Celtsmith is a Welsh band led by Derek Smith . Looks familiar? Well that’s because he is directly related to Jamie Smith of Jamie Smith’s Mabon. He is also the Festival Director and chair person of Cwlwm Celtaidd, the voluntary organisation that organises the festival under the Porthcawl Interceltic Festival since 2002. Celtsmith is a band to watch out for.
Highly emotive and explosive as icicles in March Abagail Grey, a project by Scottish singer Claire Campbell takes a daring direction in terms of style and interpretation. Her music is very visual and listening to her is like looking at shifting scenes of landscapes when you ride a train long distance. She has perfected the command of atmosphere. Incorporating beats in her music creates a balance that teeters between introspective mood and popish excitement. Elegant as chandeliers on castles yet powerful in an arena rock glamour kind of intensity, Abagail Grey has capture my ears…and heart.
Calan bring together the remarkable talents of 5 young musicians giving a fresh and vibrant sound to traditional Welsh music. With a contemporary and lively approach they breathe new life into the old traditions through their sparkling melodies, foot tapping tunes and spirited and energetic performances of Welsh step dancing. They blast their way through some of the old favourite reels, jigs and hornpipes with fast paced and uplifting arrangements before melting into some of the most beautiful and haunting songs. -The Calan Website.
Calan. I like the name. It possesses that pagan sound which calls to mind dragons, druids and the beauty of the Welsh mythology. It is also a term associated with Welsh feasts as in Calan Mai (1st day of May) which is the equivalent of Gaelic Beltane.
Patrick Rimes plays for this band. He has mastered the fiddle, bagpipes, pibgorn, whistle and trombone . Calan approach the Welsh traditional music scene with freshness, vigor and a fashion sense.
Like the power of the fire-breathing dragon, these guys swoop down to the scene with such intensity and hypnotic grace. I saw several videos of their performance and they always leave the audience with jaw dropping impression. Calan have joined the ranks of top Celtic players all over the world and Wales is once again at the center stage of the music scene. Like any knight haunting for the mythical dragon, I got help from their manager Huw Williams who helped me get in touch with Patrick Rimes. Now we will know Calan at this point and I am sure people who read this will want to know and listen more to this band.
Patrick Rimes – fiddle, bagpipes, pibgorn, whistle, trombone
Angharad Siân Jenkins – fiddle
Bethan Rhiannon – main vocal, accordion and step dancing
Alaw Ebrill Jones – harps
Llinos Eleri Jones – harp, triple harp
Sam Humphries – guitar
Alex Moller – percussion, drums
Promo band picture
What were the challenges faced in making a sophomore album?
It wasn’t exactly the usual affair of “2nd album syndrome” where you
have to cobble something together dead quick – Sain records were
obviously keen for us to release it sooner rather than later but we’d
had plenty of time since ‘bling’ so the majority of the tracks were a
part of the regular set.
Bling was highly successful and it received a lot of praises. Has this experience made you guys feel that it was a tough condition trying to live out to the debut’s success?
I don’t think we felt too much pressure from others – but for
ourselves we wanted to create something that demonstrated how much
we’ve developed since then. Bling came out when we were still surviving
on the cute factor to some extent, and I think it reflects that – quite
rough in places and full of fun. We’ve grown up a bit now (but not too
much!) and needed something that we could look back on in 20 years time
and hopefully not cringe too much!
The pibgorn in Wales
I describe your music as vibrant and stylishly appealing. Are you guys aware that you are contributing something fresh to the traditional scene?
It’s great to be able to take Welsh traditional music to English
festivals maybe 20 minutes drive from the border and play this stuff to
people who’ve never heard anything like it before. We’re always in
search of that ‘Welsh sound’, to which the harp contributes an awful
lot, but the tunes are really distinctive. Bizarrely, it seems that
Wales itself is the least keen appreciate its own music – people are
just so determined to listen to crap all the time.
You play different instruments with the band. One of them is the pibgorn which I find fascinating. How did you master this instrument.
