t seen Kev for a long time and it was great to see that he was still so connected to his roots and was still involved with music, especially Trad and Folk even though he has been a part of the big Hollywood Machine.

Dave plays percussion in the Kevin McKidd project.

I listened to your own tracks via soundcoud and I really like what you do with electronic music. What is your plan with this medium? Up to what extent are you expanding your experimentation being a percussionist and producer?

I love electronic music and love how it makes me feel when I’m working with it. I’m not bothered at all about CD releases because it’s the live thing that excites me and it is amazing to make and play music that creates a particular vibe where people respond to it and have a good time dancing to it. It is all emotional and that’s exciting, it’s about how it makes me feel and is great therapy. I’m always learning and trying new things, some tracks can sound shit but also some can sound good to my ears. I’m still crafting it though and constantly learning.

I’m also very passionate about drumming and have spent a long long time learning, playing, studying, travelling with it. I have a love affair with world percussion and the different styles and techniques of playing from other cultures and am a junkie for it all especially Indian and North African and Middle Eastern. That really excites me and is also good therapy!!!! It’s great being involved in the Trad Scottish scene as a percussionist and educator.

I also play as a percussionist with a whole host of musicians particularly Scottish Traditional and for these trad gigs I’ll play mainly Bodhran, cajon, Drumkit, Tabla. For other percussion gigs I’ll play other drums like conga, dholak and bongos.

I work a lot with Visual Artists, especially my buddy Graeme Roger and love the relationship between music and visuals whether it is projected images, dance, movement but especially projections. I also love performing and being involved in site specific installations in interesting and exciting places and mixing up the electronic thing and percussion thing.

I’m always learning whether as a percussionist or in producing. I love both worlds and the way they make me feel and with the people I meet and work with and play with. It’s all about variety and trying new and different things because it pushes you and which can only make me a more competent musician. It’s all about learning, connecting with people, variety, being taken out my comfort zone and being pushed in new directions. I wont grow otherwise and I don’t like doing the same thing all the time, that’s one of the reasons I like working in the Theatre and Arts Industries because it’s always offering new challenges.

 

Music has brought you to different places. In your own words, what are the things about being involved with music that you find enriching?

Learning, developing, honesty, experimentation, working with people, creating, therapy, passion.

I’ve been absolutely blessed by being given the opportunity through music to go to a lot of different places all over the UK and overseas which has been just amazing and in these places I’ve met and worked with some fantastic people and had truly wonderful experiences. That for me is what it is all about. That is what is so enriching about music – it connects you with people from all over the world and is great therapy!!! Wow!!!!

Can you share your performance ritual? What are the things you do, the things you avoid and also important things that you need to take with you on a big night.

Before a gig I try and chill out and relax and in my head go over the set. I will also chat with everyone that they are happy with everything – monitor mixes, knowing the material and talk about the show and what to watch out for and remember ie cues and that kind of things.

I usually wear my Kilt and and my beautiful Jen Designs Contemporary sporrans that I wear with my kilt.

If given a chance to work with other artists can you give me at least five names?

I would love to work with

Bjork – (Amazing choice. I have 4 Bjork albums myself-CMF)

Jamie Catto (faithless)

Trilok gurtu

Imogen Heap (I have two of her albums and she does amazing things with electronic and acoustic sounds-CMF)

Devin Townsend.

What do you think listeners should do to help their favorite artists? I know we are in a transition right now where everyone is given a power to make a difference. So what can fans do so that the music scene won’t die?

It’s important that people pay for music either through downloads or CD sales and go to see shows to support the artists and venues. Venues need the punters and artists need the venues to perform in. We need decent venues that can attract pretty decent audiences and pay artists an acceptable fee which is generally down to marketing and getting the information out to people.

Supporting local musicians and groups is important which can create a scene and vibe, especially in areas around the country that struggle with the amount of venues and good live music that is available to see.

It is hard work to make a living out of music and artists work hard at crafting their music, albums, shows etc and their work deserves and needs to be bought and heard and their shows seen.

Thank you Dave. This has been an enlightening experience for me knowing about your musical direction and plans. There you have folks. Dave martin of The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh. Be sure to catch them when they are performing near you. Let us support the scene because it is something that enriches us emotionally and spiritually. And yeah, pop and (mainstream)rock music are so overrated. Give something different a try.

