United States

See Maeve Gilchrist Trio, Rachel Davis etc in the Crossroads International Celtic Festival in Western Maine

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When the state of Maine comes up, it reminds me of Stephen King because that’s where he lives. Check out the movies on the list set in Maine( though not of them are by King): Salem’s Lot(2004 TV mini series), Home Alone, Andre, Dolores Clairborne, A Summer Place, Charlotte’s Web, The Cider House Rule, Parent Trap etc.

It’s such a pleasant surprise when the committee of the Crossroads International Celtic Festival informed me about this upcoming event which will be held in the month of September this year. What’s amazing is the mouth-watering lineup of amazing musicians that will ravish your thirsty soul that’s hungry for Celtic tunes. Oh yes I know you probably know them. Some of the artists already appeared in this site as part of my album review. Sounds like a growing “Woodstock” of Celtic music minus the riot hahaha.

I think you should see it. God know’s I’d see it if I live in the United States! These artists are from Canada and the United States so expect to hear Acadian, Cape Breton and Irish traditional music. Below is the complete press release. My big thanks to Charlene Williams for sending me the article:

Crossroads International Celtic Festival
Announces Artist Lineup

~ Festival to bring top acts to Western Maine ~
SOUTH CARTHAGE, Maine – The inaugural Crossroads International Celtic Festival (Crossroads) has lined up an impressive group of artists for the multi-venue concert series to be held Sept. 11 – 15 in several communities throughout Western Maine. Musicians from all over the Celtic world including Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Scotland, Ireland, and the U.K., as well as from across the United States, will join the finest of Maine’s musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers.

Celtic Musicians Shannon and Matt Heaton

“We have taken great care to create the perfect mix of both performer and venue so the experience will be authentic and exciting,” said Phill McIntyre, artistic director of Crossroads.

In all, 18 live performances will take place along the scenic routes through the towns and villages of Rangeley, Stratton, Carrabassett Valley, Kingfield, Phillips, Farmington, South Carthage, Rumford, Oxford, Lovell, South Paris, Fryeburg, and Bethel.

Acts include David Munnelly & Mick Conneely from Ireland; the Maeve Gilchrist Trio from Edinburgh, Scotland; Buddy MacDonald and Sprag Session from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; and the Don Roy Ensemble of Portland, Maine. A complete list of artists can be found at http://crossroadscelticfestival.com/artists.

Celtic Musicians Mick Conneely and David Munnelly

Tickets went on sale July 1. Visit the festival website for the most up-to-date information.

A consortium of partner organizations has created this dynamic, cross-county festival to celebrate Celtic music, promote economic development in western Maine and support local arts organizations. Crossroads International Celtic Festival is sponsored by United Insurance, Linda Clifford Scottish & Irish Merchant, and supported in part by grants from the Maine Office of Tourism, the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Arts Commission, Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation, and the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust.

###

About the Crossroads International Celtic Festival:
The Crossroads International Celtic Festival is a non-profit organization currently under the fiscal sponsorship of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. Our large-scale, multi-venue festival showcases Celtic musicians of the highest caliber, and offers audiences a rich cultural experience while generating new opportunities for regional economic growth through cultural tourism. For more information, tickets or reservations visit the festival website or emailinfo@crossroadscelticfestival.com.

From  Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada; Arseneault are going to be part of the festival.
Genre: Acadian, Cajun, Celtic

***

Huzzah!

How are you weekenders? It’s another busy week that’s almost done. I’ve been busy with projects but I still have time to blog because I know you will be reading this. Perhaps I should let out bits of my life since you’ve been with me since 2009. I am still trying to adjust to the situation. It’s almost three months since my beloved mom passed away and I tell you, something like that changes you inside. It is hard to explain but whatever goals you had, or aspirations; they all seemed to have been swept away by this ravaging tide. No one is ever the same once he or she experiences that. But that is life and one has to go on living even though living sometimes feels like a chore. The years simply stretch beyond into this dream that one day, you will see that person you love the most. That is, if you believe in the after life. I don’t know. I am still looking fir something to believe in. I will take whatever I can. Be it music, art or the company of good friends. I will take it to keep me alive.

Ok, enough of heavy stuff, I want to show my support to the new Cara song. I saw this posted by the great piper Ryan Murphy. It’s their charity single. All proceeds go to Musiker ohne Grenzen (Musicians sans frontiers, Musicians without borders), a charity organisation that uses music to help people. There five projects right now in Ecuador, Jamaica and India. Info about the organization here:
www.musikerohnegrenzen.de or
www.youtube.com/user/musikerohnegrenzen

I love this tune. It’s the singing and the instruments. Cara are one of the best bands in Celtic music. If you have not heard of them yet you better check them out and buy their albums. You wont regret it. It’s one of the bands you have to hear before you die.

