Source: Washington Post
By Fritz Hahn
Washington Post Staff Writer
On paper, Scythian is a traditional Irish group: the lineup includes two classically trained fiddlers, and the twenty-something musicians play accordion, guitar, electric bass and mandolin. In concert, though, Scythian proves to be one of Washington’s most energetic and eclectic bands.
One night at Fado mixes spirited takes on traditional rebel tunes like “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” and covers of Irish punks-with-pennywhistles the Pogues with klezmer-influenced versions of Squirrel Nut Zippers’ “Hell” and They Might Be Giants’ “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”; a Celtic-tinged interpretation of Charlie Daniels’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”; a careening, double-time “Danny Boy”; and a take on “Wild Thing” that features a fiddle singing over the familiar, thumping bass line.
To learn more about Scythian, please visit: http://www.scythianmusic.com
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By: Donovan Murray
Last March Eric & I had the privilege of visiting Chris (Christine Macleod) at the Weavers Cottage in Scotland. We hope to have this as a stop on the upcoming tour in March. Chris is the person that made the Wallace tartan that is worn by David R Ross. She picked the plants and made the dyes from places associated with William Wallace and used to weave this one of a kind garment on the loom featured in the piece. Cool, hey?
CLICK HERE to learn more and to watch a video about the cottage.
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Posted in Celtic Traditions, Scotland, The Celtic Force | celtic force, Scotland, scotland tours, tartans, weavers cottage | Leave a comment
The Blessed Blend composes and performs music, blending Native American and Celtic sounds creating a harmony of tribal music from these two ancient and still thriving indigenous cultures. Through music, they share a deep love for the drum, flutes, dance, language, culture and stories passed down from ancient times. When the Scots and Irish immigrated into these Appalachian mountain lands they found a kindred people. During the 17th century the Scots coined the term “Blessed Blend” to describe the marriage union between a Celt and a Native. The same term was applied to the children who were born of these unions; carrying in their bloodlines the beauty of both. Experience something special that touches on a little known part of history.
For more info, please visit: www.TheBlessedBlend.com
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By: Eric Johnson
The Celtic Force
I was fortunate enough to spend a Friday evening in Milwaukee this year. And, while I’d heard so much about Milwaukee from friends, I can’t say I was prepared for the real deal. Even for a Celtic experience junkie such as myself, with 150,000 attendees, Milwaukee’s so immense as to be slightly overwhelming. Festival Director Barry Stapleton generously toured this “newbie” around the grounds, walking one end of the waterfront to the other. While glimpsing several acts (including the Screaming Orphans) from backstage, Barry briefed me on what it takes to hold this festival. That would be 4000 working volunteers. Now, that’s a festival!
Milwaukee Irish Fest is the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, showcasing more than 100 entertainment acts annually at the four-day, 16-stage event at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Lake Michigan. Passionately committed to igniting a love of Irish culture in all people, Irish Fest teaches Ireland’s music, dance, drama, sports, culture, children’s activities, and genealogy at the festival and through year-long programming.
This year’s line-up included music from North America, Ireland, Atlantic Canada, and Scotland. Here’s a short list of performers: Gaelic Storm, Aoife Clancy, Natalie MacMaster, and Donnell Leahy, Scythian, Tommy Sands, Sean Keane, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Salsa Celtica,. Screaming Orphans, Drum, Pogey, etc. I found myself having to make tough choices between seeing great bands play simultaneously on different stages. In some cases, each of these individual bands would be a strong closing act for a festival other than Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Irish Fest also enjoys strong Celtic ties with the province of Nova Scotia and its Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. This year the festival featured a theme concentration of The Maritimes, billed as “The Nova Scotia and Friends Showcase,” welcoming nine entertainment acts from Canada’s Atlantic Provinces.
One of the choices I made was to see DRUM!, a Canadian entertainment production featuring 11 musicians, dancers, drummers and singers, DRUM! represents the musical heartbeat of Nova Scotia. Highlighting the four principal cultures of the province – Aboriginal, African, Celtic and Acadian – DRUM! fuses music, dance, poetry, video, rhythm and song, bringing together the tradition and heritage of the founding cultures of Nova Scotia, making it a unique and memorable experience. The Milwaukee crowd was inspired by DRUM! into a standing ovation of several minutes long.
