THE CELTIC CONNECTION « NOVEMBER 1991
Page 7
Vivacious
singer
Olwyn,
whose
"beautiful
voice
fills
a room" is drawn to Celtic music.
Here Come The Chieftains!
By AMY LYNCH
"The Chieftains are coming to Vancouver! Yes, that band that plays with orchestras and rock bands, that has played for Pope John Paul II, won an Oscar for their musical score of the Stanley Kubrick film Barry Lyndon (one of several musical scores produced forfilms),and has teemed upwith rock stars like Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Jerry Garcia, will grace the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver on December 3.
After 25 years and more than 20 albums, this group has been called the foremost Irish band in the world. Having played for the Pope, they were also the first band to perform on the Great Wall of China (and include Chinese musicians in one of their albums).
Frequently appearing with Symphony orchestras around the world, they produce a sound that is international in appeal — and thus they become official ambassadors of traditional Irish music. They have expanded their Irish
from Brittany, Galicia, and lately, even Greece.
We invite you to join us in this great Celtic musical event to cel-ebrate the true rootsof Irish music at the Queen Elizabeth Auditorium on December 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (280-3311) and The Celtic Connection (681-5562). See you there!
THE SAW DOCTORS
Sawing Around the Clock
Olwyn
'Hitting the core of the collective unconscious'
By Mary cdwyer
Olwyn is probably one of the most vivacious and charismatic people I've met in a long time. I first met Olwyn at an Irish Ceilidh and eight months later we met at her homeforaninterview. Wetalked and laughed for over two hours.
Olwyn was born in Vancouver And is of Welsh heritage. She started singing at the age of 7 and began singing professionally at 23. She sang in the opera for over 15 years, including productions with the Canadian Opera Company, Hamilton Opera, Vancouver Opera, to name a few. Olwyn left the opera to explore a morecreatdvegenreofmusic. She has a bfa in music and gives voice lessons in her home.
In the past year or so, Olwyn has found herself drawn to Celtic music. She describes Celtic music as "hitting the core of the col-lectiveunconscious". Olwyn took up the harp about a year ago and plays to accompany her singing. When I asked her to sing for me, I was swept away as her magnificent voice filled the room. She poured her soul into a haunting Finnish sang.
Olwyn told me that she particularly likes Scottish songs. She says "they're like sagas'— such songs as Annachie Gordon; "Shakespeare had nothing on those writers!" (I nodded inagree-ment).
Last sumtner Olwyn wandered into the Science Fantasy Fair at UBC. She saw people in robes and capes wearing Star Trek masks. She heard the sound of harps ancj Celtic music but the words wet-e about science fiction. She was intrigued with the idea of f ilking (changing the lyrics but preserving the melody) and has changed the lyrics of a few songs. She sang aneerieLituaninan song with the words changed to de-
MARY DWYER
scribe a UFO abduction, "in circles, spinning, spinning through theeveningsky." Olwyn also writes her own songs about themes that are meaningful to her. She has written one about Joan of Arc, which I did not hear but lookforward to hearing soon.
Besides her musical talent, Olwyn has many qualities that draw people to her. She has a most delightful sense of humour and her laugh is infectious. She possesses remarkable insight and sensitivity. She has a keen interest in mythology and psychology, particularly Jungianpsychology. One of her major ambitions is to train as a Jungian analyst at the Institute in Switzerland.
Olwyn loves to busk and she can often be found with her harp at Granville Island. She has some upcoming engagements: November 1 on Saltspring Island, and during the Christmas Season at the Hotel Georgia. Olwyn is looking forward to a recording en-
tagement with Melodeon ecords.
Olwyn is a very talented performer and a truly delightful woman. Don't miss her!
By NIALL McCULLOUGH
Rolling Stone magazine called them Ireland's current kings". In Ireland, their home town dubbed them Freemen of Tuam. They've toured with The Pogues in America and they like to play Gaelicfootballstadiums,althougn Croke Park has yet to make the "done it" list.
Last September, The Saw Doctors headlined at The West's Awake festival in Tuam, Co. Galway. Held on Tuam Stadium pitch, disguised as The Big Top marquee for the occasion, they played to a capacity audience of7,000.
"If U2could playCrokeParkthen The Saw Doctors can certainly play
Tuam Stadium," said the Saw Doctor guitarist, Leo Moran, at a press conference in Dublin. He also described the event as an "alternative Connacht Final".
With a No. 1 album in the Irish charts and an appearance at Feile '91, the band seems ready for an international breakthrough.
Their new single, Hay Wrap, premiered on Up for the Match, a preview programme on the AH Ireland Hurling Final. Mike Scott of the Waterboys co-wrote the B-side, The Trip to Tipp. The Saw Doctors' music blends the smell of silage, the clash of the ash and wistful tunes like Mv Heart is Living in the Sixties still into a fertile
-Mm
NIALL McCULLOUGH
mix of traditional and modern themes.
DONEGAL
DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
Mining Exploration Contractors
Suite 1022 470 Granville Street Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1V5
Tel: (604) 689-0299
Seamus Young, President
Congratulations and
Best Wishes to The
Celtic Connection