I did some catching up on the brilliant Irish concertina wiz and composer, Pádraig Rynne and his output. His 2019 album, Conscious, was one of the best releases that year, a gem of Celtic Fusion, neofolk, whatever you want to call modern folk music that’s not exactly trad. I love that album to bits. That … Continue reading Pádraig Rynne special
Tag: irish music
Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Ceol na Sióg
I initially discovered Gráinne Holland not through an album but a gig. Her live set at Celtic Connections 2019 was a total wow, and she came across as just a wonderful person as well. She was then promoting her third album, Corcra, her first with original material. It was as good as her gig, very … Continue reading Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Ceol na Sióg
Album Review / Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh: Neadú (Nesting)
Ah, Muireann… One of the most beautiful voices and presences in the Celtic scene has returned with this five-track EP. At 21 minutes, it’s just long enough to immerse yourself in her aural atmosphere. She openly states this is a lockdown creation and the album title reflects that as well. It’s a very intimate affair, … Continue reading Album Review / Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh: Neadú (Nesting)
Album Review / Brian Finnegan: Hunger of the Skin
Drums!!! That was my first reaction to Brian Finnegan’s new solo outing, as the drums exploded at approx. 0,8 seconds into the first track, Dust, right after the first guitar chord comes out. Drums, or a funky guitar riff for that matter, was not the thing I was expecting to hear on a Brian Finnegan … Continue reading Album Review / Brian Finnegan: Hunger of the Skin
Album Review / McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle: The Reed That Bends In The Storm
Motörhead. I am sorry if that confuses you - as it indeed may - but it just came to me as I was listening to the last tunes on this album. So please let me explain. The trio is the primal incarnation of a band. Two is a duo, three is a band. Anything more … Continue reading Album Review / McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle: The Reed That Bends In The Storm
Quick Take Album Review / Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh: Thar Toinn (Seaborne)
I think at 28 minutes, Thar Toinn is actually an extended EP rather than an album, but that’s just semantics. Although the unusual playing time does in my mind correlate with the somewhat laid back feeling of the music. I have very much enjoyed her outings from recent years, An Uair Bhig An Lae (2012) … Continue reading Quick Take Album Review / Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh: Thar Toinn (Seaborne)
Q & A with Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie
I have been most impressed by the stunningly innovative albums Tìr and Tuath by the duo of Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie. As I listened to Tuath on powerplay over a few days, several questions began to arise: it's an intriguing and challenging album in many ways and I decided to ask Brian and … Continue reading Q & A with Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 5
Fri 31 The final Friday of CC2020 was also the Brexit day for UK - and Scotland but no sign of anything out of the ordinary was to be seen as we trod across the Glasgow city centre to St Luke’s for another Finnish-Scottish night. An oh lordy what a show our countrywomen and men … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 5
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 3
Sat 25 An evening at City Halls, and a very busy one - musically speaking. Both artists on stage displayed a staggering level of virtuosity - the notes per second index was at times through the roof - but never at the expense of the tune. Always about music, never only about showing off. New … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 3
Quick Take Album Review / Crawford, Farrell, Doocey: Music And Mischief
Just a quick a very and non-analytical note on an album. Music & Mischief by the excellent Irish musicians Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell and Patrick Doocey is brim full of the most delightful and spirited trad I have heard in a while! There’s no attempt to upgrade or modernize the material in any notable way … Continue reading Quick Take Album Review / Crawford, Farrell, Doocey: Music And Mischief
FolkNotes 