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Coming Soon!
New Album 'Live in Brittany' Released On Loftus Music, May 20th 2013
Track Listing:
1. Gavottes ‘Swing’ 2. The Trip To Durrow Abbey Reel/ The Maid Behind The Bar
3. Quand Soufflent Les Anges 4. Ronds De St Vincent 5. Soggy’s/Waterboogie
6 The Primrose Lass/The Hop Down Reel /Farewell To Ireland
7. Le Lézard Périgourdin/La Nouvelle Schottische De Penhoet
8. Le Colporteur/2éme Partie Du Lancier/Gigue Du Cordon/Gigue De Montréal
9. Deus Ganin Me Plac’h Yaouank, Marche Et Laridé Gavotte
10. Galway Bay/The Drunken Sailor
11. La Tuque Bleue/Reel En Do/Ĺle-du-Prince-Edouard/Le Cyclone
12. Valse Du Chef De Gare
The group Celtic Fiddle Festival are celebrating their 20th anniversary with tours on both sides of the Atlantic accompanied by the release of their new CD, “Live in Brittany” by Loftus Music on the 20th May 2013. They will tour the UK during May & June followed by the USA in October.
“Live in Brittany,” their sixth album, was produced during January 2013 when the group visited France for a series of recorded performances. The album was made in the town of Guéméne-sur-Scorff.
Today’s Celtic Fiddle Festival line up features Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaitre (Brittany) and André Brunet (Quebec), together with the wonderful Breton accompanist, Nicolas Quémener. For the three fiddlers this will be their third CD together but for Nicolas “Live in Brittany” will be his first recording with the group.
In its earliest days, twenty years ago, the line up included, as well as Kevin & Christian, the exhilarating Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham and ace guitarist John McGann from Massachusetts. Sadly, the two Johns are no longer with us having passed away as a result of both parties suffering sudden and tragic illnesses.
For a brief time it appeared as if the Celtic Fiddle Festival would no longer continue but morale was soon restored. Both Kevin and Christian embraced the addition of André Brunet’s energetic Quebec fiddling and, most recently, Nicolas Quémener's warm and imaginative accompaniments have brought a rich musical confidence to the group.
The inspiration behind the formation of the Celtic Fiddle Festival has proven to be an innovative and enduring concept – to highlight the unique qualities of the three distinct fiddle traditions while at the same time showing the strength and power that can be generated when they come together.
The Celtic Fiddle Festival's combination of music, musicianship and love for their respective traditions is once again exciting audiences worldwide as will be heard during this anniversary year both in concert and with the release of “Live in Brittany” from Loftus Music.
Kevin Burke
Johnny Cunningham (RIP 2003)
Christian Lemaître
John McGann (RIP 2012)
Soig Siberil
Tony McManus
Ged Foley
André Brunet
Nicolas Quémener
Live In Brittany (2013 Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaître, Andre Brunet, Nicholas Quémener)
Équinoxe (2008 Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaître, Andre Brunet, Ged Foley)
Play On (2005 Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaître, Andre Brunet, Ged Foley)
Rendezvous (2001 Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, Christian Lemaître, Ged Foley)
Encore (1998 Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, Christian Lemaître, Soïg Siberil)
Celtic Fiddle Festival (1993 Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, Christian Lemaître)
See Tour Dates for May June in the UK + Artist Roster
Track Listing: 1. Lady of Light 2. Everything Must Grow Or Die 3. I Am A Life 4. You Tube Where Winds Never Blow 5. You Tube He Was The One (Burning Bad Things Away) 6. Long Ago 7. When We Were Young 8. Blue Retreat 9. Morning Hymn 10. On Behalf of Maesllyn Trees 11. Alan Superman 12. We Are Just Beginning
Musicians: Richard Ellin & Harvey Summers Vocalist Ina Williams Additional Vocals Cecilia Jones & Joan Franclova.
Hello and welcome to And Did Those Feet’s fifth album. With only one instrumental track it’s our most song based release so far and features a new singer Joan Franclova and songwriter Bryan Ritz.
Brian is an author and songwriter and he wrote the title track and together we co-wrote the song ‘Where Winds Never Blow’. Joan Franclova is a singer who has worked with bands such as ‘Hedgehog Pie’ and the ‘Prague Jazz Quintet’ (Jazz Q).
Her song on this album is a new version of ‘When We Were Young’ which she wrote and recorded in the 1980’s with her band called ‘Celebration of Life’. The version here is more basic than the original to let the impact of the lyric come through.
'Long Ago’ is like the reverse side of the coin from ‘When We Were Young’ as they are both about childhood but from different perspectives. I wrote it originally as part of an unfinished comedy musical called ‘Stanley Stanley and his family’ a tale of everyday northern folk.
‘Long Ago’ was Edith Stanley’s song which she sang whilst waiting for her husband Stanley Stanley to return from the ‘Red Lion’. He was celebrating his first prize win from a poetry contest organised by a local funeral company.
Apart from ‘When We Were Young’ , ‘Alan Superman’ and ‘Long Ago’ all of the songs were written within the last five years. The latest was ‘On Behalf of ‘Maesllyn Trees’ which is part of a new attempt at giving a voice to that which may not have one. Others in this new (for me) way of writing include someone who is trapped inside North Korea, someone whose pension is devalued and someone who is terminally ill from chronic arthritis. Hopefully some of these will be on the next release.
Mention also goes to Harvey Summers whose arrangements always give good foundation to the songs. Final mention must go to the philosophical writings and teachings of Raymond Armin.
Without these I could never have attempted the songs that seemed so far out of reach in my younger years. ADTF Full Bio
Over the years Richard Ellin’s group “And Did Those Feet” have developed enormous interest in their mysterious yet very spiritual music. It’s as if the composer found a channel into the past and fused it with the present.
Richard formed "And Did Those Feet" back in 1992 as a vehicle for his own compositions. The beauty of the group is that it can be expanded to suit the music or venue requirements.
This flexible use of musicians and instruments is well displayed across the groups extensive canon of work.
About the CD Image: Richard Ellin had always wanted to write a message on his working guitar in a similar vein to how Woody Guthrie labeled his instrument. So he started to experiment and whilst in the process of taking a picture of one of his scriblings his friends daughter entered the frame.
She wanted to show that the plaster cast that had previously encased her arm had been removed - he was taking a picture! When the image was processed the two, girl and guitar seemed as one, and so the picture for the new CD "We Are Just Beginning" was found.
Visit You Tube to see our numerous ADTF videos
You Tube Dream of the Mountains + You Tube 'Mil Harddach Wyt'
You Tube To Clementine Churchill + You Tube Avalon Yet
We Are Just Beginning
Compilation Best of 1997 to 2007
Forgetting The Shadows Of History
Hymn For A Glad Tomorrow
Spirit Of The Age
Burning Bad Things Away
Angelus
Avalon Yet
Hymn For A Glad Tomorrow
Distribution: Proper Music Distribution
All images used in the video Burning Bad Things Away are from the wonderful NASA
And Did Those Feet website
The EMIN website (Writings and teachings of Raymond Armin)
Colgarra brings together two very different musicians from the Irish music scene. Eugene Teevan, button accordion and flute and Joe Giltrap, vocals, guitar, bodhran and harmonica combine to produce a distinctive sound and repertoire that will keep those feet tapping.
Whilst Eugene is steeped in the pure traditional side of the culture, Joe, although a multi-instrumentalist, has always been first and foremost a vocalist. It is the fusion of these two elements that produces a unique sound.
Eugene Teevan was born in Luton, to parents from Cavan and Monaghan. He started
playing tin whistle at the age of seven, and was soon encouraged to join the Leagrave Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, subsequently graduating to concert flute and accordion.
Eugene has competed in Fleadh’s all over Britain and Ireland. His proudest moment came at the 1988 Kilkenny Fleadh; when he won All-Ireland titles on flute and accordion - resulting in an invitation to tour Canada and the US with Comhaltas. A regular performer at sessions and festivals, Eugene has played with a number of bands down the years.