The pibgorn was a 10th birthday present, which I nagged my mum into
getting for me after seeing acts like Crasdant and Pibau Bach – I
paraded it round school the next day and could only make a horrific
whining sound! As an enthusiastic member of the schools recorder
ensemble, it was only really the breath control that was a problem
(fingering patterns are almost identical), and that’s always a constant
battle. Trombone playing certainly helps, but I really wish I could
circular breathe like Crasdant’s Stephen Rees.
How smoothly did the recording of Jonah go and why the title?
Since we’d been playing most of the stuff live for about a year, some
tracks went down very easily indeed, however it wouldn’t be a proper
fortnight of recording without the panic meetings and hasty preparation
of extra numbers in the studio lounge! Me and Alex the drummer also
spent several nights sleeping in the studio, which was pretty rock ‘n
roll – comfiest place I’d recommend is Dafydd’s (the boss) office!
After we’d finished recording and listened back, the song Jonah stuck
out as one of the flagship tracks and seemed an obvious choice for an
album name. We still had a longwinded discussion over a pizza and came
up with some very naff alternatives, but I’m pleased we made the right
choice!
January welcomes auspicious debuts from new projects and artists from all over the world. Is it me or the change of weather that brings out the best listeners-people with sophisticated ears who appreciate cultured music.
Leo Blanco Keltic Tales
From Celtic Connections:
Born amidst the Venezuelan Andes, internationally trained at such top cross-genre academies as Boston’s Berklee College and the New England Conservatory, pianist/composer Leo Blanco – whose previous Edinburgh Fringe performances won a Herald Angel award – boldly and beautifully blurs the boundaries of jazz, Latin, folk, classical and African music.
The innovative Breton combo Keltic Tales, comprising Jean-Baptiste Boclé (keyboards), Gildas Boclé (double bass), Ronan Le Bars (uilleann pipes), Jérôme Barde (guitar) and Archibald Ligonniére (drums), never set out to sound consciously Celtic, yet these influences echo intriguingly through their all-original jazz/rock/world material.
***
Seth Lakeman
Energy and fusion is what Seth Lakeman’s music is about. I love this video called Kitty Jay. Take a look.
We hope you have enjoyed listening to Darren’s song ‘Lady’ in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. The song has now been added to the music players on both here and Darren’s official Facebook page as well as www.darrenholden.net
We have now also added a video to Darren’s official YouTube page and hope you’ll agree that the pictures really help to bring the sentiment of the song to life.
Here is an a interesting video about a Welsh village called capel celyn. I now understand the general hostility towards the British, the same that echoes Irish sentiments.
***
Since we are talking about Wales, I’d like to dedicate this song to all those who love Welsh music. This is taken from the second album of Ceredwen called ‘The Golden Land’. Do check it out and get the CD for yourself. You will love it. I commend bushido4368 for uploading this and providing translation. More artist info from this link.
Song from Welsh duet Ceredwen. This is the lyric in Welsh and English :
Tymorau’n newid yn ei blaen
Prydfertwch cefn gwlad yn tynnu sylw Rhufain
Yn ein gwlad, cefngwlad
Tymorau’n newid yn ei blaen
Prydfertwch cefn gwlad yn tynnu sylw Rhufain
Yyns ffrwtthlon yn llawn o gyfoeth
Digon o adnoddau materol ac ysbrydol
Yn y gwlad gyfoethog
Arian ag Aur
Yn ei digonned
I rhannu rhwng phawb
Amgylchfyd, delfrydol
Yn llawn o gyfoeth materol ac ysbrydol
Yn y gwlad gyfoethog
Arian ag Aur
Yn ei digonned
I rhannu rhwng phawb
Maent yn dod i’r ynys ffrwtyhlon
Er mwyn casglu’r cyfoeth aur
Translation :
Seasons forever changing
The beauty of the land drawing the attention of Rome
In our land, our country
Seasons forever changing
The beauty of the land drawing the attention of Rome
This fruitful island, full of wealth
Of the earth and of the spirit
In the wealthy land
of silver and gold
There is plenty
To share amongst all
This ideal place, full of wealth
Of the earth and of the spirit
In the wealthy land
of silver and gold
There is plenty
To share amongst all
They come to the fruitful island
To collect the golden wealth
Hello Celtic people. After a few days of rest, I am back to spin the latest news of what’s happening around in terms of music , concert as well as social networking sites these artists have. We can’t deny the influence of networking sites like MySpace and facebook in terms of music marketing. Gone are the days when artists had to tour just to get the music out there. Now, through YouTube, music video channels and even twitter , they can reach millions and court listeners. But there is a downside to this.
