When I began to get interested in Celtic trad and folk, I might have stayed a longer time in the doorstep, peeking curiously in but not really entering the house had it not been for two artists: Capercaillie and Alasdair Fraser. Capercaillie's Celtic crossover was a virtual key to this music to someone who adores … Continue reading Retro Review / Alasdair Fraser: Dawn Dance (1995)
Tag: folk music
Retro Review / Canterach (2001)
Canterach were a Scottish trad band featuring players who had been and who were to become top level musicians in the field; this is, as far as I know, the band's only album - a shame, because it's so delightful and one of my enduring favorites. It’s basically Scottish trad but with many upgrades, so … Continue reading Retro Review / Canterach (2001)
Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Corcra
Corcra is Irish folk singer / singer-songwriter Gráinne Holland's third album. It both continues the natural evolution of its very good predecessors and brings in some new elements as well. Her songs have always been excellent: the ballads beautiful without being sappy or too ethereal, the ones with her band full-bodied without being too pop. … Continue reading Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Corcra
Retro Review / Calum Alex Macmillan: Till (2017)
Calum Alex Macmillan is a Scottish Gaelic singer and piper with classy band history with Dàimh and Mary Ann Kennedy’s Na Siod. His solo album Till (the word means 'return') is a remarkable achievement. I’d characterize his niche on this album as ”Gaelic singer-songwriter”; the musical style and the sparse but very effective arrangements are … Continue reading Retro Review / Calum Alex Macmillan: Till (2017)
Album Review / Tannara: Strands
A few years ago, when my Celtic madness really got into gear, I heard Tannara's debut album Trig. It was strong and convincing and I mentally marked them in my "very good Trad" box. Now, their new offering makes me move Tannara to the "bands that make something new out of Trad" box. Strands runs … Continue reading Album Review / Tannara: Strands
Retro Review: Aidan O’Rourke’s “Sirius” (2005) and “An Tobar” (2008)
When I started this website, I inevitably did - and constantly do - some backtracking and kind of musical fact-checking, listening to stuff I haven't returned to in a while. In that context, I said hi to Aidan O'Rourke's earlier stuff, as it had been a while since I'd listened to it. I have to … Continue reading Retro Review: Aidan O’Rourke’s “Sirius” (2005) and “An Tobar” (2008)
Album Review / Lau: Midnight And Closedown
I remember hearing Lau for the first time. It was almost trad but not quite; there was always an element that didn't belong in the trad paradigm. It was full of energy and exciting and the playing was blindingly good. At the time I didn't know the lineup; a bit later I did and went … Continue reading Album Review / Lau: Midnight And Closedown
Album Review / Dowally: Somewhere
I had the pleasure to see the Edinburgh-based trio's 20-minute very solid show at this year's Celtic Connections' Danny Kyle Open Stage. The show sent them to the Open Stage finalists and, consequently, to appear as support to a major artist in CC2020. And I just like this soooo much... The band's website says that … Continue reading Album Review / Dowally: Somewhere
Music Musings: Our nine days in Celtic Connections 2019
This year, me and my wife didn't just dream about it or talk about it. Already in the spring of 2018, we decided we have to go to the next Celtic Connections in Glasgow, whatever it takes. So we saved some money and moved some vacations days to 2019 and made a plan to spend … Continue reading Music Musings: Our nine days in Celtic Connections 2019
FolkNotes 