The Dorians(The Rocky Road to Dublin) SullivanBurton(The Town of Ballybay) Ken O’Malley and the Twilight Lords(Easy and Slow) John McGill(Away)
For more information on the artists featured on the Celtic Folk Podcast, including links and pics, click on www.celticfolkpod.com.
CFP20 Show Notes:
Numbers. For lack of a better, more cutesy name. Plus details in the next couple of days about the first annual Celtic Folk Scotland Tour.
The Dorians - The Rocky Road to Dublin.
The Dorians are a Celtic band from Illinois offering songs and dance music from the Irish and Scottish traditions. They have performed throughout the midwest at festivals, colleges, conferences, and schools & are the house band for the nationally syndicated public radio program, Celtic Connections.
Instrumentation
Bryan Kelso Crow - flute, tin whistle, keyboards and lead vocals;
Mickey Soltys on fiddle and guitar;
Mike Shanahan on guitar, cittern and vocals.
Other instrumentation may also include mandolin, banjo, bodhran and bones.
Biography
The Dorians are a three-member band based in Carbondale, Illinois, specializing in dance music from the Celtic traditions of Ireland and Scotland, and songs from Ireland, Scotland, England, and North America. The current members have been performing together since 1990.
The band’s vocal repertoire includes humorous ballads, traditional love songs, songs of Irish and Scottish history and politics, and some old and new American folk songs. Their instrumental repertoire ranges from Scottish and Irish reels and jigs to lovely slower tunes. They have played throughout the midwest as well as Alaska for concert audiences, Highland games, weddings, dances, music and arts festivals, community fundraisers, elementary schools, colleges, historic re-enactments, academic conferences, and on public radio and television.
The band’s versatile and talented musicians include:
Bryan Kelso Crow as lead singer and playing flute, whistle and keyboard. He is a native of Tennessee, with Scots-Irish roots, but he never heard traditional Celtic music until he was in college.
He learned to play the tin whistle while hiking the roads of Ireland in 1978, and has been playing the traditional wood flute since the mid-1980s. He taught as an exchange professor at the University of Ulster, outside of Belfast, for the 1985-86 school year, and got to know many Irish musicians during that time. He is a guest lecturer in the Irish Studies program at Southern Illinois University, and a member of the Coordinating Committee for the Southern Illinois Festival of Irish Music.
In 1991 He launched “Celtic Connections” as a local radio program featuring Celtic music. The program moved to national syndication in July 1996 and can now be heard on over 100 public radio stations across the U.S.
Mickey Soltys is an accomplished fiddler and guitarist. He is originally from Wycliffe, Kentucky and has performed extensively in other bands and genres in the region before joining The Dorians. He has studied many of the Irish fiddling styles from both his extensive collection of recordings as well as traveling to Ireland. In addition to his interest in Celtic music he is an expert on old-time Missouri fiddling. He also plays regularly for the local contra dance society, “Friends of Traditional Music and Dance”.
Mike Shanahan plays guitar and cittern, and specializes in the singing of immigration and other historical ballads. Mike has been performing folk music since his teens. Originally from Ohio, he has performed with several old-time bands in Ann Arbor, MI and Madison, WI. It was in Madison in the early 1980’s that he became involved in promoting and playing Irish music and played in a local band, Bogside (aka Boxty) before moving to Carbondale, Illinois. There he met Bryan Crow and they formed the Dorians. He has studied guitar with Daithe Sproule, Zan McLeod and Jed Foley and performs mainly using the DADGAD guitar tuning. Mike is also the Entertainment Coordinator for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival.
In addition to playing guitar he also plays a Stefan Sobell 10-string cittern and 5-string banjo.
Discography
The Dorians - self titled album (1998)
new release due in Spring 2007
SullivanBurton - Town of Ballybay.
SullivanBurton is a full-on powerhouse of sound blending new world and old world, traditional with contemporary sounds for an audience experience that is more than enjoyable. It’s a party!
Instrumentation
Bruce Burton-vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, bodhran, fiddle
Bob Moore-bass guitar, guitar, vocals
Tom Jones-bodhran, dumbek, djembe, other percussion
Shannan Sullivan-fiddle/violin, vocals
Biography
SullivanBurton’s latest CD, “Monkey Bars [self-released 2005] is an energetic acoustic/electric mix of largely Irish material that goes well beyond the usual pub standards, with crisp playing and strong singing and a good mix of the sensitive and the silly. “Winnie’s Morning Tune Set” begins as a quiet acoustic guitar piece that morphs into a hot fiddle reel with resonating bass lines as Winnie presumably wakes up. Among the songs, there are fun versions of the Oysterband’s cheerfully cynical “Blood Wedding” and Tommy Makem’s bawdy “Town of Ballybay”.”-Tom Nelligan, Dirty Linen Magazine.
SullivanBurton (yes, all one word, both ampersand and hyphen-less) is a duo consisting of two good friends backed by two wonderfully talented musicians and friends who all share a passion for Celtic music and a penchant for adventure. Founding members Shannan (Sullivan) and Bruce (Burton) previously played together in the popular Illinois band, the Bogside Zukes—Bruce (1993-2003) and Shannan (1997-2000). Shannan and Bruce finally decided to collaborate in August of 2003 as SullivanBurton. The remainder of that year and the following one turned out nicely successful for the brand new group even including a concert date with the group Danu. The later additions of former Zukes members Bob Moore on bass and Tom Jones on percussion rounded out their sound and have turned the name SullivanBurton from a descriptor to a title.
