I’m always a bit sceptic when bands claim they do something new with Celtic music. After all, how many innovations can still be made, and does it really make a tried-and-true concept better? Well, in this case, Callanach do bring something new to the Celtic music table, and it’s good.

Right from the start, it’s clear their music is full of energy, while still retaining that underlying melancholy so typical to Celtic music. Still, Callanach sound sufficiently mainstream that even those who aren’t fans of Celtic music can enjoy it. The song “Donnie” in particular would not sound out of place on the radio.

That said, the female vocalist isn’t exactly my favourite… except on the last song of the album, the protest song “The War”. In it, the synergy between her and the male lead singer works really well, and this is perhaps the direction Callanach should take in the future. All in all, Walk On Up is a great first effort by a band to keep an eye on.

Artist: Callanach
Buy Album: Walk On Up

Jan Jacob Mekes has a passion for history, writing, and writing history (and music, of course). He is the author of fantasy novel Struglend Tales, and writes reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com.

Rising Gael’s fourth effort, IV, is one of those fun Sunday afternoon albums.  You know the kind, where you just pop it in and listen with while cleaning or relaxing in the sun.

The group hails from Madison, WI, and musicians Katie Dionne, Erin Ellison, Jeff Olson, and Peter Tissot are a powerhouse. Each one has fantastic credits to their name, and together they have won several awards in the Midwest and played Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Irish Fest.  Katie Dionne’s fiddle has been compared to Natalie MacMaster, Erin Ellison’s voice is smooth and perfect for this Celtic platform, Jeff Olson’s rhythm section is the backbone, and Peter Tissot breathes new life into his guitar playing.

The album opens with “Weatherman”, a fun poppy tune that is sure to get you dancing about.  “Black Mountainside” gives me the feeling of the Appalachian Mountains, some real roots of the country.  While the middle of the album mellows out, it includes the pair of songs “Letters” and “Postscript”, both of which work together well, the latter being a fantastic instrumental.  Their cover of “Black is the Color” is also worth a good listen.  The end-cap to the album, “D Mac”, gives a great finale to the album, leaving you wanting more of Rising Gael! Time to hit repeat on this sunny Sunday.

Artist: Rising Gael
Album: IV

Hometown: Madison, WI
Similar Artists: The Corrs, Natalie MacMaster, Gaelic Storm, Solas, Kate Rusby, Silly Wizard

Romana Guillotte is an MFA Screenwriting candidate at UNLV and terribly average cellist. In addition to writing reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Magazine, she moonlights as a barista when not volunteering at film festivals. She self-published her first novel Lydia’s Family in 2006 and is working on her second.

With the beauty of Spring in the air, I thought it was a good time to share some of my absolute favorite songs and tunes. This is just a SMALL sampling of some of my top-rated music in my iTunes library. You can find many of these songs through my iTunes playlist. Otherwise click the link to find what you can through Amazon. You will love this music. Enjoy!

“Alice’s Reels” by The Tea Merchants
from One Lump or Two?

“Midsomer (aka Memories of Ireland)” by Poitin
from Hot Days

“Babylon” by Clandestine
from To Anybody at All

“The Kiss” by Circa Paleo
from Tideland

“Jenny’s Story” by Merry Wives of Windsor
from Tales From Windsor’s Tavern

“The Fairy Wives Reels” by The Reelies
from Myth and Memory

“Tejas Go Bragh (The Song)” by Don Gabbert
from Alone on the Porch

“Limpin Gobbler/Crippled Turkey” by Sean Orr
from Celtic Texas

“Various Verses” by John Byrne Band
from After the Wake

“Jigs: Jimmy’s Jig/Jig Gan Ainm” by Rattle the Boards
from The Parish Platform

“If You Stay” by Heidi Talbot
from In Love + Light

“Pressed For Time” by The Rogues
from RogueTrip

“Kiss Me I’m Irish” by Gaelic Storm
from Bring Yer Willies

“The Princess Royal/Mr. O’Connor” by Samantha Gillogly & Tim Maurice
from Celtic Chamber Music

“Grace” by Jed Marum
from Lonestar Stout

“Sweeney’s Buttermilk” by FIMM
from Roiboos e Disappunti and Best of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast

“The Prince of Darkness” by Ed Miller
from Lolander

“Wheels of the World/Queen of the Rushes/John Dwyer’s/Christmas Eve” by Three Mile Stone
from Three Mile Stone

“Rambles of Spring” by Rambling Sailors
from Bright Shining Clear

“Reels. Paddy Mac’s, Glasgow Session, Beare Island & The Kylebrack Rambler” by Luke Daniels
from Art of Trio

“Funky Ceili [Birdie's Song]” by Black 47
from Fire of Freedom

“Where’s Your Kilt” by Ceann
from Making Friends

“Day after Day” by Tears for Beers
from Cracky Bones and The Secret World of Celtic Rock

“Dirty Old Town” by Mudmen
from The High Road

“The Star Of The County Down” by Johnson’s Motorcar
from Funky Disco Hardcore

“The Auld Triangle” by Finn’s Fury
from What About Ya?