Though the internet is a good medium in spreading music, there is a huge competition that artists have to go through in order to be heard. Even amateurs with horrible stuff can make it out there. I am not really an expert or authority here but what I do is, I highlight bands and individual artists who are already generating the buzz. When this happens (the buzz), it means that these artists have already built a following and a credible sense of musicianship that set them apart from the rest. And yes we already have established and successful acts like Carlos Nunez, the Chieftains, Clannad, Altan, Ashley McIsaac, Capercaillie and Solas (among others) that make the headlines These headlines are important in keeping our community visible and alive. But it is also through these new acts that make all this writing about music all worthwhile, don’t you think?
Moving to Spain…..
You can now listen to the official Carlos Nunez MySpace page. You can check out pictures, latest news(however I warn you this is in Spanish) and also listen to the artists he is associated with. www.myspace.com/carlosnunezoficial is now playing tracks from his latest album Alborada do Brasil (Sony Music). Fans in Morocco can catch him this 26th of June at the Festival Tarab de Tanger . Here are the details(in Spanish) of his concerts taken from his official website www.carlos-nunez.com (the bottoms is the latest up to August at the top):
28/08/2010
Metz – France
Parc de Seille 21:30
Metz
France
::
27/08/2010
Neuchâtel -La Tène Festival – Switzerland
La Tène Festival
Grande scène 21:30
Neuchâtel – Suisse
+ info: www.latenefestival.ch
::
12/08/2010
Gijón – Spain
Semana Grande de Gijón
Playa de Poniente 23:00
Gijón
::
7/08/2010
Pleuhiden sur Rance – Brittany
La Chapelle de Mordreuc 20:30
Pleuhiden sur Rance (22)
Claustro de la Catedral de Santa Maria 22:30
La Seu d’Urgell
venta de entradas:
Precio de las entradas: 20 € a taquilla // 17 € en venta anticipada.
Sitios de venta anticipada:
Turisme Seu (Avda. Valls d’Andorra s/n) 973 351 511
Turisme del Consell Comarcal de l’Alt Urgell (Passeig Joan Brudieu, 15) 973 353 112
Y, si no se agotan las entradas, el mismo día en taquilla desde las 21 horas en la entrada del Claustre de la Catedral de Santa Maria d’Urgell (C/ Santa Maria s/n)
Santiago de Compostela (Special guest with Jordi Savall) – Spain
San Domingos de Bonaval 20:30
Santiago de Compostela
+ info: Lamentos e folías célticas, das fisterras atlánticas ao novo mundo
Festival Via Stellae www.viastellae.es
JORDI SAVALL viola soprano & lyra-viol
ANDREW LAWRENCE-KING arpa céltica & salterio
PEDRO ESTEVAN percusión
invitado especial :
CARLOS NÚÑEZ gaita e frautas
ENTRADA LIBRE previa recollida de invitación dous días antes do concerto no Punto de venda de entradas do Festival Via Stellae (Teatro Principal, rúa Nova, nº 21, Santiago de Compostela). 981565027.
Os posuidores do abono completo do Via Stellae terán prioridade para retirar a súa invitación a partir do martes 29 de xuño.
::
26/06/2010
Tanger – Morocco
Festival Tarab de Tanger
Borj l-Hajoui 21:15
Tanger
From Casas del Monte – Extremadura, Cáceres Spain, The band combines passionate acoustic guitars mixed with flamenco flavor and irresistible beat that borrows from all sources. Beautiful, melodic and distinctive, the music takes you on different landscapes and cultures yet distinctly Spanish. Band members are(In Spanish because I got this from the band site http://www.aulagafolk.com) :
According to this article The music of the region of Asturias in northern Spain has more in common with Brittany, Wales and Ireland than Spanish music from Castille or Andalusia. Traditional Asturian instruments include bagpipes, called the Gaita, the harp loom and Asturian drums.
