phil lynott

Rachael McCormack: This Is My Identity

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rachael mc cormack

Rachael McCormack’s This Is My Identity is an album filled with memorable sweet tracks wrapped in titanium.

Artist:Rachael McCormack

Album: This Is My Identity

Genre: Folk/Rock

Sounds like: For lovers of The Beatles, Phil Lynott and Chris DeBurgh

Hometown: Ballymun

Fact: Irish singers have beautiful voices. This is the most constant thing when you listen to an album coming from the emerald Isle. This Is My Identity by Rachael McCormack fulfills that expectation. Her’s is a strong voice that’s very expressive. It can go from sounding sweet and girlish one moment, into a riveting scream the next. I think this is brought about by MS McCormack honing her craft being part of Dublin’s thriving community of singer/songwriters especially in the Voodoo Sessions. Apart from being passionate about her music, she is also very supportive of the community. I remember more than a year ago when I asked her if she has anything to write that I can post here. She heartily gave her thoughts and that gave me a glimpse of the colorful community she lives in. Fast forward to today and the fruit of her creativity gave way to This Is My Identity.

The album is compose of ten tracks, all influenced with Dublin’s melodic and electric atmosphere. If you love Phil Lynott, The Beatles and Chris DeBurgh then you will definitely light up to this one. I consider her voice as a combination of Mary Black and Linda Ronstadt. Her sound is reminiscent of KT Tunstall, one of her musical idols. The melodic quality of This Is My Identity is excellent. Each track embraces you drawing an infectious nod and smile. One of my favorites is Don’t Go Waste My Time because of the lovely string arrangement that swells on top of a poignant melody.

There are surprising tracks like Stand Out And Be Counted. I think the inclusion of rap really works! Crippled Inside is a capella  which explores her wide vocal range. Daddy Please Take Me Home is every daddy’s girl theme song. I like that part where I hear the violin pizzicato  in the verse part.

You can tell that Ms McCormack has poured her heart and soul to this album because passion can’t lie. And I hear passion all over the songs that span different genres and subject matter. Most of the story in the track are told in the point a point of view of a strong independent woman who is also sensitive and hurting. But there are moments of elation and cotton candy moments. And that sweetness is what most of us who are wounded needs at this time.

Donie’s Message of Peace

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A guilty conscience needs to confess. A work of art is a confession.
Albert Camus

An artist is always alone – if he is an artist. No, what the artist needs is loneliness.
Henry Miller

Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.
Amy Lowell

Photo Courtesy: Mary Ryan

Great weekend to you folks! Today I am showcasing the works of my friend Donie Ryan who is from Dublin. We have been friends for years. Every now and then he updates me with what he’s doing. It is really great to be able to talk to someone who is passionate with what he does and also like music!

Donie and I have been discussing about what’s happening around. In this vein I recall when a dear friend told me about the bombing in Norway. “It’s in the news!” I was so perturbed realizing how detached my life has been , avoiding the evening news. Things like this make people want to do something. Donie did and he is sharing his thoughts with us today here at CMF.

Photo courtesy of Mary Ryan

Photo courtesy of Mary Ryan

So can you tell us more about the story behind the painting?

As most people are horrified by war, I’m trying to make a statement about it.
It’s a new theme I and will be doing more of this series , silhouettes of war, the horror of it and what it does to people.
Art reflects the state of mind of the society. Do you think art can be healing too?
Yes in a way, comforting, if the viewer understands the painting I hope it gives them solace that other people are trying to make a difference.
The more people who see the work, the more it might enter their thoughts about war.
I started this theme because of the horrors in the middle east,  Syria and so on, things on the news that make you sick.
How long did you work in this painting? And what’s the approximated dimension?
about 10 to 12 hours
and the size?
38 x 22
Donie sent me this video by Phil Lynott and from then on I became a fan of this man’s music!
I believe that painters, like musicians, need clusters of like-minded people for support and inspiration. Do you hang out with other artists,running around with you in Dublin? And what are they like?
I have more musician friends than artists. Well I only have two artist friends
and their styles are quite different and also better as they went to art school. But it’s always good to get their constructive criticism, even though I generally don’t listen to them.
Hahahahaha I like that!
People always say ” you should of done this or not done that”, but these people are not artists, and every stroke is there for a reason.
So a series devoted to this idea is on the works. How long is it going to be?
im not sure but I’d like to do six anyway. But as I’ve told you,  I am going to Canada for a year, and I’m sure I’ll be painting over there too.
Will there be plans for an show of all the paintings you’ve done through the years?
I’d love to but they are all over the place due to a  lot of borrowing and transporting.Someday… hopefully not  after my funeral hahaha .
Picture courtesy of Dav Nagle

Band:Caladh Nua,Celtic Cross and Paul Taggart’s Lone Piper

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Today, I am inspired to think about kindness and what it does to people.  I tend to gravitate towards gentle people. Most of my longtime friends are gentle people. People think that there is something cool about bombastic attitude, you know the thrashing and all that. Perhaps there is safety in numbers. People love to be associated with the ‘stronger’ crowd . I know about bullying because I have been a victim. And it is not good. There is nothing to be gained in pain. And no one lives forever. One day we will shuffle off this mortal coil. Nothing remains but the good things you’ve taught to people( and even bad ones). let us all be remembered in kindness.

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Let me introduce you to a group of young ‘uns who are making glorious music from Kilkenny Ireland. Caladh Nua has been making traditional music with exceptional style. From the jazzy rendition of the traditional tune Cad e sin don te sin to the other energetic fiddling stuff, they stay interesting. For more info check their site out: http://caladh.net/

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Another band worth noting is New York based Celtic Cross. The vocals of Kathleen Fee  has a faint influence of Mary Black . Anyone who is into Pogues, De Dannan, Horslips and Planxty will love this energetic country tinged Celtic band. Check out their latest pics taken from the latest WFUV gig.

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Donie from Dublin has been giving me important links of the tunes he love. We have been chatting about 80s music and he sent me a link to a Phil Lynott video. I was very surprised because I have been missing this song.  Phil was a prominent member of Thin Lizzy-he WAS Thin Lizzy after all, and his legacy continues….

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New video from artist Paul Taggart.

He has a lot of interesting videos in his official channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/artistpaultaggart

This one is called “Lone Piper” from The Spirit of the Highlands  collection. Wow he does have a nice speaking voice. By the way, that is a beautiful painting. The colors are heavenly.