The Pogues

Goodies From The Mail and Blast from the Past

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“The Traveler”, songs written with the love of ‘The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem’ and ‘The Dubliners’, with modern sensibilities.

Trip McCool has exciting tunes recorded for his album The Traveler.  I enjoyed all track in the album. Dennis Dougherty is the man behind it. He stated in his website about the revelation while looking at an old cottage in County Iane in Donegal. These are songs of ordinary folks ” the tenants worked, sweated and died all with the intention to make life for their children and grandchildren a bit easier. Here, dreams of America and prosperity were born while the weak and the young died.” All the tunes in the album reflect that workman’s humor with elements of Rock, Folk and traditional.

I love the song Black Eyes Susan and the interesting lyrics about cruising Temple Bar and how this certain Susan is wearing this nice leather costume,and that she  played the fiddle.The is further described as having the blackest eyes in all Ireland..

Here are the tracks off The Traveller

1. Ireland, Oh Ireland
2. Drill Ye Tarriers, Drill (Trad)
3. St. Paddy’s Wagon
4. Black Eyed Susan
5. A Sheep For Mr. Wolff
6. Ah Dee Oh Da
7. The Poteen Man
8. Me Father Was A Shepherd
9. The Choir From Hell
10. The Shirt That No One Wore
11. My Donegal
12. Every Step Of The Road

Check out his main website and listen to the song samples: http://tripmccool.com

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I had a great time talking to Jeremy via his forum yesterday. He mentioned that his band is reissuing their album from 2000 in which the high powered Congress Reel is taken.

Check this Soundclick site to hear the tunes.

” SoundClick was the first music site we signed up with I think- even before MySpace. I think it was because of Marc Gunn that we created a SoundClick account in the first place. We thought, ‘If he’s doing it, then it must be good…’

-Jeremy

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Classic Video from The Pogues

It is really fun to have young Irish friends with great sense of humor. I was given this video to help ‘cheer’ me up. What can I say? The Pogues are the only Irish band who can get away with anything crazy -including naughty song titles and album.

Dropkick Murphys And Mentionables

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

I like the way this blog has turned into an interactive page. We have musicians postings along with listeners. There is an influx of so much ideas and inspirations that I am grateful to be part of it all. Remember, you are the stars of this page. I am merely the moderator.

I feel so drained after talking to 32 people today,  But music has a way to take it all away. It is true that great songs are like ships that sail is into far distant places that only the mind can conceive. Celtic music is always and evocative  Celtic music has vehicle.  Unlike most of the music that usually receive the Grammys, this type of music has a Robin Hood appeal to it. But while Robin Hood is  a British Hero( and I am pro Irish or anything in the seven Celtic nations which excludes Great Britain) this page champions diversity.

So what’s the commotions?

New Album Basting The Speakers: Celtic Punk

It looks like a lot of people are talking about Dropkick Murphys latest album Going out of Style. I checked out whats the deal. It’s been four years since they released their album The Meanest of Times. Now they are back to rock the house. They even enlisted Bruce Springsteen to sing one of their songs Peg o’ My Heart.There are ballads amidst the ska induced tunes.  After all this is a band that encourages you to get up and slam rather than sit and relax…which works for me sometimes when I need an exercise. There is this nice bagpipe into in Deeds Not Words.

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Cape Breton’s Best Music Mix, The Coast 89.7

Celtic and otherwise , this is a station that suits my mood today: breezy. I just feel like taking a long ride closing my eyes while the sun is filtered by the trees and everything feels new. Listening to this station takes you to the heart of Cape Breton. There are also new breaks and other informative stuff you will love to check out. You can listen to live streaming through the website: http://www.coastalradio.ca/

Bands for Celtic Weddings

For people who wants to express love through rings, this is the best guide for you. Beautiful designs if you ask me.  http://shoes-sizes.net/eternity_wedding_bands/celtic-wedding-bands-celtic-wedding-bands-probably-the-best-irish-wedding-rings-you-can-find/

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Celtic Good Reads:

If you dig the culture not just for the music but for academic purposes, then check this link for Celtic Literature’s Good Reads.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/726306-teresa-read-all-over-reviews?shelf=celtic-studies

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The 6th Annual CELTIC MUSIC NIGHT

Friends in Massachusetts, this is the time to get together and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in your way. Beautiful night of piping, dancing and other instrumental playing. Plus performances by John Sullivan, champion highland dancer Morgan Pell, world medal holders Irish step dancers Tracey Manning-Dingee and Greg Murphy, and the national youth snare drum champion, Quinn McCormack, as well as harpist Anne Paus, a former member of the Cape Cod symphony. More here: http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2011/02/28/6th-annual-celtic-music-night-to-be-held?blog=225

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List of recommended Celtic Punk/Irish Rock Bands:

The Pogues
Flogging Molly
Flatfoot 56
The Tossers
Blood or Whiskey

Fiddler’s Green

The Tossers

Gaelic Storm

Add your own list 🙂

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Irish Country And Blues


Country music lovers will give this a listen. Patrick Wall’s I’ll Sail My Ship Alone. I am putting my Hank Williams record back to the shelf an give this a try. Buy it here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/patrickwall

Hacking the Scene with the Pogues

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Like Goth kids, You can’t hack the scene without naming bands like Bauhaus, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees or The Diary of Dreams. The same thing goes for Celtic Rock. Names like Dropkick Murphy’s, Seven Nations, Enter the Haggis and The Pogues are just few names that make up the entire umbrella of music. So , when you have the pass code, you’re in.

This music has never been more hip and relevant in today’s concert scene.

The Pogues have always served as an example of a band that never aims to please anybody for the sake of  having a top 40 tune out there in the charts. They have created a style of their own without caring what critics  say . There are even some song titles that can bring a shiver to anyone who thinks Celtic music is supposed to be polite and ‘safe’.

The scruffy voice of Shane McGowan is there to remind us , that what is Irish music if it’s just about glens and hills…and never about Guinness or Leprechauns. Surely , the naughty punk sensibilities should always remain if the spirit if the music has to survive. The Pogues along with other bands have brought the spirit of the music to the new century. And everyone keeps digging the scene, people of all races and geographical locations. This is the new age of Irish rock.

The Elders:Have a Taste of Irish Americana

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

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What happens when an Irishman with the love of all things American meets a bunch of  Americans who love everything Irish? Well you get a band called The Elders. Fronted by Ian Byrne from County Wicklow Ireland, the Elders is composed of guys who are seasoned already before recording together.

If you are curious as to how The Elders  sounds like, then check out the official MySpace page. The music reminds me a bit of Traffic , Hothouse Flowers and The Pogues. I could not help but get goosebumps with The Lock of the Irish . It’s a tribute to St. Patrick and what makes Ireland what it is now. I think Ian Byrne gives you a glimpse into Irish history in this five-minute song.

Overall, the band is something  not to be missed. Quirky stage performance, excellent vocal and instrumental arrangements go hand in hand. And yes ,a slice of Americana thrown in the mix…which would make any Spin Doctors fan smile.

P.S.

Big thanks to Christi Broersma for introducing me to this American based Celtic band!