Irish

Classical Celtic

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Featuring: Emma Kate Tobia, Sue Aston, Noel Duggan, Karnataka, Denez Prigent(with Lisa Gerrard) and Celtic Tenors.

My dearest subscribers, welcome. It is raining while I am writing this and the weather can really change the mood. So we are going to go on a ‘softer route’ with classically sounding Celtic tunes-well, mostly- some old songs and and interviews I picked up off youtube. Weekend is here and August is almost over. It is amazing to see how the musical career of friends are starting to take off. This is probably the only site where you can find really eclectic stuff. I mean think about it: punk, traditional and new age all in one edition plus other interesting trivia along the way. But like I said, today we are going to go a little bit soft. I warn you though he next edition is going to be ear pounding.

Happy Birthday Sue Aston

http://www.sueaston.com

The Cornish diva of the bow is celebrating her birthday today. It was perhaps about two years ago when I invited her for an interview article. This woman is really down to Earth, intelligent and passionate about her culture. What are better tunes to celebrate her birthday than this beautiful Cornish dance tune which she performed and also one of her tracks from Between Worlds. Check them out!

Cornish Dance “Mazey Dazey” Sue Aston/Tros An Treys

Taken from the album ‘Between Worlds’ by Sue Aston Filmed in Cornwall UK

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Emma Kate Tobia

http://www.emmakatetobia.com

One of the songs by Emma Kate Tobia that you don’t get to hear in youtube so I took time to upload it for your listening pleasure. Have you observed that there are songs in any album by any artist that don’t usually get to be a single yet that song sounds really good? Next time I will have to find someone who works in the record industry and ask how they get together to decide which songs in the album become singles. This is the 11th track off her album Aisling na nGael. I recommend it if you are into classical type of singing and lush orchestration. I was raised in Classical music so I really dig tunes such as this one. And yes, the Irish part came a bit later. When you merge the two influences , the result is always amazing.

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Noel Duggan of Clannad Speaks About the reason why they got together again.

I was watching the Clannad performance in LiveTrad a couple of days ago. If you haven’t yet, you better subscribe to LiveTrad because they bring only the best in Irish music to the world. Try to read my interview with the people behind LiveTrad here: http://celticmusicfan.com/2011/09/12/livetradstreaming-traditional-irish-music-to-the-worldinterview/

Now going back to the video, Noel Duggan says here that they never really disbanded but concentrated in their individual projects. I think taking the time off from your band to hone your own musical styles can be a refreshing and creative thing would you agree? I am just so glad one of the best Celtic bands in the world is back!

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Featured ensemble: Karnataka

 ttp://karnataka.org.uk/music.php

That is a link to the track samples off the Celtic group Karnataka. Think of them as Riverdance, meets Gaelic Storm. They make big sounds and their live shows are always grand. Check them out if you like your Celtic music grand, big and theatrical.

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Flashback: Denez Prigent – An Hini A Garan

http://www.denezprigent.com/

Denez Prigent is one of the artists who introduced me to the music of Brittany. His voice has that haunting quality of a pinched pipe and the moving power of Gregorian singing. The subtle orchestration really highlights the beautiful singing between him and Lisa Gerrard. This language is Breton.  What is more compelling is the translation I found in this channel:

In English: An hini a garan (‘The One I love’) The one I love, before, when we were little at home when we were so near to each other My heart was loving only one When I was little at home, the one I love. The one I love, I lost forever Gone far away and will never come back And this is what I sing for the one I love. The one I love one day left me For a far away land A land that I don’t know Lost, lost one day, the one love

Wow I think this is one of the songs you would like to listen to in your room after a break up with someone.

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Curiosity:Facebook Celtic Tenors

http://www.celtic-tenors.com/

Wow curiosity brought me to this site. Frankly it is interesting to listen to how The Celtic Tenors talk. I was able to interview Matthew Gilsenan way back and I really expected him to talk that way. Here is the interview I did: http://celticmusicfan.com/2012/03/03/exclusive-interviewmatthew-gilsenan-of-the-celtic-tenors/

The Celtic Tenors are  on tour in China. Yeah, it is closer to the Philippines 😀

Stephen Ducke: “A Complete Guide to Playing Irish Traditional Music on the Whistle”

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Plus: The Stride Set, Brian Femming and the late Maeve Binchy

Learning of an instrument as a journey, rather than a destination..