So, that’s what I hope is a teasing glimpse into the world of Irish Festivals and the broader span of world Celtic music. Space doesn’t allow doing it justice here. Thanks to Barry Stapleton, as well as Kris Pluskota from the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center for making my first Milwaukee experience a great one. Thanks to the Killdares and Screaming Orphans for sharing with Rhode Island. And, with hearty encouragement I suggest you find out “what’s the craic?”
Check these out:
http://www.irishfest.com/
http://www.drumshow.ca/
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Posted in Celtic Music, Events, The Celtic Force | celtic force, Celtic Music, irish festivals | Leave a commentThought I’d share this with all of those that have a love of Scotland. This was performed by Ted Christopher, a well respected singer/songwriter, and highlights last Friday’s Stirling Bridge commemoration in Scotland. We met Ted and heard him perform this past March, that’s why he will be one of the entertainers featured on the upcoming Albannach Homecoming Tour next March. Imagine standing in Stirling and hearing this song performed. A special experience indeed!
This song is the one Ted wrote for the memorial service for William Wallace held in 2005 in London. David R Ross walked the 400 plus miles from Glasgow to London to commemorate the 700th anniversery of Wallace’s death, along the same route and in the same 19 days that it took the English to drag Wallace to his execution. Having been dismembered and his body parts sent to the corners of the empire, Wallace never had a proper burial. This song embodies the story of Wallace finally returning home.
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Posted in The Celtic Force | celtic events, celtic force, stirling bridge, william wallace | Leave a comment
I had the pleasure last Friday to address a class of music business majors at the Hayes School of Music on the campus of Appalachian State Univ. in Boone, NC. Their professor, Kim Wangler, and I had spoken a few weeks earlier about some project ideas I had and she thought my story was interesting enough to share with the students. She introduced me as someone with a music background that had built a business promoting and producing music. She also explained that this was not what I had envisioned myself doing 30 years ago.
After breaking the ice I showed them a brief slideshow of shots from different events that Celtic Force had been involved with the last few years. Then I told them my story. Surprisingly they seemed to enjoy it and no one fell asleep! There was some good energy in the room that day. At the close of my talk I pitched my project ideas and was again surprised when several students stayed around afterward to introduce themselves and say they enjoyed my talk and thought the project ideas were interesting.
So next week we meet again to talk more details of the projects that I feel will be very popular and which you will have to wait to learn more about. Could be a very interesting experience to see where the ideas of these young musicians and this old rocker might take this. Stay tuned.
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The name alone seems to raise a question for most folks, however when you find out the meaning behind the name you are immediately introduced to a most interesting blend of culture and heritage. The Blessed Blend is the name given to the children of those that had parents with Scottish and Native American blood. These peoples were primarily located in the Appalachian region of the US and these unions occurred during the latter part of the 1700s into early 1800s.
Today The Blessed Blend is the name of a wonderful musical group that mixes elements of Native American and Celtic music to deliver a soul stirring sound that reaches across the generations. These musicians are descendents of those original unions between two cultures that has spread to many different parts of the world. The combination of the two styles of music, both entrenched in tribal rhythms, presents the listener with a wonderful experience. This eclectic sound brought the band 5 NAMMY (Native American Music Awards) nominations in 2008.
Now The Blessed Blend have started to work on their latest project. Their next CD will be unlike anything they’ve done in the past and will open new avenues for their music and performances. Celtic Force is pleased to be partnering with the Blessed Blend on this new endeavor. You will be hearing more about this great group and their upcoming new music in the near future.
In the meantime, check them out at www.theblessedblend.com
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Posted in Celtic Music, The Celtic Force | blessed blend, celtic force, Celtic Music | Leave a comment
DAVID R ROSS…
is a patriotic Scot who loves his country and its people. He is passionate about the rich tapestry of Scottish history. David is a writer and historian who has specialised in the great Scottish hero Sir William Wallace.
He released his first book in 1999 called On the Trail of William Wallace followed in turn by 6 more publications on topics including Robert the Bruce, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and his latest on The Black Douglas. Ross manages to write about Scotland and her historical past with a poignancy and touch of humour.
As a result of his unique style, the reader not only learns history but travels to the sites in which all transpired. David tours the United States extensively appearing at Highland Games and Celtic festivals as well as lecturing at academic institutions and historical societies.
For more on David, please visit: http://www.davidrross.org/
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Posted in Artists, The Celtic Force | celtic force, david r. ross, scotland tours, scottis patriot | Leave a comment
The 54th Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will be held July 9-12, 2009 at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC.
For a schedule of events, click HERE!
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