Kildare born, singer/songwriter Joe Giltrap, started his musical life on the folk and ballad scene in Ireland, before heading to London in the early 70’s where he teamed up with Malcolm Rogers to form Irish Mist.
Irish Mist went on to dominate the London folk scene and toured Europe on a regular basis. They recorded five albums and several singles, culminating in Gold and Silver disc awards, for the chart-topping Green Velvet compilation albums; which in turn led to a TV Special - later released on video. Joe has been writing, recording and performing, primarily as a solo artist in recent years, with several acclaimed album releases.
A Lifetime Achievement was later awarded to Joe, by The Irish World newspaper; and more recently he was honoured by his home town of Leixlip, Co. Kildare, for his services to folk music.
Joe Giltrap is one of the few people, to have recorded with American folk legend Tom Paxton. Joe is also the music correspondent with The Irish Post newspaper in London.
Brian McFadden knows what it’s like to have a hit, as part of Westlife he had seventeen top five singles and as a solo artist he’s had four number ones, however McFadden who is also a judge on Australia’s Got Talent used a brand new TV show called The Hit to find his latest release.
Unknown, uncharted songwriters from across Ireland submitted their songs to this new show and legendary music producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, The Killers, The Rolling Stones, The Pogues) selected just eight songs that would be presented to Brian Mc Fadden and indie band 'Royseven'.
Brian snapped up Invisible as soon as he heard the first verse and chorus. “The reason I picked this song is because it’s a hit”. The writers Ian Colgan and Shane Butler have been trying to break into the music business and after years of rejection they saw this as their one chance to get their music released. When Brian picked their song the boys couldn’t hold back the tears.
With producer Rob Conley, Brian has taken the acoustic version of the song he was pitched on the TV show and turned it into a pop anthem. The songs were available to download once they were revealed on the TV show. There was just two hours left of the chart week when the Hit was broadcast and both Brian and Royseven managed to get into Ireland’s top 40 and they went to the top two on ITunes.
Songwriters sell their songs to established music stars; it’s the most important pitch of their lives. For the stars, getting the best song for themselves is the business of having a Hit. This is the basis for a new prime time TV show that will be seen for the first time on Irish Television.
The Hit is a real music competition that is giving fledgling songwriters a chance to have chart success with an established artist. From all of the song submissions, Grammy award winning music producer Steve Lillywhite, who has produced bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Killers and U2 will select a shortlist of songs. In the show the chosen songwriters will then pitch their songs to two established stars. The stars are under pressure to select one song they can turn into a hit but ultimately the audience will decide. At the end of the show two songs, one by each artist, will be released on iTunes.
The host of The Hit is Laura Whitmore from MTV Europe and the two stars seeking their next hit song are Brian McFadden and Royseven. Brian shot to fame as a member of one of the most successful boy bands of all time, Westlife. He has since gone on to secure four number one singles as a solo artist as well as enjoying TV success in Australia. Up against Brian, is award winning band Royseven. Last year not only did they scoop the Meteor Choice Music Award for 'Best Song' but they also took the accolade for 'Most Played Irish Song' on radio.
The format was created by Vision Independent Productions in Dublin and is backed by Warner Brothers International and RTE. The pilot episode of The Hit was broadcast on RTE 2 in Ireland on September 6th.
'Invisible' is published by Vision Independent Productions. ISRC Code IEHIB 1200001. The composers are Shane Butler & Ian Colgan.
David Francey - from carpenter to songwriter. Since leaving the construction business to record Torn Screen Door in 1999, Scottish-born Canadian David Francey is now recognized as one of today’s finest singer-songwriters.
Francey’s straightforward songs tell honest stories of real people and real places. Poetic perception and a keen eye for the heart of the matter are trademarks of Francey and his music. His songs and stories are a direct connection for audiences seeking depth and meaning in the day-to-day.
David has released nine CDs to date. His most recent, Late Edition, has garnered much praise receiving two Canadian Folk Music nominations.
A three time JUNO award winner David Francey has also had the honour of receiving the prestigious SOCAN Folk Music Award. In the last few years he took home the Grand Prize in both the International Acoustic Music Awards and in the Folk category for the John Lennon Songwriting Awards.
David Francey was born in 1954 in Ayrshire, Scotland where he got his first taste of the working life as a paperboy. At the age of ten he was devouring the newspapers he delivered, establishing a life-long interest in politics and world events while developing the social conscience that forms the backdrop of his songs.
David was twelve when he and his family moved to Toronto. His love of the landscape, the history and the people of his adopted country can be traced back to family weekend drives exploring Southern Ontario.
Music played a large part in these family outings. The Franceys sang traditional Scottish tunes as they drove through the Canadian countryside. David’s dad and sister sang melody while David and his mother sang harmonies.
David’s attachment to Canada grew with his travels. He hitchhiked across the country three times and then thumbed his way to the Yukon. This attachment surfaces in his songs of rail lines, farms and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
His understanding of the people grew as he worked in Toronto train yards, in the Yukon bush and in construction in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
In concert David Francey is a singer and a storyteller. His wry humour and astute observations combined with his open-hearted singing style have earned him a loyal following.
Amongst the many artists who have recorded Francey songs are, The Del McCoury Band, Tracy Grammer, The Rankin Family, James Keelaghan, Raylene Rankin and Harvey Reid.
Click on Folking.com to see their review of David Francey's most recent CD 'Late Edition'
"Walking west along the road I heard a fairground carousel. I danced a tango. I sang a lullaby. I demanded a better future. I remembered young love. I spoke to a man who had little to say. I talked to the devil. I looked at the stars. I watched a man find courage.
I saw clouds in a wet road. I met a man fallen on hard times. I wrote a song about each of these things. That's what songs are for. Eleven songs for an album entitled, " The Streets Forget' by Eamon Friel
Broadcaster - Songwriter - Musician - Playwright
Eamon Friel is the son of a Mayo mother and Derry father. He writes about his life, experiences and his observations of the ever changing world that he sees around him.
Friel’s writing is mystical painting pictures with his word play which could be compared with that of the landscape artist; each word carefully chosen and lovingly placed upon the page.
Mountains and hills become people in a place where animals talk and the soul and being are more important than time itself. The landscape of Ireland its churches, rivers and towns entwined with the effect it has had on its people; it’s all there in the songs.
Born in London’s Stockwell with childhood summers spent in Ireland, the family left Stockwell and returned to his father’s troubled hometown of Derry, Londonderry, Stroke City call it what you will.
It was the youthful experience of cultural change and upheaval that left a lasting impression on the mind of a young man that would later emerge in songs penned in W.B Yeats like mystical imagery from a place in time and a time in place.
" Summers were spent in County Mayo among my mother’s people on a farm. Like James Joyce in Paris murmuring the names of Dublin streets I still walk those fields of childhood in my mind…Maighne Mor, Ruan, Garrett’s Land, Cnoc An Chonai, The Noggan and Grawn. For a townie like me it was like living in the garden of Eden." Eamon Friel
If proof of his ability as a songwriter were ever needed we need look no further than recent song covers by Sean Donnelly, The Fureys, Pete & Jan (BetterLate) , Bill Jones, Sean Tyrell and the Japanese band Brahman amongst others.
Friel is one of the few artists around that can say he was actually paid by radio to write topical, comic and satirical songs to order. He was at one time commissioned to write songs for BBC Radio Ulster’s “Talkback” the lunch time inter-active news programme. A task he often had to carry out at the drop of a hat to meet the changing political and social demands of the day. Full Pictorial bio with music
The Streets Forget (2012) THRCD 1008
Smarter (2009) Thran THRCD 1006
Here Is The River (2006) Thran THRCD 1004
Waltz of The Years (2003) Thran THRCD 1003
Word of Spring (2000) Thran Records THRCD 1001
Stepping Stones (1993) Spring Records SCD 1028
Logrhythms (1985) Spring Records
The Music Makers (2011)
In For The Day (2008)
The Harmogram Suite is the sixth album from the British modern classical - ambient composer Marvin Ayres. This two-disc CD-and-DVD package, recorded in 5.1 surround-sound consistent with the holographic concept, is in the best tradition of his diverse back catalogue of minimalist albums incorporating special soundscapes and psycho-acoustics.