The music created includes both traditional and contemporary Irish/Celtic colored and tempered with the unavoidable influences of growing up in American pop culture resulting in a fusion of Celtic/American/Urban/Folk. Audiences love this group for their disarming charm, sharp wit and good-natured ribbing with each other—not least to mention their fantastic musicianship. SullivanBurton brings you into the mix and leaves you soaring…
For more information on SullivanBurton:
• www.SullivanBurton.com or
• www.myspace.com/SullivanBurton
• www.youtube.com/profile?user=hark2003
• www.sonicbids.com/SullivanBurton2 (SullivanBurton Electronic Press Kit (EPK))
Ken O’Malley and the Twilight Lords - Easy and Slow.
The heart and soul of Ireland: From Ken O’Malley’s one-man show with acoustic guitar and mandolin, weaving ballads, jigs and reels into a fascinating historical journey . . . to the full Twilight Lords band adding a kick-ass, get up and dance electric rock edge to Irish traditional music.
Instrumentation
Ken O’Malley (Solo performance): Rich vocal interpretation of Irish traditional music and storytelling with a historical perspective accompanied by acoustic guitar and mandolin.
Ken O’Malley and The Twilight Lords:
Ken O’Malley - Lead vocals, guitar, mandolin
Billy Watts - Electric guitar, vocals
Will MacGregor - Bass guitar, vocals
Dillon O’Brien - Keyboards, vocals
James Cruce - Drums
Biography
Ken O’Malley arrived in Los Angeles from Dublin over 30 years ago with little more than red and blue platform shoes, his guitar and the notion that he should find a pub and play. Within two weeks, he was performing at Molly Malone’s, the legendary Irish venue in the city’s Fairfax district, and he hasn’t stopped playing since. Through the years, O’Malley has performed solo and as part of The Mulligans, Blended Spirits and, currently, The Twilight Lords. He’s shared bills with such artists as Mary Black, The Chieftains, The Saw Doctors, Michael Flately and Pierce Brosnan and continues to be an ever-popular and near legendary constant on Southern California’s Celtic music circuit. “I love music and I love to play,” says O’Malley who, by his own estimate, plays well over 200 dates a year.
And just as Ken O’Malley loves Celtic music, he is devoted to nurturing Irish traditions and culture. One of seven children, he was born and raised in Dublin City. His grandfather was a band-leader, his father played piano, his mother opted for violin and everyone, of course, sang. When O’Malley was nine years old, his father gave him a ukulele. Attending a Christian Brothers school gave him fluency in the Irish language and a spot in the accordion band. He taught himself guitar and mandolin, and by age 14, he was playing coffeehouses in Dublin’s then-burgeoning traditional music scene.
While a teen, O’Malley polished his Irish language skills spending summers in the west of Ireland. At 15, he opened for legendary balladeer Paddy Reilly at the equally legendary Old Sheiling Pub. By the time he turned 18, O’Malley was gathering professional credits, among them a stint with Trudy’s People, a group he formed that played Gaelic shows on RTE, Ireland’s national radio and television network. After coming to the U.S., he also performed in the film “Patriot Games” and has acted in such theatrical productions as “Shadow of The Glen” and “The Man Who Would be King.”
Today, as a performer, he is equally at ease with the eighteenth century “Mo Ghile Mear,” the Phil Coulter penned contemporary classic “The Town I Loved So Well” or Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic,” one of his most requested songs. As a spinner of tales tall and true, he never fails to amuse and beguile. And as a musician, O’Malley’s graceful mastery of the mandolin and guitar have earned him high peer praise.
“I enjoy playing now more than ever,” says O’Malley. “In the last ten years, I’ve matured as an artist. My voice has gotten stronger, my playing better. I’m writing more and I’m writing better.” The truth of his statement is clearly evident on “The White Seahorse,” his first CD with The Twilight Lords. With a mix of such traditional material as “Carrickfergus” and “Black Is The Colour,” and original compositions like “The High Wire Waltz” and the title track “The White Seahorse,” this CD is a masterful homage to traditional Irish music enhanced with solid rhythms, acoustic and electric instruments matched by the powerful vocal energy that is the hallmark of a Ken O’Malley performance.
The second release, “Women of Ireland,” continues to showcase O’Malley’s irresistible blend of Celtic traditional, American roots rock and eclectic world beat, this time before an enthusiastic live audience at the Celtic Arts Center. The band takes traditional favorites such as “The Night Visit” and “Skibbereen” showcasing tight, solid interpretations. There was obviously magic in the air that evening and there can be no doubt that Ken O’Malley, the driving force of the Twilight Lords, has heart and soul deeply rooted in Irish tradition and a talent as eclectic and bright as tomorrow.
“If I’ve made people happy with my performances,” says O’Malley, “that’s success to me.”