“Open” by Serious Kitchen
from “Tig”

It all began with a compilation CD by the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast called Irish Celtic Music. I say “compilation”, but in fact, it’s just two bands: Poitin and FIMM. Both are indie Celtic groups from Europe. Poitin hails for the Czech Republic. FIMM hails from Italy.

Our goal was simple to top the charts on Amazon and iTunes. We did this by asking all the fans of the podcast, the Celtic Music Magazine and the bands to buy Poitin’s tune “Memories of Ireland” on May 23rd. The response was overwhelming.

Memories of Ireland on iTunes

“Memories of Ireland” hit #8 on the World Music singles charts by 11am. By noon, the album broke into the Top 10 too. Then the slow fight to the top of the iTunes charts began. The album and single slowly climbed all day. By 5pm, the single stalled out at #4 on the charts. But by 9pm, the album hit #3!

Memories of Ireland on Amazon

I never imagined we could chart on Amazon. Not only is Amazon a giant, convoluted website that is not music-focused, but Irish Celtic Music was mislabeled on the charts. It is listed as Folk Music. That’s true. But Dance & DJ…? That’s just bizarre. Plus, at the time, there were no sub-genres listed. I figured it’d be easy to chart on the sub-genres, like Traditional British & Celtic Folk charts. But the album wasn’t listed… in the beginning.

That all changed late in the day. At 7pm, “Memories of Ireland” appeared on the charts.  It jumped in at #14 on the Folk album AND singles charts. It also hit #1 for Traditional British & Celtic Folk and Traditional Folk. The single even climbed to #13 on the Dance & DJ charts. Then sometime around 4am this morning, Jeremy of Poitin notified me that “Memories of Ireland” finally hit #1 on the Folk Singles charts.

Where can I find more about Poitin?

Poitín (pronounced ‘potcheen’) is of course that famous Irish firewater distilled from wheat and rye, but it’s also an award-winning trad Celtic band from the Czech Republic not averse to a little experimentation. The band is firmly grounded in the pub session tradition and like nothing better than sitting round a table in the corner of a cozy pub and bashing out old favorites about tarry sailors, merry maids and drunken nights.

Sadly, you can see them perform in the U.S.. For that matter, you probably won’t see them outside of the Czech Republic. The band is doing what every great band charting their own path to success. They are building a large and passionate following at home. But as their popularity increases and their shows become more and more packed in their home country, you can bet that audiences around the world will demand that they tour more.

Personally, I’m hoping I can coerce them and the entertainment director for the Sherwood Celtic Music Festival to book them so I can see them there this fall or in the next couple years. Only time will tell.

In the meantime, the band has released all five of their amazing albums on CD Baby. You can find “Memories of Ireland” on the album Hot Days where it is called “Midsomer”.

What is Irish Celtic Music all about?

Irish Celtic Music was created to help promote the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, Poitin and FIMM. Seeing it Top the Charts was not only exciting, but mind-blowing. Imagine how hard it would’ve been for a Czech Celtic band to do this ten years ago. Or if there were no internet. It would’ve been impossible.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is all about making the impossible possible. That’s why I focus the show around indie Celtic music groups. I like to see the little guys, without a label, without a big budget, with no PR, leap to amazing heights. I like to seem them succeed when the odds are against them. This is no overnight success story, but it is a success.

This album, this podcast, these bands are getting recognition that they never would’ve received without your generous support. For just 99 cents, people like you were able to push this obscure band to international stardom, even if it’s just for a few days.

For each day this album is at the top of the charts, other fans of Celtic music will find it. They will seek out the podcast. They will find Poitin and FIMM. They will become fans. This will help every other artist on this podcast too. Our success is not mine or Poitin’s. It is all of ours.

Best of all, we raised some money for our Celtic community. This album, like all our compilation CDs, benefit Celtic non-profits. We compilations have raised over $20,000 for a variety of Celtic organizations around the nation, including a bunch of Celtic festivals. Take a look at the sponsors of your next Celtic festival. You might see the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast listed.

Thank you for all your support of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and for making it the #1 Celtic music podcast online as well as an award-winning show. Please keep the magic alive by sharing our joint success with your friends.