A new and Intense electronic Ceilidh Experience hitting the country. Mixing up Club and Ceilidh Culture with live original Big Fat electronic music fused with traditional music. davemartin@bigfatelectric.co.uk

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Samples from Windblown, the new album by Jamie Smith’s MABON

One of the best Celtic albums to come out this year from a Welsh band that brought us fantastic music through the years.

Visit: http://www.jamiesmithsmabon.com to buy the album.

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Reflections… the art of Alison Kinnaird – Part 1

This artist has been getting attention due to her unique works.

Alison Kinnaird MBE has an international reputation as an artist in glass. Working in the ancient and demanding technique of wheel engraving, she creates contemporary artworks which are now in museums, art galleries and private collections throughout the world, including a recent major commission – the Donor Window – for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

This short film looks at this project and Alison’s career to this point. Part 1 of the film traces Alison’s development as an artist. Part 2 of the film then goes on to look at the Portrait Gallery project in some depth and gives some insight into the skills and work that were involved in its creation.

 

Album Reviews and Happy Weekend

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In this edition: Dave Hum, Cormac O Caoimh, Frost at Midnight, Lignit, Kevin McKidd, Dave Martin and Gillian Boucher

Clockwise: Dave Hum, Cormac O Caoimh, Kevin McKidd, Gillian Boucher and Dave Martin

The midweek edition became a weekend post due to ISP issues. Now everything is back so we are back in business. How are you lovers of Celtic music and beyond? A couple of days ago, I had an interesting chat with Martin Tourish which turned into a nice interview. So you will see Gillian Boucher in this edition because I was reminded when he said he played with her along with other artists when they were in Asia specifically the Philippines.

Next you will see Kevn McKidd who recently starred in a critically acclaimed animation The Brave. It is great to see Hollywood stars being proud of their Celtic roots. We also have a featured MP3 from Roby Atkins who is part of Frost at Midnight and yes they play great Welsh tunes. You see the guy doing techno stuff in the pic with the penguin shirt? That is no other than Scottish producer and percussionist Dave Martin who will be our next featured artist. He is part of the Big Fat Electric Ceilidh. The two men above are in my featured reviews: Dave Hum and Cormac O Caoimh. I enjoyed their CDs and I am sure you will too! You will see a video by Czech Republic based Bluegrass band Lignit with Jeremy King on the bodhran. Please enjoy and drop me a message so I can improve this site further.

Album Review: Celtic and Bluegrass 5 String Banjo by Dave Hum

Depressed? Annoyed because you are having ISP issues and it has been more than a week and they were not able to fix the problem? Just crank in one of Dave Hum’s CDs and you will forget your frown. He has a happy way of playing that every track shines with optimistic vibes. I think he is the only one I know who plays the five string banjo as of the moment and he plays it like no other kind of master. Credit goes to the fact that he plays all the instruments including the guitar, mandolin, harmonica and percussion.

His years of busking and playing all over London with the band The Huckleberries have done him well and now he is gathering enthusiasts who love traditional Irish, Celtic and Bluegrass music. My experience listening to his nontraditional album Traveling Light made me aware that he is very much into the music of the times. Well in that one he experimented with a little bit of electronic music and reggae. Here, he is playing the standards which people who listen to this kind of music will surely love. We all know that traditional music is no longer traditional when it isn’t played in a certain way and Dave knows this path so well that he actually gave tribute to the tradition by coming up with a CD composed of 21 delightful tracks.

This is a perfect kind of music if you are having little bit of traditional music party over the weekend. Just put this in your player and you will be guaranteed with tracks that will last you a while. And after one listen, the album tempts you for another spin. That is how good it is-excellent playing but music that is not intrusive you can just talk while you let this play in the background. Tracks like Cripple Creek, Farewell to Erin, Mason’s Apron and the theme from ‘The Third Man’ (taken from the 1949 BBC movie) will put a smile on your face. There are other greats like his interpretation of Raggle Taggle Gypsy and Drowsy Maggie.

You also need to check out the artwork that Dave did himself. It show’s a traveller(as the cover is meant to depict the Irish travellers having to leave their country and head for America which is how a lot of the Irish and Scottish tunes merged with the blues, gospel, oldtime and bluegrass music-Dave) carrying a staff while running around with a kite. A dog runs before him carrying a stick. There’s a girl on near left playing a fiddle. There’s also a woman beyond riding a horse. On the right looks like a trailer house with a woman watering azaleas. Then there’s the 5 string banjo where the peacock is sleeping. The colors almost remind me of ‘flower power’. Well, this goes to show that the artist is an all around kind of guy. Makes you wonder more and wait for more recordings from Dave Hum.

