Category Archives: Music

Various artists’ Evelyn: Music from the Motion Picture

Soundtrack albums are an aural companion to the visual aspect of a movie; once one has seen the movie then a reasoned judgement may be reached as to the effectiveness of the soundtrack within the context of the film itself. … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Kickin’ The 3: The Best of Organ Trio Jazz

Danny Cohen wrote this review. The Hammond B-3 organ is one of the most expressive and versatile instruments in popular music today. It can go from a whisper to a scream, take you to church, play lush ethereal chords or … Continue reading

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Scree’s Jasmine on a Night in July

Jasmine on a Night in July is the debut studio full-length from the trio that calls itself Scree. They’re led by Arab-American guitarist Ryan El-Solh in creation of a unique melding of American exotica, minimalist jazz and El-Solh’s Lebanese and Palestinian … Continue reading

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Ben Sands’ Take Your Time, and Roots & Branches

Judith Gennett wrote this review. Ben Sands, from the legendary Sands Family, is from Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland. He sings and sometimes writes gentle songs that can have a punch beyond their subtlety. These two albums Take Your … Continue reading

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Celtic Fiddle Festival’s Play On, Drones & Bellows/Dragseth Duo’s Hiimstoun, Smoky Finish’s Tune the Speed, various artists’ The Independence Suite, and various artists’ A Highland Journey in Music

Alistair Brown wrote this review. Play On is the fourth release from a group of musicians who had no real intention of continuing as such beyond a one-off concert series in 1993. The project featured three of the Celtic world’s … Continue reading

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Kevin Burke’s In Concert

No’am Newman wrote this review. This recording was made over the course of two evenings shortly before Christmas 1998 in Portland, Oregon, which is where the London-born Sligo-style fiddler Burke has lived for the past twenty years. Although Burke has … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Gaelic Voices

Patrick O’Donnell wrote this review. The Gaelic languages are, to my ears, the most beautiful in the world. I don’t think any of the Romance languages can hold a candle to the poetry, grace and strength contained in a single … Continue reading

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Various artists’ The Rough Guide to World Roots

From lesser-known Asian countries to tropical provinces off the coast of South America, this Rough Guide offering provides a wide array of samples of music from places still in touch with their native roots. The recording especially explores the vocal … Continue reading

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Poor Man’s Fortune’s Blow Hard, Hamish Moore’s Dannsa’ Air An Drochaid, and The Mollys’ Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Some of the best Celtic music out there is that released by the bands directly – as are two of the three recordings under consideration here. They might be somewhat difficult to locate, but they’re worth your time to find! … Continue reading

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Kathryn Tickell’s The Kathryn Tickell Band, and Borderlands

Kathryn Tickell has made a name for herself as well as working tirelessly to promote her instruments, the Northumbrian smallpipes. Coming from a family of musicians, she has extended her work into academia through her position at Newcastle University as … Continue reading

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