286 pages with illustrated examples and also audio materials accompanying this book should  be a joy to those trying to learn the tin whistle.

I have a brief background in the recorder and it isn’t hard for me to understand the notation as well as terms that Stephen Ducke used in this book. I should tell you that even though you don’t have a musical background and have just picked up the instrument, this book is straightforward and free of any cumbersome words that might hamper the learner.

It will also give you a complete understanding why Irish music sounds that way. Learning through this book will reward you in twofold: playing the tin whistle and understanding Irish Celtic music. The rest is up to you to find out. I cached up with Steve and popped him few questions: .

I see that you are managing 9 blogs all and all. How do you find the energy to teach and blog at the same time??!!

The author: Stephen Ducke

 

Actually, my Blogger blogs are mostly collections of videos, and Irish traditional news stories found online (with links to the original articles) It’s a way for myself to keep abreast of the news, and there does seem to be a readership too. My principal site is Tradschool, and this is all my own work: In the blog I regularly post tune recordings on flute and whistle, band profiles and other information. There’s also a news section that I update when I can, although less so in summer for example, when there are more gigs and workshops and I’m not often at home…

You play other instruments apart from the whistle:concertina, uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, guitar and bodhran. Man, do you even sleep? What are the challenges of playing the tin whistle for beginners?

I play the flute and whistle, and am lucky to have some colleagues who participate in sending me recordings for the website, so I am able to post concertina and fiddle tunes also, and sometimes uilleann pipes.

Please tell us more about this e-book tutorial that you are selling on your site right now.

The tutorial came from my teaching of flute and whistle, in Ireland but especially over the past 10 years in France. Many of the questions my French students have about the music and the instrument were not the type of question I was used to answering in Ireland – technical questions about the music, style and interpretation, for example. As a teacher, I feel a responsibility to at least try to answer the student’s questions, and this called for a lot of reflection on my part, and a closer examination of the music than I was used to; I realized how many things I had been taking for granted as an Irish player.

The tutorial’s format will be familiar to anyone who has taken my workshops – I adapt what I like to call a “layered” approach to playing the music, beginning with the rhythm and adding each new element little by little. I believe that, as an orally-transmitted folk music, Irish traditional music is necessarily based on a simple system, and to properly appreciate and play this music, an understanding of the system is necessary.
I feel that this tutorial is different in that I try to bring the student to an understanding of the musical style, not so he can imitate the recordings provided, but so that he can go o  to interpret new tunes and form his own style and repertoire. Where I feel many other tutorials miss out is that they provide repertoire, and descriptions of ornamentation, but very little explanation of how it all goes together. I try to examine the logic behind the music, so the student can feel confident in his understanding of the style, and confident enough to make his own choices in style or interpretation.

If I am in my 60s, do you think it is too late to master the instrument?

It depends what you mean by “master” – at 37, I’ve been playing the whistle almost 30 years and don’t feel I’ve mastered it yet; however the journey to where I am today has been immensely rewarding and gratifying. At sixty, it’s definitely not too late to start, and it’s not too late to take pleasure in playing this wonderful music. I prefer to look at the learning of an instrument as a journey, rather than a destination…

You can get your own copy though this site: http://irishwhistletutor.blogspot.com/

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Video of the day: Beginner Bodhrán: FREE Lesson No.1 of 2 from OAIM.ie with Brian Fleming

It is nice to be enlightened from various sources. Even though you are not going to be a serious musician, looking at these tutorials can enhance your appreciation of the music. I think that knowledge and esthetics go together. You can’t enjoy something you don’t understand right?