Harmogram is Marvin Ayres’ term to describe his hybridizing harmonics, harmony and hologram. His initial idea for the piece was that the ‘delivery’ of sound (i.e.: 5.1, 7.1 surround, etc) now seems to be almost as important as the ‘musical’ content and instrumentation involved.
With Harmogram Suite, Marvin takes his listeners on a hugely emotional and dramatic journey in a musical piece written in six movements, over-dubbed with one hundred and forty layers, with every instrument and every part, played by Marvin, excepting the fifth movement which utilises a choir.
Marvin Ayres
During the recording process, different playing techniques, recording set ups and textures were used to produce an authentic full live orchestral sound. The result is a unique, modern classical musical sound composition.
It was at a meeting towards the end of recording the album Harmogram Suites that Marvin met with Martyn Ware (Human League/Heaven 17). So enthusiastic was Martyn about the piece that he suggested to Marvin that the album should be mixed in 3D, with the intention of giving live performances, in combinations of players and 3D Sound System Orchestra.
The release of Harmogram Suite comes as Marvin continues work on his latest project, Sacred Spaces: an ongoing and evolving performance/recording project, which visits both secular and non-secular places in search of the “sonic beauty” of each environment.
Locations include Bretton Chapel in Yorkshire, H.M.S. Alliance, Tate, Orford Ness, Greenwich Royal Observatory and Winchester Cathedral.
Assisted by sound engineer Alex Siddall, Marvin’s instruments are randomly tuned to complement each environment and microphones used to pick up the full ambience of the space once excited by the cellos, violins and violas.
His initial idea progressed from an unusual way of playing cello in the 'live' recording room: aiming towards being spiritual (in a non-religious sense), to discover how the randomly tuned cello “felt and breathed” with the player and the environment and responding to how the instrument played and resonated in the live room, with the criteria to create warm, beautiful and vibrational sound. Marvin states: “I found that by detuning my cello and improvising, it made the experience similar to playing a totally new instrument, enabling me to play with completely fresh ideas”.
For more information about Marvin go to Artist Roster or visit Marvin's own website
“Dala seem bound for a loftier place where substance stands equal to style.”
The Irish Times
Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala write and sing in harmony best described as angelic. These two best friends met in their high school music class in 2002; they have since released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world.
Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark.
“There’s nothing pretentious about Dala’s music; it’s stripped down and laid bare. That’s not to say it is without polish – far from it. Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther have worked hard to exploit every facet of their extraordinary musical blend, which would be just as at home in a 1960s coffeehouse as it is now on the contemporary concert stage”.
Andrew Craig, Host of CBC “Canada Live”
The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans. Dala are equally entertaining between songs, telling funny and down to earth stories that make every show unique.
Dala have opened for artists such as Tom Cochrane, Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café, Richie Havens and Arlo Guthrie. No strangers to the festival scene, they have also performed at The New Orleans Jazz Festival, The Edmonton Folk Festival, California’s Strawberry Festival and Mariposa. In 2009, they were the only Canadian act invited to play at the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival.
Dala’s album “Everyone Is Someone” was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. It earned them their fifth Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Folk Group, and it was touted by The Irish Post as the Album of the Year. The song “Horses” was nominated by National Public Radio in the US as one of the “Top Ten folk songs of 2009″.
“Dala can sing! What beautiful flights of melody and harmony, reminiscent of the Everly Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, Emmylou Harris and associates; though Dala can trade a melody line and leave one wondering who is taking the lead and simply leave one behind when the harmonies kick in.” Peterborough Examiner Ontario
In the summer of 2010, Dala’s PBS special “Girls From The North Country” was broadcast across North America. This concert features Dala’s own songs weaved around classics by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot. The live CD and DVD for “Girls From The North Country” earned Dala the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for “Vocal Group of the Year”.
The live album was nominated for a 2011 Juno Award in the category “Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Group”.
For more information about Dala go to Artist Roster or visit Dala's own website.
Quebec’s progressive folk band Le Vent du Nord return with their seventh album entitled ‘Tromper Le Temps’ which translates as cheating or deceiving time! Renowned as ambassadors of Francophonie, Le Vent du Nord are also largely acknowledged as one of the key groups in Quebec’s traditional folk music revival. Since their formation in August 2002 the band has enjoyed great success which in turn has allowed them to take their music to other countries.
Le Vent Du Nord (Wind from the North) perform traditional Québécois music in French which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany. The group use a very diverse range of musical instruments augmented by Québécois Foot Percussion presented via a most entertaining, energetic and engaging stage show.
Tromper Le Temps “Cheating Time” is as much a statement as an observation.
Nicolas Boulerice, Olivier Demers, Réjean Brunet Simon Beaudry are four musicians exploring and playing music of yesterday, today, and possible tomorrow. The album features a sound that has found its identity over the course of a decade of touring; the band has played close to 1,000 concerts in North America and Europe.
The album Tromper le Temps sees Le Vent du Nord pushing their own limits and exploring their vocal harmonies and musical textures. Through the course of the thirteen tracks the band takes us on a trip through several historical periods. The lyrics and poetic scenes that have marvellously survived the passage of time are wonderfully pertinent to our present day realities, socially, politically and personal.
Like all artists Le Vent du Nord are not afraid to take chances and experiment in new musical areas. They thumb their nose at the passage of time and proudly continue to anchor their musical traditions in the present with fluid arrangements, great instrumentals and vocals, and the best in contemporary production.
Le Vent du Nord have been the recipients of numerous awards. The latest arrived in the Spring of 2011, when they received their second Juno Award for their previous studio album La Part du Feu.
Nicolas Boulerice (vocals, hurdy gurdy, piano, piano accordion)
He grew up listening to the family repertoire and the songs collected by his father. His passion for traditional music led him to Ireland and France, where he learned to play the hurdy-gurdy. A young, talented and charismatic musician, Nicolas has been roaming the folk circuit for the last ten years, starting out with Ad Vieille Que Pourra and Montcorbier. Alongside Olivier Demers, he then recorded the album Le Vent Du Nord Est Toujours Fret, which was the genesis of Le Vent du Nord. He has also worked alongside several other artists such as the jazz septet Ovo, Les Batinses, Dobacaracol, Les Zapartistes, Benoit Charest and Michel Faubert. He is a founding member of Roues et Archets, a record label specializing in Quebecois traditional music, and is also co-founder of the Chants de Vielles festival in Calixa-Lavalée, Québec.
Olivier Demers (fiddle, electric guitar, clogging, mandolin, vocals)
Trained as a violinist and also as a guitarist, Olivier started out in chamber music and
later moved on to jazz. His great versatility allowed him to work with a wide range of
artists (La Bottine Souriante, Michel Faubert, The Bills, Dany Bédar, Boom Desjardins,
Les Ours, Mario Pelchat, Ovo) as well as to compose music for the NFB and
commercials. He now describes himself as a violoneux (fiddler), having devoted the past
ten years of his life to traditional music. He has played with Montcorbier and was part of the duo Boulerice-Demers (two albums, among which Un Peu D’ci, Un Peu D’ça, rewarded as Canada’s best traditional music album for 2006) and has been very active in promoting the tradition as co-organiser of La Veillée de L’avant-Veille (for the last 10 years), of the Chants de Vieilles festival and as co-founder of the Roues et Archets record label.
