Fans will be delighted to know that The Montreal based Celtic fusion band The Bombadils has finished their most anticipated album. This video is an example of the kind of music you will be hearing if you get this album. I want to commend Sarah Frank’s temperamental playing. Her fiery stage performance is like like a beacon of light, guiding the band’s path. You can support the release of their new album by pre-ordering the CD athttp://www.indiegogo.com/the-bombadils
The Bombadils
Bluegrass and Celtic
Thanks to the wide success of the Punch Brothers, Bluegrass is making waves again! I was able have a little chat with Luke Fraser of The Bombadils before he headed to the concert and that’s when he recommended two bands: The Creaking Tree String Quartet and The Foggy Hogtown Boys.
Creaking Tree String Quartet:
Genre: Acoustic Instrumenttal Roots MUsic.
Members:
Andrew Collins – mandolin
Brad Keller – guitar
Brian Kobayakawa – bass
John Showman – violin
From: Toronto, ON
Website: http://www.creakingtree.com/
Blurb:
They earned a Juno Award nomination for their 2003 debut CD. Their follow-up “Side Two” won the Pushing The Boundaries trophy at the 2005 Canadian Folk Music Awards, was named Instrumental Album of the Year at the Indie Acoustic Project Awards, and “Old Crow” won Instrumental Song of the Year at the International Acoustic Music Awards. Their third album “The Soundtrack” was nominated for the Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year, and won two Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Now, after 8+ years as a band, The Creaking Tree String Quartet present their fourth and finest album “Sundogs” a collection that highlights the group’s lauded versatility with depth and maturity. It’s the group’s most far-reaching and ambitious recording project to date; a diverse and inspired collection of 12 new works that not only push the quartet into new territory but bring an elite group of renowned guests along for the journey. Adam Warner and Sly Juhas on drums, Michael Davidson on piano and Burke Carroll on pedal steel, all perform on the record.
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The Foggy Hogtown Boys
Genre: Country/Bluegrass
Members:
Max Heineman-Bass
John Showman-Fiddle
Andrew Collins-Mandolin
Chris Coole-Guitar
Chris Quinn-Banjo
From: Toronto,ON
Website: http://foggyhogtownboys.com/
Blurb:
Although, the group draws a great deal of inspiration and material from the “golden age” of bluegrass and country music, solid original songs written by members in the band blend well among the old chestnuts. In 2005 they released “Northern White Clouds” – a 100Canadian content bluegrass album that features some excellent writing from all the members of the band. In 2007 – “Pigtown Fling” – a collection of original bluegrass and old-time instrumentals.Their latest album The Golden West (2008) is a mix of original and traditional bluegrass music with elements of old-time music and honky-tonk thrown in.
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Jimmy’s Playlist
My friend in Lyon France has his own idea of the new and the cool so he always has his own comer in this site. Enjoy!
Scotland’s Aaron Jones and his partner Claire Mann make up half of a brillant new Celtic-German group called Litha. They just released their new album “Dancing of the Light” with contemporary folk and traditional jigs and reels, songs and instrumentals from Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. Really worth a listen, very pleasant 🙂-Jimmy
Created by David Lemm through Muckle Hen Productions. The song is from Chris Bradley’s debut album ‘Voices’. http://www.myspace.com/chrisbradleymusic
THE STEEL WHEELS – “Rain In The Valley” . . . from their soon-to-be-realeased CD, “Lay Down, Lay Low”. Always great to be back in WNCW’s Studio B. Thank you Martin Anderson and Dennis Jones. Be sure to see The Steel Wheels at Merlefest 2012. http://www.thesteelwheels.com
Album: The Ravishing Genius Of Bones
Wow, I haven’t seen a parking lot performance like this before. Epic!-Me
Genticorum concert at the beautiful Ellen Theatre in Bozeman,Montana, February 1, 2011.Reel Circular, from the album Swim Rowers (2011)
Reel-Circular (Daniel Boucher, Bristol, CT)
The Trans-Lanaudière-Express (Pascal Gemme)
Reel-Circular (Daniel Boucher, Bristol, CT)
The Trans-Lanaudière-Express (Pascal Gemme)
Filmed by Jem Moore: www.descantproductions.com
The music video for ‘Paper Airplane’ from Alison Krauss & Union Station’s new album “Paper Airplane”. Available April 12th on Rounder Records.