First track off his 5-String Banjo CD1. Yes that is Dave without his disguise!

More about the artist here: http://www.davehum.com/

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Album Review: a new season for love by Cormac O Caoimh

Like water color painting still running and moist, the music of Cormac O Caoimh seeps into your heart rendering you speechless with emotions. His classical guitar style combined with other influences is a joy to listen to. It makes you feel filled up, like you’ve just eaten a good meal. The spiritual nourishment that his music imbues is no accident.

Being from Ireland and having shared the stage with such artists as Declan O’Rourke, Damien Rice and Damien Dempsy to name a few; made his music eclectic but never losing that Irish spirit that is all over this CD. His lyrics are heartfelt and reflective as in the case of the opening track There’s Gold There Somewhere” –Who am I? Who are you? Who do we intend to be? It’s hard it’s hard when we can’t stand on our two feet…A combination of poignancy and passion is exemplified in the title track: With every morsel of muscle, Molecule of mind, I’d try to justify new oceans and new tides and new seasons, a new season for love…

On this side of the world it is the season of rain. And his music is the perfect soundtrack for that. There is a balance of musical precision and inventiveness that pull you up from the introspective lyrics that at times seem to overpower you with sadness. His voice is a fine instrument. I like the kind of ease he puts in singing like he is talking to you-almost intimately, close to your ears so there is no need to sing loudly …but rather in a breathy style. The transparency of the vocals and the gossamer arrangement make A New Season for Love a truly luminous listening experience.

It isn’t the kind of CD you will grow tired as in the case of those with too much fireworks in the production. This is something that grows on you. A kind of music you want to take with you anywhere when you need something warm and introspective.

One of my favorite tracks of the album A New Season for Love. This one is called Heart Attack.

More about the artist here: http://www.thecitadels.net/

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Tambourin by  Frost at Midnight

Frost at Midnight is a project band led by Welsh musician Robert Atkins. It is nice to hear refreshing Welsh music based on tradition.

Robert Atkins, guitar, bass, keyboards; Catherine Atkins, vocals; Catherine Handley, flute with Johnny Quick, vocals; John Tribe, harmonica.

More here:http://soundcloud.com/frost-at-midnight/sets

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Featured Video: Lignit – Balada o Jenny (Official Music Video 2012)

Let us check out the Bluegrass scene in the Czech Republic with Jeremy King on Bodhran.

http://www.lignit.wz.cz
Režie: Pája Junek
http://www.junekfilm.cz

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Interesting Documentary: A Journey Home With Kevin McKidd

I am currently working on a feature with Scottish musician/producer Dave Martin. He is involved in a musical project with Hollywood actor Kevin McKidd and I thought this is a nice intro to a feature I am doing with Dave. I found this video really inspiring and I hope you feel the same way too. Enjoy!

Travel with Kevin McKidd to his hometown in the Scottish Highlands as he revisits his childhood, performs and records the Speyside Sessions Album with classic Scottish folk songs with his friends, and reconnects with his roots.

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Gillian Boucher, fiddle, plays a lively set

My interview with Michael Tourish brought me back to the music of  Canadian fiddler Gillian Boucher. She is currently residing in Ankara Turkey. More of  her music here: http://www.myspace.com/gillianboucher

A Life of Music: Martin Tourish Interview

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Plus: Sahara and video plugged by Luke Fraser.

 

 

 

Martin Tourish talks to The Celtic Music Fan about composing, performing and the top 5 albums that influenced him musically.

It is great when few conversations happen beyond the interview. Our guest this week is prolific musician/composer Martin Tourish who is in the middle of his PhD studies. He lent his time to answer several questions related to his career and Irish music in general. He has just started mixing his new album. We had a little craic about Donegal winning the All Ireland Gaelic football final. So everyone over there is happy! Christmas is a great time to visit the place for the Frankie Kennedy Winter School.