Réjean Brunet (basses, diatonic accordion, jaw harp, piano, vocals)
Réjean grew up in the village of Lacolle, Québec playing Quebecois traditional music as a very young boy. After performing with his brother (André, well-known for his work with La Bottine Souriante and the Celtic Fiddle Festival) as a duo and recording three albums, Réjean joined La Volée d’Castors. He toured with them for eight years releasing five albums whilst performing in Europe, Canada and the U.S A. Réjean is also frequently invited by traditional musicians such as Sabin Jacques, Richard Forest and Gaston Nolet to join them on stage or in the recording studio. he now showcases his great talent around the world.
Simon Beaudry (vocals, bouzouki, guitar)
Hailing from Saint-Côme, Québec, an environment where tradition is still very much alive.
Simon inherited a solid family musical background from both his grandfathers (one a
fiddler, the other a singer) and went on to hone his craft by earning a music degree at
Joliette College. He started out by performing, as a solo artist and in a duo with his
brother Éric, traditional repertoire and songs from the great Québécois songwriters in
many cafes around his hometown. Later on, he accompanied the Petits Pas Jacadiens
troupe of Saint-Jacques-de-Montcalm before joining Le Vent du Nord, with whom he now
travels the world, displaying his sweet voice and his rich guitar playing.
Mike Donaghy has been making a name for himself in Ireland and the UK ever since releasing his first EP “January Never Came This Year” back in 2009. His music and writing has a very unique sound, occasionally being linked to folk, Americana and bluegrass.
Mike grew up to the sounds of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, The Beatles and Van Morrison being played out from every sound system in the house. He was also fortunate to grow up in a musical family, and a home which was never short of instruments; his father working as a TV producer and director, and more importantly, on music shows.
He remembers vividly sitting round the fire at home joining in and learning songs with such legends as the Clancy Brothers, June Tabor, Ralph McTell, Keiran Goss, Sonny Curtis and long time friends the Sands Family.
Mike left school with a passion for music, a handful of songs and a vision which would send him deep into the music business. It’s what he wanted to do and he did. ‘His writing had a great sense of place and it paints a very clear picture. His stories are steeped in emotion, honesty and humour’ (Tommy Sands).
His on stage instrumentation stems from his passion for music at a young age, and his eagerness to learn all types of music. At present, Mike plays guitar, piano, mandolin, lap steel, pedal steel, banjo, ukulele and saxophone.
The variation of the music and collective skills of all his talent didn't go to waste on the young Mike. It's what he wanted to do, and he did. Mike has been a professional musician for some five years now, and spends most of his spare time writing.
Since beginning his musical career he has gained many credits, including having a top ten in the folk download chart in New Jersey in 2010, five times number one in the NI and top twenty in Irish download chart four times, as well as writing music for film and TV.
Mike currently performs the length and breadth of the country, as well as the UK and Europe, primarily with his band ‘Mike Donaghy & Border Crossing’. His debut Album entitled 'I Wish You Well' released in September 2011 created a great buzz amongst radio stations, record and publishing companies.
In 2011 his song ‘Brighter Days’ was used as a United Nations peace song and from there Mike and the band went on to perform at the World Peace Concert in Dublin during December of that year. Later this year they will play at another World Peace concert to be held in Rome.
2012 will be a busy year for Mike, with an Irish tour in preparation followed by a full European schedule.
The album is available from www.mikedonaghymusic , iTunes and Amazon. Proceeds from the album are being given to the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, a charity that Mike is very supportive of.
Mike Donaghy: Vocals/Guitar/Mandolin/Piano/Drums
Jody Headley: Backing Vocals --- Brian McClean: Backing Vocals/Whistles
Richard Hodgen: Drums/Percussion --- Nick Scott: Bass Guitar/Drums/Percussion
Rik Gay: Drums/Percussion --- Ivan McLernon: Dobro/Pedal Steel
The Plum Tree and the Rose is the third album by Sarah McQuaid, a gifted and captivating performer whose warm, haunting alto is delicately cradled by her “sparkling guitar” (Sing Out!). She is both song crafter and song collector, equally at home with traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads and 1930s jazz numbers.
Her musical output is a direct and unfolding reflection of her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and currently lives in rural England. While the genre, era and geographical location of her songs may change, at their core is a musician who has soaked it all in – and, luckily for us, is able to eloquently express the stories she’s gathered.
“Hardwick’s Lofty Towers” introduces a set of sister themes – spiritual questioning and the relationship between soul and place – that inspired a trio of originals dedicated to this topic: title track “The Plum Tree and the Rose” (track 12), “In Derby Cathedral” (track 5) and “Kenilworth” (track 4). “Living in the UK, I’m constantly struck by the powerful imprint made on the landscape here by thousands of years of human habitation,” Sarah explains. “And I think we all wonder at times about the big questions – why are we here, where are we going, does any part of us remain after we’ve gone. I’ve tried to address that in these songs.”
A folk album is not complete without comment on our current socio-political climate, and Sarah does excellent justice to the global economic downturn on “The Sun Goes on Rising” (co-written with producer Gerry O’Beirne). As percussionist Liam Bradley’s shuffling snare sets a tone of relentless perseverance, the fear of debt and poverty is embodied in the proverbial lurking “wolf at the door” – but, as the chorus points out, there’s hope for the patient. Also co-authored with O’Beirne are “So Much Rain,” a rumination on lost love and the changing of seasons, with Sarah’s plangent guitar and string-like vocal harmonies embellished by gossamer piano backing from Rod McVey, and “What Are We Going To Do,” an old-fashioned ‘first kiss’ song in the Golden Age style of Rodgers & Hart, George Gershwin and Cole Porter.
Sarah’s cover of “Solid Air,” the late John Martyn’s tribute to Nick Drake, is delivered here as a soulful duet, this time with Bill Blackmore on trumpet; other surprises include “S’Anc Fuy Belha Ni Prezada,” a 13th century “alba” or dawn song sung in Old Occitan, a sparse arrangement for voice and DADGAD-tuned guitar of Elizabethan composer John Dowland’s “Can She Excuse My Wrongs,” and “New Oysters New,” a three-part canon published in 1609 by Thomas Ravenscroft, featuring guest vocalists Niamh Parsons and Tom Barry. The album closes with Sarah’s original six-part canon of Thanksgiving, “In Gratitude I Sing.”
The Plum Tree and The Rose was released in March on the US-based Waterbug label (www.waterbug.com) and reached No. 3 on the Folk Radio Chart, No. 4 on the UK Roots Radio Airplay Chart and No. 5 on the Euro Americana chart!
Release Date: March 2012
Label: Waterbug Records (www.waterbug.com)
Genre: Folk/World/Acoustic/Singer-Songwriter
Cat. No: WBG104 UPC: 753114 010426
Hi-res photos and album cover artwork available for download from www.sarahmcquaid.com/press.html.
The Sun Goes On Rising + Solid Air + The Duke of Somersette's Dompe
3-Track Single - Release Date: February 2012 Label: Waterbug Records
The Sun Goes On Rising is the first single from The Plum Tree and the Rose, the forthcoming third album by Sarah McQuaid, featuring two tracks from the album plus a bonus guitar instrumental. Sarah McQuaid is a gifted and captivating performer whose warm, haunting alto is delicately cradled by her “sparkling guitar” (Sing Out!). She is both song crafter and song collector, equally at home with traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads and 1930s jazz numbers.
Her musical output is a direct and unfolding reflection of her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and currently lives in rural England. While the genre, era and geographical location of her songs may change, at their core is a musician who has soaked it all in – and, luckily for us, is able to eloquently express the stories she’s gathered.
A folk album is not complete without comment on our current socio-political climate, and Sarah does excellent justice to the global economic downturn on “The Sun Goes on Rising,” co-written with Gerry O’Beirne (Midnight Well, Patrick Street, Sharon Shannon Band), who produced The Plum Tree and the Rose as well as its two predecessors. As percussionist Liam Bradley’s shuffling snare sets a tone of relentless perseverance, the fear of debt and poverty is embodied in the proverbial lurking “wolf at the door” – but, as the chorus points out, there’s hope for the patient.
