Glad to be back on air! I have cut my show shorter because it is hard to upload such a big file. But if you tune in for the rest of Saturdays on www.radiohappy.eu then I will be playing music all day.
Elle Marie O Dwyer has a kind of voice I would describe as crystal clear and bright. Her music is mellow. It’s the kind that would you would be looking for after a hard day’s work. The kind of sound to listen to when you are reclining and letting the evening breeze take you to the land of imagination. The arrangement is more minimalistic. She does have songs that are comprise of strings but most are her clear soprano embellished by nothing but the piano.
This is the title track of Elle Marie O Dwyer’s first album “Where the Allow Waters Flow”. The 12-track album includes songs like “The Cottage With the Roses Round the Door”, “The Land of the Gael”, “Brosna Town” and “My Bonny Labouring Boy”. The album can be purchased on Claddagh Records at http://claddaghrecords.com/WWW/catalo… Like the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ElleMarieODwyer to keep up to date with all events and gigs for Elle Marie
Her soprano voice is recognizable. She has the ‘it’ in operatic singing. Yet she also possesses the kind of quality that appeals to the wider audience. Most singers with operatic background aren’t easy to listen to because the style is targeted to specific venues and moods in listening. ButOrriel Smithpromises to delight even those that are not into classical singing.
Danny Boy is a traditional Irish song covered by many. But it is not often you come across an artist who can nail it with precision and true sentiments the way she does. It is a beautiful haunting track marked by her crystal clear voice.May she get discovered by more enthusiastic ears so that she can record more tracks with exquisite beauty attributed to the gods!
Here is my other soundcloud account. Like what I mentioned in my earlier issue there are tracks here that are Celtic and non Celtic. This is due to me running another site called www.spheremusic.wordpress.com So just enjoy the music regardless of the genre because they are all amazing music. I mean seriously, when have I given you bad recommendation huh? Hahahaha ok enjoy!
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Huzzah!
Hello everyone. Welcome to our Friday edition of the Celtic Music Fan. In my part of the world which is the Philippines, it is the start of summer. You can feel it as the heat stings your skin. It is like this deep low drone of uilleann pipes followed by the sharp wail of the bagpipes. It is hard to ignore because it is really saying ” I am here.”
It is an exciting month because big bands like Solas and Lunasa are giving everyone lovely music.
Deep Is The Well by Kevin O’Donnell
Those who are based in Chicago should follow Ceolwind Productions. So what’s cooking? According to owner Noah Smulkis:
I have an early copy of a new release due out this May from Irish folk singer-songwriter Kevin O’Donnell. It’s practically more American folk than Irish and it tells the story of descendants of Irish immigrants in America from the late 1800s to present day. I think you’ll like it and may be interested in featuring it prior to the release. Produced by Maurice Lennon and featuring many Irish and American folk music guests including Maurice, John Williams, Kathleen Keane, Finbar Furey just to name a few.
Ceolwind Productions is owned by Noah Smulkis whose friendship with The Celtic Music Fan go as far back as 2009. And yes this is prior to the creation of Ceolwind Productions. Check out http://www.deepisthewell.com/ for a sneak peek.
Buan Yann Buan is a track driven by instruments like the mandolin acoustic guitar, harmonica and fiddle. The only difference between this song and his other works is the emphasis on lush instruments . The explosive salvo of sounds feel like a rush of a big wave. There is also something optimistic and an adventurous atmosphere throughout the song which lasts 3:38.
Patrick D’Arcy and Quincy Jones
The picture above tells a thousand stories. Yes that is our very own Irish piper Patrick D’Arcy sharing a cool moment with Jazzman Quincy Jones. According to D’Arcy: ” Quincy Jones and myself enjoying a few Black Velvet’s, courtesy of Bono, for his birthday party at his house tonight. Q loves the uilleann pipes. Beautiful experience and a really lovely family. We can all only wish to be this elegant at 80!”
Aside from working on this site I also give my blogging talents to several sites. So just to give an idea , here are the following:
While watering the plants, I was playing this Celtic band from France called Caliorne. These guys play Breton inspired tunes led by the bagpipes of Francois. Teens decided drop by. Then one of them could not resist it. He asked what I am playing. I told him. More of the music of Caliorne here: http://soundcloud.com/caliorne
Happy Birthday to Jacob McCauley! Wishing you more music to make and more bodhrans to beat.