By this track for  €1 EUR .

Celtic Dub Volume 1-Celtic Reggae Revolution

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The Celtic Reggae Revolution

Band: Celtic Reggae Revolution

Album: Celtic Dub Volume 1.

Sounds like: Dub reggae drum and based mixed with fiddle, pipes, whistles,
mandolin, banjo and accordion.

Album notes: Groundbreaking Celtic Dub album mixing Reggae Drum and Bass. Pipes, Fiddle, Box, Banjo, Low Whistle, Tin Whistle fused with heavy delay/echo, re-verb and Drum and Bass. A MUST for Ambient Dub lovers. Nicely mixed and mastered by U2’s engineer Pete Maher.

If you followed my previous post about The Celtic Reggae Revolution, then I know you already have an idea what kind of sound to expect from their new release Celtic Dub Vol. 1. Sounds from this album will appeal to those who have eclectic tastes.  And I have to say this, the production quality is excellent. Whither you are using headphones of large speakers, the tracks have this seamless connection to each  other. There are various effects present: loops, fade outs, echo and sampling bits thrown in the mix. All of these made possible by the genius of U2’s engineer Pete Maher who mixed and mastered this album .

I find myself tapping my feat to the beat and it is the kind of album I can take and play anywhere because it will also appeal to those who like dance, rnb and rap music. But if you are into traditional Irish music then this is also for you. It’s something you can just chill out to if you want something  not so trad-ish or hip hop-ish. A kind of music that is in between if you know what I mean.

Celtic Dub Volume 1 sees the band growing their sound into a more radio friendly style without sacrificing their exotic sound. St. Brendan’s Dub is the opening track that introduces you to the sounds that will come as you listen along. The fiddles and other Celtic instruments  blossom in and out of the field of sound that’s groovy and lush. The reggae beats are there to support the instruments, complimenting the musical ideas  instead of drowning them which usually happens in a lot of fusion albums.

I have my personal favorite and that’s Celtic Truth Dub because it simply moves you. It has that easy breezy feeling in the midst of the sunny tune. Dub music is a sub-genre of reggae that became popular in the 60s and branched out on its own. With Celtic Dub Vol.1, new listeners will come to appreciate the beauty of Reggae and Celtic music and I am sure they will definitely love these specific genres. It’s what  happened to me. I discovered traditional Irish music because of Celtic fusion. So Celtic Reggae Revolution are doing a great thing to the music world: they are getting people to listen to different musical cultures through fusion.

For samples of the band’s music and buy the album, go to this link: http://www.cdbaby.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?AlbumID=celticreggaerevolution2

And this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Celtic-Dub-Vol-1/dp/B00DVLZIR0

Huzzah!

In today’s news: Clannad’s New Album in decades!

It’s been confirmed that the new album by the million-selling Irish group Clannad is called “Nádúr” (pronounced as Ned-dur). This is the Irish Gaelic word for Nature. Wow the last album that they released was Landmarks and that’s like fifteen years ago! But though Clannad were in a long hiatus, lead singer Moya Brennan has been busy with Voices and Harps. It’s a collaborative work with harpist Cormac de Barra. Yes I will wait for that album. More here: http://www.clannad.nl/2013/07/new-clannad-album-titled-nadur.html

For those who love harp music here’s a link to the wonderful documentary that you will love: The Harp

A very inspiring and informative documentary about the history of the harp, its relation to middle-eastern tunes, to its status as a Celtic symbol for Wales,Ireland and Scotland..how Handel wrote a harp concerto for a Welshman, Robert Ap Huw (the introduction of binary system in musical notation during the 16th century)and its evolution as an instrument spanning genres. It’s hosted by harpist Catrin Finch Really worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ImURf8KUE

Gavin Friday: I probably saw 70% of the films that he wrote music to(In The Name of the Father, The Boxer etc)and just saw Breakfast on Pluto(which he appeared as an actor). In the spirit of Irish post-punk (he was the lead singer of The Virgin Prunes)Gavin was the hero. Another youtube video worth checking out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU9s85pTlz0

Celtic Star Sign:

Thanks to my blogger friend Christi. She posted this link on her facebook page and tagged me. This will help determine which Celtic Tree Sign you belojg to. I am Birch. Want to find out your own?

WHAT CELTIC STAR SIGN ARE YOU?

