Meet Italian musician Andrea Balocco. He plays one of the most visually appealing instruments-the hurdy-gurdy. Musical influences include: Sergio Berardo, Nigel Eaton, Patrick Bouffard, Anne-Lise Foy, Grégory Jolivet and Kevin Dalot. He records solo or sometimes with an ensemble. His music is a combination of French folk with leanings on Scottish Celtic music. Personally, I haven’t heard someone this good since Nigel Eaton.
Ha! I am sure traditional fans in North America will love this. Yes they are coming. My big thanks to Christi in the United States for keeping me informed about the Celtic news over there. This is the message from the band:
Hi Folks,
If you’re anywhere near Lowell, Somerville or Oak Bluffs in MA … Ridgefield, CT … Pawling, NY … Lancaster, PA … Portsmouth, NH … OR … Sherbrooke, QC … the Lúnasas are on their way over at the end of the month.
I got this from the Donegal News. The fab Celtic band Clannad is going on a world tour. At last they have disprove rumors that Landmarks was the last album. They are definitely giving everyone another dose of their haunting brand of Celtic music. Countries they will be visiting :USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Their European tour will be extensive. Here’s the detailed news:
FOLLOWING their sell-out 40th anniversary concerts at the 2011 Temple Bar TradFest and a year of dipping their toes back in, Clannad are all set to kick of their world tour at the National Concert Hall in Dublin next week.
On Wednesday and Thursday July 25 and 26, the famous group from Dobhar will performing all their hits that span over four decades as part of the third ESB Live Festival.
Ciarán, Pól, Moya, Pádraig and Noel have been very busy rehearsing as their prepare to go on a tour that will see them through right until Christmas travelling to USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan before going on an extensive European tour in early 2013.
Since announcing their US dates, tickets have been flying out the door Stateside with thousands of fans not wanting to miss their opportunity to see Clannad back on tour.
The Grammy Award-winning band has been busy writing new material over the past year and are in the finishing stages of completing their first album as a five piece since 1989.
Clannad have given a unique voice to modern Irish music. They have combined a deep love of traditional strains with a bold approach to writing and recording.
Clannad will appear Saturday Night with Miriam tomorrow night at 9.30pm on RTE. For concert tickets log onto http://www.nch.ie
Clarity is a talent and I am glad my friend Matthew Thielker (great guy, he is a vegan, an animal lover and he runs a local cat shelter) brought this idea into an artwork.
Hello American readers in the Midwest. The band Athas is making rounds around Milwaukee this month. You should not miss the amazing talents of each member. I stumbled upon them last March 2010. I am excited to hear that they are spreading the joy of Celtic music around the United States and the world. Thanks to harpist Scott Hoye for posting the updates of the band.
This is an aside but I am amazed to learn that guitarist Jeff Ksiazek played jazz on saxophone for two decades before switching to guitar! Amazing.
áthas lights the dance floor on fire with a combination of traditional and newly composed Irish dance tunes. Fierce fiddle, driving bodhrán, and funky guitar riffs come together to lift listeners’ feet, drinks, and spirits.
Although approaching the tradition from various musical backgrounds, the band found each other and their voice as an ensemble while playing in Irish sessions around Milwaukee throughout 2005. Spending their time between tunes laughing and joking inspired them to make music together and their name, which is the Irish word for joy and happiness.
The band’s blend of exciting music and fun-loving attitudes quickly earned the admiration of Milwaukee’s Irish set and ceili dance communities, as well as audiences throughout their hometown stomping grounds. áthas has become a favorite act at Irish music’s premier event, Milwaukee Irish Fest, gathering praise for the excitement of their stage shows and the energy they display playing in the dance tent.
áthas is a band firmly rooted in the traditions of Irish music, constantly seeking inspiration from the past masters and passing on their knowledge by teaching throughout Milwaukee. The band remains receptive to new influences, and continues to impress audiences with their new compositions as well as their
passion, energy, and love for making music.
Influences:
Comas, David Munnelly Band, Teada, Different Drums of Ireland, Dervish, Planxty, John Whelan, Leo McCann, Seamus Begley
Celtic Music Fan 