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Today in pictures: The Stride Set

Meabh O’Hare (fiddle)
Jani Lang (fiddle)
Patricia Clark (fiddle)
Michael McCague (bouzouki)
Josie Harrington (guitar/vocals)
Kevin Jones (drums)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stride-Set

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People: The Late Maeve Binchy

An undated handout image provided by Christine Green Authors’ Agent in London, Irish novelist and playwright Maeve Binchy passed away after a short illness at the age of 72 on 30 July 2012. Photo credit: EPA/Liam White

Her  book Circle of Friends introduced everyone to Ireland in the 50s. I like the fluidity of her prose. She can be subtle but also funny. Books like Tara Road, The Lilac Bus, The Glass Lake among others, stayed with me and I can still remember how the characters are. I think all Irish people have the gift whither it is musical, visual or literary. Their passion speaks in volumes and it can me be contagious. She will always stay in our hearts.

Lunasa – USA and Canada summer shows and beyond …

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Ha! I am sure traditional fans in North America will love this. Yes they are coming. My big thanks to Christi in the United States for keeping me informed about the Celtic news over there. This is the message from the band:

Hi Folks,
If you’re anywhere near Lowell, Somerville or Oak Bluffs in MA … Ridgefield, CT … Pawling, NY … Lancaster, PA … Portsmouth, NH … OR … Sherbrooke, QC … the Lúnasas are on their way over at the end of the month.

Date and Venue:

Date Venue City Country Contact
Jul. 28, 2012 Lowell Folk Festival Lowell, MA USA 978 970 500
Jul. 29, 2012 Lowell Folk Festival Lowell, MA USA 978 970 5000
Jul. 31, 2012 Ballard Park – Barbara Manner’s Summer Series Ridgefield, CT USA 203-431-6501
Aug. 01, 2012 The Burren Somerville, MA USA 617-776-6896
Aug. 03, 2012 The Union Chapel Oak Bluffs, MA USA 508 693 6237
Aug. 04, 2012 Towne Crier Pawling,NY USA (845) 855-1300
Aug. 05, 2012 Longs Park Amphitheater Lancaster, PA USA 717 295 7054
Aug. 09, 2012 Festival Des Traditions Du Monde De Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, QC Canada 819-821-7433
Aug. 10, 2012 Festival Des Traditions Du Monde De Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, QC Canada 819 821 7433
Aug. 11, 2012 Prescott Park Arts Festival Portsmouth, NH USA 603 436 2848
Nov. 01, 2012 Upstairs Cabaret Victoria, BC Canada 250-360-2406
Nov. 02, 2012 Rogue Folk Club – St James Church Vancouver, BC USA 604-736-3022
Nov. 03, 2012 San Juan Community Theatre and Arts Center Friday Harbor, WA USA 360 378 3210
Nov. 04, 2012 Mission Theater Portland, OR USA 1-800-227-8499
Nov. 05, 2012 The Triple Door Seattle USA 206-838-4333
Nov. 07, 2012 Kuumbwa Jazz Center Santa Cruz, CA USA 408 847 6982
Nov. 10, 2012 Barkley Theatre Fallon, NV USA 775 423 1440
Nov. 15, 2012 Lensic Performing Arts Center Santa Fe, NM USA 505 988 1234
Nov. 16, 2012 Kimo Theater Albuquerque, NM USA 505 768 3544
Nov. 17, 2012 California Institute Of Technology – Beckman Auditorium Pasadena, CA USA 626 395 4638
Feb. 23, 2013 Fitchburg State CollegeWeston Auditorium Fitchburg, MA USA (978) 665 3347
Feb. 28, 2013 Performing Arts Center Tarpon Springs, FL USA 727 937 0686
Mar. 01, 2013 University of Florida Performing Arts Gainesville, FL USA (800) 905 2787
Mar. 03, 2013 Adelphi University Garden City, NY USA 516 877 4000
Mar. 06, 2013 Reston Community Center Reston, VA USA 703 476 4500
Mar. 07, 2013 David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center New York, NY USA 212 875 5000
Mar. 08, 2013 Carlisle Theatre Carlisle, PA USA 717 258 8037
Mar. 09, 2013 Carnegie Lecture Hall Pittsburgh, PA USA 412 361 1915
Mar. 12, 2013 The Fenian’s Irish Pub Conklin, MI USA 616-899-2640
Mar. 14, 2013 Palace Theatre Syracuse, NY USA www.drumcliffe.org
Mar. 20, 2013 Evanston Celtic Festival Evanston, WY USA 307 679 2348
Mar. 22, 2013 Myrna Loy Center Helena, MT USA 406 443 0287
Mar. 23, 2013 Hamilton Performing Arts Centre Hamilton, MT USA 406 363 7946

