It is amazing how we’ve come a long way. Before, we merely rely on the recommendations from friends, word of the mouth from experts and also through the whims of record execs. Finally, that dream album will happen. Now the power to put whatever music we want to the top has arrived. One of the common tools used by musicians to fund their new projects is kickstarter. I am sure you are familiar with this one.
Let me tell you. Singer/songwriter and vocal extraordinaire Kyle Carey is preparing to record her new album. North Star will be recorded in Scotland aound January, during Celtic Connections. Seamus Egan will produce the album. Now expect nothing less from this project because I know it will be an amazing album!
Kyle Carey is based in New England. You know, that beautiful place in the East Coast where everything becomes colorful this time of the year. If you remember she released that amazing album called ‘Monongah‘ and it is one of those albums that occupies the top of my playlist.
1. Spootiskerry/High Road to Linton/Big John McNeil
2. Extra Bar in Paddyland / The Smirnoff Gigolo
3. Jigs in A (Rosewood Jig/Teviot Bridge/Who’ll be King but Charlie/The Canadian Club)
4. The Frenchies (Fil et Bobine / Les Poules Huppes)
5. Mabou Harbour Set (Flowers of Edinburgh / Miss McLeod’s / The Beached Whale)
6. Kathryn’s Castle / Lost in the Loop
7. Jigs in G (Old Favourite / The Roaring Barmaid / Out on the Ocean)
8. La Bastringue / St. Anne’s Reel
9. Kid on the Mountain / The Butterfly / An Dro
10. Gaelic College Medley (Memories of You / Please Scrape Your Dishes)
11. The Barn Set (Colin Rankin’s Strathspey / Kelsae Brig / The Holland Wedding/Predator Reel)
12. Jigs’n’Reel (Morrison’sJig / Swallowtail Jig / Lilting Banshee /Hobbart’s Transformation)
13. Wistful Daydreamer
14. Relative Minors (Fifteen Children / Snail Fever)
15. D Set (Haste to the Wedding / Banish Misfortune / Miss Susan Cooper/Virginia Reel/Silver Spear/MacLeod’s Farewall)
16. Polka Medley (Kenmare / Britches Full of Stitches / Bill Sullivan’s)
Total time: 59:07
With the instantaneous success of Family, Relative Minors seems to have been overlooked by the music crowd. But yes Relative Minors is the album that started it all. Siblings Qristina and Quinn Bachand (Q & Q)have created a collection of tunes woven tightly to create an exquisite listening experience. Although this primarily a traditional album , the two added their own styles.
Their bombastic exploration into the Celtic instrumentals is exemplified by the first track Spootiskerry/High Road to Linton/Big John McNeil. It’s a tune that makes you want to dance around the living room. A very happy tune. This is followed by the Extra Bar in Paddyland / The Smirnoff Gigolo in which Qristina’s fiddling shines through. In Jigs in A (Rosewood Jig/Teviot Bridge/Who’ll be King but Charlie, Quinn has mastered the art of light guitar strumming.
The amazing thing about Celtic music is that you don’t have to know what it is to appreciate it. This is in the case of tunes like The Frenchies (Fil et Bobine / Les Poules Huppes) where the melody takes a joyful turn amidst the interesting time signature. The music talks to you and this is what makes the Bachands amazing!
Everyone in the house knows how this CD has been played repeatedly. It’s that fresh quality that continues and doesn’t eat you just because the album has been listened to for a hundredth times already! Yes it doesn’t get old. Which is a feat considering that these two were literally very young when this one was released way back 2008. Big nod to the musicians who joined the project like Dave Klassen, Eric Reiswig, Russ Godfrey and Adrian Doland. These artists are huge in the Canadian Celtic music scene. The sound Engineering of Aaron Scoones maintained a raw but crystalline approach to the sound. It’s like witnessing a sunrise after a long rainy week. Design, layout and photos also gave justice t the music of this album.
I love the gentleness of Kathryn’s Castle / Lost in the Loop and its change of rhythm from slow to fast. But take note of the title track Relative Minors (Fifteen Children / Snail Fever) where they played at a breakneck speed while displaying the delicate style they are known for. Relative Minors is a flawless album and really deserves the best place in your music shelf.