Celtic Astrology had been around since about 1000BC and it’s based on 3 basic strands of belief … remembering your ancestors and the past … having an understanding of nature so you can work with it, not against it … and exploring the connection of everyday reality with that of the spiritual realm.

In Celtic astrology, the zodiac was based on trees and vines, each being connected to a lunar month and so, unlike the zodiac we’re familiar with, the Celtic calendar has 13 astrological signs. Here they are …

January 22 – February 18 … THE ROWAN (the thinker)
February 19 – March 17 … THE ASH (the enchanter)
March 18 – April 143 … THE ALDER (the trailblazer)
April 15 – May 12 … THE WILLOW (the observer)
May 13 – June 9 … THE HAWTHORN (the illusionist)
June 10 – July 7 … THE OAK (the stabiliser)
July 8 – August 4 … THE HOLLY (the ruler)
August 5 – Sept. 1 … THE HAZEL (the knower)
Sept. 2 – Sept. 29 … THE VINE (the equaliser)
Sept. 30 – October 27 … THE IVY (the survivor) … me!
October 28 – November 24 … THE REED (the leader)
November 25 – December 23 – THE ELDER (the scholar)
December 24 – January 21 … THE BIRCH (the achiever)

Find out your own Celtic zodiac profile here …
http://www.celticradio.net/php/zodiac.php?type=index

Loreena McKennitt posted this on her fb page. She’s raving about this book called The Shallows. Her recommendation makes me want to check this book out. What do you think? http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/books/2013/07/29/loreena-mckennitt-recommends-the-depth-of-the-shallows/index.html

Steven Hawson: Shamus and Steve’s Crazy Celtic Journey to Glasgow, Vol. 1

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STEVEN HAWSON: Shamus and Steve's Crazy Celtic Journey to Glasgow, Vol. 1

 Winner:Clean and intelligent fun with Steven Hawson’s Shamus and Steve’s Crazy Celtic Journey to Glasgow, Vol. 1

1 – Top O’ Da Morning
2 – Here We Go, Amigo
3 – Only One Room Left
4 – The All-You-Can-Eat Celtic Buffet Sketch
5 – The Boyisshecrankie Sketch
6 – Hold the Mayo
7 – Rockabye Steve

For those who are in need of something informative but at the same time entertaining then I better introduce you to something I stumbled upon this weekend. The album is called Shamus and Steve’s Crazy Celtic Journey to Glasgow, Vol. 1. by Steven Hawson. It’s  an audio comedy presented the creator’s notable talent for voicing different characters. He also created an interesting plot that really works.

The main characters of this story are Steve and his twin brother Shamus. Steve plays an accordion while his twin plays the banjo. Steve works as a manager of a fish and chips store while Shamus is a free-spirited entomologist. Their personalities are complete opposites. Steve is uptight while Shamus is cocky and loves adventures. It’s Shamus who actually dares Steve to go on a road trip. The aim is to attend the first annual Glasgow Celtic music festival in  Montana, with hopes of playing on stage with the great musicians. I found myself drawn to the banter between the two.

Steve: What’s really amazing in how negative in effect your exiting the womb three minutes before I did has had in your personality-

Shamus:I am the older and wiser than the two of us. It’s not your fault really, I simply have three more minutes of life experience than you do. So you need to follow my lead. It’s a clan obligation!

I am sure you will enjoy the Steve and Shamus series. A volume two is coming very soon. Although this is Celtic culture project, the recording also celebrates the cultural diversity of  the United States. There are several references that point to the connection of the Celts to other cultures. This happens when they start their journey.

For example, there is a part that explains the  deep connection between Mexico and Ireland as Steve and Shamus stop to buy burritos from their Mexican friend. For the delicious Indian curry, it is explained how India is deeply connected to the Celts. A quick stop to buy Chinese food( The All-You-Can-Eat Celtic Buffet Sketch)  uncovers a Scottish Celtic ensemble based in China. History goes further as how the Celts reached the tropics  in the 10th century. This little known but significant history happened in March 17 1065 in Northern England(The Boyisshecrankie Sketch). Wait until you get to  Hold the Mayo where Steve pretends to be Irish in order to impress the motel residents only to find himself in embarrassing situations. The recording closes with both of them halfway through their journey. I can’t wait to get the volume 2 and find out if Steve really got to become an accordion superstar during the Celtic music fest. It remains to be seen. Bring on volume 2!

If you want clean and intelligent fun, then better keep Steven Hawson in your Celtic radar. He is the funny man with great love for Celtic history. Buy the album here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/stevenhawson2

Huzzah!

Now it is time to help out of Celtic musicians to make their projects come true and also to spread the word. Let’s do what we can to keep the spirit of Celtic music alive.