According to Martin: “In Donegal they pass one fiddle around everybody in the room and everyone has to play whether they can barely play a tune or are brilliant. There’s always huge respect.” He is working on a lot of projects. I got to hear songs from An Tain. It is about the Irish saga set into music. Years ago I was over Makati and stumbled upon a copy of The Táin (1969, Oxford University Press) by Thomas Kinsella and that book opened  the whole new world of Irish myths to me. So to know that a musician is doing another interpretation of that is amazing news.  According to Martin: “This album that we made is based upon the book but it’s sung here using a proto-gaelic language as found in the oldest known text.” The song interpretations he made for this project are haunting, beautiful and captivating. The interesting use of modern and traditional instruments are fascinating. So are the vocals and scales that were applied. There’s so much atmosphere and richness in the melodies. So even if you don’t understand Gaelic you will be able to follow the plot as long as you have read the book.

I also have the honor to hear his Midori Suite. The Japanese/ Irish piece he wrote for a charity in Japan. The classical training he had took a front seat here. Martin could well be a movie composer of epic scenes. I love the combination of Japanese and Irish styles especially the part with the harp and female vocals. And then I got the Raincoats of Dijon – a track he recorded for Naxos with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. This is another moving piece of a different style. It’s a waltz that crosses between Strauss and Disney Classics. With all these in mind, I realize that one day Martin Tourish will be making lots of music that other musicians will play. So yes I am crossing my fingers.

Here’s a little trivia: When he was in the Philippines, he was with Cape Breton fiddler Gillian Boucher, Irish fiddler Fergal Scahill, Mickey Martin and the sean nós dancer Emma O’Sullivan. They were playing a charity concert for the kids of smokey mountain so they formed the band just for that. He actually only met them either on the plane or over in Manila. A Trad session in a jeepney is one of his goals! He further stated that he enjoyed the experience and he felt totally at home.

Now on with our interview:

Hi Martin, welcome to our artist of the week interview. It is an honor to have you as my guest. I read your bio and it describes your life as one devoted to music. How’s the experience writing articles for the “Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland”?

It’s an honor to be your guest! It was a great experience to write a number of articles for the Enyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. The research unearthed a great deal of new information on the subjects, only a small amount of which could be included in each of the articles. Regarding the article that I wrote on the piano accordion, reading the first description of the instrument being performed in Ireland was one of those magical moments. I often pass the venue in Dublin in which it was first heard and imagine the music that might have been played!

You came from Donegal which brought us legendary bands like Clannad and Altan. I see that your cousin Ciaran plays for Altan. Your childhood must have been a very musical one.

Donegal is an amazing place and recently, I had the honor of playing a concert with Altan and Clannad at the Fleadh in Cavan. There actually wasn’t music in my immediate family but that was probably a good thing. I had no idea that there was any difference between genres and so I played everything I heard and could reproduce. This openness to every type of music has stayed with me since. Once the heart is in it, it will be good!

 Your first album was released in 2005 which gained top reviews and honors. You are working on a new one right? Please tell us what listeners can expect in this new album.

The new album has been developed over the past four years and it is quite different to Clan Ranald, and maybe quite different from anything else! The aim of the album was to try to be as honest as possible in trying to capture the spirit of the music, moment, and musicians who took part. It’s almost entirely comprised of my compositions, with some reworking of traditional material. Really, it documents the interactions and experiences of the past four years and I hope that people will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed it. We’re mixing it at the moment so stay tuned!

You’ve been around the world and one of those places you’ve been to was the Philippines! How was the experience?

The Philippines trip was amazing and I remember every minute of it! The people were really warm and friendly and in particular, I remember stumbling across a singer/songwriter night in a bar in Makati City and playing piano in the house band before going to the birthday party of one of the musicians! I really hope to make a return visit at some point in the future and this time, stay longer than four days!

What is it about being in the trad scene that you like?

I’m actually involved in many different scenes in Ireland but it’s the people that make each scene a joy to be involved in. The trad scene in Dublin is particularly interesting because being a small city, musicians from different scenes get an opportunity to meet and explore each other’s traditions. Everything seems to exist side-by-side and one can dip in and out of each when the mood is right!

 What do you plan to accomplish before the year ends and what’s in store for 2013 for you musically?

I hope to have both my PhD and album completed before the year is done and for 2013, I’m hoping to focus almost solely on music. As always, I’ll be playing with various musicians under my own name and with a wide variety of other musicians, bands and projects, specifically with the bands of which I’m a member: The Convergence Ensemble, and Deep End of the Ford. I’m working around the clock on plans for 2013 but at the moment, they’ve to be kept under wraps. But every year something amazing always seems to happen and if that trend continues, it’ll be better than anything I could have imagined!

