Recordings

John Breen taps into The Source with Origins

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John Breen- Origins CD

John Breen- Origins CD

John Breen is a traditional Irish folk artist from Arklow. Origins is his third studio album under Emphasis records. 

Excitement was in the air when I heard that Irish crooner John Breen was putting up a new album called Origins, last year. I know his music. There is consistency that marks his previous albums. There is certainty in his vision resulting in an album that’s solid and artfully crafted. There is no fumbling around with other styles. Instead, he goes for the things he know by heart, and good at. If you pick up any John Breen album, you always feel that sense of coming home, not just in a geographical but in a spiritual sense as well.

Maturity marks his new album. I admire his humility, in a sense that he is aware of being a vessel to something bigger himself. I Still Believe is his current single. It is a stirring ballad with a beautiful mandolin solo in a mesh of other instruments. “There will be moments of fall from grace…” His ability to capture the essence of life in a line or two, is powerful. Great musicians backed this recording. It’s a cornucopia of instrumental richness supporting his beautiful voice.

I think what makes him stand out from other singer/songwriters of his time is the truth in his songs. He really lives what he sings about. He now works with people who are undergoing challenging behaviors and I think that has deepened his sense of humility and sympathy to the human condition. And we all need that in this time of apathy. When people spend more time with their mobile phones, computers or tweets, it’s refreshing to just curl up in your bed and listen to songs that remind you of what it’s like when you’re a child and everything’s safe and beautiful.

Origins is a good vocal album. The jolly Amber Tresses opens then album in which he shines in his mastery of traditional styles. Meant to Be slows us down a bit with its introspective mood and beautiful tin whistle solo. Cup of Sorrow is another lively track which gives way to the gentle and flowing I Still Believe which I mentioned earlier. I’ll Be No Stranger is another salvo of Bluegrass fireworks with amazing duet between Breen and Stevie Hawkins. Instrumentalist Tim Crouch showcases his virtuosity in most of the tracks in Origins. I admire the angelic voice of Kyla Cassidy as she provides backing vocals in various tracks,while the rest of musicians are all remarkable in their artistry in the finest degree.

Angel In The Air is a lullaby that reminds me of what mothers sang to their children in the old days to send them to sleep. I Loved You Better Than You Know is a love song with another sweep of instrumental beauty. A lament I’LL Remember You Love In My Prayers mirrors the gentleness of Meant To Be and I Still Believe. Briscoe’s Darlin’ in an instrumental that bumps the pace a bit in a traditional style. The thread extends to What I Said Ain’t What You Thought I Mean which is humorous! Been proves  that he can be funny. I Only Wish You Well closes the album. A very fitting track which summarizes the overall atmosphere of Origins. There is wisdom that comes in every journey. I think after creating three albums, the artist has an overall idea what his purpose is..

I think  we are fortunate to have an artist like John Breen in this lifetime. The honesty of his songs cuts to the core of our souls. I feel purified after the last track. Origins is a must-have album for humanity. Get it upon its official release on February 23.

Official video for “I Still Believe”, the 1st single from the forthcoming album by John Breen titled “Origins”. Download the single now direct from Emphasis Records: http://www.emphasisrecords.com/johnbr…

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-s…

Amazon MP3: http://amzn.to/1w0DWVG

“I Still Believe” is a contemporary Folk/Celtic ballad that lyrically hints at life’s struggles, yet the mood is uplifting in recognition of the power in believing. Excellent production, melodically brilliant, smooth vocals.

Song and Video Credits:
Artist: John Breen
Title: I Still Believe
Writers: C. Hannon – T.S. Hawkins – T. Crouch
Record Producer: Stevie Hawkins
Recording Engineers: Stevie Hawkins and Tim Crouch
Label: Emphasis Records
Publisher: Hannon Hawkins Music, BMI
Photography: Aoife Kavanagh
Video Editor/Director: Stevie Hawkins – ShhhMedia http://www.shhhmedia.net
Artist Website: http://www.johnbreenmusic.com

Lyrics:

I STILL BELIEVE

There will be storms, wind and rain
Life will falter, love will fail
There’ll be times the crashing wake
Washes away
Everything in its way
I Still Believe

There will be moments of fall from grace
A passing glance, a saving face
Sometimes a feeling undefined
That catches flight
And the heart will know it’s time
I Still Believe

There will be spring, summer and fall
Arctic winds will come to call
Grades of trial, a bridge of strife
For this is life
But throughout it all
I Still Believe

© 2014 Emphasis Records

Musician Credits:
John Breen: Vocal
Tim Crouch: Fiddle, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Bass, Banjo, Djembe
Sara Burke: Celtic Harp
Eamonn Byrne: Irish Tin Whistle
Kyla Cassidy: Background Vocals
Stevie Hawkins: Percussion, Background Vocals

http://www.johnbreenmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JohnBreenMusic?fref=ts

Music is Therapy

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

His singing moved me to tears that I just lost it.

It is a somber day. I just finished breakfast and I listened to one of my CD collections. This song by Christy Moore came on. I had to drop everything . I can’t stop bawling like a baby. Something about the sentiment of the song hit me. It is a very sad song of Scottish origin. It took me sometime to recover and I thought I should write about it.

Writing is a good therapy. So is listening to music. There are emotions we refused to acknowledge so they stayed hidden. Not until one song unlocks them and everything is a catharsis. Sometimes the only friend we have until the end is music.  Songs help unravel our experiences within the chronology of our lives. They help us revisit the past and  we experience that old feeling. Music is precious. And musicians are also therapists that help us in the healing process.

