Marc Gunn's "Celtic MP3 Music Magazine"

Changing the way you hear Celtic Music
A weekly ezine of legal free Celtic MP3 downloads
March 17, 2005 6000+ subscribers


HIGHLIGHTS....
- Celtic Music News
- Feature: St Patrick's Day, Pt. 1
- CD Feature: Moya Brennan
- Feature: St Patrick's Day, Pt. 2
- New Celtic Links
- Manage your subscription

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1. Celtic Music News
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Happy St Patrick's Day Celtic Music Lovers,

You're so lucky!

St Patrick's Day is over, but the music, ah the music, is just
beginning. I'm running a wee bit late this week, because I've
spent a lot of time gaining permission for a bunch of exclusive
MP3s. That's right, half the music you will download today is
unavailable ANYWHERE else!

Let me tell you, it was no easy task. I picked a bunch of
amazing MP3s from some of my favorite Celtic bands. If you're
a regular subscriber, some will be familiar like Ed Miller,
Paisley Close, Emerald Rose, and of course, the Brobdingnagian
Bards. But you won't find music from Cluan, 3 Pints Gone, The
McCabes, and Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer many anywhere online. And
boy are you missing out!

Don't worry. You can download the music for the next month only.
If you wait too long, you'll only be able to sample the music
on their websites.

That said, I hope you enjoy all this great music and had a Happy
St Patrick's Day.

---

North Texas Irish Festival Follow-Up
http://www.ntif.org/
Michelle and I had a blast at the North Texas Irish Festival.
I wish we could've made both days, but we were able to catch
a lot of great music from Sarah Dinan, Ed Miller, Brothers 3,
Trinity River Whalers, and The Elders. There was so much great
music it was mind-boggling.

When we got back, Michelle was reeling with excitement. So much
so that she started a new website Irish Music Reviews.com. She's
doing more and more band reviews and is looking for bands who
want to be reviewed. I post her reviews in the Celtic MP3s Music
Magazine, so it's a double whammy of exposure. So start sending
her some CDs.

Irish Music Reviews.com
http://www.irishmusicreviews.com/

---

Brobdingnagian Thank You!

The Austin Music Awards were held last night. I am giddy with
the results. The Brobdingnagian Bards won Best Novelty Band in
the awards, and pulled in another close second for Best Folk
Band. Meanwhile, I was a bit thrilled to win Best Cover Art for
my CD, Soul of A Harper. Simple yet effective. Nancy e. Pearsall
deserves half of that award for her stunning cover photo. So to
everyone who voted for us. I thank you a million times over!

Soul of a Harper
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marcgunn/from/celtic/

I hope this ezine packed with great music might be a small
repayment for your time. Slainte and enjoy!

---

If ye like what you read and hear,
please forward this newsletter to your friends.

Latest News
http://www.celticmp3s.com/magazine/



_____________________________________SPONSOR__________

SONGS OF IRELAND FOR ST PATRICK'S DAY
Irish folk drinking songs perfect for St Patrick's Day
or to rediscover your Irish heritage.

Read the Reviews at CDBaby.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bards2/from/celtic/

"The Brobdingnagian Bards hit this one out of the park!
... these guys really enjoy making music. Their enthusiasm
will leap out of your speakers and before you know it,
your foot will be tapping and you will be singing out
loud to faithful and entertaining versions of classics...
This CD is a 5-star must-have!" -C.D. Campbell
_____________________________________________________



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CELTIC BAND FEATURE #1
=========================

1. "Finnegan's Wake" by Brobdingnagian Bards

The Brobdingnagian Bards are the number one Celtic music group
online offering free Celtic music downloads. You can download an
album of Celtic MP3s and then scan a list of ten albums to choose
from featuring The Bards music. Also, download "Whiskey in the
Jar" and "Danny Boy".

Website: http://www.thebards.net/
MP3:
http://www.soundclick.com/pro/default.cfm?bandid=106366&songid=1450890&content=s\
ong
Buy CD "Songs of Ireland (St Patrick's Day music)"
http://www.celticmusic.org/Songs_Of_Ireland_St_Pat.shtml


2. "Paddy's Day" by The McCabes

The McCabes take their name from singer songwriter, Sean McCabe.
His laid back singing style is energized by the frenetic fiddle
of Mazz Swift. Paddy's Day takes a fast paced, but ironic, look
at March 17 - when the crowd is "Celebrating they don't know
what." Not only are there new quirky lyrics and fun, laid-back
music; but also the rhythm section of Daniel Paccione, electric
bass and Steve Holloway, drums, provide a driving force that
propels the band. A great fun album with thought provoking lyrics.

Website: http://www.mccabesband.com/
MP3: http://www.celticmp3s.com/listen/The_McCabes-Paddys_Day.mp3
Buy CD "Dark Before the Dawn"
http://mccabesband.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=1


3. "Castle of Arianrhod" by Emerald Rose

Emerald Rose is a high energy Celtic folk rock band that blends
harmony vocals, pennywhistle, world percussion and driving
guitars and bass. Their music ranges from traditional jigs
and reels to original folk rock and pop songs. Emerald Rose
successfully draws from Celtic myth and legend to create a
unique and accessible sound.

