Music

(Time Machine 2019) The Old Speakeasy by Barleyjuice

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If you are like me, then you might consider music as an integral part of our lives. Music not only helps us sort things out when we are trying to solve a problem, but it is also our time machine to a time when things were happier and gentler. I admit I do that when I feel terrible. I listen to songs from my childhood, and things start to feel better. If I want to feel energetic, then a rocking album is a perfect fit. One example is The Old Speakeasy by Barleyjuice. As I mentioned, I have not been keeping track of my email updates and subscriptions, so I lost track of the artists in my list and their releases. But I will try harder in 2024 as I am sure it will be an exciting year for music. Now, going back to The Old Speakeasy by Barleyjuice, it is the kind of album you can listen to when looking for rock music with Irish and Scottish flavor. You must admire this band for sticking around since the late 90s and continue to have that pop-rock attitude. The history of Barleyjuice began as an American musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They formed in 1998 as a side project for musicians Keith Swanson and Kyf Brewer. The two met as bagpipers in the Loch Rannoch Pipes & Drums of Pineville, Pennsylvania. The rest is history. The album reminds me of listening to the late Shane MacGowan, who passed away this year. The Old Speakeasy is a Celtic alternative rock album that is a fine companion for your day, and I look forward to their future releases. Note: A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, was an illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages. The term may also refer to a retro-style bar that replicates aspects of historical speakeasies.- Wikipedia article

You can listen to the album here: https://youtu.be/CQwFTXstiww?si=XAoXExZSD6k_TUKc

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=RDEMBvpbPoVUJGvh_c91Cke_Gw&playnext=1&si=IakLvky_6W4Gy1sF

Introducing Harpist Ellen Gibling

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It is a great honor to listen to a new album by Harpist Ellen GibIing. I am listening to this at 5:00 a.m., which is a perfect time to meditate over coffee and the intricacies of life. This album is a work of art where the harp shines as a solo instrument, and I think it’s a fantastic decision on her part to create an album without other instruments. Her playing is superb, precise, and at times fast. While The Bend in the Light is a relaxing listening experience, it is far from being sterile as her mastery of the instrument proves that she can jam with other artists and has proper command of her musical skills. Her jigs, reels, polkas, and airs are refreshing because although they sound traditional, they reflect her modern embellishments. It is a pleasure to hear her fantastic artistry, and I think this is the start of a remarkable career. If you want a new harpist to listen to, I recommend Ellen Gibling. I do have a lot of collections when it comes to this type of instrument. Yet, I feel that her music is an excellent introduction to the harp instrument itself, so whether you are a person who likes to study harp or a listener who happens to love the sound of the instrument, then The Bend in the Light is a good introduction. You can find her music through Spotify and some streaming services, or you can visit her website, and please download her album to listen to it offline. It would be better if you also buy her physical albums. That way, you can support the artist, and don’t forget to go to her live performances because I’m pretty sure it will be a wonderful experience!

Special thanks to Nick Storring for introducing her music to me.

Revisiting Calum Stewart’s Superb Talent

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Calum Stewart – Uilleann Pipes Yann Le Bozec – Double Bass Sylvain Quéré – Cittern Mathilde Rio – Step Dance Video – Guénolé Diguet Sound – Olivier Renet http://www.calum-stewart.com http://www.lennproduction.fr “Garster’s Dream” trad. Shetland “The Seven Men of Glen Moriston” © Calum Stewart “Fisherman’s” trad. Ireland

This music video came out months ago while the world was still deep in the pandemic. Now we have the Russia and Ukraine war. And although I am not the type who posts political content, I want to say that the situation is getting worse. After one problem, there’s another one, all because of greed, hubris and people not learning from history.
To appreciate this type of music that I talk about, one must understand history. History has taught us that it repeats itself. History has shown us that leaders fall because of hubris. I created this blog after a crash course in Celtic history. It’s remarkable what you can learn when you pick up a book. The book will take you anywhere…maybe to a series of books, movies, and albums you need to hear.

I interviewed Calum Stewart way back. It was a happier time, and I was also a different person. I loved writing and asking artists about their craft and creative habits. So it was a pleasure to have that interview featuring Scottish traditional music.

Now, he is going places and has collaborated with different bands and artists. You can tell a superstar when you talk to one. This video is a testament to that. After seeing his post on my feed regarding the recent “Saerim” session on BBC Alba, I also wrote this. Unfortunately, I cannot watch the whole episode on iPlayer because I don’t live in the UK. I was fortunate enough to find this recent upload on his channel, even though this is ten months old.

Celtic Fairy Dream by 2002 is an Excellent Escape into a Kinder and Gentler World

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2002-Celtic-Fairy-Dream.jpg

I discovered the music of 2002 from Celtic radio stations on the web. The band’s dreamy and airy captivated my attention, and soon I can tell their distinctive sound apart from the rest. The band just released Celtic Fairy Dream this year amid the worrying pandemic. This is timely considering that people who are self-isolating need a kinder and gentler sound. This helps us tune into the higher vibration and avoid so much anxiety.

The new album has 10 songs, all composed, arranged, and performed by Randy, Pamela, and Sarah Copus. This is with the help of other musicians who contributed their styles in the creation of this captivating album. The thing I like about Celtic Fairy Dream is the consistency of mood in all songs regardless of the different arrangements and tempo. Added effects enhance the gentle vocals. The Green Fields of Autumn(Coinleach Glas an Fhómhair) is a personal favorite. A tune initially recorded by Clannad. Another stunner is the traditional song She Moved Through the Fair, which transports you into a dreamy world.

2002 merges the modern ”wet” sound of electronica and the lush organic beauty of folk music. This is a combination that really works. I really like this because I am not really a purist in a traditional sense. It is also a kind of album you can play after a stressful day, and help channel your higher self away from the darkness of these uncertain times.

The Joyous Waltz by Atlas is a Sweet Gift in these Troubled Times

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The Joyous Waltz is a new track by Irish duo Atlas-both natives of Limerick. Like a perfect Cappuccino over a sumptuous meal, The Joyous Waltz sways around your mood into the day’s vibes. Amid these uncertain and chaotic times, we need a break from all the politics and economy to close our eyes and enjoy music. The world can turn and tomorrow might not come, but living in the moment is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves.
Atlas launched their name with the release of Affinity in 2016 under Ropeadope Records. The album marks their style as

IMG_2765 a crossroads between tradition and what future Irish music should sound like. The talents behind Atlas are Cillian Doheny(guitars) and Cillian King(concertina).
The Joyous Waltz boasts the simplicity of two instruments in a crystal clear production. The tune reminds me of what Paris must’ve been in the 1920s. The new recording is a combination of sophistication and folk honesty. This is what music is all about-a joyous waltz to light the darkest moments, giving hope and kindness.