What are the challenges composing music in the traditional style and do you have other musical styles that you are working on as of the moment?

Well I never compose music as a task, it just flows out in response to something when it’s ready and sticks if it’s good! It’s the most natural thing in the world and when I compose a piece of music, it’s usually fully formed. A few days ago I wrote eight tunes in about two hours for a sean-nós dancing tutorial DVD by the dancer Mary Beth Taylor, which is to be released before the end of the year. The chemistry and rhythm from her steps made the music flow and those are always special moments. Following from my Japanese – Irish piece called The Midori Suite, I’ll be writing a concert length program of material in this style. I’ll also be in Italy in October producing an album of songs by the novelist Oscar McLennin, and working on a program of world music in Brittany in November with the clarinetist Dylan Gully. Plenty of diversity!

Can you name us the top 5 albums that influenced you?

Altan’s Runaway Sunday (But really all of their albums!)

Mary Black’s Mary Black Live (particularly for Steve Cooney’s song Just a Journey)

Frank Cassidy’s Níl Gar Ann (aesthetically and creatively)

Alyth McCormack & Triona Marshall’s Red & Gold (a masterclass in tone, colour and great story telling)

Zbigniew Preisner’s Requiem For My Friend

I enjoyed chatting with Martin Tourish and I am sure this interview has given you an idea about his music and projects. You can listen to his music through:

http://www.myspace.com/martintourish

Sample videos:

http://www.LiveTrad.com
Featuring Ciarán Tourish (fiddle), Martin Tourish (piano accordion), Tim Edey (guitar), Tríona Marshall (harp), Alyth McCormack (voice), Thomas Charles Marshall, Philip Horan (shakuhachi), Fran Marshall (voice) & Morgan Crowley (voice) performing ‘Suite for Japan’, composed by Martin Tourish. This was recorded at the Aid Japan for Children concert at St. Ann’s Church, Dawson St., Dublin, to aid and support Japanese children effected by the 2011 earthquake & tsunami. Recorded and edited by Martin Moylan on behalf of Aid Japan for Children, and provided subsequently to LiveTrad.com.

The last part of the concert was with a special appearance by
PADDY Mc MENIMEN, CONNIE & MERLA DROST-BYRNE
14.08.2010, Kilcar, co.Donegalh

A Great Documentary which Martin also appears in.

A documentary by journalists / film makers Malou Fickling and Robert Gustafsson about Traditional Irish music in a changing Ireland. Set in rural and urban Ireland (Donegal and Dublin) this piece takes a look at the history, themes, preservation and evolution of Irish music. Musicians interviewed include Martin Tourish (TG4 Young Musician of the year 2008), Danny Diamond and Dinny McLaughlin.

Language: English Version

This production was entirely conceived, shot and edited by Malou Fickling and Robert Gustafsson. It was created for a final college project for Journalism and Media Production at Linnaeus University, Sweden.

For more information email Malou Fickling at Malfic@hotmail.com

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Proud to announce the release of Sahara’s latest CD ‘A New Beginning’ – now available from iTunes, Amazon and other music outlets!!

Samples are available in the link below. I found them totally uplifting and beautiful. The production is superb. A must have for those who love genre bending music that exudes warmth and elegance.

https://onerpm.com/#/album/937792581

Connect with them through:

https://www.facebook.com/SaharaMusic

http://www.saharamusic.com.au/

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Upon Recommendation from Luke Fraser

Casual lookin’ Luke.

Luke Fraser plays guitar/vocals for The Bombadils and Raftmen. Once in a while he drops by for a chat. This is one of the videos that made it to our conversation.

From “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn”, recorded live at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 19, 2009. Tunes composed by Liz Carroll; choreography/improv by Nic Gariess.

For information about tickets, CD recordings, and celtic radio programming, visit http://www.wgbh.org/celtic

Copyright 2010

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Midweek Music Extravaganza

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Feautring: Kinfolk, Jamie Smith’s MABON, McAuley/Horan/O’Caoimh, John McSherry, Michael Shimmin, Joe Dart, Wilber Calver with Moya (Maire) Brennan & Shane McGowan

Featured Single: The Lady of the Woods

I mentioned the new single from Jamie Smith’s MABON in my last edition (with the amazing Corrina Hewat as featured artist). A few months ago, drummer Iolo Whelan announced that they are in the process of recording the new JSM album. It was later revealed that the title of the said album is “Windblown”. Anyone who followed their career in the old line up will know that they have always played lively instrumental tunes. You have to understand my surprise when I discovered that the carrier single Lady of the Woods features male vocals including top  notch harmonization. The song uses influences from pop/rock and traditional music. The song is radio friendly enough that I am sure with the right timing and promotion will be one of those top 40 UK singles like what fellow Celtic bands  Capercaillie did with Coisich, a Ruin and Manran with Latha Math.

