welsh music

The Ashokan Farewell and McIlroy Guitars.

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His arrangement of The Ashokan Farewell for acoustic guitar. Played on a McIlroy AJ16

Dermot McIlroy is a versatile artist. Apart from playing in his project bands, he is also a guitar builder. Have you tried visiting McIlroy Guitars? The video will give you an idea what one of them sounds like(the McIlroy AJ16). And he plays really good! He executes that depth and craft in the video Ashokan Farewell which has a rather interesting background.

Dermot McIlroy in Antrim, Antrim, United Kingdom.

Dermot McIlroy in Antrim, Antrim, United Kingdom. Photo by Daniel Burne.

I love instrumental music. They don’t have resistance or aggression. They are compatible with almost anything. The Ashokan Farewell plays like a peaceful river. Everything flows without bumps and uncertainty. And the notes are clear like golden silver. Can you hear it? That certain feel to it?

I think there should be a solo instrumental album from McIlroy don’t you think? I think, for that to be realized one day will be a truly wonderful experience. Solo guitar music is timeless. I love collecting them. I can play them anytime and anywhere. I hope this post(and most importantly the accompanying music lights up your week) inspires you as you start your day or recline to sleep.

http://mcilroyguitars.co.uk

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I will be posting a blog about Derek Smith of this Welsh trio, Glasnant. According to him:

“Glasnant means Blue Stream in English. Our music will be like a stream flowing through the Celtic countries.” They will go to Ireland on March 12th-16th to take their interceltic music to the Aran Isles. Sounds exciting!

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Ffynnon and Other Events

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Thanks to Jeremy of  Poitin , I was able to get to know this wonderful Welsh band called Ffynnon. If you look   at the individual bio of these guys, you’ll know that though they perform traditional Welsh music, they all have been trained in Classical, Jazz and World Music. Each has his or her own collaborative project with other musicians, extending the branches of the band’s repertoire into heights of musical discoveries.

What I like about Ffynnon, is that they are not an exclusive instrumental band. The mesmerizing voice of lead vocalist Lynne Denman will move even the most jaded listeners as the band embellish the tracks in gossamer but oftentimes challenging instrumentations.

Here the samples here: http://www.ffynnon.com/music.php

Lynne Denman:singer

Stacey Blythe: accordion, harp, whistle, vocals, piano, harpsichord

Chris O’Connor: double bass

Oliver Wilson-Dickson: fiddle

Mark O’Connor: drums/percussion

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You can now enjoy Paul Taggart’s painting workshop c/o blip tv. Paul has been active in the Scottish  art scene:

http://artworkshopwithpaultaggart.blip.tv/posts?view=archive&nsfw=dc

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From Ireland to Cornwall,  Jamie Lawson will make hearts smile with his brand of sad songs laced with sunny melodies. Catch him in Up Close and Personal Sessions  on March 12  20:00 – 23:00, at The Thatch Rahan – Tullamore – Co. Offaly.

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Other events:

Donal Lunny, Padraig Rynne, Sylvain Barou Trio

where: An Droichead

20 Cook Street
Belfast, United Kingdom
when: 

11 March · 19:30 – 22:30
Donal Lunny – Bouzouki, Pádraig Rynne – Concertina, Sylvain Barou – Flute & Uilleann Pipes. 

Trio perform first of 2 nights concerts in March.
12/03/11 trio play Paris as part of Festival Irlandays.

Buy tickets for Belfast concert from:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/105978

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Julie Feeney Boston Debut at Club Passim
when: 

07 March · 19:30 – 21:30
where: Club Passim 

47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA 02138
$15 (general)/$13 (member)
Show 8pm, doors at 6:30pm 

http://tickets.passim.org/ordertickets.asp?p=1577&backurl=%2Fdefault.asp%3FSearchMonth%3D3%26monthsubmit%3Dx%26SearchText%3D%26Go.x%3D%26Go.y%3D%26pg%3D1%23abc

Take Red Line to Harvard Square T stop.

• Exit via Church Street entrance Walk one block down Church Street past Harvard Square Theater to Palmer Street on left. We are in the basement just around the corner on the left.

•Exit via Harvard Square main entrance Cross Massachusetts Ave. to Harvard Coop building. Stay left by newsstand on Brattle Street to first right (Palmer Street) which is 200 feet from the corner. Turn right and walk one block. We are on the right in the basement just before you reach Church St.
We are in the basement of an 1830 brick delivery building and carriage house on the corner of Church and Palmer streets.

Crwth: A Welsh stringed Instrument.

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271px-Crwth_remLike you guys I have just stumbled upon this. My fetish for unique musical instruments led me to this one. It’s called the Crwth (pronounced like “krooth”) It’s actually a now archaic Welsh medieval instrument. In my previous post I opened a topic about the Celtic music of Wales. Most of the folk music of Wales was suppressed due to the Act of Union which promoted the English language and also the rise of Methodist church. .More detailed information can be found here.

Anyway my interest was piqued so I search for videos available in You Tube and found this video by violinist Rachel Barton Pine. She talks to this crwth-maker Hank Taylor. Check out the video to learn more. Here’s another one. This is a challenge to other Celtic musicians out there. Would you be including the Crwth in your recordings soon?

The Celtic Music Of Wales.

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wales Most of the traditional music of Wales have fallen to obscurity. People now look up to Ireland and Scotland for broader knowledge. We can’t however discredit the fact that Welsh music is beautiful. There are lovely voices from Wales. The band Ceredwen which  I highlighted in my previous post

is one example.

Here is one useful link that you can click for more information about the music of Wales.

Ceredwen:Getting to know Welsh Celtic music

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Ceredwen Ceredwen Our telescope moves to Wales.If you don’t know how Welsh Celtic music sounds like, then you have to check out Ceredwen.The name comes from the Celtic goddess of inspiration and legendary mother of Taliesin, King Arthur’s bard, and “Keeper of the Cauldron.”

  

Composed of dou Renée Gray and Andrew Fryer,each Ceredwen release promises to enchant and captivate.Steeped in atmoshere,heavenly vocals ( Renée) and Welsh mythology, new ears will be converted.I saw three Ceredwen releases available in Glorieta Makati a couple of years ago.Check out the band’s official music page:

also :Wiki

and:Here

Ceredwen is something that Enigma,Delerium and Clannad fans would listen to.Groovy,atmospheric and transporting.