It’s that time again! As we get closer and closer to Christmas, there is always room for more holiday-themed songs in our playlists. We’ve always been a big fan of how Celtic music intertwines with Christmas vibes. It is almost as if the ancestral, timeless feel of folk music has something in common with the spirit of these holidays, and there is something special about this combination. With their most recent release, The Selkie Girls did an amazing job at capturing this very special feeling.
Charlie Allan, known for his work with Saor Patrol, is a full-rounded musician with a very eclectic background. Recently, he released one of his most ambitious recording efforts to date: “Battle of Kings.” This amazing release is not only a piece of music in itself: it actually fits into a much larger scope, and it is a part of a larger set of projects and initiative, touching on many different spheres. Charlie Allan explores a wide variety of industries, ranging from multi-media experience, to film, cinema and many more. For instance, he is attached to the acclaimed Netflix Movie, “Outlaw King” as well as a wide variety of other projects. One of the most intriguing recent initiatives led by Charlie Allan and Saor Patrol was definitely Duncarron Fort, a historic replica of a medieval village, located in Carron Valley, Scotland.
Certain music is so timeless that you can simply connect to it almost instantly - as soon as the notes hit your ears and the groove settle into your heart, you are immediately transported into a whole new dimension - a sonic world created by the artists, or better yet, channeled by the artists through the filter of their unique musicianship.
Christine Weir put together a phenomenal group of musicians in order to work on her 2nd solo album, titled “Weir Celts”. As the title of this release might suggest you, the music is heavily inspired by earthy Irish and Scottish folk influences, as Christine’s vocals shine through a constellation of blissfully arranged strings, rhythms and other instruments.
The band’s energetic modern attitude seamlessly blends in with the band’s unique feel and passion for retro aesthetic, making for a unique compromise between contemporary folk and timeless Celtic vibes. The album’s hilarious cover pokes fun at the famous Marilyn Monroe “skirt incident”…giving it an hilarious Celtic spin!
Christine and her band stand out for their authentic renditions of traditional classics, as well as inspired performances with a unique and vibrant twist. And that earns her a 5 star review from Celtic Radio!
Find out more and visit her page on Bandcamp to support the artist directly: Christine_Weir
Weir Celts!
5.0 Stars!
Track List
1. Dowie Dens of Yarrow 2. Skye Boat 3. The Clan MacDonald 4. Horo Haradala 5. Star of the County Down 6. Danny Boy 7. Warriors Cry 8. Mull of Kintyre
Born in Montana, Lindsay Straw has always been a fan of great ballads and mellow folk-inspired music. Her passion finally started turning into something serious when she enrolled within the ranks of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. This is where she had the opportunity to meet fellow talented musicians and explore traditional folk music from the most fascinating European and American traditions.
Lindsay managed to stay quite busy in Boston, working with fellow students in The Ivy Leaf, a band with a passion of trad folk and Celtic melodies. Her solo work is particularly notable for her mellow vocals, stunning harmonies and intricate musicianship, bringing the songs to life with delicacy, yet energy and verve.
Her recent studio effort, The Fairest Flower of Womankind, Lindsay managed to collect stories, old folktales and ballads with a common thread: portraying strong, positive and inspirational female figures through her interpretations, and by bringing these melodies back to life for a modern audience. Armed with her guitar and bouzouki, Lindsay collaborates with a host of talented musicians, enriching her performances with stunning layers of accordion, fiddle, concertina and a lot more. While the arrangements remain strongly based on the sheer, heartfelt energy of her bare vocals and instrumental, other musicians truly add an additional dimension to her work, making for a genuine, colorful and tantalizing sound.
The production of this release is crisp, tasteful and understated, placing emphasis on the performance value and capturing Lindsay’s emotional performances, as well as the great chemistry she has managed to developed with her band members and studio collaborators for this particular project.
The Fairest Flower of Womankind is actually Lindsay’s second studio album, following her well-received debut release, My Mind From Love Being Free. It is interesting to see how Lindsay worked on these recordings differently. On her first album, the idea was simply to create a collection of great songs and beautiful melodies. On this second effort, her vision could almost be compared to creating a concept album, since all the songs have been selected and rearranged with a common thread line in mind, namely Lindsay’s connections with these songs as a woman.
5 Stars from Celtic Radio!
The Fairest Flower Of Womankind
5.0 Stars!
Track List
1. The Forester 2. The Maid On The Shore 3. The Female Rambling Sailor 4. Basket Of Eggs 5. Fair Annie 6. Geordie 7. Young Beichan, Part One 8. Young Beichan, Part Two 9. The Outlandish Knight 10. The Crafty Maid's Policy/Fingal's Cave/Sheepskins & Beeswax 11. William Taylor 12. Sweet Lovely Joan 13. Blow Away The Morning Dew
Jennifer Licko is an artist and performer from North Carolina. Her music embody the perfect compromise between new world and old world folk, blending in elements as diverse as Americana, bluegrass, country and Celtic.
I've always been passionate about music genres that grow and evolve based on so many different factors. European folk music traveled a long, long way across the vast and cold Atlantic Ocean to reach the shores of America. People brought their own songs, their own stories and their own memories in the form of their favourite tunes, but the music kept changing and acquiring new meanings; one generation after the other. Eventually, instruments and melodies of European music blended in with sounds that traveled all the way from Africa, originating exciting genres such as blues and rock. When I listen to the songs featured within "A thousand curses upon love", the latest studio work by Jennifer Licko, I am reminded of this beautiful story of sound - this story of evolution and emotion embedded deeply in the heart of those who sing and those who listen.
As a world traveler and multi-instrumentalist, Jennifer develops a truly kaleidoscopic attitude to musical composition, making for exciting and personal performances with a credible and spontaneous energy: it's all about bridging the gaps between culture and emotion! Culture is actually such an important part in Jennifer's life that she set out to collaborate on many school programs focused on the importance of cultural diversity.
"A thousand curses upon love" is not only the portrait of a talented performer, but also a fantastic journey through many musical and cultural traditions and more importantly…a collection of heartwarming and beautiful songs. And that earns it not only a 5 star review from Celtic Radio, but our selection of the 2014 Celtic Radio Album of the year!
Find out more and let the music tell you the rest of this story:
1. Turning Away 2. The Moon Going Home 3. Mile Marbhphaisg Air A'Ghaol 4. Fickle Breezes 5. Nollaig na mBan 6. The Song of the Singing Horseman 7. Siuthadaibh bhalachaibh 8. Hard Times Come Again No More 9. The Sea 10. Clare to Here