Luka Bloom

Rant Maggie Rant CD is the BEST live Recording in Years!

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Lindsay Schindler – Fiddle, backing vocals.Glen Dias – Voice, recorders.Rob Larose – Drum Kit, Hand percussion, backing vocals.Barry James Payne- Guitar, backing vocals
(www.stringbone.ca)

Hometown: Stratford, Ontario

http://www.rantmaggierant.com

I have listened to many live recordings including mainstream albums but once in a while something pops up and takes the cake. I am talking about the new album by Rant Maggie Rant recorded live. They say good things come in minimalist packages. Don’t let the serene green CD package fool you. The album is packed with the most endearing Celtic tracks.

Big kudos to the sound engineer who recorded this performance because it captures the energy and the nuance of the band. They play so tightly and perfectly that you would wonder if this is really a live recording. Only when you hear the enthusiastic cheering of the audience then you know it’s really live. The strong points of Rant Maggie Rant are their rhythms, vocal presentation and arrangements. I think I play this CD at least three times a day starting in the morning when I wake up because it is really a perfect album to greet the day. There’s this huge positive vibe that wraps itself around you.

I love the Irish Gaelic track  Cunla because I’ve heard this performed by other bands before but RMR has given it a different twist! All the tracks are feet jerkers because of their energetic style. Gooseberry Bush did it for me. The fiddling is as delicious as ripe apples. I also love their slower moments like Bachelor’s Hall. Glen Dias has that Celticky vocals ( that’s how I call singers with that distinctive type of singing voice filed under Iarla Ó Lionáird, Loreena McKennitt, Connie Dover, Moya Brennan, Luka Bloom and other singers). Lindsay Schindler always shines in reels and jigs like the breath-taking Kitchen Set. As for the guitar of Barry James Payne, all I can say is : his guitar playing is always luminous, wispy and stunning.

The special guests can also hold their own like Loretto Reid’s fantastic tin whistle, Steve Clarke’s grooves and the foot stumping percussion of Graham Hargrove. I warn you. This album is addictive. Potent and magical stuff there. A great way to celebrate Halloween to liven up misty hearts and sleepy heads.

Listen to my Celtic Music Hour this Saturday, 4 to 5 pm German time because I will be playing a few tracks from the album. That’s on www.radiohappy.eu and the recorded stream will become my podcast a day or two later for you to listen again.

Rant Maggie Rant Live CD

Front and back of the CD

Rant Maggie Rant live CD

CD spread

Beannacht and the Sound of Summer

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Their debut CD, “Gra na Firinne” was released in November 2011.

As summer approaches, more and more Celtic bands are putting out albums that have that feel of white sandy beaches and bonfires. I can cite Beannacht as an example. The duo of Tom Johnston and Dierdre Forrest show that carefree simplicity. The tracks in the album are arranged in a way suited for few instruments. There are other instruments that embellish this silky project but mostly, the focus of Gran a Firinne is to project that languid poetic style reminiscent of Christy Moore and Luka Bloom.  Margarita, sunset and the music of Beannacht. Sounds like a perfect combination. Aloha! Summer is here.

Notable tracks: Upon Your Ocean, Why’d You Go, And I Love and many more.

Brian  Ostering captures the silky sound which borders on the wispy yet making sure to add that warm touch especially on middle frequencies. Great mastering by George Wirth. Sounds like this album is great both in artistic and technical aspect.

Thanks to Anita Daly for the taste of the music 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/BeannachtMusic

About

Writing great songs, playing great shows, supporting venues and fellow musicians.

Biography

Beannacht was named one of the Top Irish Music Makers of 2011 and Rookie of the Year by Mike Farragher and the Irish Voice!

Beannacht was named Best New Act at the 2011 Jersey Acoustic Music Awards in Asbury Park, NJ!

Beannacht is the musical duo of guitarist/singer/songwriter Thomas Johnston and his niece, lead vocalist and lyricist Deirdre Forrest. Both musicians are heavily influenced by nearly all genres of music and especially enjoy being able to share their Irish culture through their music. Beannacht is a famous poem by Celtic writer and spiritualist John O’Donohughe and the word beannacht translates to “blessing” in the Irish form of the Gaelic language.

Description

An acoustic duo creating original songs that are a blend of contemporary Irish, classic rock, folk, and blues. Their debut CD, “Gra na Firinne” was released in November 2011.

Sounds New 4: Inni-K

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Inni-K: Gentle star..rising star.

Wow. I mean wow look at how artfully created this video is. Seeing someone sing so flawlessly while keeping the pizzicato rhythm of her violin is not what you usually see even among traditional singers. This is just the initial indication what Inni-K is capable of achieving in her forthcoming album this year.

This native of  Co. Kildare, who now lives in An Daingean, Co. Kerry has worked with musicians such as Luka Bloom, Liam Ó Maonlaí and many more. Her listeners range from indie supporters to Celtic music fanatics. She has a beautiful voice-both a combination of strength and vulnerability. I will certainly watch out for her upcoming projects from now on.

This is her site blog: http://inni-k.blogspot.com/

Her facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innikmusic

Her EP Gentle Star is available for download: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/innik

Dave Rooney: In the Studio.