Discography
The White Seahorse (1999) - This O’Malley studio album is also a mix of such traditional material as “Carrickfergus”, “The Silver Spear/Maid behind the Bar”, and “Black is the Colour” and original compositions like “The High Wire Waltz”, “The Sailor Song”, “Better Days” and the title track “The White Seahorse” - a salute to O’Malley’s forebear, Grace O’Malley aka Granuaile,the pirate Queen of 16th century Ireland.
Women of Ireland (2002) - “With Dublin native Ken O’Malley’s stunningly vibrant Irish tenor at the helm, The Twilight Lords effortlessly span the range from sentimental traditional Irish ballads to aggressive contemporary Irish folk/rock. Included are standards like “Sally Free and Easy”, and “As I Roved Out”, contemporary rockers like “Sullivan’s John”, a few sparkling jigs and reels, and a pounding polka. There are also three songs in O’Malley’s native Gaelic language. This stellar performance was recorded live at LA’s Celtic Arts Center… ” Dave Soyers, writer The Irish Herald, San Francisco.
For a direct link to Ken’s site where you can purchase music, click here.
John McGill - Away.
Part folk, part rock and all truth…He hits major emotions with such a skilled touch that his listeners are put at ease and become part of his world,” –Music Connection.
Instrumentation
John McGill - Guitar, Vocals
Ralph Torres - Keyboards
Biography
First place winner in the of the 2005 Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Competition.
Finalist in the 2004 Kerrville Folk Festival Newsong Competition.
Chiming guitars and silvery harmonies sustain themes of longing and triumph on Journey From LaLa., singer/songwriter John McGill’s revelatory new CD, but the title cut is rambunctious roadhouse revelry — downshifting with high octane guitars, whirring Hammond, and sultry chick singers. McGill defines this music as “Existential Blues” as he informs, “I’m a thinker who doesn’t think much.” The literate self-examination and sterling craftsmanship of his songs clearly indicate otherwise.
Born in Dallas, Texas, John at first resisted the call of the rock, preferring jazz and classical music. In time, a dizzying roster of potent American influences — Aaron Copeland to Gram Parsons — infused his musical consciousness. He spent his teen years rocking in bands with his brother, balancing high harmonies and rhythmic Southern rock roots, indelible elements that remain imbedded in his current musical mix as evidenced on his debut artist’s release, the instrumental Facing West, as well as Journey From LaLa.
Between the scrub hills and the strip malls, in that dusty corner of California that larcenous land speculators dubbed “The Inland Empire,” John, working with the inland Empire Songwriter’s Association and the Southern California Songwriter’s Network, has helped nourish a fertile community of songwriters and musicians. A facile guitarist who also plays keyboards and bass in the studio, he is a charter member of an emerging scene that includes Alien Ant Farm, as well as a new cohort, Ralph Torres, with whom he performs in the duo, mostly harmless.
Journey From LaLa. is an accomplished work from a masterful songwriter. In a voice burnished with honesty and experience, John McGill shares incandescent litanies that seem to glow from within; a steady compass pointing to a destination of infinite promise.
John can be heard at venues throughout southern california performing with musical partner Ralph Torres under the banner mostly harmless.
Discography
Journey From LaLa
11:59 - (single)
Facing West – Instrumental
First Annual Celtic Folk Scotland Tour - September 2007
Ever wanted to visit Scotland and see the real sights, visit a real, traditional pub session with great artists playing wonderful Celtic and traditional music, visit the hidden sights of a country steeped in over 6000 years of history?
Come join me on our first ever Celtic Folk Scotland Tour in late September 2007. I’ll be serving as your tour guide, driver, pub advisor and personal shopper for the trip. We have put together the Itinerary and we’ll be posting that in a pdf file in a couple of days, so keep an eye on your Celtic Folk Podcast subscription, as it will show-up in your podcatcher. We will also produce a short audio Podcast just incase you miss the pdf file.
The Celtic Folk Scotland Tour will be a limited opportunity for Celtic Folk Podcast listeners on a first-come, first-served basis, so email me quickly if you’re interested.
The Tour will be based in the county of Angus – the “Birthplace of Scotland” – and the itinerary includes a traditional music session in the hometown of Peter pan author J.M. Barrie; a visit to one of the most spectacular castles on the east coast and one where William Wallace, yes, Braveheart himself, went up against the English; time aboard the ship that took the famous explorers Scott and Shackleton to the Antarctic; and to the site of the Declaration of Arbroath, where in 1320 Scotland appealed to the Pope and declared its independence from England.
Of course we’ll have plenty of free time for individual exploration and we’ll see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. I’m excited and if you’ve ever wanted to see this incredible country, stick close to your computer! The ShowStopper Track:
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite track from this week’s podcast by emailing us, telling us who you want to hear again and we’ll tally the votes and crown the winner the ShowStopper Track. So drop us a line and tell us who you liked the best of the four great tracks this week.
Please help us support these fine artists by taking a look at their websites, buying their music or at least let them know how much you enjoyed listening to their music on the Celtic Folk Podcast.
Check out our parent website at www.upbeatcafe.com where you’ll find a schedule of great live music, as well as our Online Music Shop were you can buy those old-fashioned CD’s, as well as digital downloads.