Up next is Sarah’s cover of “Solid Air,” the late John Martyn’s tribute to Nick Drake, delivered here as a soulful duet with Bill Blackmore on trumpet.
The single’s final track is a bonus download-only release, not included on the album, of “The Duke of Somersette's Dompe,” a 16th century lute piece that Sarah (author of The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book) has arranged for DADGAD-tuned guitar. The Dolmetsch Music Dictionary defines the “dump” or “dompe” as “a sixteenth- and seventeenth-century slow, melancholy old English dance form usually in 4/4 time, ... the title’s meaning possibly that mentioned in Ralph Roister Doister, the comedy written by Nicholas Udall (1504-1556), namely a melancholy induced by love.”
The Plum Tree and the Rose represents a departure from Sarah’s previous albums, which focused on her arrangements of traditional material, in that nine of its thirteen tracks are originals. Although a thread of personal experience is woven into the material, Sarah truly shines as a teller of parables. Whether she’s recounting the life of 16th century businesswoman Bess of Hardwick or standing in a cathedral and pondering the immortality of the soul, the specific detail subtly manifests a universal truth. These are songs that linger in the listener’s imagination.
Sitting surprisingly comfortably alongside the self-penned numbers and the “Solid Air” cover are “S’Anc Fuy Belha Ni Prezada,” a 13th century “alba” or dawn song sung in Old Occitan, a sparse arrangement of Elizabethan composer John Dowland’s “Can She Excuse My Wrongs,” and “New Oysters New,” a three-part canon published in 1609 by Thomas Ravenscroft, featuring guest vocalists Niamh Parsons and Tom Barry. The album is due for release on March 5th.
Sarah McQuaid Catalogue
The Plum Tree & The Rose (March 2012 www.waterbug.com)
I Won’t Go Home ‘Til Morning
When Two Lovers Meet
Mama (Zoë Pollock & Sarah McQuaid)
Crow Coyote Buffalo
Label: Runner Records -- Catalogue No: P I09 -- Publisher: Jim Reynolds Music
‘If Only’ is an album of all my own compositions. It features some fine musicians including
Gina Griffin (violin) Kit Morgan (guitar & Spanish guitar) Matt Taylor (bass guitar & tuba)Sally Barnett (cello)
Jim Reynolds is a guitarist and singer who writes and plays an eclectic mix of music.
The individual pieces tap into blues, ragtime, rhythm and blues, music hall and folk traditions. Some are extremely sensitive songs about life, people and relationships, while others are tongue in cheek. His albums are also sprinkled with classics from the likes of J.J. Cale, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Roy Orbison, The Ink Spots, Jelly Roll Morton and Jimmy Rogers.
Having played abroad and around the U.K. especially in Bristol, the South West, Wales, the Midlands and more recently in the South East, at clubs, pubs and festivals, Jim has honed his singing and playing resulting in a rich cohesive sound. His finely crafted songs and guitar playing are a pleasure to listen to and live performances are always memorable. Despite the rarity of happy tunes, the wry observations and descriptions of people’s experience are somehow uplifting, delivering a sense of humanity and intimacy.
Jim has performed with many respected icons of the present day acoustic circuit, including: Steve Tilston, Maggie Boyle, Mike Silver, Wizz Jones, Isaac Guillory, Chris Newman, Phil Beer and the late George Melly. Not forgetting the Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra and the ever-popular Smile.
See Artist Roster & Tour Dates for further information
Label: Undiscovered Classics - Catalogue Number: SS1612AL
You Tube Video: ‘Whats the Problem’ Directed by Julian Doyle.
“Having left Dexy’s Midnight Runners I spent years in London knocking on various record company doors. I finally secured deals with Hit & Run Music and Atlantic Records in New York. My manager asked me who I would like to produce my first album. Being an avid Beatles fan I said, ‘George Martin' – so we sent George a tape of my songs. To my amazement and utter delight George called back saying he was ‘knocked out by the material and would love to produce the album’. I was on cloud ten! A few months later after various meetings we started recording “Say Something” (1988) with the great man behind the recording desk at Air Studios in London. It is I believe the only debut album of original material that George Martin produced since the Beatles.” – Andy Leek
Track Listing: 1. What’s The Problem 2.Golden Doors 3. Holding On To You 4. Attitude 5. Carry Me Away 6. Say Something 7. Prelude 8. All Day Long 9. Please Please 10. Sailors Song 11. Interlude. 12. All Around the World 13. Reprise - Produced by George Martin
Musicians: Bass – Mo Foster, Drums – Stuart Elliot, Guitars – Clem Clemson, Alan Murphy, Steve Howe, Keyboards – Peter Vettesse, Percussion – Luis Jardin, Martyn David Backing Vocals, London Community Gospel Choir, (For additional musicians and arrangers see booklet)
Why All These Years Later?
After 1990 when I returned to the Midlands I couldn’t even bear to play ‘Say Something’ let alone contemplate resurrecting my career. I was so down at the failure of ‘Say Something’ to set the world alight I just wanted to hide away to forget all about Andy Leek, the artist.
Everyone was into Britpop and guitar bands like Oasis and my classy balladeering orchestral pop didn’t fit in with the fashion. Also I didn’t realise I could have the master tapes of ‘Say Something’ returned to me until Carol Impney offered them to me two decades later. I had never till then entertained the concept of remixing or re-releasing the album as I was penniless and I thought my dreams were totally broken. Consequently I formed The Blue Angels party band to distract myself from failure and boost the empty coffers.
Taken from Andy’s Time Line Bio – Full Bio www.pattynanmedia.com/452/552811.html
2008: One day Carol Impney of Hit & Run Music phoned me asking if I would like to own the master tapes to my original album ‘Say Something’ which had sat in their loft for twenty years or so. I was surprised and delighted to receive the master tapes and the many photos of my time in the studio with George Martin.
The tapes had deteriorated somewhat so they had to be cleaned by hand and baked for several days in order to transfer them to CD. I then added one new song ‘All Around The World’ to complete what is now ‘Say Something Revisited.’
You Tube Video: “What’s The Problem” Directed by Julian Doyle.
You Tube Video: “What’s The Problem” www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpXGU3k0lVU Images from the actual recording with George Martin at Air Studios in London
Single: What’s the Problem/Say Something/Golden Doors/What’s the Problem with intro by George Martin
Album: Say Something Revisited.
A CD released to raise funds for The British Computer Association of the Blind
http://www.bcab.org.uk Reg SC023234
Les Barker + Skuffle + Julia Hills + John Conolly + Bernard Cribbins + Nonny James Bob Williamson + Jon Briggs + Linda Bellingham + June Tabor + James Bolam Gaynor Faye + Mrs Ackroyd Band + Eric Allen + Toyah Willcox + John Scott Cree Mrs Ackroyd Band + Elaine C Smith + Jeremy Irons + Tom Bliss + Sue Jameson Alex Lester + Ken Galipeau + Cindy Kent + Norma Dixit + Michael Palin Eileen McGann + Ann Widdecombe + John Tams with Coope Boyes and Simpson Edward de Souza
The Guide Cats for the Blind album series is produced to raise funds for a project run by the British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB). Guide Cats Volumes 1 to 4 enabled the Association to create EyeT4All, a programme of life changing computer workshops for blind and partially sighted people. Our vision doesn’t stop there.
With funds from Vol. 5 ‘Herding Cats’ we will empower community centres for blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK to hold EyeT4All workshops for themselves. Guide Cats and EyeT4All ‘Skill Share’ will transform and enrich people’s lives! These projects are increasingly important to blind people as more and more services are being made available online only.
Les Barker A Short Biography from the Age of Three Until Nearly Teatime
Les Barker writes strange poems and comes originally from Manchester, but he's now Welsh. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. A well known style icon Les always cuts a dash in the world of fashion where he is much respected as the leading exponent of the cardigan in all its splendour.