“Qristina is a gutsy, fiery fiddle player – Quinn is nothing short of amazing!” – Fiona Heywood, The Living Tradition Magazine (Scotland)
“Qristina and Quinn Bachand are best act to come along in the world of Celtic music since…. anyone you care to mention.” – Tim Readman, Penguin Eggs (Canada)
“The Bachands have the Celtic fever in spades and play it superbly.” – Eric Thom, Roots Music Canada
Qristina and Quinn Bachand are creating quite a stir in the Celtic and Folk music world. In 2009 they were nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award in the Young Performer of the Year category. In 2010 they won the Irish Music Association’s award for Top Traditional Group and in 2011 they earned another two Canadian Folk Music Award Nominations, Instrumental Group of the Year and Young Performer of the Year, as well as an Irish Music Award win as “Top Duo”. Qristina and Quinn have released two independent studio albums, “Relative Minors” (2008) and “Family” (2011), co-produced by Juno nominee Adrian Dolan (The Bills).
Twenty-one year old Qristina Bachand is an expressive fiddler, with a unique personal style that is bold and edgy. Clearly at ease on stage, Qristina is a natural performer, consistently delivering a spirited performance that features her energy, enthusiasm and love of Celtic music. Qristina recently added traditional and original songs to the duo’s repertoire, and is already receiving rave reviews as a vocalist. Her singing has been described as “lovely and delicate, with a laidback sweetness.” (Roots Music Canada)
At just sixteen years of age, Quinn Bachand is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who already has a reputation as “one of the best Celtic guitar accompanists in the world” (Ashley MacIsaac). Although Quinn plays a range of guitar styles including jazz, it is his talents in the world of Celtic music that are drawing the most attention. Quinn adds a contemporary edge to traditional Celtic music. In particular, his creative harmonies, hard-driving strumming, inventive chord voicing and powerful rhythmic effects make even the most well-worn tunes seem new and exciting.
Qristina and Quinn have performed across Canada, the US and Europe, including European tours in 2008, 2009 and 2012, and North American tours in 2010 and 2011.
Now it can be told! With the release of The Celtic Reggae Revolution’snew album, The Celtic Music Fan is intrigued about the ideas behind the creation of the album. On top of that, Brian Gilligan has really outdone himself in boldly going where few Celtic musicians go: the fusion of genres that’s rarely heard these days. In that sense he has started a musical revolution. I am sure many will follow his trend and there will be more releases. These will excite us. So here is the main man behind the music project! Thanks for joining us Brian.Before The Celtic Reggae Revolution you had Paddyrasta which also made amazing tunes. How was the experience being involved with these two projects?
Yeah, it has been great, we recorded the Paddyrasta album in 2 days and it was really raw stuff, we did a lot of gigs in Scotland and toured around Europe and it was great as we were best as a live band, we did some crazy shows and it was good craic. Celtic reggae revolution has been a deeper journey into the music and I think its richer. This new album showcases both your personal style and also the love for covering traditional tracks. My Sweet Child happens to be a personal favorite. What’s the story behind this song?
In Barcelona
Yeah, I love the Irish sessions and traditional music it’s truly free music as you can go with your instrument into any session and play with strangers. It’s great to feel a session lift off, when it’s a good session you can transcend with the spirit of the music. My sweet child was written for my daughter and as other people have mentioned they feel it because it’s real. When people separate it can be harder if there is a child involved and it’s usually the mother that continues to live with the child. I think this is hard for many fathers and separation is a big part of modern life, unfortunately. I consider Reggae as Islands music. It makes sense to merge that with Irish music because Ireland is also an island. Do you experience positive reactions to this kind of vibe in your album?
Never thought of it that way but I guess so, there are a lot of connections between the countries from the time of slavery and both styles of music have their own vibe, both countries have been colonized and oppressed and the music has been used as a vehicle to transcend the oppression. Like the “steel pulse” song ” they hit him with the whip, grandpa hit them with the rhythm.” People are very positive but sometimes they are more surprised than anything because they can’t imagine Celtic reggae. Some people tell me that they thought they wouldn’t like it because they don’t like reggae or Irish music but end up liking it but the hardest thing is getting the music out because radio and music industry reps can be a bit obsessed with genre and most people only hear what they decide is cool or profitable. It’s important to have shows such as yours that give a voice to the less commercial artists. What’s fun about collaborating with other musicians in this project?