STOP PRESS We are currently uploading all the digital tracks and “Sip-A-Clips” to the server. We will be opening this new shop just as soon as we can. You’ll be able to find it here when it goes live. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress.
Like to listen to great new, independent music of all genres from all around the world? Subscribe to our other weekly podcast Upbeat Radio. We feature excellent music for all tastes.
A note for Artists:
Would you like to have your music included on a future Celtic Folk Podcast? Just email us or submit a song to us through Sonicbids.
Please, please, please give us some feedback and let us know how we’re doing. All podcasters live for feedback, both good and bad - it let’s us know what you, our listener and subscriber, want to hear. Email us at info@celticfolkpod.com
Music this week from: Bostone Blackthorne(Back When the Craic was Grand), Three Day Threshold(Kelly I’m Comming Over), Nathaniel Maloney(Old Empty Farmhouse) and Bourrasque Celtique(Vincent-Marc).
For more information on the bands featured on the Celtic Folk Podcast, including links and pics, visit www.celticfolkpod.com
Welcome the Celtic Folk Podcast! We continue to showcase the best Celtic, Folk and Traditional music from around the world each week.
Click on the player above to listen to a streaming version. However, we would prefer for you to subscribe!
In order to download the episode MP3 directly to your computer, rather than streaming it, or if you do not have podcatcher software that will download it for you automatically, click on the Feedburner link above. When the new page opens, right click on the episode’s “Play Now” and then select “Save Target As…”
CFP19 Show Notes:
Mix it up.
Well, winter has finally arrived here in Kentucky as the temperatures have dropped to a more seasonable level. Storms have hit the southern United States and have also created havoc all over Europe. But on the Celtic Folk Podcast all is well as we enjoy another 25 minutes or so of great Celtic and Traditional music from around the world.
We have just put together a MySpace page the Celtic Folk Podcast and we’d love for you to head on over there and become one of our “Friends” and leave us a Comment. Another thing we’d like to ask is that you head over to iTunes and write a review of the Celtic Folk Podcast. We are one of the top Celtic music Podcasts on iTunes, a stat we’re very proud of, since iTunes is one of the most used platforms people use to find podcasts. So, there you go, a couple of homework assignments for you this week. Thank you in advance for taking the time to do that for us.
Boston Blackthorne - Back When the Craic Was Grand.
Boston Blackthorne plays driving Irish Traditional and Celtic-influenced original music with 3 part harmonies and instrumentation including fiddles, mandolins, bouzouki, 6 & 12 string guitars, 4& 5 string banjos, bass, bodhran and drums.
Instrumentation
Jim O’Connor- vocals, 6&12 string guitar, 4&5 string banjo, bouzouki
Jon Lees- vocals- 6&12 string guitars
Jim “Chetz” Keegan- vocals, bass
Robbie Griffin- fiddle
Peter McAvoy- fiddle, mandolin
Dale Monette- drums, bodhran
Biography
The Boston Blackthorne Band has entertained Celtic music fans throughout New England for more than 15 years. The group is rooted in the Irish ballad tradition of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem with contemporary twists and original arrangements. Featuring lush three-part harmonies and original songs, the band’s repertoire also includes classic instrumental jigs and reels played on fiddle, bouzouki, tenor and 5 string banjo, 6 and 12 string guitars and electric bass. Primary vocalist Jim O’Connor (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, banjos) was a member of the Paddy Noonan Band, and is a veteran of the New York City Irish music scene. He was the leader of The Boys of Ward Four, house band for many years at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Party at Church St. Station in Orlando, Florida.
The other members- Jon Lees (vocals, guitar, harmonica), James “Chetz” Keegan (vocals, bass, keyboards), Peter McAvoy (fiddle, mandolin) Rob Griffin (fiddle) and Dale Monette (drums, bodhran), are all long-time veterans of New England Irish, folk, bluegrass and country music groups. The band mixes all of these genres freely and has developed a style of Irish/American playing that has been dubbed “Jig-a-billy”.
Boston Blackthorne has performed with many notable acts, including The Clancy Brothers, Robbie O’Connell, Derek Warfield, The Barra McNeils, Maura O’Connell and Black 47.
Equally comfortable in pubs, festivals, or corporate and private events, Boston Blackthorne has performed at venues as diverse as The Boston Science Museum, The Holyoke Heritage Festival, Charles River Cruise Lines, Pearl Street Nightclub, Cheers Faneuil Hall, The Yankee Pedlar Opera House, The Newport Waterfront Irish Festival, The Danbury Irish Festival, Harpoon Brewery, Maple Street Music Festival, Western Mass Celtfest and many other public and private functions throughout the Northeast.
The new CD “Better Late than Ever” is available at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/blackthorne
Discography
Better Late than Ever by Boston Blackthorne, available at CDBaby.com. This album won the LiveWire award for best regional album of 2005 from the Springfield Union (MA).
Biography
Three Day Threshold could be the soundtrack to a shotgun wedding, tractor pull, or dog fight. It’s bluegrass on overdrive, it’s an after hours rockabilly prom, but most of all it’s a show not to be missed.
