lunasa

Le Vent du Nord, Lunasa’s La Nua and the Julie Fowlis EPK

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Le Vent du Nord continue  to define borders of music never been explored before by other musicians. Not only that they create a kind of sound that appeals to both French, Irish and Breton listeners, they also transcend boundaries of what is alternative and what is traditional. Upon first listen, the band exude a kind of breezy top 40 adult contemporary rock feel…well, not until one listens carefully to the arrangements, one will realize how so much craft and thought have been poured into the recordings.

The really interesting thing about merging French and Celtic music is the way the words sound . There is a lot of sensuality to it.They help bring  Québécois music (which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany), to the  public and I think it also gave me so much insight into the kind of diverse culture Canada has. The band already released five albums.

Band members play a variety of instruments each taking turns in every arrangements.

For those who love the traditional band Lunasa, they have a new album out called  La Nua . Samples of the songs can be heard on the band’s website.  This is really a treat to Lunasa fans who have been thirsting for  latest music coming from this one of a kind Irish band. Released last April, this is what the site has to sat about the new album:

Lúnasa celebrate the arrival of a new decade with Lá Nua (‘new day’).

After a 4-year hiatus from the studio, this highly-anticipated album came out of extensive rehearsal and recording on location in the beautiful Cooley mountains in the northeast of Ireland. This environment, rich in the history and culture of ancient Ireland, inspired much of the creativity and new writing on the recording.
Released worldwide 6th April 2010

Here is one nice video from Julie Fowlis . This is an EPK following the release of her latest album “Uam”. I love Julie Fowlis and the freshness she has brought into traditional music.

Album Review:Lunasa The Other World

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 14 Comments

The Other Word(1999) is the second release from Traditional Irish band Lunasa. The name is taken from Lughnasadh, an old Irish harvest festival.  Fiddle, whistles, flute,bass and uilleann pipes are featured in this festive collection. Most of the tunes are jolly ,innovative and sparkling with tight craftmanship.

The album is kicked off by the first track Goodbye Miss Goodavich / Rosie’s Reel. Infectious, sensual and yes other worldly, the tune calls to mind fairies and leprechauns dancing in a traditional toe tapping Irish dance.

The Floating Crowbar / McGlinchey’s / The Almost Reel follows with it’s merry introduction of uillean pipes. The track moves into a duel with a tin whistle complete with bodhran taps.

The Butlers of Glen Avenue / Sliabh Russell / Cathal McConnell’s is acoustic guitar induced amidst the trio of fiddle,whistle and and flute. The bass provides that syncopated rhythm .

January Snows / Laura Lynn Cunningham opens with  a solo mournful air of flute. The vigorous way it’s being played however prevented the song from being sleepy. This is one magical track in this album.

The jig of The Miller of Drohan is something that any Altan fan would roll his or her eyes on. It’s infectious and sweet. It’s like a sound of an old friend beckoning you to the fire to keep warm.

Dr. Gilbert / Devils of Dublin / Black Pat’s is a another dance tapping piece. The uilleann pipes is highlighted again. There’s a nice fast flute solo in the middle with a bass drone from the uilleann pipes.

Autumn Child / Heaton Chapel is a jazzy guitar/flute piece.  Both lovers of Celtic and Jazz music would love this one. The song ends with a jig of fiddles. Nicely done.

Stolen Apples sways and watltzes  into your mood with a sunny day brightness.

Taylor Bar, 4am / Ceol Na Mara is flute induced with tin whistle and acoustic guitar.

Lafferty’s / Crock of Gold / Lady Birr / Abbey Reel is pure furious energy. It’s like observing a horse brake out of the barn. This is where Irish music becomes mesmerizing. Especially when the melodies weave themselves skillfully and fast .It’s like observing a beautiful complicated piece of lace.

O’Carolan’s Welcome / Rolling in the Barrel ends the album with forlorn but positive melodies. So far this is a magical album showcasing brilliant musicianship and traditonal instruments.

For more info , visit the group’s official site

To hear tracks,  visit their official MySpace site

Top Selling in Celtic Music at Amazon.com

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51lnBDhHUUL._SL500_AA240_  If you want to know what’s hip and hot in Celtic world, then you got to check this out!

Amazon Celtic Chart

  My personal favorite Jane Sibbery made it to the top 20 as well as Lunasa,Solas and Riverdance.I think this is exciting because we now have our own little chart up there 😉 You can also listen to song samples so you’ll know what to expect.