It’s great collaborating with musicians firstly because they are human beings and it’s the human side, the sharing and creating together that’s fun and its fun giving people the freedom to give what they feel musically, instead of writing music for them just putting them in front of the mic and saying gimme what you got!! For me that’s the best kind of direction. I am curious as to how the tracks are developed. Did you write tunes with the guitar or keyboards in mind first or the percussion? I say this because there are musicians who have the melodies first before the beat. But how was it for you.
They can come both ways but mostly from a melody or just jamming. Later I would write ideas down but I prefer the spontaneity of letting the music shape itself Any major live shows this month or the next?
At the minute its studio work, recording the next album but I am not interested in being a star, if I can eat from the music great but it’s an art form for me and I prefer to be independent and my own boss and if people enjoy it then I feel happy to hear that. I’m a bit selfish though, I do it for my own pleasure first and foremost and I am happy to let the music grow organically. Where can listeners purchase their copies of The Celtic Reggae Revolution.
On the website, from CD Baby or Music Scotland or downloads on iTunes Amazon CD Baby and others. People can also listen free on Spotify, I don’t get much from it but I like Spotify because I discover loads of music there and if I like something I usually end up getting it anyway. What’s so amazing about Bob Marley for you?
Well he was a great writer, his message of peace love and unity appealed to me as a child growing up in war-torn North Ireland, he seemed to be the only one making any sense and his music was pure sunshine. I used to listen to him all the time as a kid and remember being sad when my brother told me he was dead. I don’t worship him like a god but I love his music and I love his use of rebelling with music, one good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain, he was a revolutionary, he was an inspiration. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now and who are the artists you look forward recording tracks with?
Wow 10 years. I don’t even know what I’m doing at the weekend, it’s good to be in the moment. I like to feel the way but some bands really inspire me like foundation. I’m actually going to see them tonight Tuesday in Barcelona. I love Israel’s vibration. Jarlath Henderson was a pleasure to work with especially but there are so many greats, let’s see where the spirit takes it. Please invite your readers to buy the album:
If you like the album yeah download a copy or buy it from Music Scotland. More importantly if you like it share it – the best way to help me to make more music is to get the word out. The rest I leave up to life and the road. Thanks for the interview Baxter, and thanks for spinning the music its been a pleasure.
With Paddy Ras, David Imevbore, Tom Roche, Femi Adepegba and Kwasi Asante.
The Celtic Reggae Revolution have arrived with their unique blend of Irish and Jamaican with their long-awaited, and appropriately titled, album ‘Everything comes to those who wait’.
The album is the latest creation of Northern Irish singer, songwriter and musician – Brian Gilligan. His previous album ‘Listen to your heart’ recorded with Paddyrasta – won praise and a cult following.
“Absolutely Terrific!”
BBC Radio Scotland Celtic Connections
‘A fusion of irresistible reggae rhythms, traditional melodies and socially conscious lyrics, this multi-cultural band combine to produce a unique sound that makes you just want to get up and dance – simply unmissable!’ Gig n’ the Bann
‘Everything comes to those who wait’ by Celtic Reggae Revolution features a mix of reggae versions of traditional Irish songs and original Celtic/Reggae fusions. Well loved traditional Irish songs ‘Raggle Taggle Gypsy’ and ‘Spancil Hill’ are reworked in reggae style on, respectively, ‘Raggle Taggle Reggae’ and ‘Spancil Hill/Gordon Wilson is a forgiver’. Original tune compositions include ‘reggae reels’ – a blend of reggae and traditional reels – ‘Ghandi’s Triumph’ (with its delightfully syncopated rhythms) and ‘The Very Hairy Rasta Fairy’ and Brian Gilligan singing the laid back ‘You Got to Laugh’ and ‘The United Mistakes of America’ (complete with Hillbilly banjo and reggae beat).