Details for these shows and beyond here: http://www.lunasa.ie/?blogid=3

 

áthas on Tour All Over Milwaukee

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Hello American readers in the Midwest. The band Athas is making rounds around Milwaukee this month. You should not miss the amazing talents of each member. I stumbled upon them last March 2010. I am excited to hear that they are spreading the joy of Celtic music around the United States and the world. Thanks to harpist Scott Hoye for posting the updates of the band.

This is an aside but I am amazed to learn that guitarist Jeff Ksiazek played jazz on saxophone  for two decades before switching to guitar! Amazing.

Heather Lewin-Tiarks: fiddle, viola
Amy Richter: bodhran, percussion
Jeff Ksiazek: guitar, bouzouki

I like it when a video highlights the the most important aspect of music: musicians playing their instruments.

Find them in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athasmusic

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/athas

http://www.athasmusic.com/

Biography
áthas lights the dance floor on fire with a combination of traditional and newly composed Irish dance tunes. Fierce fiddle, driving bodhrán, and funky guitar riffs come together to lift listeners’ feet, drinks, and spirits.

Although approaching the tradition from various musical backgrounds, the band found each other and their voice as an ensemble while playing in Irish sessions around Milwaukee throughout 2005. Spending their time between tunes laughing and joking inspired them to make music together and their name, which is the Irish word for joy and happiness.

The band’s blend of exciting music and fun-loving attitudes quickly earned the admiration of Milwaukee’s Irish set and ceili dance communities, as well as audiences throughout their hometown stomping grounds. áthas has become a favorite act at Irish music’s premier event, Milwaukee Irish Fest, gathering praise for the excitement of their stage shows and the energy they display playing in the dance tent.

áthas is a band firmly rooted in the traditions of Irish music, constantly seeking inspiration from the past masters and passing on their knowledge by teaching throughout Milwaukee. The band remains receptive to new influences, and continues to impress audiences with their new compositions as well as their
passion, energy, and love for making music.

Influences:

Comas, David Munnelly Band, Teada, Different Drums of Ireland, Dervish, Planxty, John Whelan, Leo McCann, Seamus Begley

The Celtic Spirit is Alive in São Paulo with Merrow

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The word merrow or moruadh comes from the Irish muir (meaning sea) and oigh (meaning maid) and refers specifically to the female of the species. Mermen – the merrows male counterparts – have been rarely seen. They have been described as exceptionally ugly and scaled, with pig-like features and long, pointed teeth. Merrows themselves are extremely beautiful and are promiscuous in their relations with mortals.

-From Irish Fairies http://www.irelandseye.com/index.htm

 

I am glad I stayed home tonight and did my usual ‘research’. Just to let you in on my secret, I have over 2000 bands/artists in my data base and I only explored around 5% of them. I want my site to be like a directory of Celtic artists around the world. This will help bands who want to jam with other artists when they travel. This will benefit listeners to hear things they don’t usually get on their platter. Yes I want to be the only one who does this!

Let me tell you about this wonderful band from Sao Paolo Brazil. You might think that Brazil is all about Bossa Nova and Jazz. Well, after writing about Athy the blue harper, I realized that Celtic music is more prominent in South America more than ever.Think of Merrow as The Corrs meets Alanis Morissette with a bit of Goth fashion, which I dig by the way. There are two contrasting female voices here. One which is high and perky, the other one, is a lush contralto. The fiddle is the defining sound coupled with the band’s preference for hooks and catchy melodies. With more albums and production backing, this band will really win more fans.

I don’t have more information about the band but if you know them please step forward.          

 

http://www.myspace.com/merrowcelticrock