Marc Gunn “The Celtfather” is an award-winning acoustic Celtic folk musician.  He riotously combines Irish drinking songs and Sci Fi fanaticism into a satirical jam session between Weird Al and The Clancy Brothers.  It’s Celtic music, the Traditional and the Twisted.  Gunn hosts the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, the most-popular Celtic podcast online.  He also Chief Editor of the Celtic Music Magazine.  Find out more at www.celticmp3s.com. Don’t forget to download 17 Free St. Patrick’s Day MP3s for 2012 with our annual article of free Celtic music downloads.

First, I want to once again thank each and every one of you for helping us to Top the Charts. I’m excited to announce that “Memories of Ireland” is at last charting on Amazon.

At present, it’s lingering at #14 on the folk music charts for both the album and the single.

That is just brilliant! Thank you!

Meanwhile, the single and album have stalled at #4 on the iTunes World Music Charts.

So this is our last chance. The day is almost over.

Here’s what you can help to push this to the edge.

1. Share the news that the single hit #14.

2. Remind your friends it only costs 99 cents for us to Top the Charts.

3. Rate and post a review of the album.

4. If you’re using Ping, Like the album too.

5. And finally if you’re on iTunes, create a playlist and share it.

That’s about it. We’re nearly there. If we can get a couple dozen people to buy this single in the next hour or two, I think we
can hit #1.

What do ye think? Ye up for it?

Buy on iTunes

Buy on Amazon

Thanks again for all your help. Tomorrow, I’ll get started recording your super duper podcast.

Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather

U2 stage set, Boston 2010

After a whirlwind Saint Patrick’s season me and the boys from Boston Blackthorne have entered the part of the gig calendar we call “mud season.”  What better time to take in the sessuin at the Skellig in Waltham MA hosted by the ever charming Larry Reynolds.  Another great night, some wonderful ballad singing which was a treat, especially a gentleman whose version of  Ewan McColl’s “30 Foot Trailer” sent me straight to Google when I got home to download the lyrics. 15 years ago I am not sure how I would have found them, maybe sought out a record store (now extinct) and played the CD over and over until I got it.

There were 3 young woman at the sessuin, all flute and whistle players, and I was struck by the fact that they were all glued to their iPhones and iPads throughout the night.  During the break I asked what was so interesting on their devices and they showed me an app that actually “listened” to the tunes the group was playing and guessed their names (about 75% of the time, better than the average accordion player) and displayed the sheet music, all in an instant.  I did not get the name of the app but in searching for it I found literally hundreds of apps related to Celtic music, fiddle tunes etc.  If you know what it is write me!

The evening at the Skellig got me thinking of all the ways in which technology and globalization have had an impact on the way we listen and play music, Celtic music no exception.  Here are some of the things that came to mind…

As a Music Fan- of course if you are reading this online publication you are most likely listening and purchasing most of your music online.  My kids never buy CDs anymore and I wonder why I do as I struggle to get hundreds of CDs onto the 160 gig drive of my iPod.  That’s right, 160- when Boston Blackthorne recorded our first album at the turn of the century (the last one) the computer we recorded on was state of the art and had 1 gig of hard drive space!  Although we have had literally thousands of songs from our 2 CDs downloaded online we have probably sold fewer than 30 actual CDs online. The return to the artist has changed dramatically too.  Five years ago most purchased songs through iTunes which was pretty generous in its renumeration to artists- 64 cents a song.  In the past couple of years this has been largely usurped by the subscription sites where you pay a monthly fee.  The artist receives about a tenth of a cent per song from these sites.  So, progress for the listener, not so much for the artist.  And lets not forget the great sites pioneered by the Celtfather himself! Celtic MP3 rocks!

For the Celtic music bands and songwriters- this too has been a mixed bag.  Aside from the short money there really is a thrill you get when you see people from all over the world, China, Israel, Australia, wherever, download and listen to your music.  It is great exposure but then again, you can die from exposure!  The Internet has opened up opportunities to c0mmunicate with people who enjoy your music in a way that would never been possible in the days when the “mailing list” was actually sent via US Mail.

Sound equipment has gotten less expensive, smaller, lighter and more powerful. Back when I started out the PA filled the old van, same as today.  But when Boston Blackthorne hits the road today the van is carrying 10-15,000 watts of power compared with a couple of hundred!  Unfortunately for the US worker, almost all of it is now made in China or Vietnam.

For the recording artist- the world of home recording with digital audio workstations has revolutionized and democratized the art of making a record.  You can make a CD quality recording at home with an investment of a couple of thousand dollars.  Of course you miss the experience of recording in a great studio as we did for our last album, County Kerry to Kerry Park, recorded at Signature Sounds in CT. Competition has brought the hourly costs of a great studio to a fraction of what it was in the 80′s when you take inflation into account.  And you often get great vintage gear, and the professional ears and expertise of a real engineer.  So it is easier and less expensive for a band to make a high quality recording than it has ever been.