Discography
Full Legnths:
Behind the Barn (Pig Pile, 2002)
Homecookin’ (Devil’s Got a Banjo Music, 2000)
EPs:
For the Southern Belles of South Boston
Hi N Dry Sessions
New Alliance Sessions
Sea Sound Studios Sessions
The Camp Street Sessions
COMPILATIONS:
Just Promotions Warped Tour Compilation
Folk For Stroke Benefit Compilation
Real Music Compilation
Bostonbands.com Compilation
Wingbat Records Compilation
Spooky Man Presents… Halloween Compilation
Nathaniel Maloney - Old Empty Farmhouse.
Honest heartfelt acoustic music that is from the central vein of a 27 year old from a small town in Northeast Ohio.
Biography
Like a warm summer day, or a star filled sky, Nathaniel Maloney writes honestly, choosing his words spiritedly. Poetry and his passion for playing guitar rise like the sun from this singer-songwriter’s heart. Growing up in the rural township of Burton, Ohio, he found inspiration in nature and all of his life’s journey’s. Above all Nathaniel’s voice natural, and altogether his own can fill a room with no trace of device, but pure truthfulness. With his self titled debut, Nathaniel Maloney (released in 2003), one fan writes Nathaniel Maloney tells tales in his music that seem far too troublesome for someone his age to go through. Yet with the mysticism and maturity of his voice, he pulls it off like one of the great acoustic legends. His lyrics hold a spirit that soul searches and seems to beg listeners for forgiveness. He wears his heart on his guitar strings and his mind in the beauty of his voice.
Nathaniel didn’t let troublesome times and worries slow him down. In the spring of 2005 he released his second album Old Empty Farmhouse. Cleveland Scene Magazine writes, Maloney’s rural folk feels like driving through the countryside with the windows down. It’s an album so woodsy and rustic, you can damn near hear the crickets chirping. Nathaniel since has signed with Lost Cat Records and is receiving airplay on various Indie radio stations throughout the United States and Europe.
Discography
Nathaniel Maloney (self-titled) 2003
Old Empty Farmhouse - Released 2005
Bourrasque Celtique - Vincent-Marc.
Celtic compositions and Traditional music (Quebec, Ireland, England, Nova Scotia) . Acoustic and electric instruments. An unsurpassed swinging music that has the most difficult audiences tapping their toes. Mostly instrumental music with some mysterious, magical texts in French
Biography
Their energetic stage presence and their use of a mix of traditional and modern instruments have allowed the members of Bourrasque Celtique to stand out among the many groups now performing traditional music.
The group began as a father-son duo in 1997, and audience from all across the Québec were immediately charmed by their music and complicity on stage. The other members joined in along the years, adding more depth ti their music. Bourrasque Celtique built up an impresive resume over the years, playing in over one hundred theatres, fourty colleges and many festivals.
Their performance at 2003 edition of “Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France” attracted considerable attention. This event attracts over 100,000 people every year in Québec city.
As well for the 2004 edition of “mondial des cultures”. Since 1982, Drummondville welcomes people from around the world to share their dance, music and culture. 300,000 visitors annually. www.mondialdescultures.com
The five men and one girl offer a unique and exhilarating performance that will captivate the novice listener and the more experienced music-lover.
Discography
1999: First release with 4 musicians: “Nordet”, 1000 copies sale in concerts.
2003: Second release with seven musicians “L’oiseau tonnerre”. Distributed in Canada by “LOCAL Distribution”.
Third cd to come soon in 2007.
First song on the compilation: “2005 Musselman Triathlon Festival & Compilation CD” (http://www.musselmantri.com/)
The ShowStopper Track:
This week’s ShowStopper Track is from Swift Years and it’s their playful set called Eddystone Light.
Don’t forget then to vote for your favorite track from this week’s podcast by emailing us, telling us who you want to hear again and we’ll tally the votes and crown the winner the ShowStopper Track and play them again at the end of next week’s Podcast. So drop us a line and tell us who you liked the best of the four great tracks this week.
Please help us support these fine artists by taking a look at their websites, buying their music or at least let them know how much you enjoyed listening to their music on the Celtic Folk Podcast.
Check out our parent website at www.upbeatcafe.com where you’ll find a schedule of great live music, as well as our Online Music Shop were you can buy those old-fashioned CD’s, as well as digital downloads.
STOP PRESS We are currently uploading all the digital tracks and “Sip-A-Clips” to the server. We will be opening this new shop just as soon as we can. You’ll be able to find it here when it goes live. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress.
Like to listen to great new, independent music of all genres from all around the world? Subscribe to our other weekly podcast Upbeat Radio. We feature excellent music for all tastes.
A note for Artists:
Would you like to have your music included on a future Celtic Folk Podcast? Just email us or submit a song to us through Sonicbids.
Please, please, please give us some feedback and let us know how we’re doing. All podcasters live for feedback, both good and bad - it let’s us know what you, our listener and subscriber, want to hear. Email us at info@celticfolkpod.com
Music this week from Swift Years(Eddystone Light), Carol Ames(West Virginia), Maidens IV(Jolly Rover) and Mother Grove(The Ballad of Miles O’Toole).
Welcome the Celtic Folk Podcast! We continue to showcase the best Celtic, Folk and Traditional music from around the world each week.
Click on the player above to listen to a streaming version. However, we would prefer for you to subscribe!
