Celtic Music ReviewsCeltic MP3s Music Magazine is a free weekly Celtic music & mp3 magazine featuring free music downloads of Celtic, Scottish, Irish music from around the world. Subscribe for a chance to win free Celtic CDs. Don't just download. "Alexandra" by Larkin
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Larkin Album: "Alexandra" Year produced: 2007 In the tradition of punk/Celtic/Shane McGowan style music, here is Larkin's "Alexandra," offering up energetic craziness for all--too bad there isn't more of it! With only seven tracks, you really just get going and then it all comes to an end! The vocals are perfect--appropriately gritty and rough, but on-key and entertaining. Track 3, the title track, whips itself up into a mad frenzy of fiddling--personally my favorite track on the CD. You have to get a kick out of titles like "Johnson's Motorcar" and "Faith of a Felon," and while humor may not be the outright goal here, it is present and accounted for. Punk-styled Celtic music's main characteristic may well be a feeling of ongoing energy--at least it is one of the benchmarks it is judged by. This CD definitely has plenty to go 'round--and 'round again. For those who enjoy this genre of Celtic music, this is a no-brainer choice. It is a mood-lifting jumble of instrumentation, capped off by vocals that are belted out with enthusiasm. If you get on for the ride here, be ready--it's a whirlwind! Buy the Album: "Alexandra" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "The Bardic Wyrd" by Jenneth Tollin by Catherine L. TullyArtist: Jenneth Tollin Album: "The Bardic Wyrd" Year produced: 2007 Jenneth Tollin's soulful voice echoes gently on the very first track here--a preview of what's to come on this relaxing and artistic album. The deep moaning of strings is sometimes paired with Tollin's voice and with the hopeful sounds of the harp, making for an interesting juxtaposition of mood and emotion. The vocals are very expressive--and Tollin has the Celtic sound down pat. The the music itself can playfully tip-toe outside the genre a little bit. The instrumental arrangements keep things interesting on the CD, particularly evident on track 4, "The Witches Dance." With the absence of Tollin's voice, the music is exposed, yet stands alone well enough to be enjoyable--although not as much as the tracks where Tollin sings. Songs like "Black Is The Color" find the sound of the vocals wrapping you up softly--it makes you want nothing more than to close your eyes and listen to her sing. Indulge yourself. "Lament for White Wave" is also a track that is not to be missed here. At 15 tracks, this CD weighs in on the long side, but you are never sorry that it keeps on going. Tollin has managed to do her own thing here--not comparable to many artists that lend this dreamy mood to their music such as Enya or Lorena McKennitt. All her own sound, the music doesn't follow a "new age" patterning very often, but rather blends, ebbs and flows with the vocals. Very nice. Buy the Album: "The Bardic Wyrd" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "The Celtic Harp" by Mark Davies by Catherine L. TullyArtist: Mark Davies Album: "The Celtic Harp" Year produced: 2004 Starting out with a medley of beautifully played harp music (Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair and Robin Hood), the first track on Mark Davies' CD, The Celtic Harp, sets the mood for the rest of the album. Pretty sounds call out from his fingers and give a dreamy atmosphere to many of the tracks here--very pleasing. Even though the only instrument featured here is harp, the musical arrangements are varied enough to keep one from getting lulled too much by the gentle sounds produced. Davies plays on Celtic harps that he crafted and created himself--an interesting side-note to keep in mind as you listen. A Sydney Australia native, Davies has been a performer for over twenty years, and it is evident here as you listen to him play. All the selections are expertly crafted with a wistful, yearning sound. This music is relaxing in a way that is thoughtful rather than meditative and even the more upbeat tracks, such as track 3, Iona, are relaxing. There is nothing "muddy" about Davies' playing style--the notes are clean and sure. Fans of the harp will easily find themselves enjoying this 10-track CD. The Celtic influence is here, but delivered with gentle care by this musician's fingertips. A standout track is The Seventh Ribbon, which has a wistful current running throughout. The last track has some lower tones to it for a lovely finish to a great collection of harp music. Buy the Album: "The Celtic Harp" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Zephyr In The Confetti Factory" by Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder by Catherine L. TullyArtist: Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder Album: "Zephyr In The Confetti Factory" Year produced: 2007 Ahh, innovation! Taking traditional fiddle music and exploring it a bit is what Zephyr in the Confetti Factory is all about. Not cluttered with instruments, this CD really highlights the sounds of the fiddle themselves. You'll hear bluegrass influence here and there, as well as some ethnic styling, but always understated enough that the Celtic shines through. The recent pairing of these two musicians is a celebration of style and talent. Broder, winner of the 2003 and 2004 Western Open Master Picker Championships, plays side by side with Laval who took the 2002 National Scottish Fiddle Championship. The technique itself is plenty to enjoy from these master musicians, made more interesting by their willingness to explore a bit and play outside the "box." Although a relatively short CD at 9 tracks, listeners will feel satisfied when they come to the close of the album as so much skilled playing is packed into the album. For those who want to see what the fiddle can do--give track 6, Old Man Elzic a listen. Not too experimental, but pushing boundaries this CD is as interesting as it is enjoyable. Buy the Album: "Zephyr In The Confetti Factory" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at http://www.moonbeamdigital.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. |
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