‘Everything comes to those who wait’ by Celtic Reggae Revolution also features Northern Irishman Jarlath Henderson, one of the finest exponents of the uilleann pipes in the world, he is a talented and versatile musician who also plays, low whistle, tin Whistle, flute and cittern in addition to having a fine voice. He regularly guests with Scottish bands Capercaille, Salsa Celtica and Phil Cunningham. Martin MacDonald from Lewis also features on guitar and his performances on “Good People” and “Raggle Taggle Reggae” in particular, are highlights of the album. Tom Roche from Cork, (Accordion) also features on some tracks with his “Sliabh Luachra” style and Egyptian Aly Salam features on drums and percussion.
‘It’s a superb album’ – Pete Maher (U2’s mastering engineer)
‘I love it !’ Andy Donnelly The Celtic Show, CKUA Radio, Canada.
‘With this album the Celtic Reggae Revolution have achieved the near impossible by bringing together traditional Irish music and Dub Reggae with great Pop hooks. The positive vibes are infectious throughout this socially conscious, beautifully produced album.’ Dave Flynn, (composer/guitarist) The Tune Makers
The album is available digitally from iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon and Spotify among other outlets and has physical distribution though Highlander music and soon to come CD baby.
There comes a time when you just want a single type of instrument to stand up. And also everything that’s composed around and about it. This is the case of The Barbarian Pipe band. Pure bagpipe richness dipped in spices and good to the heart. And the music comes big drums. Of course loud music like this needs something to set the balance.
Be warned. This is loud. For those who expect something sweet and gentle would rather be somewhere else. But if you like your sound loud , hot, kicking and enveloping then Defecatio Imperatrix Mundi is your thing. best played outside with bonfires, friends around and hardcore Celtic partying.
My picks are Ruvida because of its warlike energy amidst its tribal beauty. Those pounding the drums really know how to make your brain heat up with primal appreciation. in Nutri-Ego we get a gong like sound with a little ‘broadcast feed.’ There are other tracks worth noting but I really don’t pay attention to the title because once it starts you just get lost to the sounds. A true charmer o an album for those who want their bagpipes to shine like crazy diamonds!
Bio:
Biography
The booming music of Barbarian Pipe Band overwhelms audiences of all Europe since 2001 (see the band’s CV).
Archaic sounds and modern arrangements solve space and time into powerful trance, wild dancing and deep emotions. Playing on stages, streets, theaters, churches, feasts, motor gatherings, weeding parties, rock festivals these five musicians fit everywhere from medieval-folk to metal-rock contests.
Barbarian Pipe Band propose two types of shows. Amplified or acoustic.
Acoustic show can be on stage or everywhere.
The amplified one has to be on stage and is followed by their own sound engineer.
Both shows may be enriched by live visual performance.
Hello friends. Weekend is here. How are you doing? Life has been hectic here. There’s rain too.Yay!
Ok first of all I want to give a shout out of congratulation to Breton singer/songwriter Dom Duff who released his album today called Babel Pow Wow. A review will follow soon. I love this project because I’ve followed this while it was being created and even sent Dom videos for his use to promote the album. Again if you see this album, have a listen and buy it. It’s really a wonderful effort. Here’s the link about the album: http://www.coop-breizh.fr/cd-et-telechargement-5/telechargements-10/chansons-voix-bretagne-260/cd-dom-duff-babel-pow-wow-5093/zoom-fr.htm
Picture of the day:
Click for bigger image
...here’s my view of what will be the biggest crowd of me life … 2000 odd LA downtowners. Onstage in a couple of hours. Supporting Dropkick Murphys and their crazy punk fans! -Andy Slim Black
Here’s an EPK to remind you of this week’s featured band Enter the Haggis
France with its interesting culture and music is definitely a home to bands that are considered avant-garde. Living in France and having a taste for Celtic music would mean that you either go for Breton music or a combination of that and Gaelic sounds. Then there are elements of Jazz and Rock which the French are good at. Such elements can be found in the music of the six piece ensemble Caliorne. With the release of Rock Noz Band, Caliorne continues to define their music and also spread the love of music from France.