HELP MAXIM AND GERVAIS CORMIER MAKE AN ALBUM!! Watch the video and go to the indie gogo page for details.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-maxim-and-gervais-cormier-make-an-album

Promotional video by John Breen:

Rachael McCormack: This Is My Identity

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rachael mc cormack

Rachael McCormack’s This Is My Identity is an album filled with memorable sweet tracks wrapped in titanium.

Artist:Rachael McCormack

Album: This Is My Identity

Genre: Folk/Rock

Sounds like: For lovers of The Beatles, Phil Lynott and Chris DeBurgh

Hometown: Ballymun

Fact: Irish singers have beautiful voices. This is the most constant thing when you listen to an album coming from the emerald Isle. This Is My Identity by Rachael McCormack fulfills that expectation. Her’s is a strong voice that’s very expressive. It can go from sounding sweet and girlish one moment, into a riveting scream the next. I think this is brought about by MS McCormack honing her craft being part of Dublin’s thriving community of singer/songwriters especially in the Voodoo Sessions. Apart from being passionate about her music, she is also very supportive of the community. I remember more than a year ago when I asked her if she has anything to write that I can post here. She heartily gave her thoughts and that gave me a glimpse of the colorful community she lives in. Fast forward to today and the fruit of her creativity gave way to This Is My Identity.

The album is compose of ten tracks, all influenced with Dublin’s melodic and electric atmosphere. If you love Phil Lynott, The Beatles and Chris DeBurgh then you will definitely light up to this one. I consider her voice as a combination of Mary Black and Linda Ronstadt. Her sound is reminiscent of KT Tunstall, one of her musical idols. The melodic quality of This Is My Identity is excellent. Each track embraces you drawing an infectious nod and smile. One of my favorites is Don’t Go Waste My Time because of the lovely string arrangement that swells on top of a poignant melody.

There are surprising tracks like Stand Out And Be Counted. I think the inclusion of rap really works! Crippled Inside is a capella  which explores her wide vocal range. Daddy Please Take Me Home is every daddy’s girl theme song. I like that part where I hear the violin pizzicato  in the verse part.

You can tell that Ms McCormack has poured her heart and soul to this album because passion can’t lie. And I hear passion all over the songs that span different genres and subject matter. Most of the story in the track are told in the point a point of view of a strong independent woman who is also sensitive and hurting. But there are moments of elation and cotton candy moments. And that sweetness is what most of us who are wounded needs at this time.

Catch La Unica at New York City’s The Shrine

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I did two articles about La Unica and I am always attuned to what’s going on with bands who got their names in this page. So it is always a pleasure to present to you what’s happening to them. Later this month, La Unica will be  playing at a New York City venue called Shrine. This is going to be an exciting musical even because you know what to expect from La Unica right? It will be a night filled with Latin grooves and Celtic melodies. Plus I have mentioned about the cover of the U2 song( With or Without You) which is something you should hear live! I mentioned that because I am once again listening to U2’s The Joshua Tree. A fantastic album. This cover is worth hearing because they added their own twist to it.


Meanwhile…

Irish actor/book author Alan Cooke a.k.a The Wild Irish Poet is writing a new book. Details are hush hush at this time but he shared a passage from that book. Here it is:

She lied back on the bed and gradually dozed off the jet lag claiming her. She had another strange dream…
  She is walking in a field of blood. There are many people. Bone faces and dying. Broken bodies. Crawling around her putting grass in their mouths. She walks through the fields of many thousands of Irish men and women. She comes across an open bare piece of land. She wept at all the pain. The sky rumbled above her. She looked up and could hear terrible screams so far up above her head. She felt dizzy and fell to her knees. Her hands on the dying earth. She felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around and was confronted by the face of an old woman. Her face was sunken. Her skin hung off her body in terrible folds. She was a human bone. Her eyes were bulging and filled with some terrible pity of all the ages.  The woman has old grey hair and bald patches around her head. She held out her sickly hands as if pleading to her. She tried to cry out but only a low moaning sound was heard. She was frozen. The sky turned a velvet black. The sun was erased and all the sickly millions wept in unison. The woman fell against her and shattered into a thousand pieces. ..’
She awoke and for a second she could not breathe.

Sounds like a horror novel to me. But let us wait and see. He wrote two books about his experiences in the literary vein of James Joyce: Naked in New York and The Spirit of Ireland. These are two books I enjoyed reading and I am sure you will too. But there are details of  thriller he is polishing which has a Hollywood movie potential. I will give you the details when it is out.

And Lastly…

Enjoy this lovely track from singer/songwriter John Breen!