Music diary, March 14, 2026 Well this was worth waiting for... I don't think I can call Astro Bloc a Celtic supergroup, but it's close, very close: fiddler Eryn Rae is a BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician winner, fiddler Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín has a formidable career going as one of Ireland's foremost folk musicians … Continue reading Astro Bloc: Astro Bloc
Tag: Celtic
A happy surprise: “Moment in Time” by The Gothard Sisters
I've never been much taken with the Gothard Sisters, the talented Celtic trio from the American Pacific Northwest. They started their musical careers very young indeed and now, as they have released their 17th (!!!) full length album, they are still young. Amazing. But there was always been something about their music that kept me … Continue reading A happy surprise: “Moment in Time” by The Gothard Sisters
My soul dances with Ampouailh’s “Lang(u)ages”!
I have never been to France, so I haven't been to Brittany/Bretagne/Breizh either. I guess I should visit that northwestern corner of France, because it has a fabulous culture of Celtic music, there's a unique Celtic language and the history of the region is fascinating. And it's where the village of Asterix was located, so … Continue reading My soul dances with Ampouailh’s “Lang(u)ages”!
Sunday listening at home: Alaw
Just a quick note: while doing Sunday chores around the house this morning, I have been playing music by the Welsh trio Alaw. In case you didn't know them yet, I can just say that they are skillful, fun, with loads of energy and different moods - everything you could expect from an acoustic Celtic … Continue reading Sunday listening at home: Alaw
Ímar: Awakening (2023)
The pan-Celtic supergroup released their third album a year ago but only now I finally got to listening to it. The big revelation this time was that there was no revelation: Ímar are just as brilliant on Awakening as they have been on their previous albums, and their style is pretty much unchanged since the … Continue reading Ímar: Awakening (2023)
Looking back on The Copperplate Sessions (2018) by Manus McGuire
One of the many things I love about Celtic, or any folk music really, is how fairly simple elements join together to create this empowering, effortlessly rocking music. I use the word 'rocking' not only to describe the feel and the motion but because this is where folk and rock meet: you don't need very … Continue reading Looking back on The Copperplate Sessions (2018) by Manus McGuire
Westward The Light: Flow Country
Before I will go to the actual review of this excellent album, a note on the radio silence that has been evident on this blog for quite some time. As I wrote briefly in my previous posting, I have been living with the return of my tinnitus this spring and early summer. In my case, … Continue reading Westward The Light: Flow Country
Ruth Keggin & Rachel Hair: Lossan
This is a review of a fairly recent but not brand new album. This album was released in 07/2022. I have often noted how there is inner strength and power in the quiter Celtic music. Lossan features, for the most part, just two women: a voice and a Celtic harp and little else - it's … Continue reading Ruth Keggin & Rachel Hair: Lossan
Celtic Connections 2023: FARA, Celtic Odyssée
The big CC23 event on Thu 26th was the concert in the RCH main concert hall. In my opinion, it was the opening act that stood out. I think this was the third time I have seen Orkney’s FARA live. They have always been fun and bright but now, with their thid and so far … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: FARA, Celtic Odyssée
Jeremy Kittel: my latest fiddle fave!
Sometimes you just remain unaware of great music and musicians for years. And when you do discover them, there’s always a great “where has this stuff been all my life!” moment. This happened to me a few days ago when I first heard the Michigan fiddler, composer, all-around great musician Jeremy Kittel. I was totally … Continue reading Jeremy Kittel: my latest fiddle fave!
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