Review: “Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums” by Albannach

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Albannach brings us their third studio album in the form of “Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums”. Consisting of a Championship winning piper, a main drummer, bass drummers and bodhran musicians, Albannach is not your “Run of the Mill” Pipe and Drum band.  The album opens with the tune, “Bare Arsed Bandits”, which is not only a great track but also one befitting of Albannach’s energies and dispositions. Having seen Albannach live a number of times, they approach … Continue reading

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MP3: “Chick Pipers” by Brizeus

Brizeus is an innovative pipe and drum band, led by acclaimed piper, EJ Jones. The name Brizeus is a play on a name for Dionysus, and the band focuses on music of dance, revelry, and festival. Brizeus performs original, traditional Celtic, and Medieval and Renaissance European music. These traditions come together to make an energetic show that is melodic, rhythmic, tuneful, and true. Brizeus is a group of pipers, drummers, and string players based all over the USA performing Celtic, … Continue reading

You are invited to use any or all of these articles on the Celtic Music Magazine in your publication or website. The only requirement is that you include the by-line of the author including the name, website, and an active link to the Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

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“Unshackled” by SloanWolfe

OH WOW!! You know that feeling when you hear something great, something that touches your soul. For me, it’s  the pipes! These guys are great. It’s just the thing that my wicked, weary and over-taxed soul needs.

Lars Sloan (pipes), Bryan Blaylock (other great noises), Jimmy Michell (pipes), Mark Sullivan, Matthew Williams (percussion), Robin Sloan and WooDee Gallegos (guitar and bass) create unique and recreate traditional sounds that inspire and move. And there is the one, “Fireside,” where they slow their playful sides.

This is the cure for the youngster in the car next to you playing that thumping rap song far too loud. Turn these guys on and crank them up. Show that youngster what great music is. I do this with several songs that I love.

For as short as it is, “Howler on the Bodhran” is great. They could have gone on for thirty minutes and it would be fine with me. I guess it’s the goose bumps I get, and the feeling of being taken back to a time when there were more things to be happy about than there were sad and depressing things. Then there’s the shadow pipes SloanWolfe does that gets you just in the right spot, and the goose bumps start all over again. I love it! But I have to say that my favorite is “Desert Storm.” I love how they seamlessly folded in several bars of America the Beautiful to push their point through to a valiant conclusion.

You will find, as I did, that these musicians can weave a tale of woe, happiness and triumph without even saying a word. When you buy this CD, and you should right now, you’ll see what I talking about. Enjoy, and thanks Sloan Wolfe. Wait ‘till the guys at work here it… I’ll only give them a taste, so they’ll go buy the CD.

Artist: SloanWolfe
Buy Album: Unshackled

Hometown: Houston, Texas
Similar Artists: The Clancy Brothers, The Corries, Celtic Thunder, The Rogues, Albannach, Tartanic, Jiggernaut

Written by Don Dyer, for the Celtic Music Magazine. Don Dyer is a professional watercolor artist, author, and book cover designer who lives and works in New Mexico. See some of my work at www.dyerinks.com. Find me on facebook.

You are invited to use any or all of these articles on the Celtic Music Magazine in your publication or website. The only requirement is that you include the by-line of the author including the name, website, and an active link to the Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

“Rejoice! A Christmas Album” by Jed Marum

Jed Marum gives all of these old and beloved Christmas tunes a gentle new and refreshing twist that is sure to please even the most cynical of music critics. The young and the young at heart will revel in the new twist, and sing along as they do every Christmas season. When I first plugged the songs into my iPod, I instantly knew the tunes and started singing along. But I don’t know what to say about these beloved songs, … Continue reading

You are invited to use any or all of these articles on the Celtic Music Magazine in your publication or website. The only requirement is that you include the by-line of the author including the name, website, and an active link to the Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

Review: “Mist Covered Mountains” by Barrowburn

Barrowburn has a smooth speed in their music that beacons to listen to more of their style. And with their style you also get great a cappellas that are compelling to any soul. You’ll find hearty, traditional Celtic songs played with an American twist that only Barrowburn can bring. The flute and fiddle have a special place in my heart (just below the pipes), and Barrowburn displays some of the best that I’ve heard in a while. Virgil Sealy and … Continue reading

You are invited to use any or all of these articles on the Celtic Music Magazine in your publication or website. The only requirement is that you include the by-line of the author including the name, website, and an active link to the Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

“A Celebration of Twenty” by IONA

With a beautiful voice, Barbara Tresidder Ryan brings a many-layered grasp of the exciting to the Celtic traditions she sings.  Her multi-lingual talent also imbibes joy into every song.  I promise, I will listen to all the songs Barbara sings in Irish until I know them by heart. The flute, fiddle, guitar, base, drums and pipes…  I feel the need to create a new word to describe the extreme talent and the love of the music that Bernard Argent, Andrew … Continue reading

You are invited to use any or all of these articles on the Celtic Music Magazine in your publication or website. The only requirement is that you include the by-line of the author including the name, website, and an active link to the Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.