On the poetry front and in spite of the poetry police his most famous works include The Shipping Forecast, Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive, Spot of the Antarctic, An Infinite Number of Occasional Tables, Stamped Addressed Antelope, Have You Got Any News of the Iceberg,
The Lemmings Reunion, The Missing Persian’s File, Will the Turtle be Unbroken and The Lost Elephants of Denbigh.
What Is The British Computer Association Of The Blind?
BCAB is an UK organisation of visually impaired people who use information and communications technology. Their membership ranges from experienced computer professionals, to people who are beginning to explore the use of information and communications technology for leisure, study or employment. BCAB aims to promote the use of computers and technology amongst blind and partially sighted people. We actively encourage people to explore the use of computers at work, in education and at home. BCAB stays up to date with recent developments in computing and technology, identifying relevant information and resources for blind and partially sighted people.
You are invited to visit the BCAB web site for further information.
How You Can Help
The BCAB will benefit from any media exposure you can offer via press, radio play or word of mouth. Benefits will come to the BCAB and its members in two ways. The first benefit will be financial as all proceeds other than the manufacturing and the very minimum administration costs will see the bulk of all earnings going to the BCAB. The association will also be able to sell the CD direct to the public through their many fund raising activities.
The British Computer Association of the Blind wishes to thank all the artists and everybody involved for your total support of this project in your own time and at no cost. We would like to thank all those performers who contributed to the previous albums which have now raised in excess of £50,000.
Catalogue: Distributed by Osmosy’s Records & The BCAB
Vol. 1 OSMOCD 020/021 - Guide Cats for the Blind
Vol. 2 OSMOCD 032 - The Missing Persians File
Vol. 3 OSMOCD 041 - Top Cat White Tie and Tails
Vol. 4 OSMOCD 050/051 - Cat Nav
Vol 5. OSMOCD 055/056 - Herding Cats
A celebration of English rural life, landscape, weather and seasons in traditional song and new settings of poems by Thomas Hardy, A E Housman and William Shakespeare
Guest musicians include Nick Cooper (cello) Paul Hutchinson (accordion) Simon Mayor (guitar, violin, mandolin, backing vocals) Simon Price (drums) Ed Quick (backing vocals) Paul Sartin (oboe) Phil Fentimen (double bass) David Pether (pipe organ) Richard Collins (bass guitar)
Track Listing: 1 A Song & Jig For Good Measure 2. The Bold Fisherman 3.The Two Ravens 4. Beneath the Willow Tree 5. Young Benjie 6. The Bellringing Song 7. Weathers 8. Winter 9. Can Love Be Controlled By Advice 10. Spring 11. In Summertime on Bredon 12. The Lady and the Prentice 13 A Song & Jig For Good Measure (reprise) Bonus Track: A Song & Jig For Good Measure (Complete track 7.35 mins)
In the 1890s, Sabine Baring-Gould, one of an army of late-Victorian collectors of traditional song, noted down a Devonshire dance tune called The Mallard. It had probably found its way over from France, but once in England had acquired a brief nonsensical refrain celebrating wild duck meat, an associated ritual of gluttony, and so its title. The collectors of that era, while deeply respectful of the material they were preserving were still not averse to occasionally cleaning up lyrics they deemed unacceptable for their Victorian target market. In this case, Baring-Gould went a little further by writing some new words of his own and giving the resulting song the more generic title A Country Dance. Here, in a medley with Simon Mayor's A Jig For Good Measure, it serves as both overture and, in extended form as a reprise.
The fruit of Baring-Gould's labours in Devon and Cornwall, a collection of 120 songs, was published as Songs Of The West, first in 1889, with other editions over the next few years. It served as source for other songs on this recording: the jovial The Bell Ringing, arranged for voice and mandolin quartet, and the poignant Lady And The Prentice, here with guitar, 'cello and oboe.
The Two Ravens, known in Scotland as The Twa Corbies, is a well-known border ballad and has many lyrical and melodic variants. Set here to a new tune, its gruesomely inventive lyrics give us a bird's eye reminder that we humans are not always top of the food-chain. From the same part of the world comes Young Benjie, a tabloid tale of love, rejection, murder, revenge and the supernatural belief that corpses may rise to betray their assassins.
The Bold Fisherman, in hypnotic 5/4 time, has been found widely throughout Southern England and East Anglia. The collector Lucy Broadwood suggested it could be laced with Christian symbolism, but it's performed here at face value as a simple, romantic love story.
Can Love Be Controlled By Advice is from The Beggar's Opera, written in 1728 by John Gay and first performed that same year. Beneath The Willow Tree, accompanied here by just mandolin and 'cello, is taken from Chappell's Popular Music Of The Olden Time, a collection of songs, dances and airs from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, published in 1857. There are several thematically similar but essentially quite different American and Irish songs.
Four new settings of English poems complete this album. The rich colours of Winter and warning words of Spring are both taken from Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost.
The initially optimistic but ultimately dark Bredon Hill is a setting of the poem by A E Housman, first published in 1896 as part of his collection A Shropshire Lad.
In a 1933 Cambridge lecture Housman cited both border balladry and the songs of William Shakespeare as influences on his writing. He further explained that Bredon Hill, actually located in Worcestershire, was written before the Shropshire setting of the collection had been conceived.
Like Housman, his contemporary Thomas Hardy frequently focused on themes of the English countryside. In the two stanzas of Weathers he describes the changing seasons and how all flora and fauna, including we humans, are swept along with their flow.
Celebrated musician Eamon Friel's much anticipated new musical was hailed as a roaring success at The Playhouse Theatre The response has just been overwhelming, and it’s a real tribute to the hard work by Eamon and all the actors, who have worked tirelessly to bring this phenomenal musical to life.” . Extra rows of seats were put in the theatre to accommodate the large crowds queuing to see the premiere of THE MUSIC MAKERS. Pauline Ross, artistic director of The Playhouse said: “I just love to see the work of such a great talent as Eamon thrive on stage here at The Playhouse. I have loved every minute of this project, and it was just fantastic to see people come out in their droves to see it!” Playhouse general manager Niall McCaughan said “
Eamon Friel’s musical comedy The Music Makers was staged at The Playhouse in Derry, Northern Ireland in the autumn of 2010. It was an outstanding success.
When the run was over a cast album was recorded and two songs from the show are now available as a CD single and download. The Music Makers will now play a part in the Derry City of Culture presentations in 2013.
Track 1. Such a Night of Stars is a duet from the first act. The lovers find themselves alone beneath the vastness of the starry sky. What does the future hold for them? They vow to stay true to each other no matter what. Sharon Duffy and Keith Lynch bring much of their stage chemistry to their romantic singing of this lovely duet.
Sharon says, “Such a Night of Stars was a delight to sing each night. Myself and Keith were transported by the song and I think the audience was too. It really is a beautiful song.”
“Underneath the stars tonight there’s only me and you
Oh love unto ourselves let us be true”
Track 2. Jerusalem Today is very different. For its writer Eamon Friel it is as much an anthem as a song. “It has intentional echoes of William Blake’s Jerusalem”, says Friel:-
“Tomorrow in Jerusalem they say
But here we’ll build Jerusalem today
The ramparts of Metropolis decay
Let’s start to build Jerusalem today”
The song is a heartfelt plea for us to value more what is beautiful and full of wonder in life and to reject the tawdry blandishments of the world. It features the powerful singing of Laura Douglas whose passionate vocal both opens and closes the musical. “I know The Music Makers is a comedy but when we sing Jerusalem Today” says Laura, “both the cast and the audience really begin to believe that it is not too late to make a better world.”
The Music Makers is a piece of theatre that works on a number of different levels. It is a tale of redemption. It is a love story too. But most of all it is a comedy. The comedy ranges from broad farce to subtle satire. Friel says, “Yes it’s a comedy first and foremost but a song like Jerusalem Today has some serious points to make. I was confident about the songs because I knew they were strong. But comedy is a strange commodity. You never know till the opening night. The audience laughed a lot. I knew then it was a winner!
