Various Artists – Celtic Colours Live – Volume 3 (2015)
The Celtic Colours Live – Volume 3 contains 14 tracks recorded during the nine days of the Celtic Colours Festival which is held annually in Cape Breton, Canada.
The Celtic Colours Festival is one of the most important Celtic music gatherings in North America and every year it presents an impressive lineup. Celtic Colours Live – Volume 3 highlights some of the most memorable artists. You’ll find well-known acts along with regional masters and rising new talent.
The album opens with a spectacular performance that sets the tone for the entire album. It’s a medley of tunes performed by the String Sisters; a supergroup featuring some of the finest fiddlers from the Celtic and Nordic traditions. Band members include Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Ireland), Annbjørg Lien (Norway), Liz Knowles (USA), Catriona MacDonald (Shetland, Scotland), Liz Carroll (USA) and Emma Härdelin (Sweden). They have one live album titled Live http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DKF40Q?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B002DKF40Q&linkCode=xm2&tag=musidelmund-20 released in 2007.
Track 2, “Dh’eirich Mi Moch Madainn Cheitein” showcases the beauty of traditional Scottish Gaelic vocals by Kathleen MacInnes performing along with Laoise Kelly, Lucy MacNeil, Liz Doherty, Lisa MacArthur, Kyle MacNeil, and Laura Smith.
Next is “Meals by Maurice,” a fiery clap=-long performance by Canadian trio The East Pointers. The lineup includes Tim Chaisson on Fiddle, Jake Charron on guitar and Koady Chaisson on banjo. The group has an album tiled Secret Victory.
Track 4, “Pilvi & Esko’s Brudvals” two of the finest contemporary folk musicians from Scandinavia, Norwegian fiddler Annbjørg Lien and Swedish guitarist Roger Tallroth (Väsen). Annbjørg Lien’s hardanger fiddle is truly exquisite. Her discography includes Norwegian Fiddle Fantasia, Khoom Loy, Baba Yaga, Prisme, Come Home, Waltz With Me, Come Home, Aliens Alive and Annbjorg Lien.
Irish-American trio Open the Door for Three delivers a traditional song titled “Mary and the Soldier.” The group’s discography includes Open the Door for Three and Penny Wager.
Track 6 is a Captivating traditional medley by Cape Breton fiddler Kenneth MacKenzie with Mac Morin & Patrick Gillis. Kenneth MacKenzie has an album titled Piob Is Fidheall.
Scottish piper Fred Morrison highlights the sounds of the bagpipe with the “Little Cascade Set.” His recordings include Outlands, The Sound Of The Sun, Broken Chanter and Up South.
On track 8, Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Old Man Luedecke (Chris Luedecke) performs the folk song “The Early Days.” Luedecke’s discography includes Domestic Eccentric, Tender Is the Night, Hinterland, My Hands are on Fire and other Love Songs and Proof of Love.
Irish music legend Paddy Keenan (The Bothy Band) appears on track 9, a beautiful tune titled “Sabrina.” Keenan plays Irish whistle along with guitarist John Walsh. Keenan’s discography includes Long Grazing Acre, Paddy Keenan and Poirt an Phiobaire.
Track 10 is a medley of spirited traditional tunes by Cape Breton artists Shelly Campbell (fiddle) and Allan Dewar (piano).
The Barra MacNeils is of Cape Breton’s best known bands, featuring members of the MacNeil family. They perform an a cappella song called “The Underachiever”.
Track 12, titled “The Old Bush Set” features Irish fiddlers Aidan O’Donnell and Liz Doherty with flute-player Fintan Vallely, bodhran-maestro Gino Lupari, and three members of The Barra MacNeils: Lucy MacNeil, Stewart MacNeil & Boyd MacNeil.
Guitarist J.P. Cormier plays a medley of solo guitar Jigs on track 11: “Shenandoah” / “The Chorus Jig” / “Q Jig”.
The last track is by Artists in Residence Liz Doherty & Lucy MacNeil with Lisa MacArthur & Sheumas MacNeil. They deliver the charming “Cape Breton Set.”
Buy the Celtic Colours Live – Volume 3 digital version
Buy the Celtic Colours Live – Volume 3 CD
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