Download the single that is given by the band for free here: http://www.jamiesmithsmabon.com/windblown/

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Introducing: McAuley/Horan/O’Caoimh

Artwork by The Celtic Music Fan

More from this link: http://www.mcauleyhoranocaoimh.com/

And check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mcauleyhoranocaoimh

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Album Review: Kinfolk- This Land

A track by track review of the amazing CD.

Principal musicians: Brian McDaid & Gerry Power

Other players: Johnny Cameron,David Mclean, Damien Mullany, Alan Burton, San Proctor, Dorothy Swift and Paul Fox.

From the first few notes emanating from the acoustic guitar of the intro to This Land, one is given a tip that this album is composed of songs that you can sing along. Coupled with great accompanist from the trad scene , Kinfolk has an album that makes you feel like you are watching a family album. I call this a grand offering due to the number of guest players ranging from bouzouki, mandolin, keyboard, banjo, accordion, fiddle, uillean pipes, and other vocals and instruments. The harmonies are solid and breezy. When you are driving long distance, this is one of those albums that you’d like to listen to on your way home from a long day’s work.

Tracks:

There are 13 tracks. There are ballads , instrumentals and upbeat songs. They are arranged in a way that reminds of of a plot in a novel. Each song tells a different story but still related to the bigger picture that makes this album solid.

This Land: A tribute to Ireland and anyone who has an immigrant soul will relate to this:

” Well I hope and pray her smile will be there to greet me

Though my home’s far away I can still hear her sing so sweetly”.

Donegal: The upbeat tempo of this track makes one wonder. If this album has enough airplay and this track has enough promotion, this could be one of those top 40 folk tunes. The fiddling and singing reminds me of Scottish pop rock band Simple Minds. It is irresistibly catchy and poppy.

Stac Pollaigh: Acoustic guitar, whistle, keyboards make this instrumental track have that New Age crossover appeal. Something spiritual, relaxing but still very traditional sounding.

The Hunger Roars: Hunger Roars recall the term ‘starving artist”. I personally think it is about one goes through in life mourning over relationship we can’t salvage from the ruins. A kind of existential anguish permeates the track. It is a song that you can interpret based on your own personal feelings. It has that kind of hoe down tempo. In spite of its lively tempo, the melody is steeped in melancholy atmosphere. Something luminous but somber at the same time.

Wonderful Day: Another finger snapping and toe tapping track. An uplifting and positive track which is a tribute to a beautiful landscape. Embellished by the nice sound of the banjo and the other instruments, this song is one of those undiscovered gems in the folk music scene.

Campsie Glen:

“ Will you come with me this summer,

To the fells in Camsie Glen..

This idyllic track takes me back in those years when everything seems like a scene through a rose colored bowl. Thoughts of childhood are precious and this is something that will save us from the twist and turns of adult uncertainty. The fiddle is bright and the vocal harmonies are rich. The simplicity of this med tempo track is what makes it such a pleasure to listen to. There are ven sounds of birds at the end of this.

Bound for New York: No need to expound on the thoughts of this one because I am sure you know what t is about. And I agree! Once again, the vocal harmonies and the chorus that goes:

“So I’ll have to go,

I’ve got to let you know,

My ship will leave the harbor in the morning

Cross to the sea so blue,

But my heart will stay with you,

I’m bound for New York City in the morning..

If this song doesn’t make you misty-eyed then you are either made of steel or a frickin’ robot. I just lost it!

Lady of the Isle: The drone of the keyboards coupled with the tin whistle makes the intro to this song very ‘soundtracky’. The vocal follows with the beat of the percussion. It has the characteristic of a slow marching song. The spacey arrangement creates a haunting atmosphere which has that lament sound.

“ But we cannot be together, So I’ll love her from afar,

For she is to wed another, and that day will break my heart”.

Thingamajig: Is a jig…but has a pop rock flavor. A great fusion of styles. The percussion and fiddling makes me want to go out and dance in the rain!

