So it took me almost two years to finally listen to the Blazin' Fiddles lead man's latest solo album (the previous ones are from quite a few years ago). But who cares about time when the music is timeless, right? This is the kind of modern Scottish folk I really, really love: the tradition is … Continue reading Bruce MacGregor’s “Road to Tyranny” is a jewel
Tag: fiddle
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
Can’t help it: the silent jingle faithful snow season is here, and so is the music
...and so it is (almost) Xmas - but the horrific war not too far from our doorstep has been going on for almost two years now - maybe not enough people want it to be over? Let's just say that with that nightmare, and a few other tragedies around the world, I'm finding it extraordinarily … Continue reading Can’t help it: the silent jingle faithful snow season is here, and so is the music
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
Martin Hayes and the Common Ground Ensemble: Peggy’s Dream
The amazing career of master fiddler Martin Hayes continues to be amazing. His website (martinhayes.com) gives much information on the background of this album and this new ensemble so please check it out. Suffice it to say here that as the website mentioned jazz, contemporay classical and whatnot as inspirations for this project, I was … Continue reading Martin Hayes and the Common Ground Ensemble: Peggy’s Dream
Lissa Schneckenburger: Falling Forward
I have enjoyed the American fiddler-singer-composer's recent albums a lot. Her career arc has been one of steady development, from the fairly uneven first outings to over 20 years ago to the masterful musician she has been for a quite a few years already. Falling Forward is her first full-length album since 2019's Thunder In … Continue reading Lissa Schneckenburger: Falling Forward
Paul Anderson: Iona
Anyone who has listened to the Scottish master fiddlers of our time is familiar with Paul Anderson and his fiddle sound and style: rich, robust and yet tender and ”singing”. Anderson and Duncan Chisholm are not far removed from each other in this respect, so perhaps it’s no wonder both men have recently - very … Continue reading Paul Anderson: Iona
The Bow Tides: Sailing On
This is the debut album by the Irish-American quintet of three fiddles, bass and guitar, formed in 2020 practically by accident. But the musicians are anything but spring chickens: the band history on their website mentions Gaelic Storm, Grammys, music academies and what have you - not beginner stuff, this. Which explains why Sailing On … Continue reading The Bow Tides: Sailing On
Celtic Connections 2023: Duncan Chisholm, with Kim Carnie
The evening of Thursday, Feb 2, saw a magnificent concert in the Royal Concert Hall. I usually find big scale concerts predictable and a bit distant, even as they may be most enjoyable otherwise. This was not the case last night when the performers and their music filled the hall and reached out to everyone … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Duncan Chisholm, with Kim Carnie
Celtic Connections 2023: Carty & McGoldrick, Ryan Young, Sarah Markey
Tuesday night, Jan 31, saw a feast of fully acoustic Celtic music at the RCH Strathclyde Suite. The excellent flute player Sarah Markey opened the evening with a solid set of Irish and Scottish tunes - very nice! The headliners, John Carty and Mike McGoldrick, were as good as you’d expect; it’s always a pleasure … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Carty & McGoldrick, Ryan Young, Sarah Markey
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