A collection of songs by local musicians in Northern Ireland supporting Unicef’s disaster relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Featuring tracks from Gareth Dunlop, The Jepettos and more….
News flash! The friends of The Celtic Music Fan in Northern Ireland have compiled an album supporting the Haiyan disaster relief fund in the Philippines. These are local artists with world class talents. All the songs in this album are worth a listen. They are all amazing they all stand out. There are many styles involved in this collection. These are soul-stirring original tunes carefully chosen to fit the concept of this album.
Songs for the Philippines – a collection of songs supporting the Haiyan Disaster Relief Fund (UNICEF) appeared on the 22nd of November 2013, on the bandcamp site of Laura Stevenson Christmann(she reminds me of the very young Judy Collins) who organized this project, along with Eve Williams. Artists who appeared are Gareth Dunlop, The Jepettos, Andrew Fairfowl, Paul Mcilwaine, Wes Grierson, Darryl Hannah, Eve Williams, Stephen Dunwoody, Wookalily, Sean MacLeod, Ludwig O’Neill, Laura Stevenson Christmann.
There is however one unifying style in this album that I am sure will make you buy it-Van Morrison. Yes if you are a fan of his music then you will certainly like this album.
Laughter is the best medicine. If you can find someone making funny tunes while maintaining musical excellence (and serious face) then he/she is on my top list. This is the case of Northern Irish band The Folkalists. From the first to last track all I get to hear are great vibes, amazing melodies and yes awesome humor. The world is harsh enough to dwell on too much angst(I had many for the past few days) and it isn’t healthy in the long run. Pickin Up The Change is the remedy.
Dee McIlroy, Eugene Glenn and Barry Skeff aren’t scared to poke fun at situations. They don’t take themselves too seriously which is a great thing. That is why these songs just come through right away. The degree of heartfelt humour and talent are perfect addition to my collection of Irish albums! They made it to my top categories.
Dee has an amazing voice. It’s warm, mellow but with a great range. It is also an expressive instrument. The melodies are gorgeous. Their music falls on the folk/country side with echoes of traditional Irish flavour. Walking in the Sunshine is my personal ‘hit’ song because it is catchy, upbeat and artfully crafted. Just Can’t Find the Words is another favorite of mine. It’s a love song that reminds me a little bit of Crosby Stills Nash & Young with a tinge of America. I swear I find no weak tracks in this album. This is really well conceived and flawlessly executed. They really make the songs shine with their vocal harmonization.
The instruments used in this recording are fantastic. The mixing sounds great. I look forward to more releases from The Folkalists because they are really nice to be around. We all need this music!
And it’s no accident that this selection of the best poems from three decades begins with the word “between,” for Heaney was a poet of the in-between (as his friend Helen Vendler has observed), writing from a zone somewhere between north and south, between Catholic and Protestant, between Ireland, England, and America, between formal and free verse, between public and private, between realism and allegory, and between plain speech and loading “every rift with oar,” while also balancing the gravitas of his subject matter with the frolic and grace of poetic language. As Heaney said, “The point is to fly under or out and beyond those radar systems.” SEAMUS HEANEY: A POET OF IN-BETWEEN POSTED BY HENRI COLE (The New Yorker)
It’s everywhere. People in my stream have been posting about the passing away of the late great Seamus Heaney. His story is everywhere: The Guardian, NY Times etc. It’s like a big hole has been punched into our collective consciousness. What is death? Why such disbelief? Perhaps we always think that great minds would never die. We feel the same way to those we love: our parents and close friends. Something in us finds it hard to let go, as such soul has already nourished the umbilical cords of our creativity, our joys, our very lives. It is a symbiotic relationship that feeds poets, musicians, painters- to create. Where do we go without the beacon of light?
