Music of Ireland

Creeds Cross: Gods & Fighting Men Is My Energy Music!

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The Album features an all star line up of musicians including Pete Jupp (FM) Drums, Bob Skeat (Wishbone Ash) Bass, Pat McManus (Mamas Boys and Celtus) Fiddle, and Brian Kelly (Shane McGowan) on Banjo. Paddy Rock takes on a new twist with this guitar driven traditionally influenced release. It’s a journey from mayhem to melancholy, stopping at every pub in between-Creeds Cross Website.

Harnessing the power of a broad musical spectrum, Creeds Cross crafted an album that will appeal to many listeners. They also made a good musical representation with their (visually pleasing) video for The Irish Band. The album has eleven tracks that celebrate the passionate spirit of Irish rock. What I admire about this recording is its natural vibe that flows. It doesn’t matter what tempo, the passion rubs on you right away.

The Irish Band is a perfect introduction to the music of the band, and I guess that’s the main reason it is their first single. Fiddles, banjos and other instruments wrapped this uplifting tune. Precision is the thing that marks their playing. No loose ends there.

I like the way the drummer(Pete Jupp) hammers the snare in One by One. People can call their music Paddy rock or any way they want to call it. But for me it is simply this: Beautiful music! A kind of album you should take with you when you go on a trip somewhere far away. The energy screams caffeine and after several listens, you will realize how easy it is to memorize all the songs in Gods & Fighting Men.

Good Enough is a good power ballad suited for a huge arena. Bart Foley proves that he has remarkable vocal pipes, enough to make the gods stop in their tracks. The title track Gods & Fighting Men sounds like it has a potential for second single. It has this loud and confident style that most young people really dig these days. I’m Coming Home has a very Americana feel. I love it because it makes me smile when I hear it. Two thumbs up for the banjo player(Brian Kelly). I also love Half a Chance for its power to make me want to dance-pogo dancing that is…

For those who are into the softer side of music, listen to A Lullaby. It’s really a good song with awesome mandolin playing. When you reach the chorus part it feels like you are flying.

You can buy Gods & Fighting Men here: http://www.creedscross.com/product/gods-fighting-men-album/

From Gods & Fighting Men video shoot.

The Otherworldly Appeal of Under a Red Night Sky by Martin Tourish

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Martin Tourish is back with an album that promises to enchant and enrich the soul with historical content in twelve artfully crafted tracks.

I compare the experience to watching a UFO land. The beautiful album cover alone ( orange, red , black and a bird silhouette ) is telling. Under a Red Night Sky also presents the involvement of Tim Edey and the technical talent of Alexis Nealon who engineered and mastered this superb recording. I checked out the list of artists in the liner notes and I give it a two thumbs up. Or even three.

It’s an eclectic mix of traditional melodies, classical influences and samples from music archives that showcase the stories behind the tunes. In my dark bedroom, it seems as if the ceiling opens up to reveal a wild, fantastic and beautifully scary world that is inhabited by primal emotions. This album is very visual.

It is easy to get lost in the beautiful music of Martin Tourish whom I wrote about more than a year ago, highlighting his achievements (being able to perform with legendary personalities including NASA astronaut Cady Coleman). Under a Red Night Sky is a testament to his sophisticated command of technique and composition.

It is hard to choose my favorite tracks out of the twelve because, each tune has its story to tell. Variation on a Theme from a James Tourish Collection (track 6)is a favorite due to its emphasis on nuance and atmosphere. I also love Imagined Communities because it features  John Doherty’s voice which enhances the ambience. The other stand out track for me is Horseman, Pass By. It is the last track in the album. Being alone in the dark and listening to this gives me goosebumps. You know what they say about the curtain between the physical world and the unseen becomes thin- it’s exactly the feeling I have.

Under a Red Night Sky plays like a good fantasy/historical/sci-fi novel. You don’t want to miss a chapter. All the meticulous love for detail of talents involved in the making of this album are evident as you listen again and again. It is something you can listen to ten years from now and realize how timeless and beautiful it is.

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Watch Out for the Forthcoming Album by Guitar, Bouzouki Player Michael McCague

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Michael McCague in In Derry

Michael McCague:Musician, Composer, Recording Artist and Mathematics Major.

Music follows Mathematical laws. And Traditional Irish musicians like Michael McCague can attest to this. After all, he is a Mathematics major. When he is not into academic things, he plays music with his brother Donal. It’s through Donal that I discovered him. I have seen most of their videos consisting mainly of fiddle(Donal) and Guitar(Michael) duets.