Click on the iTunes logo to subscribe to the Celtic Folk Podcast using iTunes.
Either way you won’t miss a single Celtic Folk Podcast!
In order to download the episode MP3 directly to your computer, rather than streaming it, or if you do not have podcatcher software that will download it for you automatically, click on the Feedburner link above. When the new page opens, right click on the episode’s “Play Now” and then select “Save Target As…”
CFP18 Show Notes:
Wet, Wet, Wet.
Four days of rain has not made for a great long weekend here in the States. However, we have some great music lined up for you over the next 25 minutes or so. Last week we featured the Glengarry Bhoys in the latest Artist Interview Series. This week we’re back to bringing you the usual menu of great Celtic and Traditional music from artists from around the world.
We have just put together a MySpace page the Celtic Folk Podcast and we’d love for you to head on over there and become one of our “Friends” and leave us a Comment. Another thing we’d like to ask is that you head over to iTunes and write a review of the Celtic Folk Podcast. We are one of the top Celtic music Podcasts on iTunes, a stat we’re very proud of, since iTunes is one of the most used platforms people use to find podcasts. So, there you go, a couple of homework assignments for you this week. Thank you in advance for taking the time to do that for us.
Swift Years - Eddystone Light.
Swift Years cook up a potent blend of roots music from the old and new worlds, served with hot sauce and lyrics both sweet and sour. One-word description? Worldbilly: music that originates in the hills & backwoods of many nations, plugged in for a night on the town.
Instrumentation Bob Cussen, Mandolin & Vocals
Patrick Hutchinson, Guitar & Vocals
Suzanne Ungar, Bass & Vocals
Biography SWIFT YEARS is the happy result of a chance encounter of three musicians who between them have played everything from Bluegrass to Reggae, via East European, Celtic and North African folk. The treatments of traditional material are marked by musical intensity and adventurous spirit, and the original compositions combine this with playful/serious lyrics that turn a satirical eye inwards as well as outwards.
They have entertained audiences of all shapes, sizes, ages and persuasions (in English and in French!), though on occasion have been reprimanded by the Folk Police for having too much fun. Swift Years have a sincere love for traditional music; but as a living changing entity rather than a museum exhibit, much in the spirit of the likes of Steeleye Span and Los Lobos.
BOB CUSSEN plays the mandolin (and anything else with strings) like a man with centuries worth of music inside him and only one lifetime to let it all out, his road-worn old Gibson always on the verge of spontaneous combustion. Montreal-based and of German/Hungarian descent, he was the founding member and leader of the White River Bluegrass Band, which, over the course of twelve years, produced three recordings, six European tours and made appearances at festivals, concerts and clubs across the U.S. and Canada, from the Western Arctic to the Magdalene Islands. He went on to become the 1985 U.S. Midwest Irish banjo champion. From 1992 to 1999 he appeared with his band the Immigrants, also known as Nobody You Know, playing extensively in the U.S. and Canada, producing several recordings. As well as Swift Years he is a mainstay of the Montreal Irish scene where he performs with singer-songwriter Belfast Andi. He also occasionally plays with Notre Dame de Grass. Bob has collaborated with a great many artists, including Tom Paxton, Jean Leloup, Kate and McGarrigle, Plume Latraverse, Karen Young, Michel Faubert, Lawrence Lepage, Claude Lafrance, Georges Langford, Garolou, Ian Tamblyn and the Venezuelan instrumental group Çavana. He has appeared on numerous CBC recordings, as well as many TV shows in Canada, Germany and Hungary. He has also recorded for the National Film Board.
PATRICK HUTCHINSON grew up in remote parts of rural Scotland and England, before coming to Montreal in 1978 with a box of punk-rock 45s and an incomprehensible accent. Formative influences were his parents’ love of folk/world music, and John Peel every night on BBC radio who could go from the Buzzcocks to the Bothy Band and Little Feat to Lee Perry without batting an eyelid. As a tasty, soulful, ensemble-minded guitarist he tips his hat to the likes of Ry Cooder, Steve Cropper, and Richard Thompson. Patrick was an original member of Top Ranking (Montreal’s first ska band) in the 1980s, and half of minimalist torch-and-twang duo Bare Bones in the ’90s, putting out several well-received albums and gigging extensively both alone and with the likes of Johnny Clegg, Procul Harum and Ani Difranco.
SUZANNE UNGAR embodies the bass virtues of talking softly and carrying a big stick. Whereas bass players tend to be in the background in folk acts, Suzanne’s silk-and-steel basslines are an essential up-front part of the Swift Years sound. Born in Budapest, Hungary, she lived in Europe and California before establishing herself in Montreal. She studied piano and classical guitar, before concentrating on the electric bass and becoming a part of the Montreal folk scene in the 1970’s. She performed with the Jay Sewall Blues Band and the Celtic trio Anam Cara, and was member of the folk/rock group Harlequin for a number of years, as well as the R&B/pop group Random Hush. Suzanne has also performed and recorded with the New York artist Barbara Lewis and also the Irish/Gaelic singer Beverley McGuire.
