Posts Tagged ‘celtic rock’

Here’s a teaser for our March 2011 Ireland Tour. Exploring the links between our own Appalachian culture and Ireland roots, we’ll be visiting the Ulster American Folk Park.

An oft-overlooked fact… over 2 million emigrated to America from Ulster prior to 1900. Collectively, those people had a profound impact on American history and culture. Several American Presidents, most notably Andrew Jackson, U.S. Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt had Ulster roots. The Ulster American Folk Park explores the various reasons for the waves of migration reaching back to the early 1700s. People of all stations of life crossed the Atlantic… destined to become “Americans.”

The Park is a fascinating, open-air, sprawling museum including 30 buildings, some of which are recreations, some being lovingly restored originals. Staffed with interpreters and “people of history,” from them one gains a sense of place and time. Particularly of rural life in the 1700s and 1800s. Visitors are first guided through parts of an Irish village of smallholdings, cottages, churches, weavers shop, and a blacksmith’s shop. You’ll see and hear people go about their daily business as in earlier times.

“Ireland” then “ends” in a city street, complete with well-stocked shops, leading down to a quay. Here a sailing ship awaits…you board … for transport to “America.” Debarking, it’s through the immigration shed into a virtual street from 19th Century Boston. Then journey on until you are in the open countryside. Here, several farmsteads are recreated with a loving eye for detail, complete with crops and livestock. There’s even a log house directly from Greene County, PA.

All in all, the Ulster American Folk Park is an amazing experience. Especially for those of us from American frontier roots. Common traditions continue on both sides of The Atlantic. Of those, music is ever-present. In celebration, the Ulster American Folk Park’s annual Bluegrass Festival has been a calendar highlight for more than sixteen years. Who knows what musical moments we might share there!

To explore more, here’s the website: http://www.nmni.com/uafp

Celtic Force is pleased to announce their partnership with historic Columbia Speedway to present the first edition of Tartan Day South, A Celtic Celebration, on Fri. & Sat. April 1 & 2, 2011.

Friday will feature different activities throughout the greater Columbia area such as whiskey tasting, kilted fashion show and a pub-crawl.

The festival will be featured on Sat. at the Speedway and will include the best in Celtic music, athletic competition, pipe bands, children’s activities, dancing & herding demonstrations along with vendors and other organizations representing the best in Celtic culture, including such notables as Clan MacBubba.

There is a new web site being developed and the musical line up is being selected. We’re working on hotel packages and other cool activities for those that attend. Stay tuned and mark your calendars to be in Columbia, SC on April 1 & 2!

It’s the first TARTAN DAY SOUTH

Source: Wikipedia

Celtic Fusion is an umbrella term for modern music which incorporates influences considered “Celtic,” or Celtic music which incorporates modern music.

It is a syncretic musical tradition which borrows freely from the perceived “Celtic” musical traditions of all the Celtic nations, as well as from all styles of popular music; it is thus sometimes associated with the Pan-Celtic movement.

Celtic fusion may or may not include authentic traditional music from any one tradition under the Celtic umbrella, but its common characteristic is the inspiration by Celtic identity.

The oldest musical tradition which fits under the label of Celtic fusion originated in the rural American south in the early colonial period and incorporated Scottish, Scots-Irish, Irish, and African American influences. Variously referred to as roots music, American folk music, or old-time music, this tradition has exerted a strong influence on all forms of American music, including country, blues, and rock and roll.

The connections between traditional Scottish and Irish music and Rock music are deep and go back to the origins of American music.

Read All About Celtic Fusion

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Had the chance to work with Cutthroat Shamrock again recently at the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and their brand of punk/irish/pirate seems to leave a positive impression.

The energy and musicianship is definitely a show stopper, it’s obvious they have been honing their skills over this past year. Known well in Knoxville, these guys are expanding their travels, so keep an eye out for an appearance near you.

Did I mention that they played the weekend festival without a bass player? Seems Guido lost a wrestling match and came away with a broken foot, so what to do? Go on with what you’ve got, and they did!

You’ve got to have talent to continue without a bass player and make it sound good and it sounded very good. It’s also nice to work with someone that delivers without attitude. Of course the beer tent may have had something to do with that…….

Thought you might want to check them out on myspace or facebook… www.myspace.com/cutthroatshamrock    www.facebook.com/cutthroatshamrock

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Source: ReelRootsFolkMusic.com

The latest CD from Jeremy Kittel, released through Compass Records, is a perfect blend of fiddle goodness. Jeremy’s background in Scottish and Irish fiddle shines through each track and is uplifted by loops and swirls of Jazz and Folk woven throughout.

