Category Archives: Music

An omnibus review of various Celtic music CDs by John O’Regan

Posted on 28th January 2023 by John O'Regan

Wendy Stewart’s Standing Wave (Greentrax, 2003) Beth Kolle’s The Northern Folk Harp (Beth Kolle, 2002) Graine Hambley’s Golden Lights and Green Shadows (Klang Welten, 2003) Gordon Duncan’s Thunderstruck (Greentrax, 2003) John Sherman’s Far Green Country (Valhalla Park Productions, 2003) Finbar … Continue reading →

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Willie Clancy’s The Pipering Of Willie Clancy Volumes 1 & 2, Tommy Martin’s Uilleann Piper, Brian McNamara’s A Piper’s Dream, Kevin Rowsome’s The Rowsome Tradition, and various artists’ World Pipe Band Championships 2000, Volumes 1 & 2 

Posted on 28th January 2023 by Diverse Voices

Tim Hoke wrote this review. I was a little intimidated when a package of seven bagpipe CDs arrived at my house. Now, I love bagpipes in all forms as much as anyone who doesn’t actually play them can, but a … Continue reading →

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John O’Regan’s Massive Piping Omnibus Review

Posted on 28th January 2023 by John O'Regan

Various artists’ Glenfiddich Piping Championship – March, Strathspey and Reel (Lismor, 1999) Various artists’ Glenfiddich Piping Championship – Piobaireachd (Lismor, 1999) Various artists’ Glenfiddich Piping Championship – Ceol Mor Piobaireachd (Monarch, 1991) Various artists’ Dr Dan Reid Memorial Solo Piping … Continue reading →

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The Scottish Power Pipe Band’s Cathcart, and Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band’s The Calling

Posted on 28th January 2023 by John O'Regan

There exist in the piping world today two kinds of Scottish pipe bands: those that play by the rules of repertoire and those that have an adventurous streak. This review highlights one very ambitious pipe band open to contemporary sound … Continue reading →

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Chris Stout’s First o’ the Darkenin’, Freeland Barbour’s The Black Water, and James Thurgood’s Handy Little Rig

Posted on 28th January 2023 by John O'Regan

Solo instrumental efforts by band members or ex-band members sometimes start out as a one-person venture, but the end result is often a conglomeration of ideas and influences suggested by fellow musicians that have come on board. In this review … Continue reading →

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Clavellina d’Aire’s Músiques Per Emportar-Se A Illes Desertes (Music to take away to deserted islands)

Posted on 27th January 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

This is a curious album, but I can say without qualification, if you think you’d enjoy an album of sweetly sad music on accordion and violin, then Clavellina d’Aire’s music is for you. The title is translated by the record … Continue reading →

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John Bailey’s Time Bandits

Posted on 20th January 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

New York trumpeter John Bailey’s third outing fronting a quartet is such a stellar outing in every way, I might run out of superlatives in this review. Time Bandits sees Bailey ranging over a wide range of jazz styles from … Continue reading →

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Celtic Mavericks: A John O’Regan Omnibus Review

Posted on 20th January 2023 by John O'Regan

The Woods Band’s Music from the Four Corners of Hell Todd Menton’s Where Will You Land Steve Finn, Andrew Dinan and John Joe Kelly’s Before the Flood Colin Reid’s Swim Tanya Brody’s Sirens & Lovers Empty Hats’ Greatest Hats Celtic … Continue reading →

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numün’s Book of Beyond

Posted on 13th January 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

The New York psychedelic ambient trio numün’s sophomore release is, for me, a grower. I like it more each time I listen to it. Their debut Voyage au Soleil was one of my favorite albums of 2020, and on the … Continue reading →

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Cross o’th Hands’ Handmade and Maidens Prayer

Posted on 9th January 2023 by Lars Nilsson

Cross o’th Hands (COTH) is a four piece group from the Derbyshire area in central England. They have been playing together since 1994. The lineup is the same as when they started: Sarah Matthews, fiddle and mandola; Doug Eunson, melodeons; … Continue reading →

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