Yup, we don’t have an album or artist review yet. However, I have another album review coming up in a few days. I want to stretch out my album reviews so that I can post random stuff. And I guess random stuff makes this whole blogging thing fun, eh?
Our minds are infinitely creative. As we grow as people, we tend to discover new things. We tend to have further understanding along with that growth. We also evolve for better or worse depending on which side of the bell curve you fall. For me, I take it one at a time. Sure I can be miserable if I focus on the bad stuff. However, I know there is so much I can offer as long as I fill my days with gratitude and faith: Yup, one at a time.
And speaking of one at a time, I have been checking out musical instruments after acquiring my own Irish wooden D flute. I am still working on it as I am also studying music theory and keyboard playing on the side. But it is great to learn a new instrument. I had an Irish tin whistle, but I lost it. So seeing this video has filled me with nostalgia.
As we all know, Kevin Crawford plays for Lunasa. He is also a great session player for other musicians. I enjoy his social media posts because he is also a cyclist. Check this out, and hopefully, you get to learn a new musical instrument.
It’s been a while since I posted something here. Blame it to the many obligations I took (which sometimes I regret because they zap my strength and creativity to blog) and that you can’t serve two masters at the same time. When you want to give your best on something, it must occupy your time and attention. And I believe that writing reviews or blogging about music is not just for the sake of putting something out there. It must be true to your heart. Music is about touching lives and putting that ‘soul’ to your existence because your music defines you. And I know that there are those who really don’t like my music preference but that’s just a matter of taste. What is important is that people are passionate about what they like to listen to. Because when you dissect music in its barest essence, it is after all about energy. And energy is what the universe is made of. And it is part of us all.
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Happy Birthday to Kevin Crawford!
Yes the big man of Lunasa has just celebrated his birthday. They will be in the US next year so watch out for that event American listeners.
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Ensemble Eriu on Soundcloud.
These musicians are fantastic. They have created a kind of sound that is unique and also artfully crafted. I enjoyed every song from them and I think you will enjoy this Soundcloud link I posted. If you like the combination of Traditional Irish and modern music then you will love anything they release!
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Hooray Julie Fowlis!
If you haven’t visited the website of Julie Fowlis yet, you better check it out. A new album is out plus recognition from her own country. She wowed fans of alternative rock and traditional Scottish music and her wide appeal is evident in event below.
Music Award:
Julie made history last Saturday night when she became the first Gaelic artist to be honoured alongside pop and rock stars at the ‘Scottish Music Awards – The Tartan Clefs 2014’; where she received the ‘Scottish Traditional Music Award’.(from her official website.
New album from Julie Fowlis is out now!
If you want to read more about it and also upcoming music events from Julie Fowlis, then go to :http://www.juliefowlis.com
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
Celtic Music Fan 