Ironically The Music Makers, a comedy about culture, was holding auditions when it was announced that Derry/ Londonderry was designated as UK City of Culture for the year 2013. Just a coincidence? Friel says,” I was conscious of the campaign in the city for the accolade and when we won I thought to myself how uncanny it was. But the subject matter of the musical and the winning of the culture award are totally coincidental. Weird!”
What isn’t a coincidence is that The Playhouse is to stage the musical again during 2013 and there are plans as well for this intimate (seven characters), tightly written, song driven comedy to be filmed in the near future. Meanwhile enjoy two of the best songs from a wonderful score.
Eamon Friel’s Catalogue (Thran Records www.eamonfriel.com)
Logrhythms (1985) Spring Records
Stepping Stones (1993) Spring Records SCD 1028
Word of Spring (2000) Thran Records THRCD 1001
Waltz of The Years (2003) Thran THRCD 1003
Here Is The River (2006) Thran THRCD 1004
Smarter (2009) Thran THRCD 1006
“Arising from the Troubles offers a more eloquent and expansive account of our awkward reality than any shelf load of academic analyses.” Eamon McCann
Special Guests: The Sands Family: Anne, Ben, Colum & ‘Dino’ + Pete Seeger
Tao Rodriguez Seeger + Dolores Keane + Steve Cooney + Arty McGlynn
Donal Lunny + Bojan Andic + John Fitzpatrick + Lisa Gutkin + Greg Anderson Richard Parkes + Liam Bradley + Rod McVey + Different Drums + Tom Newman Andy Seward + John Tams + Andy Cutting + John McCusker
“Through the swirl of smoke and sulphur came the rebel songs of Tommy Sands. Not in the sense of whooping it up for violent struggle, but in rebellion against the hatred which has pockmarked our history and shredded the happiness of successive generations. This collection provides a soundtrack for days of darkness, days of hope, days of weary peace: soul songs telling our troubled story with a deft eye for exact detail and pitch perfect appreciation of political nuance.
Northern Ireland is a savage place drenched in decency. Perhaps it cannot be understood other than by an act of artistic imagination. Arising from the troubles offers a more eloquent and expansive account of our awkward reality than any shelf load of academic analyses.” Eamon McCann
Track Listing: 1. Song of Erin 2. A Stone's Throw (featuring Moya) 3.The Mixed Marriage (with Dolores Keane) 4. We'll Sing It All Over 5. Bloody Sunday (featuring Moya) 6. Have You Seen Joe Cahill 7. The Road to Aughnacloy 8. A Call To Hope 9.You Sold Us Down The River, 10.Troubles 11. Bessbrook Lament (featuring Moya) 12. All the Little Children 13. Sailing Through the Sky 14. A Quiet Man (The Ballad of John Hume) 15. Music of Healing (with Pete Seeger) 16. Carry On 17. Silent No Longer (featuring Moya) 18. The Lagan Side
History can relay the facts but sometimes it takes a song to sing the feelings. Such feelings when ignored can all too easily be repeated by another generation.
Most of these songs were written by Tommy Sands and inspired by events and people from both sides of the conflict between 1969 and 2011 and many have never before been recorded or available. These are songs arising out of ‘The Troubles’ songs of lamentation, inspiration and celebration.
The Irish Tour
"I have been travelling the world of late from the Mid West to the Middle East from the West Bank to West Bengal. This Autumn I want to reconnect with old friends that I have known all around Ireland. I have missed seeing them due to all my far off travels... and I am looking forward to all the new friends that I have yet to meet on this very special journey of my homeland.
This Autumn I want to play in every single one of the counties of Ireland North and South in a month and a day. I will sing new songs about the ravages of the so called Celtic Tiger and also songs about the spirit that has withstood much greater pain from the past. I am going to play in large theatres like the National Concert Hall in Dublin and more intimate venues of all shapes and sizes across Ireland. I can't wait for the journey to begin." Tommy Sands
Tommy Sands Discography:
2011 Arising From The Troubles (Spring Records)
2009 Let The Circle Be Wide (Appleseed Recordings)
2006 To Shorten a Winter (Green Linnet)
1999 Sarajevo To Belfast with Vedran Smailovic (Appleseed Recordings)
1995 The Hearts A Wonder (Green Linnet)
1990 Beyond The Shadows (Spring Records)
1988 The Hedges Of County Down (Spring Records Cassette Only)
1987 Down By Bendy’s Lane, Irish Songs & Stories For Children (Green Linnet)
1985 Singing of The Times (Spring Records)
Books:
The Songman A Journey in Irish Music (2005)
Websites: Tommy Sands + Sands Family
Venus - NASA www.nasa.gov
And Did Those Feet www.anddidthosefeet.co.uk
Track 1. Burning Bad Things Away Track 2. The Times they are a Changing
Release Date: May 16th 2011 - Label: Osmosys - Catalogue Number: OSMOS005
The single ‘Burning Bad Things Away’ from the English pastoral group And Did Those Feet is composer Richard Ellin’s first ever venture into producing a Christian hymn.
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Taken from the forthcoming album ‘This Beautiful Hand’ composer Richard Ellin’s
‘Burning Bad Things Away’ was inspired by the philosophical writings of the Emin.
The soloist is Ina Williams, Ina has won most singing competitions that exist throughout Wales including the prestigious "Blue Ribbon" at the National EisteddfodBacking vocals Joan Franclova, guitars & percussion Harvey Summers, additional guitar Richard Ellin.
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Song notes by Richard Ellin.
“The song was written on the occasion of my wife becoming a practicing Christian as a way of wishing her every success in this endeavour.
As the hymn was going to be specifically about Jesus Christ I initially felt daunted by the weight of great songs about his life and I needed an approach that was different and tangible.
Curiously this came about one evening when I was out for a walk. I noticed that Venus was just over the horizon, the only 'star' in the sky at that time of day and it occurred to me that Jesus would have also seen this planet in his time. I always feel a sense of awe when seeing Venus and wondered if Christ did too. Maybe there could be a shared feeling but certainly there was a shared physical experience. This was the way into the song.
Other ideas followed. 'Silver Threads' is from Millers 'History of the Church' and the ‘Chalice’ from less well known writings which place it in the human head and mind.
There came a point when I felt I ought to include a biblical reference but this seemed to constrict the songwriting process. Although there is great wisdom in this book I sometimes wonder if the words purporting to be from Jesus have been slightly tampered with by men with agendas. 'Blessed are the meek' is a case in point for they have rarely physically inherited the earth, maybe he said 'Blessed are those who seek', it's hard to know but it makes better religious sense.
The main chorus theme flowed quickly from this point and it felt as if it was coming from the place where the Christ force now is - 'on pathways of pure light'. “
ADTF Albums
Compilation Best of 1997 to 2007
Forgetting The Shadows Of History
Hymn For A Glad Tomorrow
Spirit Of The Age
ADTF Singles
1. Avalon Yet 2. To Clementine Churchill a poem by Sally Hayes
1. Hymn For A Glad Tomorrow
1. Angelus 2. Mil Harddach Wyt 3. Avalon Yet
(The track Avalon Yet is in video format and featured many times on Classic FM T.V.)
Distribution Terra Nova Music http://www.terranovamusic.com
You Tube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUxSjnSPXkM
All images used in the video Burning Bad Things Away are from Nasa www.nasa.gov
ADTF website www.anddidthosefeet.co.uk
*Richard & Ina*
Chorus
He was the one, who shone like the Sun.
Burning bad things away.
Greetings from the ever faithful servants of eternal
Pathways of pure light.
May you come to gather stardust in the way where needs must
Be and do what's right.
Though these days things are rife
With worrying and strife
There's a way to give thanks
For living in this life.
Silver threads enter me
In darkness let me see
By the Chalice that's from
The man of Galilee.
(Repeat chorus)
In the days fading light
Before a cloudless night
From the edge of the world
She rises into sight
Bright Venus can be seen
Just like she would have been
In the days of the one
They called the Nazarene
Composer Richard Ellin Soloist Ina Williams -- Ina has won most singing competitions that exist throughout Wales including the prestigious "Blue Ribbon" at the National Eisteddfod.