Get it here: http://tinyurl.com/4d2sn7f
Get it here: http://tinyurl.com/4d2sn7f
The song is “Tha Mo Ghaol Air Àird A’ Chuain” by Julie Fowlis. I know this song off her album Mar a Tha Mo Chridhe-Me
Who’s Feeling Young Now? New Album by Punch Brothers
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Bluegrass masters Punch Brother‘s new album Who’s Feeling Young Now will be available everywhere on February 14. But fans need not fret because the album can be pre-ordered through the official website. You can listen to the album’s opening track ” Movement and Location” for free download through this link: http://www.punchbrothers.com/news/whos-feeling-young-now/. All you need to enter your email address. That song blew me away. Chris Thile’s playing is intensely electrifying that it makes you wonder if this guy is human. More news about the release here: http://www.punchbrothers.com/
Album Tracks:
1. Movement and Location
2. This Girl
3. No Concern of Yours
4. Who’s Feeling Young Now?
5. Clara
6. Flippen
7. Patchwork Girlfriend
8. Hundred Dollars
9. Soon Or Never
10. New York City
11. Kid A
12. Don’t Get Married Without Me
Music to Celebrate Halloween or “Samhain”.
I heard this whisper and I wondered,
I heard this laugh and then I knew.
The time is getting near my friends,
The time that I hold dear my friends,
The veil is getting thin my friends,
And strange things will pass through.
The Veil is Getting Thinner
One of the most important time of the year is here. Halloween or as the Celts call it Samhain. Events in our lives can alter the things we do. I noticed this lately, when I had to do things I normally don’t do because I had to. I am sure you out there are given the task of doing what you must do because no one else can do it. It is an honor and a burden at the same time.
You know, when it comes to family emergencies or situations that need our best judgement, I say that personal issues have to be set aside. As what I remember from my friend who became a mother once said. “Depression has no space in my life when another life depends upon me. My youthful angst just flies out of the window”. It is true. There are times when we are called upon to act and do what’s necessary, even if it means sacrificing the things that make us glad.
This year has been very confusing. But there’s an anchor that keeps me grounded. And that is loving the things I do. I might not be an excellent blogger- and I know I do have my technical errors and stuff. But I do know that I care about what I am doing. Can’t live without it. In the midst of the tempest that that threatens to destroy us…we got to have something to believe in and to hold on. It has been a great loving year with you my readers. And I just want you to know that I am grateful for everything. Me might not talk face to face. I might not see you in person. But I treasure this connection we have. It is the the thing that makes everything worthwhile. May you find peace and happiness wherever you are. And I hope I do the same.
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Jeremy and his band have been creating energetic music that fuses everything. If you live in the Czech Republic you can catch them live. An experience not to be missed.
Irish Music Session POITÍN & friends
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01 November · 20:30 – 23:30
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Regular session for lovers of Irish and Celtic music. Hosted by Poitín.
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Check this link for more info: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=502898
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If you are a subscriber of this site then you would remember how I like to mention the projects of Jenne Lennon again and again. Her collaboration with Liz Madden known as Shishonnah has been getting great reviews from all around and I can attest to that . I heard the two songs already and fell in love with them. “Dance with the River” released on I-tunes on April 2nd is a beautiful evocative and percussive track that calls to mind the works of Loreena McKennitt, Dead Can Dance and Clannad. These two artists are a force of nature together. Jenne hosts her own podcast called Wind Talker Podcast: http://windtalkerradio.blogspot.com/ and I am a regular listener. The podcast focuses more on individuals trying to make a difference and going on their way to say yes when people say no. I love the message of her show and I wish her to continue touching more minds…Please listen tune in to her show.
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Lovers of Welsh Celtic music have something worth listening to. At the same time you guys will find a lot of info in this site. This week it highlights the works of Breton singer/composer Dom Duff. This is a nice radio station .
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If you haven’t “liked” The Bombadils yet, then it is a musical experience you should not miss. Check out the band’s music player in their Official Facebook Page . Can’t wait for the official album launch. Just saying hi to the band.
And oh a nice pic and article about them lately: http://www.westislandgazette.com/event/25044
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Now we all know that Texas based Celtic rock band Cleghorn are busy composing new songs and promoting their music through live shows. You will be happy to know that they have come up with new videos for their new tunes. I am glad 9 Minutes of Woo has been documented. This anthemic piece sends chills down my spine. How can I resist? Cleghorn rules!!!! Now if you have facebook you can check these wonderful photos from their recent performance during Pirate Days of Texas 2011.
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I promote Marc Gunn‘s Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. You hear real music here. Where else anyway? Been a follower of his blog for a while now and he offers nothing but the best music reviews and MP3s to listen to in order to sample artist works. Check him out friends .
