CELTIC MUSIC REVIEWS
3
Cclric Ckearlons
NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN!
Lonsdale Quay Market, 348 Water Street
2nd Level, North Vancouver Gastown, Vancouver
604-903-8704 . 604-694-2358
www.ceiticcreations.net
IRISH FANCY STORE
Is Timeless, Ageless, Sporty or Dressy. We have a great selection of tweed hats and caps.
VISIT OUR BOOTH AT THE BC HIGHLAND GAMES SAT. JUNE 28TH AT THE COQUITLAM TOWN CENTRE STADIUM, COQUITLAM We have a great selection of ■HM Celtic Products
• Aran Sweaters from Ireland and Scotland
• Claddagh Celtic knotwork wedding bands, rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets.
• Hand-woven Jackets and Capes
• Duiske glassware in Celtic design
• Tin whistles and tapes
• Many other items - Come in and see for yourself.
110-3866 Bayview Street, Richmond BC V7E 4R7 Tel (604) 272-1101 or Fax: (604) 263-8328
Celtic Wedding Rings
Capes • Jewelry • Gifts Made in Ireland and Scotland
2207 NE 65th St., Seattle, WA. 98115 Store hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 1-5 206-526-8350
Call 1-800-205-5790 for a free catalog www.gaelsong.com
■.......- ■ -.......-—- ■ ■.......
llic McDaJes
THE McDADES For Reel
The McDade family of musicians is based in Edmonton, Alberta. This is a very versatile group who sing in both French and English but there is still no mistaking the Celtic influence of their music which is described as Celtic, world and jazz.
They have a very distinctive style which sometimes reminds me of the first Irish supergroup Horselips who have long since disbanded.
With an original blend of traditional vocal and instrumental music, the group has the ability to take you along on their musical journey...and a very pleasant and spellbinding journey it is.
The McDades are: Terry (father) Celtic harp; Danielle (mother) hand claps; Shannon (daughter) violin and vocals; Jeremiah (son) whistles, bamboo flute, soprano saxophone, vocals; and Solon (son) electric and upright bass.
Shannon began studying violin at the age of three and has progressively gained a reputation as one of the finest fiddlers in the country.
While touring and performing folk music at eight years old, Shannon was featured at events such as Expo '86 (Vancouver), Canada Day (Ottawa), CNE (Toronto), Calgary Stampede and the World University Games in Edmonton with the McDade Family Band.
Since then, she has toured North America and Europe with Bill Bourne, Maria Dunn, Mad Pudding and Fear of Drinking.
While keeping a busy live performance and touring schedule, Shannon is also emerging as a leading composer and arranger and is well on her way to becoming one of the top record producers in the country.
Tracks on the CD are McKinley Morganfield's, Valley of a Thousand Tears/Hotel de Ville, The Rocky Road to Dublin, Jonny's Flush/The Boiling Hen, The Linden Tree, Via L'Bon Vent, Floating Stone/A Minor Skirmish, Billy's Kitchen Polkas, One Over the Eight/Bog an Lochain, Tae the Weavers, Riley's/The Primrose/ 'Neath the Moonlight and Dunmore Lasses.
The McDades will be performing at the Vancouver Folk Festival from July 17 to 20, providing a wonderful opportunity to see and hear this talented family.
For more information about their tour dates, visit their website at: 'www.ffiemcdadesrcb"m7
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
PAUL BRADY The Paul Brady Song Book
The music of legendary singer/ songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Paul Brady is a rich tapestry of musical strands.
From the Sixties when he played soul and blues, through his traditional Irish music period in the SevenUes, and into the Eighties and Nineties as a solo artist and one of pop music's favourite songwriters, Paul's work has dealt with the complexity of politics, the modern Irish identity and romance.
Paul Brady has the polish and professionalism that we associate with a member of an Irish showband.
Not only is he a legend in the music industry but he is also a legend in his hometown of Strabane, County Tyrone, where he is a household name.
In late 2001, Irish television network RTE approached Paul with the idea of doing a series of six programs based on his life and music.
Filmed in Marlay House in Dublin's Rathfarnham over two weeks in August 2002, Paul brought together a host of musicians and singers for what turned out to be a fun-filled journey through his songbook, past, present and future.
The Paul Brady Songbook CD features musical highlights from the six programs, and captures all the intensity and brilliance of Paul's legendary live appearances.
Tracks on the CD are: Oh What A World, The Long Goodbye, I Believe in Magic, Blue World, Crazy Dreams, Nothing Bui The Same Old Story, Helpless Heart, Follow On, The World Is What You Make It, The Homes Of Donegal and a bonus track, written by Paul, titled The Hawana Way. According to the liner notes that's how Paul says Havana...Don't ask why!
My favourites are still: Nobody Knows, Nothing But The Same Old Story, The World Is What You Make It, his haunting version of The Homes Of Donegal and his new song Hawana.
Paul Brady is starting a US tour in September, 2003. For more information about his tour and where to buy The Paul Brady Songbook, check out his very information packed website at: www.paulbrady.com.
HEATHER DALE May Queen
Heather Dale's 'May Queen' is a soothing oasis in a less than genteel world.
Her music is a floating breath that whispers of Camelot, King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and times long-past, poignant times, romantic times, times of war, times of betrayal, times not very much different than now ...yet they were gentler times, and times we escape to in our subconscious to survive this fast paced world.
Heather Dale bridges that "other world" as the Celts call it and allows us through her music and lyrics to crossover.
The CD cover of Heather Dale's, May Queen totally encapsulates the mood and message in her music and songs. Using the legendary tales of ancient Britain as her palette, Dale paints modern scenes that look back at the lessons taught by history.
"There are things in life that everyone has experienced: love, anger, frustration, betrayal, hope," Heather says. "People were dealing with them 2000 years ago, and we're still dealing with them in the modern world. That's what I find so fascinating about history."
In 1993, Dale began composing songs based on historical themes. She had been an avid reader of medieval history, the ancient British tales of King Arthur and modern fantasy since childhood.
Medieval legends became the thread that wove the fabric of her music and poetry together. After graduation she worked as an environmental educator until she decided to pursue a music career full time.
Heather Dale has a voice somewhat similar to Judy Collins. She writes all her own material, plays piano, keyboards, lead and backing vocals, and plays tin whistle and teaches workshops on the King Arthur legends.
Tracks on the CD are: As I Am (Arthur's marriage proposal to Guinevere), May Queen, Kingsword (King Arthur's legendary blade Excalibur), Lady of the Lake, Exile, Prodical Son, War Between Brothers, Three Queens, Crashing Down, Tristan and Isolt.
May Queen is a beautiful relaxing CD that tells of an ancient legend while having a very calming effect, just the music we need for this troubled world.
For more information about Heather Dale or to purchase May Queen, visit: www.Amphis, Music.com, or i-888-88-INDfE."