Website: http://www.emeraldrose.com/
MP3: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/emeraldrosemusic.htm
Buy CD "Bending Tradition"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/emrose/from/celtic/


4. "Staten Island & Cooley's Reel" by Heidi, Stef, & Bow Triplets

Here's very Celtic music played by a dedicated Band. Traditional
songs and tunes plus original compositions combining their own
multinational backgrounds whith the Celtic styles to which this
band is deeply comitted. They can be heard live in various
countries in Europe.

Website: http://www.bowtriplets.com/
MP3: http://www.soundclick.com/pro/default.cfm?BandID=45728&content=music
Buy CD "Never Too Early"
http://www.bowtriplets.com/


7. "La Ta Tee Da" by Brendan O'Loughlin

Brendan O'Loughlin's music plays part Country, Rock, Irish, Folk,
Pop, and he does it so well, he satisfies the mood of his every
audience. Originally from Limerick in Ireland, Brendan moved to
America in 1986 to expand his career as an Irish entertainer.
Performing not only Irish, but popular, rock n' roll, country
and folk music in restaurants and clubs throughout the U.S. and
Canada. His musical style is new, his musical experience is not.
He reached his teenage years during the high point of the Irish
showband era. He joined the showband circuit and played with a
string of popular Irish showbands and excelled on vocals, bass
and rhythm guitars. Brendan came into his own right as a
songwriter in August 1993 and has been writing about his
experiences ever since.

Website: http://www.brendanoloughlin.com/
MP3: http://celticmp3s.com/listen/BrendanOLoughlin-LaTaTeeDa.mp3
Buy CD "Between Two Shores"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/boloughlin3/from/celtic/


6. "Banish Misfortune & The Cliffs Of Moher" by Dempsey's Lot

Dempsey's Lot is a traditional irish music band for irish nights,
ceilidhs, folk clubs and weddings. Based in the UK Midlands we
travel throughout the UK and overseas. Their repertoire mainly
comprises well-known Irish folk songs to get the audience singing
and lively jigs and reels to set the toes tapping.

Website: http://www.dempseys-lot.co.uk/
MP3: http://www.dempseys-lot.co.uk/mp3-samples.htm
no CD currently available


7. "The Rocky Road to Cashel" by Shantalla

Based in Belgium and signed to the Belgian label Wild Boar Music,
four members of Shantalla are Irish, while singer Helen Flaherty
is Scottish. The band's debut CD, 'Shantalla', was released in
Europe in late 1998. Shantalla has performed regularly around
Europe and the band has shared stages in double bills and
festivals with the likes of Altan, Dervish, Lunasa, Liam O'Flynn,
Sharon Shannon, Niamh Parsons, Sean Keane, Dave Munnelly, Jim
McCann and many more.

Website: http://www.shantalla.com/
MP3: http://www.shantalla.com/albums.html
Buy CD "Shantalla"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000044U2X/thebards?ref=nosim


8. "Irish Reels" by Cantiga

North America's quintessential Renaissance Festival Band.
Childlike and haunting, these ancient Celtic and Medieval tunes
weave a spell both soulful and ethereal. Cantiga's 1995 album
"Once Upon a Time..." is loved by thousands for its childlike
simplicity and the haunting blend of Celtic and Medieval melodies
which truly evoke a magical realm. Cantiga's music should strike
a familiar chord with anyone who loves Tolkein's "Lord of the
Rings".

Website: http://www.cantigamusic.com/
MP3: http://cantigamusic.com/music.html
Buy Cantiga Music
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/cantiga/from/celtic/



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CELTIC CD FEATURE
=========================

"Two Horizons" by Moya Brennan

by Brenda Stokes

Artist: Moya Brennan
http://www.celticmp3s.com/bands/moya_brennan/
Album: "Two Horizons"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AIT1H/thebards?ref=nosim
Year produced: 2004

After listening to "Two Horizons" by Moya Brennan for the first
time, I was left speechless. Her flawless voice and
instrumentation make for a unique Celtic musical collection that
combines old and new styles seamlessly.

The album begins with the haunting melody of "Show Me" that
can't help but remind me of Brennan's sister Enya's style of
song. However, Moya captures something unique unto herself in
this piece with sweeping instrumentation and a new-age
sensibility.

Other tunes include, "Bright Star," "Bi Liom," and "Change My
World," which is a more traditionally Irish song that still
captures the best of Brennan's enchanting vocals.

Personal favorites include "Falling," a catchy and radio-worthy
track that will leave you singing the chorus for days; "Tara,"
a story-driven piece that showcases Moya's crystal clear voice;
and "Mothers of the Desert," which features a pop dance beat
with strings and Moya's lilting harmonies overlaid on top of it.
It is particularly catchy and hypnotic for me because of the
graceful combination made between Moya's voice and the techno
beat.

