Daniel O'Donnell
Faith & Inspiration
The only thing that ever changes about Daniel O’Donnell are his suits. And his legions of fans wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, O’Donnell never seems to age, he's a phenomena. Maybe there’s a poteen still or fountain of youth high up in the Donegal hills that preserves him. I’d like to know who dresses him and does his hair...he’s always impeccable. Oh, well jealousy will get me nowhere. Anyway, he continues to tour and churn out CD’s at an amazing rate.
His latest CD is entitled, Faith & Inspiration. It’s easy listening and relaxing faith inspired music. Tracks on the CD are: Softly and Tenderly; Here I Am Lord; Morning has Broken; Marriage Of A Lifetime; Be Not Afraid; Light A Candle; Annie’s Song; Nearer My God To Thee; Abide With Me; Wind Beneath My Wings; I Watch The Sunrise; Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace; Let There Be Peace; The Rose; Battle Hymn Of The Republic and Panis Angelicus.
This is another Daniel O’Donnell album that his fans will treasure for years. It’s definitely one that will stand the test of time. Available at fine record stores everywhere. For more information, visit: www.kochcan.com.
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Susan McKeown
Susan McKeown Sweet Liberty
“Listening to Irish traditional music and song for me is like listening to stories coming down from the past which have relevance in the present,” explains singer/songwriter/producer Susan McKeown.
Susan is an enthusiastic collector of traditional songs and endeavours to bring to new audiences rare songs that have yet to be explored in the current Celtic revival. McKeown is a remarkable vocalist with a powerful and distinctive voice, who sounds like she was born to sing traditional songs.
Susan’s arrangements of these songs sometimes employ traditional instrumentation but are as likely to surprise the listener with instrumentation not expected on an album of Celtic song. For instance, Oro Mhile Gra (A Thousand Times, My Love) is a fascinating collaboration between Susan and Africa’s Ensemble Tartit, a group of Tuareg musicians from Mali. And the combination of the two cultures is amazing. “There was very little arrangement beforehand: we met in the studio in Manhattan, sat down in a circle and began to sing, and it was as if we were singing the same song,” says Susan.
On Eggs in her Basket, members of the New York City based Mexican group Mariachi Real de Mexico provide a rich, nostalgic accompaniment. Susan met the group when she saw them perform at a Day of the Dead event in Spanish Harlem.
Shamrock Green is a traditional song that Susan sings that would not be one of the well-known traditional songs and also When I Was On Horseback, which sounds very similar to The Streets Of Laredo since they both have a similar chorus of “Beat the drums slowly and play the pipes only, play up the dead march as we go along.” It’s very refreshing to hear new traditional songs, especially with the way Susan McKeown has melded the various cultures to the Celtic traditional songs.
Tracks on the CD are The Wee Birds All Have Come And Gone/Fisherman; Shamrock Green; Johnny Scott; Oro Mille Gra (A Thousand Times My Love); Sweet Liberty/Promenade; Eggs In Her Basket; Fair Annie; Caledonia; The Winter It Is Past and When I Was On Horseback.
If you like traditional music, you’ll love Susan McKeown. To order Susan McKeown’s, Sweet Liberty, visit: www.susanmckeown.com
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The Cottars
On Fire
If you haven't heard of The Cottars yet....you will! They are the hottest new Celtic folk act out of Cape Breton, and they have achieved musical success in a remarkably short period. These four young Celts – brother and sister pairs Ciaran and Fiona MacGillivary and Jimmy and Roseanne MacKenzie – have all been playing traditional music since early childhood. Ranging in age from 14 to 17, each is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and stepdancer.
Since forming in late 2000, the two brother-and-sister duos have received standing ovations at virtually every show they’ve performed – from an early 2001 concert for hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, to Boston Symphony Hall with renowned tenor John McDermott in 2002, to their nationally televised performance at Canada’s 2003 East Coast Music Awards where they received the award for Best New Artist.
The Cottars’ debut CD, Made In Cape Breton, was recorded in February 2002, and released to critical acclaim just two months later. Recorded on Irish Tenor John McDermott’s label Bunnygee Music, it is distributed by Warner Music Canada. The year 2002 was a pivotal one for the young group – landing a St. Patrick’s Day concert for Senator Edward Kennedy and his family in Massachusetts, a U.S. Borders Books and Music Tour, and appearances at prestigious Celtic and Folk Festivals.
Remember that The Cottars have find time for homework and full-time school commitments in their schedules, which makes their accomplishments even more remarkable.
On their newly released CD On Fire, they are joined by special guest John McDermott. Tracks on the CD are Ready For The Storm; Calling On Song; Bodhran/Fiddle Medley; Loch Tay Boat Song; Planxty Mira Medley; Cape Breton Lullaby; Boholla Medley; The Wild Goose; The Guitar Jigs; Reconciliation; Celtic Harp Medley and The Parting Glass.
The Cottars, On Fire is available at fine record stores everywhere. For more information, visit: www.thecottars.com.
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