..well that’s it for today. I will let you hear more of my ‘confessions’ later . Take care folks. Trick or Treat!
Acoustically Electrifying:The Bombadils (Interview)
“I even played bass for a while. Besides playing electric guitar, I’d also get asked to play some acoustic stuff. But, since I didn’t have an acoustic guitar at the time, I used to borrow one from a friend so I could play folk joints. “
-Mark Knopfler
The Bombadils from Montréal, Québec captured my attention with their energetic playing, catchy melodies and interesting combination of styles. From Classical, Jazz, Bluegrass and Celtic; the mix will keep listeners engaged until the last track is played. This interview started out with Luke Fraser and then everyone got involved in answering the questions.
Listening to Ally Bally is quite an experience. There are tender as well as frenetic moments that can be found in one track alone. The Jazz and folk influences are unmistakable but you guys are able to make everything sound controlled. How is it possible to come up with such distinct mix?
It’s a result of our various backgrounds and influences and the fact that first and foremost we are close friends, secondly band members. We all have classical training which Luke, Sarah, and Noam are currently furthering, while Anh and Evan have branched off to jazz. We wanted to start a folk music group and it was only natural for these influences to come through. The accessibility of music in the digital age makes it easy to be influenced by a variety of styles, but it’s the live exposure to music that really gives us a reason to play it. Montreal is a very culturally rich city so it allows us to experience the styles we love in a live setting, be it listening, jamming, or performing.
I noticed that Luke’s guitar playing in Galway Girl(A Steve Earle original) is very clear together with beautiful lead vocals and harmony. I love the unique percussion here. What’s the inspiration for this arrangement?And what made you guys decide to record this track?
Galway Girl is a song Luke used to sing with Tristan Legg in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The first few months of The Bombadils were actually before we met Luke. We finally met him at a party and Galway Girl was one of the songs we jammed. One of the many great things Luke brought to the band was this song, and since then it has gone over well around the campfire and on stage. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t seem to get old no matter how much we play it.
All credit for the percussion goes to Noam. In this group he plays a South American instrument called the cajon– basically a drum-kit in a box.
Would you please tell us the story behind the instrumental track The Scholar?
Sarah and Luke had to learn some Irish sets for a wedding they played with Jean Duval, a notable flute player from Quebec, and this set was in his repertoire. It’s also a set that Sarah has been working on with the renowned Irish fiddler, James Kelly.
The Bombadils:Luke Fraser,Evan Peter Hodgson Stewart, Noam Bierstone, Sarah Frank and Anh Phung . Photo by Marshall Gayman
Sarah Frank’s vocals are beautiful! And her violin playing is always jaw dropping. Angeline Baker is a very old song which dates back to 1850. I see a reference here. What made you guys decide to sweep off the dust form this old tune and make it new?
This is a popular tune in the bluegrass and old time world. We were mostly inspired by two arrangements: by Chris Thile and by Crooked Still. The High Reel and Mountain Road are a couple fiddle tunes we threw in to put a Celtic stamp on it.
Tullochgorum is a popular piece done by the likes of Dougie MacLean, Natalie Macmaster and Ashley McIsaac among others.Are there traditional pieces you wish made it to the recording?
The tracks we have are only the beginning of what we would like to record. We will be working on a full-length CD this fall and would definitely like to include a variety of traditional tunes. Montreal inspires us put in some Quebecois and Irish tunes, and being so close to the United States, we’re able to travel and get a taste of bluegrass and old time styles.
You guys came from McGill Univeristy. How was it possible for you all to sit down together to form band? I am sure there are musician cliques out there but how was this decided-and even the name Bombadils. Who made this up?
Again, it starts with friendship. That’s what this music is about, it’s about socializing and sharing music. Evan and Sarah have known each other since high school and they moved to Montreal at the same time. Sarah and Anh became fast friends within the first week of school, and met Noam shortly after. As far as we knew, he was a percussion player like any of the others. Lucky for us, he’s one of the best!
Tom Bombadil is a character in The Fellowship of the Ring (first book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy). He speaks in seven beat metre which is our guess to why Nickel Creek used 7/4 time to write a tune called “In the House of Tom Bombadil.” We’re all very inspired by Nickel Creek’s virtuoso mandolinist Chris Thile.
How do you describe each member’s personality in a few words?
We could try to answer this question properly but it’s really just an opportunity for us to make fun of each other…
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thebombadils
http://www.reverbnation.com/thebombadils
Celtic Music Fan 