This 25-year-old American’s prodigy and masterful understanding of music is obvious, making this a must-listen for any fiddle fan. The unique compositions of the songs on the album never stray too far from Celtic traditional style, however there is an exciting freshness to the songs that will keep listeners wanting more.

If you’re up for  some toe tapping, here’s a CD for you!

For a full track listing and listening opporunity, visit http://www.reelrootsfolkmusic.com/2010/05/jeremy-kittel-chasing-sparks/

Artist Website: www.jeremykittel.com

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Celtic Force is coming at you in the next several weeks.

We will be handling the entertainment for these upcoming highland games; Gatlinburg, TN May 14-16 featuring Albannach, Cutthroat Shamrock, Thistledown Tinkers, Colin Grant Adams Greenville, SC May 28-29   featuring Albannach, Coyote Run Grandfather, Linville, NC July 8-11.

FINALLY, the line up for the Celtic Groves at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is set. We are pleased to offer this line up that delivers a very wide range of Celtic music styles. We hope you make plans to join us from July 8-11 for “THE Gathering” at Grandfather Mountain with THE Celtic Force.

This year in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway we will highlight music of Appalachia by featuring regional artists in Grove 3 and as part of our concerts. Hear the influence that Celtic music played on the development of what has become one of the most popular musical styles in the world.

Performing July 9-11:
Albannach
Brother
Clandestine
Colin Grant Adams
Ed Miller/Jill Chambliss/Scooter Muse
Forget Me Nots
Mother Grove
RG Absher & Celtic Connection
Teribus
The Blessed Blend

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Source: http://www.readjunk.com

Posted by Bryan Kremkau

St Patrick’s Day has passed this year but that doesn’t mean you can’t listen to some Celtic rock music still! The Rumjacks hail from Australia, but they don’t sound like it at all. The band is heavily influenced by The Pogues and Roaring Jack (obviously). Members of the band formed in 2008 when their other bands (the Laundrymen, Catgut Mary) broke up. I’ve heard many a Celtic rock band in my day, and these guys definitely stand out from the bunch.

I’m reviewing both their releases since each EP only contains 5 or 6 tracks each. Their newest release is “Hung, Drawn and Portered” and it’s a fine EP. It makes me want to hear more after hearing it. The first song on that album is “The Plantin’ O’ Kitty Randall” is an awesome track that sounds like a bunch of pirates are singing it. I notice that many bands cross over into the pirate territory when doing Celtic music sometimes. I don’t mind it, pirates rock! The accordion playing is top notch, and the singing is really good as well. The last track on the EP is a cover of “I’ll Tell Me Ma” and I can never get enough of hearing different covers of that traditional song.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Band Link: www.myspace.com/therumjacks

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Celtic Force Enterprises, Inc. is pleased to announce that Donegal-based singer/songwriter Mickey Harte will appear Thursday evening, 11 March, 2010 at Uisge Beatha Pub, Woodlands Road, Glasgow. The event is part of the Albannach Homecoming Tour festivities organized by Celtic Force.

For those of you who don’t already know him, Mickey is among the most talented of modern-day Irish musical artists. His style could be described as contemporary with elements of rock, folk, and even some blues. Mickey writes and performs both electrically and acoustically. For this special invitation, Mickey is flying in for a solo acoustic performance.

The Homecoming Tour consists of 40+ American friends and fans of the Scottish performance group Albannach over for a week-long trek from Stirling to Glasgow to Inverness to Edinburgh. Other musical evenings of the trip include ones by Albannach, Ted Christopher, and Jim Malcolm.

Please know that all friends and family of both Albannach and Celtic Force are welcome @ Uisge Beatha. Show starts after 830pm. Event is “free” (as long as you drink!) for members of our group.

It’s a “don’t miss” night for aficionados of live performance of passionately upbeat vocals, lilting laments, acoustic bluesy riffs and other deft guitar work.

For more information, contact: 

Celtic Force Enterprises:  thecelticforce@gmail.com or thecelticforce@cox.net

Uisge Beatha: 236-242 Woodlands Road.  Tel:  0141 332 1622 – Nearest Subway stop: Kelvinbridge

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Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette News/ Nancy Sheehan

If you go Massachusetts this weekend and aren’t already a fan of Celtic music, prepare for your conversion.

“We have had people who come to our show and they’re, like, ‘I was never a fan of this music until we heard your songs and now I can’t stop listening to your CD,’ “ said Stefan Lozinski, a member of Canada’s Celtic Party band, Fiddlers 3.