Working for the Company: Voice and acoustic guitar feels like a break from the grand instrumentation of previous tracks. A tin whistle and scattering of ‘ohhhs and ahhhs’ in between the chorus and verse plus other spare vocal ‘cloak’ makes this one a must for listeners of chill music.

Home to Ireland: The use of Major 7th chords gives this track a pastoral flavor. Major 7 reminds me of golden wine and gentle rays of the sun. “ Why don’t you come home to Ireland, All the way back to this green green land. This actually expresses my sentiments why I consider Ireland as my spiritual home.

Paddy’s Shout: Another instrumental track that showcases the mature and excellent musicianship of Gerry Power and Brian McDaid. I find my self rocking my head to this gentle uplifting track.

I Blame the Whiskey: The closing track. A tongue in cheek song about…well, you with your Celtic blood would understand and relate to. But this is also a song about trying to cope with a bad experience in life. We all have that. Yes we blame the whiskey, cigarettes or anything we can get out hands on to quell that ache..anything to keep us alive. A beautiful track that I can relate to.

My verdict is: Buy this album. It has a general appeal even to those who aren’t into Celtic music. The tracks are easy to the ears and all of them are worth your listen.Maybe music can’t really heal our pain or existential anguish but it is such a fine company when we feel lost and lonely. I love this album! Buy this album here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kinfolksongs

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Featured mp3: Bridge of glllass

Here’s the pre-release track from  the olllam album (with John McSherry, Michael Shimmin, and Joe Dart) Ah something refreshing from the trad scene. This music grows on you!

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Featured Artist: Wilber Calver (AfroCubanCelticMusic)

Gran concierto en Einsiedeln, Switzerland !

I want to introduce you to this exciting artist and whose album Diaspora is making waves! Jazz musician Courtney Pine (the first Jazz musician in my cassette collection as a kid) praises Wilber Calver’s album saying: “Wilber Calver is a unique new artist who has created a brilliant original sounding album that is steeped in the traditions of his Cuban culture and the Celtic folklore of his chosen instrument the bagpipes. I can’t stop playing it.” http://www.wilbercalver.com/

We have another legendary artist in the making!

From the official website:

About Wilber Calver

Wilber Calver Rodríguez “The Ebony Piper” was born in Holguín (Cuba).  In 1997 he enlisted as a percussionist in the traditional music group of the Centro Gallego de la Habana, with whom he performed in many festivals.  In 1998 he took his first bagpipe lessons with Professor Eduardo Lorenzo and it was from this moment that he fell in love with the pipes and took the decision to dedicate himself to the instrument.

During the following years he built up his performance experience and was included in the EU documentary “The latest Bagpipers of Havana”, won the “Premio iberoamericano ” Rey de España” ( 2004 ), appeared on the feature film “Havana Blues” (2005) directed by Benito Zambrano.

His TV appearances include : Musical ” Cuerda viva ” Cuba ( 2004 ), ” De la gran escena ” Cuba ( 2004 ) -Progra ESPECIAL ” Día da Patria gallega ” TVG España (2007) – ” A compañenos ” TVG ESPAÑA( 2008) – Serie “Padre Casares ” TVG España ( 2009 ).

He has been reviewed in the following publications : Revista Bohemia ” Con la gaita a cuesta ” Cuba ( 2004 ) -Revista ” O anuario da gaita ” Epaña ( 2000 ) – ” Gaitas con tumba..o ” Diario La voz de galicia

Wilber now lives in the Swiss Alps – Einsiedeln – and is in the process of recording his first album which will be an exciting fusion of celtic melodies with Afro-Cuban roots, arranged and produced by Alex Wilson.

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Flashback: MOYA (MAIRE) BRENNAN & SHANE McGOWAN – You’re the One

As my personal tribute to the amazing late Irish novelist Maeve Binchy, I am posting this beautiful video by two equally mesmerizing artists, Moya Brennan and Shane McGowan. The song is written by Michael Kamen. It’s the ending track for movie Circle of Friends.

 

Tuned Up, Cobblestone Sam, DÁN,Brenda Wootton and Dom Duff

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Album review:Brendan Mulholland/ Brendan Hendry/Paul McSherry with Tuned Up!