Burning Bad Things Away was inspired by the amazing philosophical writings of the Emin
Taken from the forthcoming album ‘This Beautiful Hand’
A single released to raise funds for the International Glaucoma Association
When I'm not sticking knives and forks in people's eyes, I still love to sing. About a year ago, I recorded a few of my songs, with a view to raising funds for a good cause and doing something meaningful and worthwhile with my music. The IGA (International Glaucoma Association) seemed the ideal charity - luckily, they were enthused by the idea and so my single 'Through My Eyes' was conceived. Hopefully through all our efforts we will raise a significant amount of money for this excellent organisation dedicated to eradicating blindness from glaucoma. Jay Menon
Mr Jay Menon - Consultant Eye Surgeon - was raised during the seventies in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. As a teenager he showed great musical promise resulting in the offer of a recording contract from EMI when he was fourteen years of age. His parents however, somewhat alarmed by this prospect promptly sent him far away from such distractions to their homeland of Kerala in Southern India in 1980 to complete his studies.
The story goes that his mother having seen Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull performing on TV - and to her horror recognising the song from being played on the stereo in her son’s bedroom!!! - decided there and then, that her son was not going to take any part in any such musical shenanigans.
After completing the formative part of his education whilst at the same time maintaining a keen interest in music Jay returned from India in 1996 to sit his fellowship exams for the Royal College of Surgeons. Having passed, he explained to his bewildered professor that he intended to give up ophthalmology and return to music. His youthful assumption was that this would be okay; after all he had satisfied his parent’s wishes by obtaining a Royal College Fellowship.
He immediately sought membership of The Musicians’ Union and also Equity only to find out a week later that his applications to both parties had been refused. Having been away from the UK for seventeen years his right of abode in the country had lapsed.
Dejected, Jay turned back to ophthalmology, returned to his professor and asked him for a reference. He then continued to train, qualified as an eye surgeon and was appointed to a consultant post at the Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles Hospitals in South Wales; the same area where he grew up. He also serves as the Programme Director for the All Wales Postgraduate Ophthalmology Training Rotation.
Today Jay specialises in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma. The condition affects two per cent of people aged over forty and we are only aware of about half of the people with this eye condition, the other half remain undiagnosed!
Jay says, “After many years of working in the medical profession I felt very strongly that I wanted to do something positive and worthwhile with my music. The day job as an ophthalmologist rewards me well and gives me a decent wage – and it was time to put something back...
When I'm not sticking knives and forks in people's eyes, I still love to sing. About a year ago, I recorded a few of my songs, with a view to raising funds for a good cause and doing something meaningful and worthwhile with my music. The IGA (International Glaucoma Association) seemed the ideal charity - luckily, they were enthused by the idea and so my album 'Through My Eyes' was conceived. Hopefully through all our efforts we will raise a significant amount of money for this excellent organisation dedicated to eradicating blindness from glaucoma.
I would very much like to raise awareness about Glaucoma and its implications. This is a condition that left untreated can cause irreversible damage to vision, resulting in blindness – this can often be prevented with early and appropriate treatment.
All the funds raised from sales of my single will go to a professorial fund at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital and will be used to fund research into the pathology and management of Glaucoma.”
International Glaucoma Association (IGA)
The IGA is a patient-based organisation which works to prevent glaucoma blindness by providing information, literature and advice. We provide support to thousands of glaucoma sufferers.
We are a UK based non-governmental organisation, a charity registered in England & Wales.
We are committed to preventing unnecessary loss of sight through the condition, which is one of the most common eye disorders.
We arrange meetings in the UK open to all twice a year and provide a regular newsletter to our members and friends as well as overseeing a network of support groups and fund research into the causes and treatment of glaucoma and disseminate the results to appropriate audiences
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma of some type is found in about two per cent of the population over the age of forty. It can also affect children and young adults, although much less frequently. It is estimated that more than half a million people suffer from glaucoma in England and Wales alone, with more than seventy million people affected across the world. The great majority of those with glaucoma have a chronic (slowly developing) form of the condition, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and studies have demonstrated that half of all cases remain undiagnosed. People of African-Caribbean origin have about four times the risk of POAG as whites.
Close blood relatives of patients with POAG have at least a four-fold increased risk of glaucoma compared with those without a family history of glaucoma. People from families in which a member has glaucoma should be tested for glaucoma from the age of thirty five onwards. People with other glaucoma risk factors in addition to the family history (e.g. being of African-Caribbean origin or having diabetes) should be tested from an even earlier age.
The treatment of glaucoma has developed considerably over recent years and new, more potent drugs with fewer side effects than earlier medications are now available. Surgical techniques have also improved and it is estimated that around ninety five per cent of those diagnosed early with glaucoma in the UK will retain useful sight for life.
POAG usually affects both eyes, but initially produces few symptoms. Eventually, if untreated, sufferers may become aware of a severe restriction of their field of vision or even loss of central vision in the worse eye. Although blindness from glaucoma is uncommon, it is responsible wholly or in part for thirteen per cent of those on the blind register in England and Wales and is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the UK.
A significant risk factor for glaucoma blindness is advanced loss of vision when the condition is first detected. Appropriate examinations during a routine eye test are, therefore, essential to detect glaucoma early and prevent significant sight loss.
Chloe Hall and Silas Palmer met at Wintermoon Festival, a favourite of many Australian musicians, in Queensland’s North. During a festival jam, they started a musical conversation that continued into the night, and kept going after the festival tents had been taken down.
After months of exchanging ideas long distance, Silas flew to meet Chloe in Europe, where they played their first official show together in Paris. Since then, they have continued to capture the space and beauty of that first performance – two voices blending, guitar and fiddle intertwining, melodies soaring above – bringing the stories in Chloe’s songs to life.
Their sound is confident, mature and delicate. They have now captured their unique sound by creating the album Spring Hill. The album was recorded in - and named after - the miner’s cottage in Central Victoria where Chloe’s dad lives; she spent a large part of her childhood there.
“We brought a ton of equipment up from the studio and set up my dad's farmhouse
“Spring Hill” as a studio. It sounds absolutely gorgeous. We did the photo shoot up there before recording one morning, so hopefully the artwork will capture some of the character of the experience. It's co-produced by David McCluney from Atlantis Sound in Melbourne. There's only one other player, Carl Panuzzo (the Accapelicans, Checkerboard Lounge) on percussion, the rest is me and Silas Palmer.” Chloe Hall
Spring Hill was funded entirely by Chloe’s fans through Pledge Music
Chloe Hall is an engaging, intriguing, and charismatic young artist from Australia. She makes you laugh, cry, sigh and dream; and that voice! To date she has built up a loyal following from her numerous live performances in Australia and more recently on the Canadian & European acoustic music scene. Her album “Outside" introduced Chloe to UK & Ireland where she has already played over sixty shows.
Whether for recording projects, live shows or theatre or musical arrangements, Silas Palmer is the go-to fiddle and piano player in Brisbane. He studied at the Queensland Conservatorium and Queensland University of Technology, earning a Bachelor in Music Performance and a Bachelor in Music Jazz Studies (Piano and Violin).
He has toured Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada and Europe with bands including: Deep Blue Orchestra, Women In Docs, The Daybridges, The Lovers of Modern Art, Roz and the Wayward Gentlemen and Spot the Dog. As well as recording with all these groups, he has recorded with many of Australia’s established and emerging songwriters, including Liam Griffin, Nadia Sunde, Michael Fix and Loren (Dent). Silas is also a regular on the festival circuit, having played most major festivals in Australia, as well as a few in the USA, Canada, and New Zealand.
You Tube ‘Outside’ + ‘I’m Still Here’
Expatsradio.com speaks to Australian singer/songwriter Chloe Hall for the second time. We asked about her music and the new CD.
