THE COORS
Home
The Coors are one of Ireland's top super groups. Three sisters Andrea, Caroline, and Sharon, along with their brother Jim have won international acclaim for their talent.
Their new album Home was made at the urging of their fans who kept requesting more Irish material in their concerts and CD’s. It is a collection of songs ancient and modern that fully reflect their Irish musical roots and Celtic influences.
The Coors have always had Celtic elements alongside their own songs, ever since their multi-platinum debut album, Forgiven Not Forgotten, opened with the traditional Irish instrumental Erin Shore a decade ago.
Now, they break out the tin whistles and bodhrans to accompany Sharon’s violin and Jim’s guitar and recreate the atmosphere of an Irish pub session on some of the world’s biggest stages, it has long been a highlight of their concerts.
Despite all their international chart success, the band’s roots remain firmly planted in Ireland. Born and raise as a close-knit family in Dundalk, they all played instruments from an early age. Their parents, Jean and Gerry Corr were both musicians.
Speaking about the Irish music on their album, Andrea said, “the thing about these songs is that they tell stories. They’re very evocative and they take you somewhere. People wouldn’t necessarily look at Irish music and think it’s sexy. But I think it’s incredibly sexy. It’s like someone in Victorian clothes covered from neck to toe, which can be far more erotic than putting everything on display. That’s the kind of sexy Irish music has.”
Sexy or call it what you will, the haunting and evocative singing of the Coors definitely, raises the hairs and lights a fire deep within the Celtic soul.
Tracks on Home include: My Lagan Love; Spancill Hill; Peggy Gordon; Black is the Colour; Heart like a Wheel; Buachaill On Eirne; Old Hag; Moorlough Shore; Old Town; Dimming of the Day; Brid Og Ni Mhaille; and Haste to the Wedding.
Recorded on the Warner label and available now at record stores. For more information about the Coors, check-out their website at: www.thecoorswebsite.com.
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AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM
Volume 5: Anatomic
[ANATOMIC: concerned with anatomy, concerned with dissection, related to the structure of an organism]
It's been 10 years since Afro Celt Sound System began their journey, pioneering an expressive musical path that fused world music and electronica. With each of their albums, they’ve delved deeper into sound and into themselves. In that decade their four albums and a remix collection have sold a staggering 1.2 million albums and contributed to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda.
Back in 1995 the idea of bringing Celtic and African sounds together with electronic dance grooves seemed revolutionary. But to producer Simon Emmerson, who'd worked with Senegalese star Baaba Maal, among many others, ex-Pogue James McNally, producer, engineer and keyboard player Martin Russell, and Irish sean-nos singer, Iarla O Lionaird, it was a concept bursting with possibilities that they wanted to explore on their debut, Sound of Music.
Their third album, 2001's Further In Time, was a turning point for the Afro Celts. Their global, danceable grooves had already won them a worldwide audience.
Afro Celt Sound System’s fifth studio album sweeps an incredible sonic range, from their unmistakably beat-driven and cinematic dance epics to emotive, melodic ballads radiant with the band’s trademark fusion of soaring Celtic reels and syncopated African vocals and drum. It’s an amazing infusion of Afro and Celt music that fits like a glove.
Among the tracks on Volume 5: Anatomic are: When I Still Needed You; My Secret Bliss; Mojave; Sene; Beautiful Rain; Anatomic; Mother; Dhol Dogs, and Drake.
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MYSTIC HARMONY
Kindle a Flame
"At times our light goes out, and is rekindled by a spark from another person."
Albert Schweitzer
Mystic Harmony’s new CD, Kindle A Flame, is a Celtic-inspired spiritual and musical journey, featuring three simply superb feminine voices supported by Celtic harp, flute, pennywhistle, keyboard, guitar, upright and electric basses with a variety of ethnic and contemporary percussion.
Their music is soothing, thought provoking and uplifting to the heart and soul. The meditative nature of Mystic Harmony’s music has a special appeal to those in need of hope and healing, and the trio hopes their music will inspire a sense of mystery, wonder and connection.
The title track Kindle a Flame comes from the Iona Community in Scotland, whose spirit infuses so much of this entire album. All music is a blessing of sorts.
The three women of Mystic Harmony are Mary Anne Brundage on lead vocals, Celtic harp and guitar; Janet Booth on harmony, vocals, flute and tin whistle; and, Janice Mawson on harmony vocals, grand piano and keyboard.
Their music is Celtic-influenced folk and their songs combine both old and new melodies with words that offer inspiration and comfort to the listener. The title track Kindle a Flame comes from the Iona Community in Scotland, whose spirit infuses so much of this entire album. All music is a blessing of sorts.
The reflective and flowing quality of Kindle a Flame, is particularly soothing for this time of the year with all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holidays, that we sometimes need that little oasis to ponder the reason for the season.
Tracks on the CD incolude: Be Thou My Vision; The Misty Mountains; A Scottish Blessing; Kindle a Flame; Snow; For You My Dearest Darling; Waiting For Grace; The Gift of Love; Lullaby and Holy Darkness. For more information about Mystic Harmony, visit their website at: www.mysticharmony.net.
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