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. "Starlight and Shadow" by Siren's Song
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Siren's Song Album: "Starlight and Shadow" Year produced: 2004 Just four ladies make up this band, but they can put forth a lot of music! The group plays over 20 instruments, which means you'll hear a lot of variety, although guitar is a clear favorite. Not neatly fitting in any genre, they tip-toe through pop, folk and Celtic stylings. This isn't an issue, however, it's nice! Those who long for the sea will dream away with Siren's Song, as they prefer this type of subject matter. The soft harmonies float through the songs like a gentle wind and leave you feeling the emotion; you don't even need to hear the words. Songs such as "Tears Of The Moon" and "Song Of The Siren" really leave one transformed by the end as you relax and get into the sounds offered up by these ladies. The band was established in 1996 and each of the women that are involved has quite a resume when it comes to music. You'll hear the decades of experience reflected in the musical abilities, and certainly in the vocal quality of each of them. Rich, varied and just plain pretty, this CD is sure to find a place in your heart. Buy the Album: Album: "Starlight and Shadow" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at http://www.catherineltully.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Harper's Bizarre" by Sarah Marie Mullen
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Sarah Marie Mullen Album: "Harper's Bizarre" Year produced: 2007 Well it is somewhat unusual to use the words "harp music" and "great fun" in the same sentence, but this CD makes it so easy! Sarah Marie Mullen is a master at her craft and brings a bit of whimsy to the typically serious instrument. Performing professionally since the age of 15, Mullen has more than a little experience with her style and delivery and there is not a doubt in my mind that she is every bit as good in person as she is on this album. While I remember enjoying her CD, "The Wild Woods," I think she has outdone herself on this latest effort. The songs represented here have a twist to them that shows she is continuing to grow and develop as a musician. The arrangements are extraordinarily intricate and very interesting to listen to. It takes a true talent to deliver all of this so easily. Don't miss the last track, "Perfectly Spherical Duck" which is smooth and sleek. This CD is really a joy, and will appeal to those who love the harp, but will not alienate other listeners either--there is plenty here to savor. Check it out to see what the harp is capable of in the hands of an expert player who isn't afraid to have a little fun with it. Buy the Album: "Harper's Bizarre" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at http://www.catherineltully.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "I Know You're Out There" by Mimi Burns Band
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Mimi Burns Band Album: "I Know You're Out There" Year produced: 2007 Celtic rock with a difference best describes this original album by the Mimi Burns Band. All about ghosts, lost love and memories it is sentimental, sweet and yet fresh and alluring all at the same time. Classic subjects mixed with a new perspective, these tunes will please the listener with their honesty. Mimi Burns herself pens lyrics and they reach deep and ring true. The musicians are all top-notch and the songs are arranged well. All the elements are present for a great CD and that is exactly what is delivered. The Celtic vibe is there, but the songs don't limit themselves to the genre either. The title track is moody and interesting, starting off with the feel of a foggy day which leads to sheer clarity as it calls forth for love. Each song is something special and you definitely get the feeling that they are crafted rather than just recorded. Care is taken that the right feel for each turn of the phrase is delivered and it makes the difference between a good effort and a really great one. This is a delicately balanced CD with super results. Buy the Album: "I Know You're Out There" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at http://www.catherineltully.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Sunday, March 16, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Dancin' Beggarman" by The Trinity River Whalers
