Ireland

The Baxteria Podcast#15

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Hi readers and listeners. Podcast 15 is up and once again, I was able to keep the show going. I hope you all have great weekend wherever you are. I always say this to beings of this world and beyond: Come out, come out, wherever you are. I hope this podcast will keep you warm as I bring you rare and current tunes. I really enjoyed my interview with Patrick Brazel jr and we had an amazing craic. I had to edit bits of the conversation for the show but it was fun.

I also played a traditional Manx tune from Emma Christian. Anybody out there knows what’s going on with her career? She seemed to have disappeared from the Celtic music radar after the 90s.

Tracks

Scott Hoye-Black Rose

Luke Kelly (The Dubliners)-The Black Velvet Band

Secret Garden-Elegie Emma Kate Tobia and George Murphy-The Fairy Tale of New York

Emma Christian-Ushag Veg Ruy [Little Red Bird]

The High Kings-Driving Home For Christmas

The Chieftains feat Alison Krauss-Molly Ban

Von Shakes-My Side

Interview with Patrick Brazel jr

Von Shakes-Robinson Crusoe

Mickey Harte-Time

Don BeeKeeper-Are you Happy Now?

Layne Greene-The Christmas Waltz

Special guest Patrick Brazel jr

Von Shakes are:

Patrick Brazel – Vocals/Rhythm Hugh O’Reilly – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals Cillian McSweeney – Bass/Backing Vocals Ryan Normandin – Drums

More from their official site: http://www.vonshakes.com/

Buy Bohemia from: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/von-shakes/id351879465

Visit my websites:

www.celticmusicfan.com www.spheremusic.me

My podcast channel: http://www.mixcloud.com/thecelticmusicfan/

and also www.radiohappy.eu

Moxie have started a fundit campaign to make their debut album in January / Febuary

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The guys in the band Moxie have been making sparks around Irish music traditional scene with their exciting style. It combines jazz,bluegrass, world, rock and traditional Irish tunes. The result is a sound that’s really unique with exuberance. One example is their track Spike the Island Lassies:

They already released their EP in 2012. They wowed the crowd, gained enthusiastic following and even a nod from Kevin Crawford of Lunasa. In fact he has this to say about their debut EP:

This is a stunning debut from five of the best musicians on the scene today; the fact that they are so young is both frightening and inspirational too. I find myself for some reason comparing this EP in terms of instrumentation, virtuosity, rhythmical interplay etc to Béla Fleck’s eponymous album “Drive” which changed my perception of what “Bluegrass” music was supposed to sound like and would not be one bit surprised if Moxie has a similar affect on some people’s perception of “Irish music”. Their sound is sophisticated, slick and adventurous yet exciting, full of fun and overflowing with fresh ideas. Moxie’s unique approach is both melodically and rhythmically addictive; surprises lurk around every corner in the form of instrument and metre changes combined with intelligent and well executed arrangements. I’m very excited by the music Moxie are making and look forward to hearing a lot more from them in the years to come” – Kevin Crawford (Lúnasa)

Now the debut albums is going to happen and this will further showcase their potential that’s already evident in the debut EP.

If you want to help just go to the fundit link: http://www.fundit.ie/project/moxie-dbut-album

The Baxteria Podcast #11

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Glad to be back on air! I have cut my show shorter because it is hard to upload such a big file. But if you tune in for the rest of Saturdays on www.radiohappy.eu then I will be playing music all day.

Program:

Auto Dj feat, Alan Stivell and Tri Yann
Tri Yann-Les Filles Des Forges
Alan Stivell-Y’s
Tri Yann-La Vierge A La Fontaine
Alan Stivell-Reves(Hunvreou)
Tri Yann-Pastourelle De Saint Julien Maraichine
Alan Stivell-Elis Iza
Tri Yann-Tri Martolod
Alan Stivell-Skoit N’Treid
Tri Yann-Before Ireland Can Go Free ( Peom by Sean O’Casey
Tri Yann-Les Filles D’Escoublac

Celtic Music Hour

Poitin-Step it Out
Lunasa-Donogh and Mike’s
Eimear Quinn-Hunted
Old Blind Dogs-To the beginnin’ I will go
Samuel Smith-Gimme the Law
Luke Kelly-The Auld Triangle