I don’t claim expertise to his works as I only stumbled upon his works in the course of my music blogging. I don’t think that those in love with Irish music could divorce themselves from the culture and history ; the things that feed Irishness. So yes today I am one of those rediscovering the works of this great mind. He is gone but the memory will always remain stronger with years. For those of us who feel that being alive is a burden to carry, we find comfort in the poems of this poet. It’s like his words form this umbrella to protect us from the harsh glare of the sun and the unforgiving storms of reality.
I think being from Northern Ireland made Seamus feel that sense of being in two worlds at the same time. Your reality shapes your soul. I guess that is why we always long to find a soul mate because we have different souls inside.
When listening to Celtic music, why not embellish your coffee table with something lasting and beautiful as well? Michelle Butler Ceramics offers a unique way of looking at crafts. If you want something striking and personal then her designs are definitely something you should consider as gifts to loved ones, souvenirs if you happen to be in Northern Ireland or if you just want to awaken the ‘other you’ buried by years of cultural sleep.
Celtic Stone-Peacock Plaque Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 5mm
I know how priceless these items are because I happen to own two of her ceramics. One is the Celtic stone peacock plaque and the other one is a brooch with a Celtic knot work design. She made sure the items have natural surfaces. She developed a style which reconciles primitive Celtic influences with contemporary designs and forms. What’s more, they are all handcrafted using textured stoneware clay and are finished with a rich metallic oxide producing a depth of luster-according to her website.
If you look at her catalog you will see that there are so many designs and they are divided into four types: Celtic stone, iron stone, jewelry and the unique. There is also a section for new products in case you are searching for something else. Her designs are so addicting that I am actually thinking of ordering items in the future for my growing collection of Celtic art at home. My big thanks to Northern Irish singer/songwriter Eve Williams who sent me these items. Thank you Eve for giving me something tangible and lasting. And also thanks for doing it at the time when I need something comforting and beautiful.
About Michelle Butler:
Michelle Butler is a Design Graduate from Falmouth School of Art, Cornwall, where she specialised in Ceramics. In December 1998 she started her business in the Omagh Enterprise Centre from where she relocated, in August 2005 to a barn at her home on the Gortin Road, Omagh where Sperrin Ceramics Studio was born.
Her stoneware ceramics have developed a style which reconciles primitive Celtic influences with contemporary designs and forms. The pieces are all handcrafted using textured stoneware clay and are finished with a rich metallic oxide producing a depth of lustre.
One of the brooches
A large variety of glazes are used to apply colour to specific areas of pattern and relief creating a rustic earthy ambience that makes each piece a unique gift from Ireland.
Celtic Stone, Iron Stone, Unique and Jewellery Collections are available in outlets throughout Ireland and abroad. Celtic Stone draws its influence in strong ancient Irish legacy while Iron Stone includes more contemporary designs and forms; Ironstone also features larger pots and lamp bases which are coil built and handcarved and are available as commissioned pieces.
The Michelle Butler Jewellery Collections boasts as amalgamation of these styles in a range of smaller distinctive jewellery items.
And now few ads from friends:
Purchase the CANTUS LUNARIS – Debut-Cd : Fabula antiqua
Thank you for order and we hope you enjoy listening of our vocal-instrumental ensemble for old music and celitc !
Kind regards Cantus Lunaris www.cantuslunaris.com
Conor Lamb took the time to talk about the music of the trio Réalta between touring.
I can close my eyes and get lost in the music of Réalta. There is something sublime about it. A quality that revive the spirit and soothes the mind. Open The Door For Three is what I would call as an auspicious album.The maturity and confidence of the trio are showcased in every track. I am glad to discover that Conor Lamb took the time to answer questions. It is also an honor to have him as our featured artist of the week representing Réalta.
Open The Door For Three is one of the amazing releases this year. How did you three decide to create this album?
Ha, deciding to create the album is the easy part… actually doing it is the difficult bit! We had been playing together for a few years and we had some nice sets worked out so it just made sense to try and capture that moment in time and get it recorded. We put a lot of work into the album so it means a lot to us when people enjoy it, so thanks very much, glad you like it.