In case I miss something in this edition, The next one will be this Sunday 🙂
Plus: Manau, Jeremy King,The Levellers,Dead Can Dance New Album Anastasis,Rachael Mccormack,Dom Duff and the spirit of the Olympics!
Be ignited or be gone
-Mary Oliver
Life is about passion. It is inspiring to see people doing something again and again despite being ignored. There are those who do art because for them it is an outlet-or a sickness however you want to see it 😀
folkbyfarr.co.uk
Today, CMF highlight’s the talent of bouzouki player Eamon Doorley. Those who own records of Danu and Julie Fowlis already recognize his name in liner notes. His sound is warm, luminous with the delicate playing style that is his own.
Hearing him play is like listening to a pouring water. Eamon Doorley and Julie Fowlis had little Aoibhe born on Christmas eve last 2009. 2012 is a good year for the couple. After taking part in the big animation The Brave, they are back on stage for more musical performances.
Here is a video by Julie Fowlis. The song was used in the movie The Brave. This time, Eamon Doorley gave his bouzouki a rest in favour of a guitar.
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New album by Manau
Fans of Celtic rap artist Martial Tricoche who created Manau have the reason to celebrate. This year is the release of the new album Panique Celtique. It has been a while since the release of their last album that spawned the hit La Tribu de Dana. That song features a sampling of Tri Martolod by Breton harpist Alan Stivell.
The video of the carrier single La Rumeur is medieval by design, inspired by the burning of heretics. The new video is a follow up single called Le curé et les loups is now available for viewing. I don’t know if it is just me or the theme of the video La Rumeur borders on S&M?!! Anyway I am glad the Breton rapper is back. It has been years and he is surely missed by fans.
Happy Birthday Jeremy King of Poitin. May you have more birthdays to come. May you always touch listeners with your music and also inspire young bands to do more and be the best. Slainte!
Listen to The Congress Reel by Poitín
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Flashback: The Levellers
Remember the good old 90’s and this band? We are back to Doc Martens and of course the Celtic folk/rock band The Levellers. I think I got into their sound at the same time I got into The Paperboys. Back then, Celtic rock was new to me- having been exposed to New Age music and traditional folk. Great tune. Nice memories.
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Dead Can Dance Are Back!
Dead Can Dance isn’t exclusively Celtic, but they blend Celtic elements to their Gothic/Medieval inspired World Music. I bought my first DCD album on cassette tape in the early 90’s following Everybody Else is Doing it So Why Can’t We by Cranberries and Banba by Clannad. What can I say? The early 90’s was cool for Irish music and everything unique. After listening to insipid and forgettable music of my high school years, college was an exciting stage in everything musical. Dead Can Dance made a huge wave in my musical taste. How can one forget the haunting quality of Lisa Gerrard’s vocals as she delivered”The Wind that Shakes the Barley”? I think Brendan Perry’s “I Am Stretched on Your Grave “ is still my favorite Halloween music.
I really jumped with joy when I heard that they are now touring and has released a new album called Anastasis after 16 years! Wow 16 years. A child born after The Spirit Chaser would already have relationship issues by now! Or a dog would be so old it would have passed away by this time. 16 years….Did you know that they have a track available for free download? All you need to do is sign up for their newsletter through their official website.
Tracklisting for Anastasis 01 – Children Of The Sun 02 – Anabasis 03 – Agape 04 – Amnesia 05 – Kiko 06 – Opium 07 – Return Of The She-King 08 – All In Good Time
“I can think as far back as 6yrs of age when I’d be tugging at my mams jumper saying I want a guitar, or I’d make one out of a shoe box and shoe laces hahahaha. So Dublin to me is one big song with many choruses. Let’s face it, us Irish know how to party, so adding the music element is like water from a tap: It comes naturally I guess,we’re a nation of storytellers and the songs are there to guide us along the way”.
The Celtic Music Fan mourns for the passing away of someone close to a dear friend. He is flying to Scotland for the funeral of his grandmother. He helped me make this site what it is now. My heart goes to him and his family.