For more, including five more music samples of Swift Years’ Bluegrass, Gypsy, Celtic, Québecois and original repertoire, please visit:
Discography Swift Years (2000)
Démo (2002)
Three (2004)
Joe’s Report from the Afterlife (2006)
Melodic, guitar driven Americana sung with a distinctive voice …creatively, musically and lyrically “Carol Ames has it in her, for sure…that indefinable it that is associated with artistry and star power” Kim Rheul, Acoustic Today Instrumentation Carol Ames- acoustic guitar, vocals
Ken Dow - bass, backing vocals
Hector Maldonado - lead guitar, backing vocals, mandolin
Kevin Dow- drums
Melissa Harley- fiddle
Carol Ames is a Texas-bred Americana artist. Her music is a mixture of styles and influences that create a sound uniquely her own. Her new CD, Shades of Indigo, which Carol also produced, was released in March 2005 and is already garnering critical acclaim. With her sights set high, the San Diego resident reached into her hat and pulled out the kind of record no one expected.
Shades of Indigo is a sexy, energetic Americana record with hints of country in which Carol augments her fine songwriting with vocal performances to match.
The music community has taken notice as shown by her prestigious win of the Grand Prize in the International 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the song West Virginia. JLSC were impressed with the originality of the song, Carol’s soaring vocals as well as the fine tuned production.
Ames song Nothin’ but a heartache was picked up by award winning producer Bryan Michael Stoller for his film Light Years Away which will be released nationally Fall 2006
The many powerful emotional and stylistic impressions on the record make for a diverse listen for Carol’s fans and the many converts bound to pile on her wagon, but to Carol, this variety of emotional expression all comes from the same place. From the country tinted lead track Nothin’ but a Heartache to the slow burning of Underneath the Texas Sky to the delicate title track Shades of Indigo Carol asserts herself with strong distinctive voice creatively, musically and lyrically.
Discography OUT OF THE BLUE- released jan 2000
SHAKEDOWN- released oct 2001
Shades of indigo- released September 2005
….recording new CD early 2007
This youthful band of sisters presents vivacious fiddling, dynamic percussion and enchanting four part harmony to capture heart and toe. Celtic Fire with Class!! Instrumentation Havilah Justice: Violin, Vocal
Heather Justice: Lead Vocal, Bodhrán, Violin, Cajón
Abigail Justice: Viola, Vocal, Percussion
Tabitha Justice: Guitar, Vocal
Biography Since early childhood Havilah, Heather, Abigail & Tabitha Justice have been actively performing classical and baroque music with their nine siblings as a part of their Mothers vision for a well-rounded home-schooling education.
In 2003 Havilah and Heather brought Maidens II into existence as an engaging Violin and Voice duo. They began performing Renaissance, Celtic and Folk music intricately weaving song with theatrical drama for motor-coach tours and restaurant venues.
In 2005 younger sister Abigail added the alto sounds of her Viola as the Maidens performances were now reaching 60 gigs a year.
2006 brought in youngest sister Tabitha’s driving guitar rhythms! Kindling a new sound and genre as Maidens IV, the band now flames the fire of Celtic and Folk music performing in a variety of venues from Fairs and Festivals to private events.
The Maidens classically trained lead vocalist, Heather, holds captive her audiences with sparkling brilliance. She arranges all the music for Maidens and composes much of the vocals and instrumentals, giving the band its distinctive Maidens fire. Her Bodhrán is the heartbeat of their percussion. Havilah’s bright and spirited Violin flames their reels, jigs and ethnic tunes. Close on her heels Abigail’s vibrant Viola adds a depth and rich harmony to the group. Tabitha enriches Maidens with her driving rhythms and sensitive acoustic Guitar. Spirited rhythms of these Maiden sisters give youthful vigor to Celtic & Folk sounds.
Mother Grove seamlessly blends well crafted original rock songs with traditional Scottish and Irish instruments such as Highland bagpipes, pennywhistle and fiddle to create a sound defined as “KILT ROCK”.
Instrumentation Brad Sprauer - Vocals, Guitars
Laura Adams - Fiddle, Vocals
Andy Kramer - Highland Bagpipes, Pennywhistles
Ron Fife - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Jim Farley - Bass Guitar
Biography Mother Grove has enjoyed great success and critical acclaim with their self-proclaimed “Kilt Rock” sounds. Mother Grove has performed all over the Midwest and has been chosen to perform with such Celtic rock powerhouses as Seven Nations, Black 47 and Young Dubliners as well as mainstream groups such as the Violent Femmes, Blue Oyster Cult and Berlin. They have released 4 CDs; their debut disc, “Listen to Your Mother”, “Mother May I” (which contains 6 live tracks), “TRÍ”, and “Live At The Dublin Pub”.
Mother Grove blends original rock music with traditional and not-so traditional Celtic instruments to create a sound that is unique, fresh yet timeless. Mother Grove is influenced by such Celtic Rock style bands as Flogging Molly, Seven Nations, Bad Haggis and The Pogues to name a few, as well as classic, alternative and progressive rock artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper and others.
Mother Grove truly shines live. With unstoppable grooves and multi-layered rhythms, the music dares you stand still. The band has a professionalism indicative of their many collective years as musicians. They interact with the crowd to such an extent, by the end of the evening you feel as if you are a part of the band. Lyrically, Mother Grove draws from many sources; historical, traditional, spiritual and personal. The words are then entwined with memorable melodies and beautiful harmonies. The band stops short of calling themselves a “Celtic Rock” band, for they are much, much more.
