“The Ballad of Bothwell and Marie” by Rick Stanley
Rick Stanley of Celtic Harps is a ballad singer/songwriter/harper/guitarist/composer and harpmaker. These days he designs and builds custom folk harps and performs the Celtic ballads that he started singing in the coffee houses of Boston during the folk revival of the 1960′s. His Masters in English Lit/creative writing has enabled him to research and create songs that are historically accurate as well as beautiful.
One example of one of his historically accurate songs is “The Ballad of Bothwell and Marie”. It is an original song about James Hepburn’s unwavering loyalty to the beautiful Mary Queen of Scots, but listen to the lyrics and arrangement and you’d never guess. It sounds completely period.
Add to that a driving guitar and enchanting harp make more a song that you might expect to hear on a Loreena McKennit album. Rick Stanley is a wonderful addition to the world of Celtic music, and If you’re in the market for a Celtic harp, drop by his homepage, because, yes he does make them too.
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Website: Rick Stanley
Download MP3: mp3s available on website
Buy CD: CDs available through website
“My True Love’s Body” by Rhianon
Rhianon is a singer/songwriter based in Northern Virginia. She performs mystical celtic songs and tunes, some of which are traditional, others original. “My True Love’s Body” is a mixture of both.
The lyrics were witten in the 12th Century and the story dates to the 5th century. The music however was written by Rene Zabel of Rhianon. The melody is beautiful and melancholy. The music is performed on piano with Rene’s gorgeous voice lofting above the music like sea gull across the open sea.
Since I first heard this song two weeks ago, the melody has grown on me daily! I think you’ll find “My True Love’s Body” to be a romantic and stimulating song for your Valentine’s Day.
If you’d like to hear Rhianon in action, they’ll be touring with Maireid Sullivan in September.
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Website: Rhianon
Download MP3: clips available on website
Buy CD: Bard Song
“La Fin Du Monde” by Richard Kean
Richard Kean is a bagpiper with an impressive history. Born in Edinburgh, he moved to Canada and studied with several prominent pipers before joining a few pipe bands. But one could say that this is truly his year. He now plays in three great Texas’ Celtic bands: Jiggernaut, Poor Man’s Fortune and most recently Tartanic. Richard just released his first solo set this month, entitled “Shrine”. I’ve heard only a few tracks off the album thusfar and they are fantastic! He combines the bagpipes with world and even modern rhythms, and does it with energy, passion, and well just coolness!
“La Fin Du Monde” is my personal favorite release. It’s begins with a mournfull aire then busts into a heart pounding dance rythm. Wolf Loescher of Jiggernaut lays down some amazing balls-to-the-wall Djembe playing. If you like Afro-Celt Sound System, you’re gonna love this song and Richard Kean in general!
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Website: Richard Kean
Download MP3: none available
Buy CD: CD available through website
“Molly Brannigan” by Celtic Soul
Every now and then, I find music I’ve been listening to regularly and realize I missed a gem. Celtic Soul is a four-piece celtic folk/rock band performing primarily at many Celtic and Folk Festivals in the eastern United States. They merge traditional Celtic music with the excitement of rock-n-roll. Quite possibly they’ll be the next big Celtic Rock group. The band is phenomenal as you’ll see in the this week’s MP3.
“Molly Brannigan” is traditional song, but the Celtic Soul’s version is a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern. The fiddle accentuates the song, but what really gets me is the vocals. I love Jana Light’s voice in this song and her “diddling” is just fantastic. Brings a smile to my face every time. It’s a fun song and just one of many gems for this incredible band!
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Similar Artists: Seven Nations
Website: website no longer available
Download MP3: none available
Buy CD: Wee Blue Man
“Mordred’s Lullaby” by Heather Dale
Heather Dale is someone unique and special. It kinda befuddles the mind for me. She’s a modern Celtic singer-songwriter, inspired by ancient legends and Renaissance life. Influenced by artists like Loreena McKennitt, Clannad, Enya, Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Sarah McLachlan, she combines all these influences with the Legends of King Arthur to create some absolutely beautiful music. Listening to her music makes me amazes me that she performs quite often at Renaissance Festivals. Because this album has nothing to do with faires or the SCA.