So, on the whole, I would say globalization and technology have brought mostly good things to the world of Celtic music. But the greatest thrill remains getting out and hearing live music.  This month we had the great thrill of hearing Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill backed with some of the finest trad players in a show they called “Masters of Irish Tradition.”  No brag, just fact.

Back to the sessuin at the Skellig I couldn’t help but notice how addictive that app seemed to be.  After an hour of watching them stare at the screen I wanted to shout, “Put down the pod and pick up the whistle, there’s great tunes to be had right here!”

In this month’s newsletter, I asked, “Can Indie Celtic music groups top the charts?”  Then I explained that for just 99 cents, you can buy “Memories of Ireland” by Poitin on iTunes or Amazon. We can send that song and the whole album ”Irish Celtic Music” up the charts.

I’d be absolutely giddy if you help out, all it takes is 99¢. And if you sign up below, you will also get a special podcast featuring some of my absolute favorite Celtic songs and tunes.

Just go RIGHT NOW to http://www.celticmusicpodcast.com/topthecharts/

If you’re not interested in the bonus podcast or just want some great music, buy the single or album now.

Buy on iTunes
Buy on Amazon

Again, if you’re not interested, don’t worry- this is the last you’ll hear about it in your inbox.
Thanks again for all your support!

Slainte!

Marc Gunn, The Celtfather

Have you ever watched your favorite Celtic band try to top the charts?

It is not an easy thing to do. My old group, the Brobdingnagian Bards, was able to do that on CD Baby. We promoted our CD Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales. At the end of the week, we broke #1 on the entire website. We were ecstastic. I’ve never been able to duplicate that mission. But I’m ready to try.

This time, I’m not promoting one band. I’m promoting two: FIMM and Poitin. These are two of the hottest indie Celtic bands on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I love their music so much, I decided to create a special compilation CD featuring just their music called Irish Celtic Music. The album is now on sale.

I want you to buy this album, but please don’t buy it yet!

You see, I’ve decided to make this the second Top the Charts special feature. In particular, I am asking people to Buy just ONE SONG from the CD. It’s a song by Poitin that I named “Memories of Ireland”. It’s a beautiful track that will get your blood pumping.

Heck, the whole album will do that, but again, I just want you to buy the song tune on a specific date, Wednesday, May 23rd.

There are 22,000 people on this mailing list. If even one percent of you bought this one 99 cent tune on May 23rd, that song would be #1 on bothiTunes and Amazon. That would mean greater visibility for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. It would me more fans for FIMM and Poitin. And it would show the world that Celtic music is something that is loved on more than just St. Patrick’s Day. It’s something we Celts hold in our hearts all year long.

I won’t kid you. This is not an easy task. But I firmly believe that together we can get enough people to buy that one song on Amazon or iTunes that we can tear up the charts and show the world that there’s something much better than American Idol, Carrie Underwood, Adele, B.o.B., and Silversun Pickups. (I have no idea who most of those folks are, but they have top 10 singles on iTunes)

What does it take to help?

It only takes 99 cents. Or just share this idea with your friends on your social networks. Just tell your friends to go to

http://www.celticmusicpodcast.com/topthecharts/

Ask them to share the link with their friends. Invite them to join the mailing list there. Share. Share. Share.

It doesn’t take 20,000 people to make a hit. A tenth of that on one day would obliterate the competition.

You can give back to your love of Celtic music. Help us Top the Charts!

The Merry Wives of Windsor is an all-female folk band based in California. Blending elements of North American, British Isles, and Contemporary Folk music, the foundation of the Merry Wives’ sound is rich four- and five-part vocal harmonies, with support and ornamentation by acoustic folk instruments. A collaborative group, the Wives bring a unique sensibility to every song they perform, from traditional Irish pieces, to original compositions that range from beautiful to bawdy.

Artist: The Merry Wives of Windsor
Facebook Fan Page: The Merry Wives of Windsor
Buy CD: Happy Endings

Download MP3: “Happily Ever After”

Hometown: Pasadena, California, USA
Similiar: Poxy Boggards, Steeleye Span, Loreena McKennit, Irish/Celtic, Folk, musical theatre, opera

The Celtic MP3s Music Magazine is the Voice of indie Celtic Music online. Every week, we bring you Celtic CD reviews, articles, and free Celtic MP3s since 2000. We’re changing the way you hear Celtic music. Subscribe to our free podcast and monthly newsletter at www.celticmp3s.com

Patrick M. Matherne works as an editor for the Celtic Music Magazine Podcast. He also is a member of the Renaissance Living History Center and can be seen at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival where he assumes the role of Harry Sodder, who is the garden and groundskeeper for you know who

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