Celtic MP3s Music MagazineThe Celtic MP3s Music Magazine is a free monthly Celtic music magazine featuring free music downloads of Celtic, Scottish, Irish music from around the world. Here, you will find free music downloads from independent Celtic artists. Some MP3s are time sensitive. So download them now. All of the latest MP3s are available for at least a month. As always, if enjoy the music, please help the artist out and buy their CD. Serving Celtic music fans since 2000! Don't just download. "Scatter Pipes" by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer
by Catherine L. Tully
Artist: Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer Album: "Scatter Pipes" Year produced: 2006 Scottish Smallpipes have a unique sound to them, a little lighter and brighter than the ear is used to with normal pipes. Combine that with the sound of the guitar and other instruments here and there and you have the crux of this CD. The ten years Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer have been playing together shows, and they blend their sounds smoothly.  The musical arrangements highlight just a couple instruments at a time, making for a clear, simple tune that is easy on the ears. The flute is crisp and bright, as it should be. The sound of the guitar can sometimes bring an almost new age feel to some of the tracks; an interesting result that sets this CD apart from others.The songs that have vocals are also well done. Dyer takes the lead with a very nice voice for song, complimented in harmony by Swan, who supports in a whisper soft voice behind him. The two musicians seem to have figured out a direction that really works for them, and still allows them both the opportunity to rise to their respective strengths and shine. It makes for a good team effort, and a well done CD. Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com. Labels: cd_review_2006
Posted by Marc Gunn, Tuesday, May 30, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "Of Irish Crossings Told" by O'hAnleigh by Catherine L. TullyArtist: O'hAnleigh Album: "Of Irish Crossings Told" Year produced: 2006 This CD has quite a fabulous variety of music, instruments and vocals. Highlighting the Irish-American sounds of everything from traditional Celtic music to totally original arrangements, there are a great deal of things to listen to. You'll hear penny whistles, spoons, shakers, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica, steel and nylon string guitar, bowed psaltery, banjo, bass and of course the fiddle among other instruments here. A springy version of Rising of the Moon is a particularly light rendition, and the harmonies on this CD are very smooth. Different songs highlight different instruments, which keep things interesting throughout. The tender vocals on "Tis the Last Rose of Summer" were particularly lovely. There are quite a few tracks (14, to be exact) to choose from here, and the contrast between the gentleness of songs like Last Rose (above) and the fun, rousing romps like "Black Velvet Band" give this compilation an interesting range. There is humour, depth and fun, so it should appeal to many, just like good Celtic music should! Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com. Labels: cd_review_2006
Posted by Marc Gunn, Sunday, May 28, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "The Celtic Rose" by Marita Brake by Catherine L. TullyArtist: Marita Brake Album: "The Celtic Rose" Year produced: 2005 I don't know what is more impressive--the fact this CD is all original by Blake and her producer (Kent Thompson) or the fact that it is all so good! In a genre that can tend to repeat itself often, it is an exciting thing when an artist comes along with great new material. There is that wonderful flow to this album that many try for, but few achieve. Track slips into track--effortlessly--and yet it is not the same sound over and over. It ebbs and flows. Some tracks have an almost "New Age" feel to them, but not in a generic way. Track 7, Innisfree is the type of song that you can put on, close your eyes and drift right off into another world. It is meditative. In spite of the "otherworldliness" of many of the tracks, the music manages to stay in touch with the listener's heart. Brake's voice easily spans the range from low to high, but hits its greatest richness is in the lower notes. You'll hear this especially on track 12, "On Me Mother's Grave" which is sung a cappella. This CD can be enjoyed for her skill, for the lyrics, or for the musical arrangements. Any one of these things by itself is a masterpiece, but put all of it together and it is truly magical. Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com. Labels: cd_review_2006
Posted by Marc Gunn, Sunday, May 28, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "Charm & Fire" by Maidens III by Catherine L. TullyArtist: Maidens III Album: "Charm & Fire" Year produced: 2006 Listening to the music on this CD it is very difficult to believe that these ladies are so young--they have totally mastered their instruments. The only time you hear it is in their lovely and innocent-sounding voices, which ring with the purity that only comes with youth. A mixture of Celtic and Folk music, the tracks range from reels to jigs to ballads and more. The young ladies are sisters who have played together for much of their lives, which explains how the music is so incredibly tight. The slower songs are filled with yearning and the upbeat have an energy that is packed full--even energetic by the standards of Celtic music! Whatever you do, don't miss track 3, "As I Was Going To Ballynure" for its skillful arrangement. This CD is titled very appropriately--these young women are charming as can be and they sparkle with musical energy that could aptly be described as fire. Violin, Guitar, Viola and Bodhran are some of the instruments highlighted here and it makes for pretty music. Accomplished playing and sweet vocals are the simple keys to this album's magic--it is very well done. Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com. Labels: cd_review_2006
Posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, May 26, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "Leatherwing Bat" by Cormorant's Fancy
"Cormorant's Fancy is a gifted band with a knack for gorgeous arrangements." - Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET, 17 March 2006
Cormorant's Fancy performs Irish, Scottish and other Celtic and British Isles traditional and contemporary folk music. Featuring their own arrangements with fine harmonies and multifaceted instrumentals blending concertina, penny whistles, low whistles, guitar, bass, keyboards and bodhran, Cormorant's Fancy has quickly established themselves as one of the finest Celtic bands in central Pennsylvania. Venues have characterized Cormorant's Fancy as "the area's most energetic and spellbinding Irish folk band." Their name is based on the original Gaelic meaning of Dan Diviney's surname. Cormorant's Fancy was founded in September, 2003. Their first CD, "An Evening at the Fairfield Inn" was recorded between February and November 2005. It includes hard-driving songs, tender ballads, lively jigs and reels, and haunting slow airs, from the Celtic traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and North America. Oriskany Stringed Instruments, Huntingdon, PA, builds all guitars played by Cormorant's Fancy, as well as the bouzouki. Don't miss seeing luthiers Curtis Rockwell's and Johanna Mutti's gorgeous instruments at www.oriskanyguitars.com. Curtis plays and sings with the band when available. Hometown: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States Similar Artists: Providence, Malinky Website: Cormorant's Fancy Download MP3: "Leatherwing Bat" Buy CD: "An Evening at the Fairfield Inn"
Posted by Anonymous, Saturday, May 13, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "Stool of Repentance" by Scalags
The meeting between Amelia Campbell and Dave Harnetty in 2004 brought about the Scalags. The Collection of music on the Scalags 1st album is an eclectic mix of old and new songs and music. "Stool of Repentance" is a tune written in the 1700's by Neil Gow, friend of Robert Burns and by all accounts, one of Burn's favourite tunes. The Scalags' arrangement of the music has brought it to a feel of rock-trad-house mix. "Serene Loch", also featured on myspace.com, is an ambient water chillout track. Some friends joined the CD, featuring Ballyhoo bassist Doug Nisbet and drummer Willie Murray on "Solid Ground".
Hometown: Highlands-Scotland, United Kingdom Similar Artists: Coinneach, Dave Cowan, The Levellers Website: Scalags Download MP3: "Stool of Repentance"
Posted by Anonymous, Saturday, May 13, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "Honest Work" by The Molly Maguires
The Molly Maguires are an energetic pub band out of Chattanooga, TN. They mostly play traditional drinking and rebel tunes - with an occasional modern or anti-war song mixed in.
One fan comments: "You made me feel like I was in a real Irish Pub, you did. I sang along drunkenly to songs I didn't know, I had girls crawling all over me, I slapped a man in the face because he begged me to, and I woke up the next day not remembering much at all with a bump on the back o' me head. If you've never seen The Molly Maguires, that is what it is like." The Mollies are - Marc Michael: Guitar, vocals, bodhran, whistle Julie Kunesh: Vocals, bodhran, bones, percussion Michael Walters: Mandolin, guitar, bozouki, vocals Hometown: Chattanooga, TN Influences: The Wolfetones, The Pogues, Ron Kavana, Christy Moore Website: The Molly Maguires Download MP3: "Honest Work"
Posted by Anonymous, Saturday, May 13, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "The Tea Merchants" by The Tea Merchants by Catherine L. TullyArtist: The Tea Merchants Album: "The Tea Merchants" Year produced: 2005 For three guys who modestly claim they started a band to "procure grocery money and a free evening tab at the bar" these fellows sure can play! The self-titled CD opens strong with some traditional Irish fare, which continues throughout all 8 tracks. The only complaint I had for these fine gentlemen is that they needed more songs on the album! The sound is very full, and the instruments ring forth loud and clear, never sounding muddled. The arrangements are actually pretty complex, pushing the music (and musicians) to their capacity and giving the listener the feel that they are going all out for the enjoyment of it. You can literally hear the passion in the songs. This, when it happens, is a rare and beautiful thing. If you are looking for something a little bit different, check out track 7 (Polkas and Slides) for a fun romp. Truthfully, all of the tracks on this CD were darn good. Each of these musicians brings a very unique styling to the instrument that they play, but they all meld together well, rather than being one pitted against the other. For a big, yummy Irish melting pot of music with some extra special zing tossed in to spice it up, put these guys in and press play. Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com. Labels: cd_review_2006
Posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, May 05, 2006. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! |
Previous PostsArchives |
