Celtic connections 2014

[johncorrigan]

Here's what's heading up to the west in the wee small days of 2014.

http://www.celticconnections.com/Pages/default.aspx

[Paul Sherratt]

Thanks John
I see The McWomacks and McMarkovics' are coming to the do, along with that Del Amitri family ...

( many years ago, I believe that some of latter copied a cd I'd made for a lady they were helping out, mainly because
'The Teddy Bears Picnic' was in the mix )

[Globaltruth]

Yes thanks JC - Iarla is on I see...

[teamsaint]

well some absolutely fascinating stuff on those lists.

The Pop Group. Blimey. Haven't heard them in a LONG time, and was just thinking the other day I ought to revisit.

And Win were a band I rather liked, back in the day.

[Padraig]

Iarla is on I see...

Talk of the devil!

I was at a concert last night - Iarla and Steve Cooney. One ambition realised.

Yes it was all I expected and more. Some I knew, but the best I have to find out more about. He didn't have a programme as such. He relied on intuition between himself and Steve - what should they play next. But, he assured us, he had a list in case the intuition broke down! Oh he was great craic! And boys, does he know his stuff. He loves his poetry
in Irish, he's now into the great collections still revealing gems unheard. In a brief word I had after the show he hinted that a CD of some great new Sean Nos songs was germinating. There are not many on utube to choose from, but here's one they played last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANBtliOEI8

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Siuil-a-Run-lyrics-Clannad/162C08BF49F9AE5348256AF0000E85C1

[Globaltruth]

Hardly the devil Padraig...that sounds terrific.
Iarla is also on Twitter, I'll also encourage him about the CD, that would be great. Currently in the process of persuading Mrs GT that a visit to Glasgow in January to see him would be worthwhile.
I'm sure the weather would be sunny and warm, the travel not at all arduous....

[johncorrigan]

I'm sure the weather would be sunny and warm, the travel not at all arduous....

Positively Balmy, Global...wear sandals and a short sleeve shirt...shades are advised but not compulsory.
The track, Song 44 (I think it's called), which is on a forthcoming 'The Gloaming' record was on a recent Songlines CD chosen by M Radcliffe and very excellent it is too.

[Padraig]

Still pursuing, at a leisurely pace, items of Sean Nos relevance, and other things too! To think that for all these years I've had a world in my front room and didn't see it!

I suppose you have all known about Hot House Flowers - and Liam O Maonlai - and the Sean Nos connection. I'm pursuing that too - at a leisu.........But wait! In pursuit of PEADAR O Riada, who with Martin Hayes and Caomhin O Raghallaigh will be playin locally at the end of the month in a newish group called Triur, I came across a 1981 memorial concert for SEAN O Riada. I would like Paul S. to know he was in my thoughts, as we share the introduuction to this dynamic show of strength - well I was mightily impressed. Look out for a teenager called Iarla O Lionaird! Tabhair domh do lamh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Okvdt1Nd0g

[Padraig]

I came across a 1981 memorial concert for SEAN O Riada. I would like Paul S. to know he was in my thoughts, as we share the introduction to this dynamic show of strength - well I was mightily impressed. Look out for a teenager called Iarla O Lionaird! Tabhair domh do lamh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Okvdt1Nd0g

I have to include this. It's Sean O Se at the 1971 concert with the original Ceoltoiri Chualann who came together for the occasion.
A little bit of fiddling with the link above will enable one to find both concerts in one go. It won't copy for me, except for the Sean O Se item.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEi_bqIADZQ

[Padraig]

Happy New Year everybody here.
Here's one from Iarla.

http://caera.bandcamp.com/track/bog-braon-a-warm-drop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFUVn7884a4

[Globaltruth]

Here's a 10 minute sampler of Iarla's new band, The Gloaming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBkeDCCcPww

who are performing at CC.

[Paul Sherratt]

Now if only they were appearing at Cafe Oto !

[Globaltruth]

Now if only they were appearing at Cafe Oto !

or the Methodist Church Hall down the road - Oh Happy Day....

[Paul Sherratt]

Well they have a date at The Union Chapel which is a church hall and, conveniently around five miles closer ( only 162 ) than Café Oto

Btw a little bird tells me that Alasdair Roberts and chums are the Big CC at some stage or other.

[johncorrigan]

Here's a 10 minute sampler of Iarla's new band, The Gloaming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBkeDCCcPww

who are performing at CC.

During the break Iarla looked nervous checking notes and mikes and sitting by the wee harmonium unsure. I found myself thinking that he's not so used to being in a band as the others and he certainly looked the most ill at ease as The Gloaming came out on stage.
But his voice sends shivers - the band are magnificent and matched his songs. I understood Padraig's concerns of him singing in this different tradition and it looked hard for him when the band was in full flow and he sat uncomfortably joining in quietly on the harmonium. Pianist Thomas Bartlett was stunning playing the outside and innards of his grand; Dennis Cahill a grand guitarist; Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh wonderful on 10-string hardanger with Martin Hayes just magnificent as leader of the band and raconteur and fiddler extraordinaire. The Gloaming play something very Irish but I've never heard it before played like that.
By the encore Iorla was in full voice and sang a Peadar Ó Riada piece which had me back in Iona Abbey last summer listening to Cór Cúil Aodha, before the band finished us all off with a beautiful jig to send the crowd delighted into the wet Glasgow air. I felt honoured to have seen them - hope you get the chance.