This album by Caamaño & Ameixeiras is a pleasant surprise from the pater patriae, so to speak. It’s traditional music from the region of Galicia in Spain, heavily inspired by Celtic mythology. Though the instrumentation is basic for this sort of music (accordion, violin), there’s an intangible spark to the Continue Reading
Celtic
Cuélebre – Oinos
Cuélebre is a band that creates a sound blending world music, folk, medieval music, and a hint of progressive rock with darkwave influences. Their name is derived from a mythical dragon in Asturian culture, which has Celtic roots. This music will appeal to fans of Dead Can Dance, Qntal, Sopor Continue Reading
Conal Ó Gráda – Anú Abú
A happy St. Patrick’s Day to my friends and readers. I won’t post any cheesy folk-rock to spare your ears. Instead, I offer some proper traditional music from the Emerald Isle courtesy of a fine flautist, Conal Ó Gráda.
Musala nan Eilan – Glossolalia
This is a charmingly freakish album from the French band Musala nan Eilan which has the audacity to combine post-rock with Celtic music, among other genres. From the band’s Bandcamp site: “Five musicians who don’t know each other, coming from different musical worlds, finding themselves under the same roof for Continue Reading
Plantec – Awen
It’s a bit of a tragedy that Breton music doesn’t get the same healthy push as, say, Scottish or Irish music does. Outside of the absolutely legendary Alan Stivell, it’s rare to hear of great music coming out of this most unique of French provinces. Thankfully, we have Plantec to Continue Reading
Willos’ – From Now On
Willos’ are an Italian/Irish/Canadian folk band currently based in lovely Siena, Italy. The name of the band is a play on Will o’ the Wisp, the band’s original name. According to their bio, a French journalist that named the band “les willos”, it the name stuck. The music is bright, fresh, Continue Reading
Tündra – Voces del Desarraigo (Voices of the Uprooting)
Tündra are a massively interesting bands from La Rioja, Spain, mainly famous for its red wine and its location on the Camiño de Santiago. The music shows traditional Iberian and Celtic roots, and one can hear influences from bands like Milladoiro and Dead Can Dance in pieces here and there. Continue Reading
Kalle – Under the Black Moss
As we near the year’s end, I wish to thank my friend who goes by the name of Corvus who turned my on this group from the Czech Republic called Kalle. They sound like a mashup of post-rock, Celtic or even folk-rock and alternative music, but still managing to sound Continue Reading
Susana Seivane – Os Soños Que Volven
Galicia is a land of gaiteros and gaiteras, bagpipers of fine quality. Susana Seivane is one of the best of the newer generation, and she brings a raw, almost punk-like power to her performances. This album is a more subdued affair, but she plays so well that the more controlled Continue Reading
Davy Spillane – Caoineadh Cu Chulainn
Davy Spillane is now the reigning undisputed champion of the uillean pipes, Ireland’s most iconic instrument, after the passing away of the legendary Chieftain, Paddy Moloney. This was a fine tune to wake up to.