Tag Archives: guitar

“IV” by Rising Gael

Rising Gael’s fourth effort, IV, is one of those fun Sunday afternoon albums.  You know the kind, where you just pop it in and listen with while cleaning or relaxing in the sun. The group hails from Madison, WI, and musicians Katie Dionne, Erin Ellison, Jeff Olson, and Peter Tissot are a powerhouse. Each one has fantastic credits to their name, and together they have won several awards in the Midwest and played Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Irish Fest.  Katie Dionne’s fiddle has … Continue reading →

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The South Wind

photo by Bob Vest, 1 Shot Productions

I played a festival in Monroe Louisiana a few years ago. I believe it was the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival, run by my friend Doyle Jeeter. During a concert at the festival I played a song about a young girl who was killed accidentally by cannon fire during the Civil War and about the black nanny who cared for her. The story was told by an Irish immigrant soldier. He was broken hearted by the incident, though he knew none … 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.

Spotlight on Celtic Musicians: Gaelic Brass

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Band Name: Gaelic Brass (Liza Zumbrunnen, director/arranger) Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas Gaelic Brass plays only Celtic arrangements by Liza Zumbrunnen (the director and trumpeter). Although the music is played by two trumpets and a trombone, the songs stay true to the original Celtic style. The arrangements can be described a brass interpretation of traditional Irish and Scottish tunes. What Celtic countries have you visited or do you dream of visiting? I haven’t been to any Celtic countries yet. The closest … 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.

James Olin Oden with “Samhain’s March”

Hailing from Raleigh, James Olin Oden’s Samhain’s March is excellently crafted.  “The Smile Jig Set” is a delightful instrumental and “Wake Up and Smell the Whiskey” is a charming tune about knowing the important things in life, such as friends and good times. A fantastic tidbit in the liner notes describes the poetic meaning of the title: Samhain March.  As Samhain is the beginning of the Celtic/Pagan year around the beginning of November, it is a “dying time” and we … Continue reading →

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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

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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

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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 →

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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: “Still In One Piece” by George Murphy

George Murphy is a storyteller, and you know how much I love storytellers! George has a unique gift that gets you in just the right spot with his soft voice. In some of his songs, you can hear him smiling because of the content, like “Paddy And The Barrow”. It’s great! Then there’s the “The Home Place” and “No Use For Him”, it nearly breaks your heart with his tears. Listen to “An Irishman’s Door” first. You’ll find it, as … 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.

“In My Life” by Kathy Barwick

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Kathy Barwick is an accomplished musician that plays the guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin and dobro.  She has more than 30 years’ experience in playing folk, bluegrass, blues and Irish music in various bands and in a variety of studio settings.  Drawing on her extensive experience she has splendidly blended these music styles to create a fantastic first solo album, “In My Life.” This collection of traditional tunes has a little bit of the Beatles thrown in just to keep you … 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.

“Here We Stand” by Cross The Border

In this age of social media, the spirit of music has found fertile ground.  In 2007, two kindred spirits met on an acoustic music forum planting the seeds for Cross the Border.  Native to Glasgow, Scotland, Stoo Nicol had found some tender and inspiring instrumentals on MySpace from Gary ‘Sketchy’ Painting of Kent, England.  Soon the pair was collaborating on their first track and earning their first gig as Cross the Border in Dartford outside London at Bar Mondo in … Continue reading →

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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.