I'm absolutely fascinated by Old Music, have been ever since I was maybe 15-16 years old. Go figure…One Xmas in the early 1980's, I asked my mother for "something medieval" for a present, and she went to the biggest record store in Helsinki and got me, of all things, David Munrow's "Music of the Gothic … Continue reading Nigel Eaton’s “Lymington Fair”: the magic of the hurdy-gurdy
Category: Artists – N
Kennedy & O’Leary’s “Hydra” is not a beast, it’s a beauty
I was delighted to witness Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O'Leary perform at the Edinburgh TradFest 2022. It was an intimate and lively set and I well remember the warm atmosphere and the brilliant musicianship of these Irish masters. And now they have released an absolutely magical album. I believe this is the first time they … Continue reading Kennedy & O’Leary’s “Hydra” is not a beast, it’s a beauty
Notify: Airneán (2024)
One of my favorite contemporary Irish musicians is the composer and concertina master Pádraig Rynne. His command of the instrument and his strength in both traditional and modern styles is remarkable. Airneán is the brand new album by his long standing band project Notify, and it continues his endeavors in folk and jazz fusion, or … Continue reading Notify: Airneán (2024)
In case you didn’t know: your Xmas needs Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
As I checked back on my past Xmastime writings, I realized I had not commented on these Canadian fiddle greats' A Celtic Family Christmas, although I had listened to it and liked it a lot. So now that I bumped into the albums extended 2020 edition, I put it on and liked it even better … Continue reading In case you didn’t know: your Xmas needs Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
The countries may be low but the music is up: a quick note on Naragonia and Omnia
During all the decades I lived with various rock music genres, very, very few artists and bands I paid any attention to came from the Netherlands and, even less, Belgium. In the prog front, I knew Focus, of course, and some friends were nuts about the Nits, the Dutch alt-rock band. But that was about … Continue reading The countries may be low but the music is up: a quick note on Naragonia and Omnia
Celtic Connections 2023: Ímar with FullSet and ‘Ndiaz
It was a full house in the Old Fruitmarket on Fri 27th as the music crowd gathered to witness three quite different acts. Ireland’s FullSet have been around for quite a few years now but I only discovered them in 2021. I loved their show, a pretty damn excellent serving of contemporary Irish trad. Fine … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Ímar with FullSet and ‘Ndiaz
Niamh Dunne: Tides
The name Niamh Dunne did not ring any bells with me before I discovered her new album Tides - but I will definitely remember her name from now on. And, as it turned out, I had heard her playing before, as I learned that she is a long-standing member of the Irish band Beoga, which … Continue reading Niamh Dunne: Tides
Listening Diary for June 6-12, 2022: Natalie MacMaster, Mishra, James Harper, the olllam, Eabhal
Master fiddlers are one of my favorite things in this world and Natalie MacMaster 🇨🇦 is one of the greatest. I love the energy in her playing; so much light and joy there. Her 2019 album Sketches was just the right soundtrack for a leisurly walk in the sunny and warm Finnish Saturday. I've never … Continue reading Listening Diary for June 6-12, 2022: Natalie MacMaster, Mishra, James Harper, the olllam, Eabhal
Album Review / Ninebarrow: A Pocket Full of Acorns
”Let’s go back there, you and I, where the hills stretch high towards the sun / we’ll go walking in the rain, when the days don’t end the same” That’s from Come January, a beautiful song and the first track of A Pocket Full of Acorns. I may by now be slightly obsessed by the … Continue reading Album Review / Ninebarrow: A Pocket Full of Acorns
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