Brenga Astur is Celtic music fused with Spanish influences.Laced with beautiful melodies , hypnotic rhytms and evocative voice of the female vocalist, here is your chance to experience the landscape, the people, the thoughts and feelings that shaped the music. Brenga Astur is composed of 10 band members with two Asturian pipers, bouzouki, bodhran, flute, electric and acoustic guitar, accordion, mandolin, drums, keyboard, vocals and more. Cekc out http://www.brengaastur.com/ for details and updates. Information and pics courtesy of http://www.ndoylefineart.com/index.html
Llan de Cubel is a popularname in Asturian Celtic music . The band has released seven albums, the last UN TIEMPU MEYOR was released way back 1999. According to official website: During the last years the band has been making a big database with Asturian traditional tunes. The members of the band have been investigating old songbooks, field recordings by ethnographic groups, old recordings from the begining of 20th century and even recordings by Asturian exilées after the Spanish Civil War. The band has also been writing new tunes in the traditional style that together with the music compiled in the database will be the alma mater of the new studio work that Llan de Cubel intends to record and release in 2010. Please refer to http://www.llandecubel.com/ and for updates about the band http://www.llandecubel.com/concieng.html . No I can’t find their MySpace page but if you have the address, please give it to me and I will post it here.
CMF pays tribute the spirits of Carlos Redondo and Igor Medio, members of the Asturian Celtic band Felpeyu, who passed away on 2006 from a car crash.
This is an article from World Music Central released in 2006:
Spain – Carlos Redondo and Igor Medio, members of Asturian Celtic band Felpeyu, died today in Zuya (northern Spain) in a vehicle accident. The group was traveling from a gig in Corvera (Asturias) to another venue in Barcelona. Felpeyu’s van exited the road and overturned. Two members died and four are severely injured. Firemen were called to rescue the injured passengers from the wreckage.
The untimely death of the two well-known musicians from the Asturias region of Spain has shocked the Spanish folk music community, specially the Celtic music scene.
Carlos Redondo joined Felpeyu in 1994. He played guitar, bass and lead vocals. He was the member of the band with more professional musical experience. He worked intensively as a rock musician, teacher, producer and sound engineer. He was mainly known in Asturias as singer and bass player of the legendary Asturian pop-rock band Los Locos. He got into folk music in the early 90’s by producing some Asturian bands; Felpeyu was one of them, and he joined the band right after producing its first recording, Felpeyu, in 1994. Carlos was born in Gijón (Asturias, Spain).
Ígor Medio had a heterogeneous background. He grew up into an atmosphere of choral and Asturian singing -which both his parents and family developed- and was also into classical music studies and blues/rock experiences before being introduced to folk music. As a folk musician, he developed a personal and eclectic way of arranging and performing Asturian traditional music. He played guitar and mandolin in the band, choosing the bouzouki as his main instrument afterwards. He played bouzouki, guitar -only on studio-, bass pedals, and sang lead and harmony vocals. Ígor was born in Gijón (Asturias, Spain).
Felpeyu recreates Asturian traditional music by combining both the Asturian orchestration and the more general and current Atlantic European types without losing its distinctiveness.
The band was formed by a group of students with similar musical tastes in 1991. Felpeyu initially performed at folk pubs and small venues. Later, it played at large stages and festivals in Asturias. In recent years, the group has performed at numerous international Celtic and world music festivals in Europe, Australia and North America.
Felpeyu has recorded four CDs: Felpeyu (Fonoastur, 1994), Tierra (Fonoastur, 1997), Live Overseas (Urchin, 2000/Tierra Discos, 2003) and Yá! (Tierra Discos 2003).
[Photos: 1 – Carlos Redondo, 2 – Ígor Medio, courtesy of Felpeyu].
From Asturias we go to Wales…
Mabon has started their UK with a blast. They have four appearances this month and 10 for August! Mabon is originally formed by Jamie Smith’s father Derek . The band has released two albums Ridiculous Thinkers (2004) and OK Pewter (2007). The beauty of Mabon is that the band infuses the influences from all the Celtic nations and yet making the sound distinct with Jamie shaping the musical path and doing the research. If you haven’t heard of them yet, well you can isten to the samples at www.myspace.com/mabonband. Here’s the list for their major appearances this month and beyond(See all here):
Celtic Music Fan 