Francois (who also goes by the name Fanch Soixantequinze) is the band’s spokes person. He also plays the bagpipes and other wind instruments. So it isn’t a wonder how he landed in my interview section. It is a pleasure to learn what Caliorne is all about through the words of the piper.
How did you learn to play the pipes that way?
I started playing Highland bagpipe in Paris, where you can either play Breton music or Scottish music. I started with Breton music in a Bagad and after, in a Pipe Band (Paris & District Pipe Band). After few years I wanted to play with friends some french folk music (Groupe Sans Gain). To do this I discovered other bagpipes, tuned for that music. And finally, I met people in order to play Rock, what I always aimed to play To play with Caliorne. I tuned bagpipes on A440 with Equal temperament, rather than just temperament. That’s one of the reasons why my bagpipes melt with other instruments…Finaly, my way of playing is surely the result of all this meetings ! But it is the first time someone asked me.
Who is your main influence in your development as a piper?
So many highly skilled pipers ! Douggie Pincok (Battlefield Band), Gordon Duncan, Martynn Bennett, Patrick Molard, Erwan Keravec, Mickaël Cozien… and most of Celtic Rock Bands with a bagpiper (Wolfstone, Slainte mhath, Sonerien DU, Prydein, The claymore…) . And of course many friends and other musicians you probably haven’t heard of yet!
Do you have an exciting thing going for your band this year? What are they?
Playing at a lot of gigs ! At the moment we lack notoriety, and we have few. That’s why we recorded “Rock Noz Band” last year, and we hope It will be listened to widely !And of course we will compose new tunes.
What are your favorite tracks that you recorded with the band ?
Well, I like most of the album ! Hopefully! But to answer to your question :Déjanté ( totally crazy), La Kro, Star de la Boite (la “Kro” is a common beer in France, and “la boite” means disco. And the sentence is pronounced almost like the traditional dance name…)Trad ha Rock (from tradition to Rock…) and Friponne (rogue).
What are the top 5 Celtic recordings you are listening to this week.
If one goes to France, what are the places in your area where one can listen to Celtic bands performing live?
Well, It is quite easy to listen to Breton music in Paris area, but for non-Breton Celtic music, it is harder. Dropkick Murphy’s played last week in a large hall (Zenith), but it is unusual. At the time of St Patrick day, of course, you can find a lot of gigs…
There is no formal venue dedicated to Celtic music…
The best way is to look at facebook or some website.
Some Pub organize Irish Music Session, every week, like the “Quiet Man”
About the video: During our recording in studio of Rock Noz Band, we filmed each musicians when they performed on the same tune. Here is a video of the “Scottish Purple”, with the final soundtrack of the CD.
Gallery
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Celtic Twist Game:
The Celtic Music Fan would like offer a free copy of Twist in the Tale to the winner of a competition which will start now. This is how it goes. All you need to do is find an answer to a question which in the animated picture blow. all you need to do is go to their official website http://www.wix.com/hollandandpalmley/celtictwist to look for the answer. A winner will be announced at the end of this month. Phil and Dave could send it directly to you with a short note ofcongratulations. How’s that? For those who are new to this album, here is the link to the review I did back in June 27 of 2012.
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Huzzah!
Cornish Ceilidh band. I found that video above while looking for some Cornish music. Yes the wind blows from Cornwall this week-and Scotland. I’ve never seen any ceilidh band from Cornwall to be honest. So it was quiet a pleasant surprise to find something like that.I am sure if I look further there will be more.
This week, the commotion is all about the Traditional Album of the Year nomination for Trad Connect. So if you haven’t chosen your favorite album yet, then it is time to cast your vote. And please register so you can interact with musicians and bloggers like myself who drop once in a while.
That clip above is from The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh from Scotland manned by Dave Martin. Dave teaches bodhran while maintaining his love for electronic music. The great part about running a site about Celtic music in general is the lack of restriction I have to adhere to. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself listening to something that sounds like Jazz, or electro one of these days. It takes all kinds….
The Peatbog Faeries have a new track and that video has both the great scenes and beautiful music! I look forward to doing an interview with the band soon. Who would you suggest I interview next?
Celtic Music Fan 