Apparently, a similar thing happened to the organizers of the Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival, which will be held Saturday at Indian Ranch on the shores of Webster Lake. Fiddlers 3 will be a headliner at the event. “We had sent a package to them and they liked our music so they called us in May and asked if we would like to come out and perform at their festival,” Lozinski said. They will join about a dozen other acts at the festival and are slated to take the stage at 3:45 p.m.
 
What is the universal hook? “The thing with Celtic music is it really doesn’t have an age specific kind of sound,” Lozinski said. “Everyone enjoys it because it’s very uplifting. It’s got a good beat to it. You can’t really stop tapping your foot or clapping your hands or kind of reacting to it.”

Fiddlers 3 have developed their unique brand of Celtic over their many stage-hopping seasons.

Lozinski has been touring North America for 14 years with the band. That makes him a consummate veteran at the still tender age of 25. The same can be said of his sibling bandmates, brother Andrian, 23, and sister Elaina, 22. “We don’t promote ourselves necessarily as a family act,” Lozinski said, even though his parents – accordion player Mary Ann and spoons players and percussionist Lorne – also are band members. “We don’t hide it but we consider it to be just the membership of the band. It doesn’t really affect our sound,” he said. Non-Lozinskis Cam Walsh on bass and Tom on drums round out the band.

That the whole family ended up in Fiddlers 3 was a reversal of the usual scenario of stage parents pushing the kids to perform. It was the kids’ careers that took off and, since they were so young, the parents thought it best to go along with them.

It was a fiddle tune over the radio that kicked the whole thing off. Stefan Lozinski, then 11 years old, was riding in the car with his mother when the song came on. “I was in that place where I was thinking of learning a musical instrument,” he said. “I had just heard that one of our relatives bought a violin but didn’t think she was actually going to use it so it was kind of available. That song came on and I thought ‘I could probably do that’ and I wanted to give it a shot. We ended up getting that violin and I started taking lessons.’ ”

Just eight months later he competed in the largest competition in Canada and has been winning awards ever since. “I just kind of threw myself into it,” he said.

A year after Lozinski began competing, his brother and sister joined him on the circuit. They got so many gigs that they ended up going the professional route shortly after. “It gave us the ability to perform for more people and put our spin onto the music and make our mark in the Celtic circles,” he said.

Instead of resting on those precociously well-honed laurels, Fiddlers 3 kept pushing in new directions. Their latest CD, “Volume 3: The Rhythm Chapter,” reveals a band that has come completely into its own. The irresistible songs have a confidence about them and a more aggressive sound than their earlier recordings. The rhythms are more complex while holding onto the hallmarks of their younger years: a driving downbeat with a delightful dose of polka time here and there. Their signature song, “Orange Blossom Special,” is a refreshingly polka-enhanced version of that classic.

“We are Ukrainian,” Lozinski, a second-generation Canadian whose grandparents hail from that former Soviet Union republic, said. “We have a European background so we add a bit of the European influence into our music. It’s Celtic but we also have polkas and all that kind of thing so we sort of stretch the dynamics of the Celtic music a bit.”

That’s partly a result of stretching their minds at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. All three siblings have received music degrees, with honors, from the respected school. Additionally, Stefan and Andrian have earned artists diplomas in performance, which is basically a virtuosic training on the violin or the fiddle, Stefan Lozinski said.

“So we wanted to take the music that we always played and move into tunes that are a little bit more energetic,” he said. “We just wanted to add in that complexity and put our own twist on the music with the skills that we learned and the abilities that we gained from that.”

The result is a CD and a stage show that evince a livelier, a bigger sound than their previous work. “We’ve added more rhythmically complex tunes. We’ve put more energy into it. We’ve started writing a bunch of our own music for this disc. We’ve definitely raised the level of energy and the dynamics for the group,” he said.

Do not expect any dry academic presentations of music theory, however. Fiddlers 3 pours their hearts and souls into those and college-learned time signatures and measure structures. The result is an irresistible Celtic musical fling.

“It has the ability to make you get involved with it,” he said, of the group’s new approach to Celtic. “It brings your spirits up. It makes you happy and gives you the ability to just have a good time.”

For more on Fiddlers 3, visit http://www.myspace.com/fiddlers3

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Jil Chambless’ new CD, “The Ladies Go Dancing” is now available.  

It was produced by the legendary Brian McNeill of Battlefield Band fame and features 13 tracks of (if I do say so myself) incredible music! 

Jil Chambless - vocals and flute; Brian McNeill  -  mandocello, bouzouki, guitar, concertina and fiddle; Scooter Muse - guitar, high strung guitar and 5 string banjo; Lorne MacDougall - highland pipes, Scottish small pipes.

Check out her page on the Notion’s Website at: http://www.henrisnotions.com/jc.html

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