I went through high school and college relying on the sustenance of my record collections. They kept me balanced and prevented me from doing drugs or getting into vices. In college, I had to set aside my allowance for clothes and shoes to buy albums. We do what we can to help each other. Friends are there but sometimes…just sometimes, people we care about can do damage even if they don’t mean to. It is just human nature I guess.

I remember the song Molly Ban which I also listened to a while ago. It has these lines:

Going home from her uncle in a shower of rain,

She crept under a green bush the rain for to shun.

Her white apron being around her he took her for a swan,

For he never intended to shoot his own Molly Ban.

O when he came to her and saw what he had done,

The tears from his eyes in great fountains did run.

Straight home to his father with a gun in his hand,

Saying “Father, dear father, I’ve shot Molly Ban.

“Her white apron being around her I took her for a swan,

In modern context, we can apply this story to words we say to one another. We might not have a gun like Molly Ban’s lover…but we have words. And words can wound..even kill.

I like this quote that my friend Christi once attached to her email signature:

Say little, and the little you say, say well.- Old Irish Saying

Dave Rooney: In the Studio.

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Currently recording… 

Dave Rooney is working on a new album called Entertainer. I own two of his albums and listening to each  is always a great musical experience. He is a fine musician who is rooted in the folk and Irish tradition but never losing that pop sensibility. If you like The Waterboys, Wet Wet Wet and Luka Bloom, then I don’t see why ou won’t pick up releases from this talented artist. Here’s our little conversation:

What’s the title of the new album?

The new album is called the Entertainer. I’ve folkafied and re-recorded previous tracks and written 6 new ones for this one I’m really happy with it, sounding very contemporary Irish. All the songs are woven in to the the story line, looking forward to getting on the road.
What can listeners expect from this album?

It’s pretty much a life work for me. Introspective,and a big story line based on a character I met in Temple Bar.That’s where I got the idea for the musical. So a few of the songs are about him,with all the songs based on his life.

Are you working with the same guys whom you worked with in your previous album?

Same studio, Sharon Hussey fiddle player, {this is my home} new drummer, accordion player, pipe player ,double bass player,so on…I’m going back to the acoustic more contemporary out of Ireland sound

That sounds amazing! How do you maintain your amazing singing style and how to you keep being up to your toes during tours.

A lot of people ask me that, how do you find time what with a family and all.
The singing comes naturally, simply because I gig 10-12 shows a week, So I’m singing in my sleep. With regards to tours, I love traveling, gigging in different places and I think once your doing what you love it creates and energy and a zest that gives you the ability to stay on top of it.

Thank you Dave. I will be posting this little interview soon and I hope to get a preview of at least one of the songs to let it build anticipation.

As soon as I have a mastered copy, you’ll have it.
thanks a mill Baxter!!!

Dave Rooney performs his new single ‘She’s Not Here’ Live at the Candlelight Sessions in Buskers Bar, Temple Bar, Dublin. 05/04/11

Afro Celt Sound System are Back!

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My goodness! I just realized I haven’t finished my article for today. So instead of giving you full I am just giving you one news. But not to disappoint you, I will post some videos here which you might find interesting. Anyway see you tomorrow or the next day…

This video features Peter Gabriel on vocals.

This one is with Iarla O’Lanaird

If your musical orientation is somewhere between Peter Gabriel and Dead Can Dance, then I’m sure you never passed an opportunity to get the first album of The Afro Celt Sound System titled Volume 1: Sound Magic when it first came out in 1996. In the Science lab of sound, imagine this:  Iarla O’Lanaird’s sean nos singing meets African and Irish instruments seal that off with irresistible rhythm built from modern technology and bam! You get one of the most powerful concoctions that can render people speechless and hypnotized. To quote from their website: Released in 1996, Sound Magic combined acoustic performances on bodhran, talking drum, Celtic harp, African kora, uilleann pipes and Irish whistles with 21st-century programming and grooves, and married ancient singing traditions from Ireland and Kenya to keyboard drones and techno beats. Rather than sounding kitschy or disparate, the end result was surprisingly cohesive… and beautiful. Getting that hulk of an album, I’m sure you became a fervent collector up to this time when they have established themselves in the music world(after a 5-year hiatus, they are back this year with an album and tour news).  They caught my attention when they performed live in Gael Force way back ’97 an from then on, I never let the band off my radar. More at   www.myspace.com/afrocelts and  afroceltsoundsystem.net/
Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jul 15 2010 12:00P
Hebridean Celtic Festival, Scotland. GB
Jul 17 2010 12:00P
Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic. CZ
Jul 25 2010 12:00P
Womad UK, Charlton Park, UK. US
Aug 29 2010 12:00P
Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Shrewsbury, UK GB
Sep 4 2010 12:00P
Electric Picnic, Stradbally, Ireland IE
Nov 2 2010 7:30P
Barbican London, London, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets

Unreleased Brenda Wootton Live Recordings Uncovered!

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Brenda Wootton.This voice still haunts and reminds us that there is this thing called continuity and immortality when we talk about this type of music. Previously unreleased live recordings of her performance in Paris has been discovered and will undergo professional production for public release. Learn more about this news here: http://www.livingincornwall.com/index.htm

According to Living in Cornwall website:

John, my husband, had a recording studio back in the ’80’s and was Brenda Wootton’s sound engineer and co-producer during the peak of her international recording career. He came across two tapes from that time and written on the labels was, ‘Brenda ???’. These have transpired to be unique for two reasons; firstly, these live tracks have never been heard, and secondly, that the tapes are still in a playable condition!

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Fiona  J MacKenzie..the Voice!

Listen to this beautiful performance in Scots Gaelic.