By: Mike @ Celtophilia
Artist: Trinity River Whalers Album: Dancin' Beggarman I'm not sure where this Trinity River is, but apparently their whale problem has been solved. All the whalers have put down their harpoons and become Dancin' Beggarmen. This CD offers a fine mix of traditional and contemporary celtic, with some completely off-the-wall stuff thrown in for spice. Some high-fallutin' folk might even call it eclectic. My favorite song on the disc is Fighting Tigers, a tune about Irishmen fighting for Louisiana during the American Civil War. Like many (okay, probably most) Southerners, I grew up on Civil War history, and am drawn to Civil War/Irish connections like an unfortunate and soon to be deceased moth, proverbially speaking. Tracks like Down Yonder/Redwing/Spanish Grass Medley and Rusty Old American Dream may not satisfy the trad purists of the world, but there are plenty of others that will. Besides, who really cares what a bunch of trad nazis want, anyway? Dancin' beggarmen can't be choosy beggarmen, can they? Buy the Album: Dancin' Beggarman Mike is a long-time celtophiliac from Northeast Georgia, a full-time graphic designer with some news writing experience, and a reluctant web designer. Mike is a regular contributor at the Celtic Music blog Celtophilia
--posted by Bonnie & Mike, Saturday, March 15, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Con Suite" by Emerald Rose
By: Bonnie @ Celtophilia
Artist: Emerald Rose CD: Con Suite Con Suite is a whimsically random assortment of sci-fi and fantasy inspired offerings along with a couple of songs that lean towards slightly more traditional Celtic fare. Harry Potter freaks (raises hand!) are almost sure to appreciate Chocolate Frog, a happy little tune with fun lyrics and correspondingly bouncy music. I really enjoy Fairies Stole My Keys, it's the perfect combination of Celtic folk music sound with a modern twist in the verses. All For Me Grog is a rendition of the classic that turned out about as you would expect it to, with maybe a bit too much gratuitous clinking of glasses in the background. The gorgeous harmony will probably cause you to forgive the sound of the barmaid doing the washing up in the recording studio. I'm sorry to say I just didn't get Bronya Vadavoshtnoshtk. It's not Celtic, and it doesn't appear to be sci-fi, or fantasy ... unless it is, but in Russian. Undoubtedly someone knows exactly what it's all about but that person isn't me. I must have been absent from geek school that day. Never Split The Party is the stand out by far. I have listened to it, ahem, a lot, and it just gets better and better. I start grinning as soon as I hear the words dungeon master. As a D and D enthusiast, I have to say the line "Never let that damn thief out of sight" is pure gold. This is the song you'll get stuck in your head and walk around singing to yourself all day. The best part is, by the time you go to bed you still won't be sick of it. Words really can't express the depth of my adoration for this hilarious ditty, made poignant by the death of Gary Gygax on the fourth of March, 2008. Rest in peace Gary. Big Damn Heroes wasn't as good as I wanted it to be, but Browncoats like myself can be tough to please when it comes to our Firefly fan media. The CD is a bit off and on, but when Emerald Rose is on, they will rock you harder than the Weird Sisters in the holodeck on the U.S.S. Enterprise at the simulated Yule Ball. Buy The Album: Con Suite Bonnie loves celtic music, filk, and guys that wear kilts. She also harbors an unhealthy fetish for bagpipes. Bonnie is a regular contributor at the Celtic Music blog Celtophilia.