His style is hypnotic and rhythmic. Although I am yet to hear his solo album, his name has been all over the traditional Irish music map.  I you haven’t heard of him, then look for recordings by the following:

Idir – by At First Light (arrangement, guitar and bouzouki)

Bits N Pieces – Donal Mc Cague (arranger, guitar, bouzouki, piano, tenor guitar)

Banjo – Stevie Dunne – (arrangement, guitar, bouzouki)

Its Not Racket Science – At The Racket (arrangement, guitar, tenor guitar, bouzouki)

Sheridan’s Guesthouse – Dave Sheridan – (arranger, bouzouki, guitar)

Edel Fox & Ronan Flaherty (guitar, bouzouki, arranger)

Idir – by At First Light (arrangement, guitar and bouzouki)
Bits N Pieces – Donal Mc Cague (arranger, guitar, bouzouki, piano, tenor guitar)
Banjo – Stevie Dunne – (arrangement, guitar, bouzouki)
Its Not Racket Science – At The Racket (arrangement, guitar, tenor guitar, bouzouki)
Sheridan’s Guesthouse – Dave Sheridan – (arranger, bouzouki, guitar)
Edel Fox & Ronan Flaherty (guitar, bouzouki, arranger)

You can also read an update about the forthcoming album through his TradConnect blog:

http://tradconnect.com/profiles/blogs/album-update

Videos with Michael playing:

Martin Furey about The High Kings: Singing in Different Places including The White House

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 Album Artwork

I am glad to get one of The High Kings do an interview. We have no other than Martin Furey who is the eldest son of Ireland’s ‘Prince of Pipers’ Finbar Furey. He also does  vocals, guitar and low whistle for The High Kings.  With Darren Holden, Finbarr Clancy and Brian Dunphy, the four form an indomitable power group.  So, like any listener, I am curious what it’s like being them.

Their new album Friends for Life is now out.

 

1. Memory Lane is a fantastic album! You must have been excited when the opportunity came up with Friends for Life? 

 

Oh yes it affirmed my belief in the Love of God to know that dreams really can come true and to be careful what we wish for, both since with great fame comes great responsibility 🙂

 

2. Gucci is my favorite song. It has something I have never heard in any song before. How did you come up with that kind of vocal style?  

 

I listened to the best musician God ever put on the earth,Finbar Furey ,my father and tried to get as close to his style as possible as myself.Its a style of playing handed down in my family from generation to generation which is also popular in American music though I am not saying I know how that happened…;)

 

3. Johnny Leave Her is the only a capella song yet it stands out as something easy to sing along. What’s the story behind this?  

 

There were four fellas at sea, the shortest one was trouble the largest one was easily lead and the middle two loved cards but got into an argument about a hand and so came the phrase ‘”leave her'”…Johnny I don’t know what a Johnny is doing in the song but there it is all the same,maybe he was a stowaway???

 

4. You already release live recordings and also toured many times. How do you keep it fresh and continue to be inspired to record songs. 

 

The audience keeps it fresh it’s lovely to see a sea of faces who are enjoying their night..how could you not give your very heart in return for such heart in support.  

 

5. What should every artist know when one is being catapulted into international success and meeting all kinds of people. What’s the big yes and no?  

 

Have noticed one of either, just do what you want at all times, we are all born free and it is worth any conflict to maintain. Don’t be guilted into bullshit scenarios and do call a cheap shot a cheap shot and do be yourself no matter what they say like Sting said.

 

6. The four of you were invited to perform at the Official St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at The White House. How was the feeling rubbing shoulders with US President Barack Obama and Taoiseach Enda Kenny?  

 

Another day at the office for all concerned. Good to meet him, I reiki’d him for a minute that was the best I could do for the man. Cool guy considering his obligations but I won’t support him fully til he lets snoop lion perform his new songs at the White House nor will I forgive him if I don’t get an invite 😉 Lovely atmosphere in the home which I have to hand to Michelle obviously, she really knows how to put people at their ease

 

7. Being in The High Kings, do you still get royal treatments when you go home to Ireland? 

 

I am not the type of person that requires the trappings on any continent. Where do the folks hang out?

Big thanks to Anita Daly for making this possible.

The High Kings: Friends for Life

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Album Artwork

1. Oh Maggie
2. Gucci
3. All Around the World
4. Johnny Leave Her
5. Health to the Company
6. Galway Girl
7. Peggy Gordon
8. High
9. Ireland’s Shore
10. Come with Me Now
11. McAlpines Fusiliers
12. Friends for Life

Too precious to be pop yet  modern to be inaccessible -those are the things I found when I listen to the new album of the High Kings called Friends for Life. I think that after years of being on the road and filling arenas, the quartet of Darren Holden, Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy and Martin Furey can confess that they are going to be in music for life. They are friends and fantastic artists as they weave their talents for listeners to enjoy. Released by Sony Classical, I expect nothing less from this album in terms of production. And yes I am completely satisfied and proud to recommend it to everyone.

Oh Maggie is the first track and it introduces what the whole atmosphere of the album sounds like. Jacketed by a nice banjo sound, it proves that Ireland’s pub culture can sound so good in the cities of the world. After all, it was music that saved civilization and thus the spirit will continue to flourish through time. It shall be savored by generations to come. Gucci is a potential single with its emphasis on power chords and aggressive rhythm on top of the fantastic vocal abilities. We hear guitars, fiddles, accordions and other traditional instruments along with moderns ones in Friends for Life. Jonny Leave Her so irresistible it will make you sing along.

I think this is recorded with live performance in mind as everything here sounds upfront and lively. Darren Holden, Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy and Martin Furey have outdone themselves with this wonderful recording. I love the remake of Galway Girl and  Peggy Gordon. Friends for Life continues the magic of Memory Lane but it has a more modern appeal. I think there are tracks that can sound fitting in alternative rock radio stations. The folk roots are still there but I think they are moving forward with this album. They get better and better with every studio session.

As always my big thanks to Anita Daly for pointing me to this new release!