Discography “Listen To Your Mother” - 2002
“Mother May I” - 2004
“TRÍ” - 2005
“Live At The Dublin Pub” - 2006Mother Grove’s website
The ShowStopper Track:
No ShowStopper Track this week as we had our Artist Interview Series with the Glengarry Bhoys on last week’s Podcast. Don’t forget then to vote for your favorite track from this week’s podcast by emailing us, telling us who you want to hear again and we’ll tally the votes and crown the winner the ShowStopper Track and play them again at the end of next week’s Podcast. So drop us a line and tell us who you liked the best of the four great tracks this week.
Please help us support these fine artists by taking a look at their websites, buying their music or at least let them know how much you enjoyed listening to their music on the Celtic Folk Podcast.
Check out our parent website at www.upbeatcafe.com where you’ll find a schedule of great live music, as well as our Online Music Shop were you can buy those old-fashioned CD’s, as well as digital downloads.
STOP PRESS We are currently uploading all the digital tracks and “Sip-A-Clips” to the server. We will be opening this new shop just as soon as we can. You’ll be able to find it here when it goes live. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress.
Like to listen to great new, independent music of all genres from all around the world? Subscribe to our other weekly podcast Upbeat Radio. We feature excellent music for all tastes.
A note for Artists:
Would you like to have your music included on a future Celtic Folk Podcast? Just email us or submit a song to us through Sonicbids.
Please, please, please give us some feedback and let us know how we’re doing. All podcasters live for feedback, both good and bad - it let’s us know what you, our listener and subscriber, want to hear. Email us at info@celticfolkpod.com
Play Show 17 - The Glengarry Bhoys - Artist Interview Series
Another in our popular interviews with leading artists in the world of Celtic music. These informal chats are designed to give you the feel of being there - a friendly talk about the music with the folks that make it.
Welcome the Celtic Folk Podcast! We continue to showcase the best Celtic, Folk and Traditional music from around the world each week.
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CFP17 Show Notes:
The Glengarry Bhoys - Artist Interview Series.
I caught up with the Glengarry Bhoys prior to their appearance on Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour back in November. They are a great example of Canadiana music - huge in Canada and rightly so; they’re music spans both Traditional and contemporary, but always with the Glengarry flair.
A passion inspired by their respective musical backgrounds; skills honed in the Glengarry melting pot music scene; an against-the-trend-pig-minded-approach to playing their self-penned songs in the battle scared pubs of Eastern Ontario, were the necessary ingredients that spawned what is now an internationally acclaimed alternative-roots band: the Glengarry Bhoys.
Described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative, the Glengarry Bhoys hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has evolved into a sound that is weighty, authoritative, and extremely entertaining.
Graham Wright, the charismatic songsmith’s material, although edgy and challenging, never strays too far from his native Scottish roots. His colleague, Gaye Stuart Leroux (Ziggy), is also a graduate of the “Graham Wright Band.” He cut his percussive teeth in drum corps such as the 1980’s successful Grade 1 Dunvegan Pipe Band, ceilidh bands like the Brigadoons, underpinned by a healthy exposure to Glengarry kitchen ceilidhs throughout his youth : A rhythmical palate that assisted in building this unique world-beat Glengarry Bhoys danceable groove.
A Glengarry Bhoys show is both a musical and visual experience. Blending old and new their music is stirring and unerringly nuanced – always within earshot of the melodic Scottish tradition!
Their years of determined touring and consistent output have cemented their status at the top of the independent alternative-roots scene. In the United-States, they are a marquee act on the Music Festival circuit, as well as their concert and club shows, which draw crowds usually associated with significant pop acts of today. In Canada, their appeal is much at the same pace, most tellingly evidenced by their continual placing in top ten purchases made through major online retailers such as Maple Music.
To see the Glengarry Bhoys in action, live on Woodsongs click HERE
The ShowStopper Track:
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite track from this week’s podcast by emailing us, telling us who you want to hear again and we’ll tally the votes and crown the winner the ShowStopper Track. So drop us a line and tell us who you liked the best of the four great tracks this week.
Please help us support these fine artists by taking a look at their websites, buying their music or at least let them know how much you enjoyed listening to their music on the Celtic Folk Podcast.
Check out our parent website at www.upbeatcafe.com where you’ll find a schedule of great live music, as well as our Online Music Shop were you can buy those old-fashioned CD’s, as well as digital downloads.
STOP PRESS We are currently uploading all the digital tracks and “Sip-A-Clips” to the server. We will be opening this new shop just as soon as we can. You’ll be able to find it here when it goes live. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress.
Like to listen to great new, independent music of all genres from all around the world? Subscribe to our other weekly podcast Upbeat Radio. We feature excellent music for all tastes.
A note for Artists:
Would you like to have your music included on a future Celtic Folk Podcast? Just email us or submit a song to us through Sonicbids.
Please, please, please give us some feedback and let us know how we’re doing. All podcasters live for feedback, both good and bad - it let’s us know what you, our listener and subscriber, want to hear. Email us at info@celticfolkpod.com
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