Indie Variety

Fleet Foxes-Drops in the River
Gregory Alan Isakov-Saint Valentine
Active Child-Wilderness
Mary Fahl-Exiles
Gregory Alan Isakov-She’ll Always Take it Back
Tiger Darrow-Sunrise

 

Shaking the Autumn Gloom with Anticlockwise by McDermott’s 2 Hours

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McDermott’s 2 Hours – Anticlockwise

Nick Burbridge – lead vocal
Molly Burbridge – backing vocal
Ben Paley – fiddle
Tim Cotterell – mandolin
Dil Davies (Oysterband) – drums
Jeremy Cunningham (Levellers) – bass
Clare Sanders – whistle
Al Scott – guitars

McDermott’s 2 Hours has given us an antidepressant  with Anticlockwise which is their ‘Best of’ compilation album. It signals the band’s creative growth up to the new track Erin Farewell. The cover art with the devil and a bunch of naked people should give you a hint what’s to come. Songwriter and guitarist Nick Burbridge (who also formed this band) has a kind of creativity that I would describe as erratic and explosive. He is the type of artist who is fearless in executing his ideas whither you like them or not. And that spontaneity coupled with raw energy can be found all over Anticlockwise. Newcomers to their music will find great stuff to be remembered here, now that the best songs in their entire catalog are here-and new ones too.

Nick Burbridge

Instrumentally, Anticlockwise is as lush as a good harvest. Vocally it’s blessed with his good vocal range ( and smooth tenor) that can be fiery one moment and then restrained the next. World Turned Upside Down is a personal favorite with its Gregorian inspired intro. The contrapuntal singing style gives us that renaissance feel.

So what can I say about this new release of Nick Burbridge’s band? I’m a fan of Nick and it is hard to be objective when you are a fan. And it is a good thing because music is a personal experience and I think whatever touches can never be questioned. The over all vibe of Anticlockwise is live. The order of the tracks are well-chosen to suit the progression of the mood. The mix is also warm. It’s like after every song, you can hear the audience applauding. Tod the Ranter is another favorite because of the steady hypnotic rhythm. A Fable from Aigge falls into the sean nos style of singing. It shows how flexible the voice of Burbridge is. It also displays the  eclecticism of this album.

Molloy goes back to the times when Ireland was struggling for independence. This reminds me of a lot of songs by Planxty in their earlier albums.  River is a foot tapper. I love the beat and the way these fiddles create a sort of wispy cloak of sound that transports you into a beautiful and dreamy place. it is true that the word save the best for last applies to great albums. All In Your Name closes Anticlockwise with such intensity that I felt my neurons were being assaulted by blue lightning.

Anticlockwise is a sensual trickster of an album. A playful devil with an immaculate smile. Beautifully conceived, exquisitely performed by the musicians involved and yes….embellished by artistry of Nick Burbridge.

Know more here: http://www.burbridgearts.org/

New Album by The Folkalists Now Available Free for Two Weeks!

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The Folkalists

Laughter is the best medicine. If you can find someone making funny tunes while maintaining musical excellence (and serious face) then he/she is on my top list. This is the case of Northern Irish band The Folkalists. From the first to last track all I get to hear are great vibes, amazing melodies and yes awesome humor. The world is harsh enough to dwell on too much angst(I had many for the past few days) and it isn’t healthy in the long run. Pickin Up The Change is the remedy.

Dee McIlroy, Eugene Glenn and Barry Skeff aren’t scared to poke fun at situations. They don’t take themselves too seriously which is a great thing. That is why these songs just come through right away. The degree of heartfelt humour and talent are  perfect addition to my collection of Irish albums! They made it to my top categories.

Dee has an amazing voice. It’s warm, mellow but with a great range. It is also an expressive instrument. The melodies are gorgeous. Their music falls on the folk/country side with echoes of traditional Irish flavour. Walking in the Sunshine is my personal ‘hit’ song because it is catchy, upbeat and artfully crafted. Just Can’t Find the Words is another favorite of mine. It’s a love song that reminds me a little bit of Crosby Stills  Nash & Young with a tinge of America. I swear I find no weak tracks in this album. This is really well conceived and flawlessly executed. They really make the songs shine with their vocal harmonization.

The instruments used in this recording are fantastic. The mixing sounds great. I look forward to more releases from The Folkalists because they are really nice to be around. We all need this music!

Like them in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/folkalists?fref=ts

http://www.folkalists.webspace.virginmedia.com/