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Currently recording… 

Dave Rooney is working on a new album called Entertainer. I own two of his albums and listening to each  is always a great musical experience. He is a fine musician who is rooted in the folk and Irish tradition but never losing that pop sensibility. If you like The Waterboys, Wet Wet Wet and Luka Bloom, then I don’t see why ou won’t pick up releases from this talented artist. Here’s our little conversation:

What’s the title of the new album?

The new album is called the Entertainer. I’ve folkafied and re-recorded previous tracks and written 6 new ones for this one I’m really happy with it, sounding very contemporary Irish. All the songs are woven in to the the story line, looking forward to getting on the road.
What can listeners expect from this album?

It’s pretty much a life work for me. Introspective,and a big story line based on a character I met in Temple Bar.That’s where I got the idea for the musical. So a few of the songs are about him,with all the songs based on his life.

Are you working with the same guys whom you worked with in your previous album?

Same studio, Sharon Hussey fiddle player, {this is my home} new drummer, accordion player, pipe player ,double bass player,so on…I’m going back to the acoustic more contemporary out of Ireland sound

That sounds amazing! How do you maintain your amazing singing style and how to you keep being up to your toes during tours.

A lot of people ask me that, how do you find time what with a family and all.
The singing comes naturally, simply because I gig 10-12 shows a week, So I’m singing in my sleep. With regards to tours, I love traveling, gigging in different places and I think once your doing what you love it creates and energy and a zest that gives you the ability to stay on top of it.

Thank you Dave. I will be posting this little interview soon and I hope to get a preview of at least one of the songs to let it build anticipation.

As soon as I have a mastered copy, you’ll have it.
thanks a mill Baxter!!!

Dave Rooney performs his new single ‘She’s Not Here’ Live at the Candlelight Sessions in Buskers Bar, Temple Bar, Dublin. 05/04/11

News: Moya Brennan, Jenne Lennon, Luka Bloom, Brian Kennedy and Solas

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You can now get a copy of the fantastic PBS show hosted by Moya Brennan.  The Music of Ireland (Welcome Home) is now available exclusively at Barnes and Nobles. You can see snippets of this video of you co to http://www.moyabrennan.com/ ….Jenne Lennon is in studio working on he new album. Her moving rendition of “Bonny Portmore” is for sale at I-Tunes, Amazon.com, Rhapsody , and all other online stores!  Download the single that’s making all of the buzz in Scotland and the U.K.! The single is featured on the “Going Back Home V.11” Compilation Album through Quickstar/Sony Productions according to her website: Jenne Lennon is hard at work on a new performance schedule for the spring and her debut solo album! Keep checking the sites for more updates on all of Jenne’s endeavors! http://www.jennelennon.com/music.html…Luka Bloom is one of the important international artists to head the 20th Caribana Festival. Experience diversity and  a kind of music that pushes the limits of what’s mainstream and what’ ‘alternative’ http://www.caribana-festival.ch/en/2010/artists/…. Albums, news and interviews of Irish Balladeer Brian Kennedy can now be seen when you go to http://www.briankennedy.co.uk/ also watch out for new up-coming autobiography!…For the month of June, Solas has the following tour dates:

Venue City Date Time
Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center Worcester, MA 06/11/10 8:00pm
Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center Worcester, MA 06/12/10 6:00pm
Music and Wine Festival – Fort Hunter Park Harrisburg, PA 06/13/10 7:30pm
Madison Square Park New York, NY 06/23/10 7:00pm
Tupelo Music Hall Londonderry, NH 06/25/10 8:00pm
Celtic Fling Manheim, PA 06/26/10 TBD

For the entire tour dates please visit the official site’s tour schedule: http://www.solasmusic.com/?page_id=9

***

Lyrics in focus:

The House Carpenter

What do you think the song is about? Don’t you think it presents a disturbing and tragic meaning?

Note: Mick McAuley has a different rendition of this especially in the 7th stanza which goes

“Are you weeping for your house and your home

is that where you longed to be,

Though I am not weeping for my house carpenter

I am weeping for my babies three”

Well met, well met, my own true love
Well met, well met, cried she
I’ve just returned from the salt, salt sea
And it’s all for the love of thee

I could have married a King’s daughter there
She would have married me
But I have forsaken my King’s daughter there
It’s all for the love of thee

Well, if you could have married a King’s daughter there
I’m sure you’re the one to blame
For I am married to a house carpenter
And I’m sure he’s a fine young man

Forsake, forsake your house carpenter
And come away with me
I’ll take you where the green grass grows
On the shores of sunny Italy

So up she picked her babies three
And gave them kisses, one, two, three
Saying “take good care of your daddy while I’m gone
And keep him good company.”

Well, they were sailin’ about two weeks
I’m sure it was not three
When the younger of the girls, she came on deck
Sayin’ she wants company

“Well, are you weepin’ for your house and home?
Or are you weepin’ for your babies three?”
“Well, I’m not weepin’ for my house carpenter
I’m weepin’ for my babies three.”

Oh what are those hills yonder, my love
They look as white as snow
Those are the hill of heaven, my love
You and I’ll never know

Oh what are those hills yonder, my love
They look as dark as night
Those are the hills of hell-fire my love
Where you and I will unite

Oh twice around went the gallant ship
I’m sure it was not three
When the ship all of a sudden, it sprung a leak
And it drifted to the bottom of the sea