Tuned Up is a project which lovers of traditional Irish music will love to collect. Energy, solid harmonies and top notch players in the trad scene are things that you will find here. From the start of track 1 (Reels: Fox in the town/In the tap room/The Belfast traveler) one can already say ‘ ah this is a trad album I have been looking for’. Big nod to Paul McSherry for kicking the tunes with his punchy guitar strumming that paves the way for all the wonderful tunes to come.

Plus points:

Liner notes. There is a comprehensive written by Kevin Crawford to introduce the trio. Kevin is known as the flute player and chatty man with Lúnasa. It is great to have his presence in this wonderful CD.

Tracks:

There are traditional and traditional sounding original compositions. There are ten tracks but there are divided into the following: reels, jigs, slow reels, air/hornpipe, waltz and polka. This is a great introduction to people who are trying to study traditional Irish music because of the description of the musical style in each track. Brendan’s flute playing really shines in track 7 with Air/hornpipe. Here you will really appreciate the round tunes produced by this wind instrument.

Sound quality:

I like spaces in between songs. They make the tracks breath and give you the time to get acquainted with the soul of the music. The sonic production is excellent. There is a balance of a really clean recording that reaches to the surface of the sound in each instrument. To cite an example, the warm fiddle sound of Brendan Hendry is captured really well in track 4(Slow reels/reels). There is that brightness in the instrument that calls to mind wood sprites dancing. There is also a good use of reverb in the midrange and it gives all tracks their natural warm sound.

Verdict:

They need to come up with another project like this one. There’s the undeniable chemistry between these three musicians and personally it was one of those satisfying and educational listening experience for me. Tune Up is the life of a party. Just crank it up and listeners will clap their hands and tap their feet.

Sound samples:

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Debut: Cobblestone Sam the musical

Cobblestone Sam the musical promotional poster

http://www.cobblestonesam.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobblestone-sam-the-musical/128719787272930

New musical written by award winning singer/songwriter Dave Rooney and writer actor bill monks.
based on the life of a homeless temple bar character

Here is one musical even about an Irish unsung hero. This is a must see both for the music and for the story. I got to ask Dave about his involvement in the project and other important info:

“This musical started when I used to meet a homeless guy on the

street during my breaks on gigs in Temple Bar. He was homeless and we

got chatting. I only met him 4 or 5 times and we chat for about 15

minutes. He was in his eighties and he liked to reminisce. He told me

little bits about his life and and I listened with intrigue.

 

I didn’t see him for a few months and I asked some of the

homeless people where he was, and they said he passed away.

I was saddened by this and I decided to write a song about him.

and so was the birth of millionaire. This was to be the catalyst

for the whole project.”

About the production:  

“I hooked up with Bill Monks who is a writer/actor and we set

about putting his life in a story, an adaptation, based on limited

info about him, and how his life unfurled from our perspective.

I’d like to tour this musical in the states because it has an

Immigrant side to it. I feel it would be a draw for any of the diaspora.

I’ve written all the songs for the play. I did some re-recording and a bunch

of new songs all woven into the story line.

 

It’ll be held at the merchants arch in Temple Bar starting next

Monday September 10th,  and hopefully will be ongoing.

People are always asking (tourists) where they can meet real

Irish people and learn about real Irish life. I think this will

bring something real. It’s refreshing to be involved in something

new. I’ll be reaching a new audience and I think it’s a really good

angle to have the music exposed”.

Promotional videos:

Featured band: DÁN – making fine Irish music

I got a beautiful treat when I stumbled upon the tunes these musicians make. They are a trio called DÁN. The spare piano lines amidst the

DÁN – fine Irish music

traditional fiddling make them sound like no other. Groovy bass lines make that driving motion in the overall tranquility. I think I listened to them again and again because one time isn’t enough. And oh, they are from Germany. This isn’t the first time I featured German bands that make amazing Irish music. Check them out: http://www.myspace.com/fineirishmusic

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Flashback: Crowdy Crawn (Brenda Wootton) – No Song To Sing(1974)

http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/people/brenda_wooton.htm
http://www.brendawootton.com/

Here is one relaxing track uploaded via a vinyl recording(You can hear the nostalgic scratches) by the late Cornish folk singer Brenda Wooten. This is a duet performance with Rob Bartlett.

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Dom Duff: From Brittany to Manchester

Singer/songwriter Dom Duff has traveled a lot lately. There is a warm reception towards Breton music these days and It is because of musicians like him who continue to inspire the awareness of Breton music and culture.