SEPTEMBER 1999
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 5
Rogue Folk Club
Vancouver's best Celtic Folk Roots Music at The W.I.S.E. Hall (1882 Adanac St.)
LIFE FOR WOODY AFTER THE BAY CITY ROLLERS
By MAURA McCAY
In the Seventies, he was mobbed by screaming teeny boppers and his tartan adorned picture was plastered on thousands of bedroom walls. As a member of the Bay City Rollers, Stuart "Woody" Wood was part of one of the world's biggest pop groups of that era. The band split in 1978, after an on-stage punch up between Stuart and lead singer Les McKeown.
After the break-up of the Rollers, Stuart, began drinking and using drugs while touring with a new Los Angeles-based band. He began to spend his days in dark, seedy bars, drinking pints and downing whiskies, next to overflowing ashtrays as he chainsmoked the nights away.
"I would be stuffing myself full of rubbish every day. And there came a time when I was 32, when I just asked myself if I was still going to doing this when I was 40. I made a conscious decision to change my life. I moved back to
Scotland and adopted a much healthier lifestyle. I wanted to swap the shadowy colours in my life for much brighter ones."
As well as changing his diet, Stuart embarked on a fitness program. Running was ruled out as he suffered from knee pain, but that was substituted by brisk walking in the solitude of Edinburgh's Pentland Hills. And the pop star image of being surrounded by women has altered too — these days, there is only one woman in his life: his wife Denise, whom he married two years ago.
Since then, Stuart has taken the long road back to his traditional Celtic roots where he has found his soul and his solace in music inspired by his Scottish heritage. Recording in his own studio, under the cover of "Celtic Spirit," he has been "letting the music speak for itself."
The Scottish Record Industry Association recently presented him with three awards for his work in
the field, and a track from his critically acclaimed album Scottish Moods was designated "Best Scottish Album in the World ... Ever". Since first released in 1998, the album has sold well over 100,000 copies and has been certified gold.
Stuart also co-produced The Lone Piper, which was Scotland's best selling Celtic album of 1998, released on the mighty Virgin label. The album is now moving up the U.S. charts where it has just been released.
At a reception at Edinburgh's REL Recording Studios, Stuart received gold, silver and platinum discs in recognition of his recent achievements. He also launched his new project Scottish Moods II. Stuart, now 42, said, "The Celtic music industry has been very good to me."
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Both Scottish Moods and Scottish Moods II are available through Island Music. Call (604) 984-9110 or toll-free (888) 907-9977.
Fall Equinox Brings Balance to the Celtic Year
By CYNTHIA AUSTIN
At 11:33 UT on September 23, the sun will cross over the equator to mark the autumnal equinox, the moment of balance which ushers in the cooling winds of fall.
For our ancestors and present-day Celts, the equinox is the midpoint between the beginning of the Celtic autumn in August at "Lughnasadh and the arrival of the Celtic winter on November 1 at Samhain.
The four annual solar quarter-days of the year; winter solstice, vernal equinox, summer solstice and the autumnal equi-
nox are the four lesser festivals which, with the four great lunar fire festivals of Imbolg, Beltaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain, form the wheel of the Celtic year.
To Wiccans (those who practise the Old Ways or the Craft of the Wise) these festivals are known as "Sabbats." The term Sabbat, according to writer Doreen Valiente derives from a name for the greek god Dionysus (or "Sabazius") rather than evolving from the Christian term for a day of rest known as "Sabbath."
At the two equinoxes, special care was taken to either invite or re-
pel the denizens of the Otherworld who are attracted by the balance of moments. The psychic tide begun at the autumnal equinox will see its zenith at the great festival of Samhain at October's end.
There is a season for all things and the movement of fall into winter is a time for completing the harvest, storing away projects and ideas for the winter. Close on the heels of the equinox is the harvest moon on September 25, whose reflection bids us to enter the darkening season of Samhain, year's end.
NEW ROSE A REAL CORKER
TRALEE, Co. Kerry — University student Geraldine O'Grady, has been named this year's Rose of Tralee — Ireland's best-known beauty and personality contest. Geraldine (21), from Cork, was chosen for the 1999 title by a panel of judges from a field of 33 international contestants.
One of the biggest cheers from the crowd of several thousand went to Clare Gallagher, the teenager from Omagh, who was blinded in the bombing on the County Tyrone town just over a year ago. To rapturous applause, she played a duet on the piano with Derry songwriter and musician Phil Coulter before the announcement of the winner of the competition.
The entire Festival of Kerry was said to have taken on a new life this year. It was staged in a specially-built dome-style temporary structure near the centre of town and the usual critics were less in evidence of the event than in previous years.
— The Irish Emu/rant
Flatley Settles With Riverdance
DUBLIN — Former Riverdance star Michael Flatley has announced that he has settled his action against Abhann Productions, the Dublin-based management company for the world^tour-ing production. It is believed that Flatley originally sued for £8 million in damages, seeking two percent of the company's turnover. Gross takings for Riverdance are estimated to be approximately £400 million.
The Chicago-born dancer (41) was summarily fired from the show in 1995, one day before its triumphant return to the London stage. He had insisted on complete artistic control over the production and royalty payments. It is believed that as part of a
nine-point set of demands, Flatley wanted control over selection of the female lead dancer. At the time, Jean Butler shared equal billing.
After the dispute, Flatley went on to produce and star in his own production, Lord of the Dance. Having performed over 300 shows in some of the world's biggest venues, Flatley hung up his dancing shoes last summer.
Flatley settled a previous court challenge from his former manager John Reid for an undisclosed sum. Reid, former manager to Sir Elton John, had sought £10 million in lost revenues from the dancer.
Having just purchased Castlehyde House in County Cork for £3 million, the dancer is reported to be planning a millennium celebration at the castle. The ancestral home of Douglas Hyde was built in 1801 and stands on 150 acres on the banks of the River Blackwa-ter near Fermoy.
— The Irish Times
Sun. September 12th (8:00) Superb young Irish trad, quartet from Cork, featuring Diarmaid
(uillean pipes), Dierdre (fiddle, vocals) and Donncha Moynihan (guitar) wl Pat Marsh (bouzouki)
CALICO (at St. James Hall)
Fri. September 24th (8:00) WISE Superb songwriter and guitarist with "The Man From God Knows Where" - album of the year!
TOM RUSSELL & ANDREW HARDIN
Thursday September 16th (8:00)
77h's Irish quintet was the "hit" of the recent Celtic fest-Sean Smyth (fiddle), Kevin Crawford (flute), Trevor Hutchinson (bass), & Donogh Hennessy (guitar)
LUNASA (St. James Hall)
Fri. September 17 (8:00) Stjames Brilliant slide guitarist and songwriter wl blues roots
KELLY IOE PHELPS
Friday October 1st (8:00) Ireland's most expressive fiddler, with his amazing guitarist and a hot new "live" CD - at the Cultch
MARTIN HAYES & DENNIS CAHILL
Friday October 8th (8:00) Orkney's inimitable fiddle/piano duo plus fiery Scots songwriter
THE WRIGLEYS &
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