--posted by Bonnie & Mike, Saturday, March 15, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Two Gentlemen Of The Road" by Jimmy MacBeath & Davie Stewart
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Jimmy MacBeath & Davie Stewart Album: "Two Gentlemen Of The Road" Year produced: 2003 This is one of the more interesting things I have run across in a long time. "Two Gentlemen Of The Road" is part story, part music and part history. Many of you may already recognize the name Jimmy MacBeath, one of Scotland's beloved traditional singers. Well, here you get to know him in intimate detail. This CD doesn't just deliver song--although it does that as well--but rather seeks to capture a slice of what life was like back when. The musical portions of the CD feature MacBeath and Stewart working together with voice and accordion, singing simple songs. Sometimes there is no accompaniment, just the voice calling out. There is something really neat going on here and it is very real, very touching. The other part of the CD has tracks that are filled with stories and the recounting of personal history--spoken word. The listener almost feels as if they are present during the taping of a family history session. It is intimate and fascinating to listen to the stories and hear what has transpired through time here. It's a two-disc set, with the first detailing life on the road in all its gore and glory. Disc two discusses work and family, as well as a couple "tales." I've never experienced anything like this before. Buy the Album: "Two Gentlemen Of The Road" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at http://www.catherineltully.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Gretchen Priest and Plaidgrass" by Gretchen Priest and Plaidgrass
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Gretchen Priest and Plaidgrass Album: "Gretchen Priest and Plaidgrass" Year produced: 2008 Stew is a great meal because ingredients are mixed together and simmered to create a delicious blend of foods that satisfy. The combination of improvisational bluegrass and traditional Irish sounds on this CD makes for a stew of music that can stand alone as a main dish. You don't even need bread. You'll primarily be hearing a blend of instruments when these musicians get together and I can say that it's really easy on the ears. There is that relaxed groove that the bluegrass brings which makes everything in the world suddenly become ok. Think that convivial square dance atmosphere with definite Irish undertones. The blend of genres starts with Gretchen Priest and Tim May, husband and wife. Irish music and bluegrass. Gretchen brings the Irish stylings while Tim comes from solid country underpinnings and bluegrass sounds. So what will you hear musically? The mix is a tough one to pin down, but you'll be listening to the blended sounds of 8-string banjo, resonator guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bass. It's all good. Yum. Buy the Album: "Gretchen Priest and Plaidgrass" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at http://www.catherineltully.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. "Mother Ireland's Daughters" by Cynthia Bennettby Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Cynthia Bennett Album: "Mother Ireland's Daughters" Year produced: 2007 This CD is about post-1798 Ireland. It gives a solid nod to the women and talks about change. Cynthia Bennett has an unusual voice and it is captivating as she weaves through the familiar opening track, "Wearing Of The Green." It helps give the song a new dimension. I enjoy the depth of her voice, even if it does tend to take one by surprise a bit. Bennett leaves me feeling like I've just spent time with an Irish lad's mother who told me some family history through song. Maternal is definitely a quality that comes through in her voice; caring and knowledgeable all at the same time. The style of the CD is very much traditional, with a simple acoustic sound and feel to it. The focus here is on the stories that the songs tell about the life and times of those from Ireland who live on in song. There isn't exactly a dearth of material to choose from, but it can be done well, or it can be done poorly. Bennett puts the effort forth to make sure it connects; and indeed it does. Buy the Album: Album: "Mother Ireland's Daughters" Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at http://www.catherineltully.com/.
--posted by Catherine L. Tully, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Hallmark Chooses Seattle Band for Saint Patrick's Day Music Card
Perennial iTunes Favorite The Irish Experience Plays Morrison's Jig
March 5, 2008 -- SEATTLE – The creative minds at Hallmark made a sound choice to use a Seattle band for one of their music cards. The Irish Experience plays a traditional Irish song on the whimsical St. Patrick's Day card which is out in stores now. Hallmark claims that Americans exchange about 9-million Saint Patrick's Day cards annually which could bode quite well for the local group. The selection of Joe Bowbeer's band was a complete surprise. "Pretty much out of the blue, someone from Corbis contacted me about using the song, Morrison's Jig," says Bowbeer. Turns out one of the creatives from Hallmark heard the song on iTunes. Corbis handles licensing for Hallmark and one of their representatives found Bowbeer's information on the band's MySpace page. The band was paid a usage fee for an initial printing of the card and could earn more should more cards be sold. "This is certainly not something we expected," says fiddle player Bowbeer, "but it sure is an excellent way to get the music out there." The band is rounded out by guitarist Tom May and bass player Tom Hotchkin. The song, Morrison's Jig, was recorded on the band's self-titled album which came out in 2003. The band is a perennial favorite on iTunes, reaching the top ten in the "World" genre in both the album and song categories. The band formed in 1996 to entertain Seattle pub crowds on Saint Patrick's Day. They perform Celtic and Appalachian music on traditional and electric instruments. Labels: news
--posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, March 05, 2008. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. |
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