Take for example, “Mordred’s Lullaby”. This is a sinister lullaby about a mother teaching her babe the darker side of human nature. The songwriting is beautifully written and exquisitely combined with the music. All performed on the keyboards with precision. Not to mention her mesmerizing, busty vocals. Without a doubt, this song belongs on the radio or at the very least, the soundtrack to some Arthurian movie.
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Similar Artists: Loreena McKennitt, Clannad, Enya, Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Sarah McLachlan
Website: Heather Dale
Download MP3: “Mordred’s Lullaby”
Buy CD: The Trial of Lancelot
“Miramis” by Heidi, Stef & Bow Triplets
Very Celtic music played by a dedicated Band from Switzerland. Traditional songs and tunes plus original compositions combining their own multinational backgrounds whith the Celtic styles to which this band is deeply comitted. They can be heard live in various countries in Europe.
This is one of the first releases from their upcoming CD, “One Spot on Earth”. It’s a beautiful instrumental piece that is well…peaceful. I could listen to this song all day. There’s a beautiful combination of strings from cello, bass, guitar, and a mesmerizing viola. Okay, yeah, I’m a sucker for beautiful voilins, but man, this is a new favorite of mine!
Hometown: Basadingen, Switzerland
Similar Artists: Turlough O’Carolan, Christy Moore, Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh, Altan, Cherish The Ladies, Boys of The Lough, Bothy Band, De Dannan, Martin Carthy, Incredible String Band
Website: Heidi, Stef & Bow Triplets
Download MP3: Bow Triplets mp3s
Buy CD: One Spot on Earth
“Ghost in My Home” by Raglan Road
Original Celtic rock band that has been touring for the last two years playing festivals and clubs all across America. They flavor each song with elements of their diverse background from rock to jazz, disco to heavy metal, samba, techno, funk, country, and anything else that pops into the heads of these musicians.
“Ghost in My Home” is an original song that combines many of a great Celtic song with a rock feel. Not just the driving drums, but the sing-a-long chorus. But the blazing fiddle brings it all home.
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Website: Raglan Road
Download MP3: none available
Buy CD: Ragland Road Live
“Ave Maria” by Cynthia Jordan
Cynthia performs the piano and her melodies are sometimes highlighted with violin, flute and cello. She also has some wonderfully relaxing Christmas music.
A classic addition to the Christmas music world. This recording is also a beautiful addition to the Celtic Christmas world with a beautiful relaxing accompanied by a gorgeous flute. This was a #1 song this time last year.
Hometown: Tennessee
Website: Cynthia Jordan
Download MP3: sound clips available through website
Buy CD: Journey in Time
“The Enniscorthy Carol (Good People All)” by Alice Flynn
Classically trained voice, Alice Flynn is an artist and singer, raised in an Irish American family, with the roots of Celtic music influencing her childhood and musical focus.
Alice Flynn sings in the traditional style of Celtic singers – a capella. And she does an exquisite job at it too. “Good People All” is her latest addition to this ancient tradition. It’s an old Wexford Carol and our first song of the season to get you in the mood for the holidays!
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Similar Artists: traditional songs and tunes from the U.S., Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, and Wales
Website: Alice Flynn
Download MP3: 4 MP3s
Buy CD: Spirit of the Season
“Rakes & Morrisons” by Straight Furrow
The band formed in about 1990 simply to play barn dances – but the music got to us. We practised loads of fancy instrumentals and songs and earned local rep as a great act to watch & listen to not just a dance band. Our first guitarist (Julian) moved on to other things and Brian joined to replace him. Colin the bass player is now an intermittant world-traveller and plays with us when he can. When he’s away, we gig as a 3-piece.
Two foot-tappers seggued together: Rakes of Kildare and Morrison’s Jig. Beautifully executed tunes performed on Recorder and guitar.
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Website: Straight Furrow
Download MP3: MP3s available on website
Buy CD: Free Time