Realta toured with Altan. Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh made an amazing recommendation of the band. How was the experience touring with Mairead and the rest of Altan?
Simply fantastic. Of course for all of us Altan have been a big influence on our music and their albums have always held a prominent place on our CD collection, so to tour with the band was a great experience. They really are a brilliant bunch of people… and you REALLY get to know people when you are on the road for a month! We had many a long chat about music and a few singing sessions into the early hours so an all round great experience. Mairead told us how Altan have always made a point of promoting Donegal songs and tunes and that we should try and do the same for our part of the world. I think this is a great point and one that we have taken on board. On that tour we were also away the excellent band The Outside Track and a singer/storyteller/matchmaker Willie Daly and again these were all a great bunch so we couldn’t have asked for better.
Picking up a favorite is hard because everything in this album is beautiful. But during a blind choice my finger landed on the beautiful air called Sliabh Geal gCua. Please tell me more about this track.
Glad you like it. Like many Irish airs, Sliabh Geal gCua originates as a song. This piece was written by Pádraig Ó Míléadha, who was born in Waterford and emigrated to Wales. The song describes Pádraig’s longing for the mountain close to the homeland where he spent his childhood. It is a tune we always enjoying performing. Do you think The 2010 William Kennedy Piping Festival opened doors for the trio?
Conor, Deirdre and Aaron
Me and Aaron have been going to the festival since we first started playing the pipes. So I think by attending the classes and concerts the festival helped open doors for us long before we could even scrape together the Kesh jig. This is why it was such a big deal for us when we were invited to play there as a band. A thoroughly nerve wreaking experience but also a very enjoyable one. Two uilleann pipers and a female vocalist playing guitar and bouzouki. This is rare in traditional groups. How did you manage to make it work?
You think it works!? Hmm, that’s good to hear. It wasn’t a specific instrumentation line up we had in mind or had a reason for, we just got together to play tunes because we like it. And I think that is a good basis to start upon. To be honest, when you have two pipers in the band it also forces you to be creative with regards to arrangements and this can bring about some very interesting results. Also, I think people generally like the fact that it isn’t very common.
What’s the story behind Deirdre’s unique voice?
Hmm, don’t quite know how to answer that. That is just what she sound like, and we like it.
Tell me more about Aaron O’Hagan who also plays the bodhrán.
I have been friends with Aaron since we first started learning the pipes so we go back a long way. He is a great all round musician and also a brilliant pipe maker and reed maker. He studied at an instrument making course over in England and has been producing some great sets since. When you have two sets of pipes in the band it is great to have someone with his skills help keep the things working and in tune together.
You can also get the album from CDBaby.com and Amazon, but it is best to go direct to our own website. Also, if you like the tunes, please say hello on our facebook page www.facebook.com/realtamusic Conor, you manage to be an amazing band spokesperson. How do you keep it together?
With great difficulty. Haha, only joking everyone plays their part in the band.
What are you and the rest of the band expect this year musically?
We have a few nice things coming up. We are just back from a two-week tour in Denmark, and over the summer we have festival gigs planned in Greece, Belgium, Netherlands and Brittany. Check out our website for the details.
The world is getting a taste of the wonderful artists coming form Northern Ireland. This is an exciting year for Northern Irish artists. What’s your shout out to your fellow Northern Irish and also the rest of the listening crowd?
The amount of musical talent coming out of North and Ireland in general is superb. There are so many great new CDs coming out I simply can’t keep up. Certainly from the Belfast / Antrim direction a few names to keep an eye out for are At First Light, Craobh Rua, Brendan Mulholland, Grainne Holland, Ioscaid… the list goes on. The music is in safe hands.
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Huzzah!
Have a listen to this track written by Brendan Phelan and Performed by John Breen with Steven Collins on Mandolin. Such a soothing song with a beautiful message.
Celtic Music Fan 