All of the songs included on "Two Horizons" connect in some way,
creating a complete story when put together and making for a
unique and enjoyable listening experience-even if you're not
a fan of Irish music!

The title track, "Two Horizons," begins mysteriously as many of
Brennan's songs do, but is a classy display of her soft, yet
powerful vocals. As the low whistle begins to accompany her,
the song slowly turns more and more traditional, soon leaving
Brennan's voice behind for the bodhran and fiddles.

What a joy Moya Brennan brings to Celtic music lovers everywhere
with, "Two Horizons,"-an album that is so uniquely Irish, you
can't help but come back for more.

Buy the Album: "Two Horizons"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AIT1H/thebards?ref=nosim

Celtic MP3s Music Magazine writer, Brenda Stokes is a freelance
writer, former Irish Step-dancer and college student located in
Southern California. She dreams in jigs and reels and is pursuing
a degree in English with an emphasis in Irish studies. Her work
has appeared in Woman This Month and N2arts and she can be
reached at brenda@...




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_____________________________________________________



=========================
CELTIC BAND FEATURE #2
=========================

9. "The Leprechaun" by Marc Gunn

Marc Gunn performs Celtic songs and offers folk music downloads
from a wide array of Irish, Scottish, and old-time American folk
music styles, in addition to his original music. He performs
a capella and on America's folk instrument, the autoharp. He won
the award for Best Musician on Strings in the 2005 Austin Music
Awards.

Website: http://www.marcgunn.com/
MP3: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00016LAAW/thebards?ref=nosim
Buy CD "Soul of a Harper"
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marcgunn/from/celtic/


10. "Sovay" by Paisley Close

Paisley Close takes an energetic Celtic Pop feel and soars with it
to fresh, lyrical heights. Their material covers a broad spectrum,
including traditional and modern songs arranged in the group's
unique idiom; timeless poetry set to original music; and new
compositions written by the band. Uncommon musicianship and
storytelling are the common threads that run through the music
of Paisley Close.

Website: http://www.paisleyclose.com/
MP3: http://www.paisleyclose.com/wrapper.php?page=songs
Buy CD "All On A Day"
http://www.paisleyclose.com/wrapper.php?page=songs


11. "Where Are You Tonight I Wonder" by Queen's Gambit

Queen's Gambit is an Oklahoma-based Celtic band specializing in
Irish and Scottish traditional music, with a side order of
English Folk, dance, and Renaissance music for entertainment
at any function. You can find them performing at Renaissance
Faires, Irish/Scottish Pubs, Educational Assemblies, Historical
Re-enactments, Scottish Games, Weddings, and even Corporate
Christmas Parties.

Website: http://www.queens-gambit.com/
MP3: http://www.queens-gambit.com/samples.html
Buy CD "Pawn to King Four" (coming soon)
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/queensgambit3/from/celtic/


12. "The Blacksmith" by Cluan

CLUAN is five Austin-based traditional musicians promoting and
supporting the Celtic heritage and community in Central Texas
through traditional dance music and song. They received rave
reviews for their latest studio release "The High Road" and
played the 2004 Austin Music Awards after being recognized in
the Best New Album and Best World Band categories in 2003 & 2004.

Website: http://www.cluan.com/
MP3: http://celticmp3s.com/listen/Cluan-The_Blacksmith.mp3
Buy CD "High Road"
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cluan2/from/celtic/


13. "Geordie Lad" by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer

Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer have been carving out a reputation
for delivering innovative new slants on traditional tunes and
fascinating originals in festivals and folk clubs around the
country over the last seven years. Vicki's unique style of
playing the Scottish Smallpipes; that is at once spell-bindingly
beautiful and haunting is perfectly complimented by Jonny's
driving guitar playing. On stage the two create a performance
that is skilled, funny and never dull! Vicki and Jonny's strong
educational background makes their workshops as powerful for a
festival event as their performances.

Website: http://www.smallpiper.co.uk/
MP3: http://celticmp3s.com/listen/Vicki_Swan_Jonny_Dyer-Geordie_Lad.mp3
Buy CD "Thumb Twiddling"
http://www.wetfootmusic.co.uk/seriouskitchen/shop/shop_main.html


14. "Follow Me Up to Carlow" by 3 Pints Gone

One more round. 3 Pints Gone plays Celtic traditional-style folk
songs at bars, Celtic fairs and events around the United States.
Their distinctive sound is full of high energy and harmony-rich
arrangements. They entertain by telling stories through the
songs, that leave the audience feeling like old friends.

Website: http://www.3pintsgone.com/
MP3:
http://www.celticmp3s.com/listen/3_Pints_Gone-Follow_Me_Up_to_Carlow.mp3
Buy CD "Health to the Company"
http://www.chivalry.com/shopping/


15. "The Gypsy Rover" by Keltic Kaleidoscope

Keltic Kaleidoscope began performing in 1995 and has since grown
to four members, Mary Behan Miller (keyboard, guitar and bodhrán),
Matt Cassidy (banjo, guitar, and electric bass), Dave Lymanstall
(Fiddle and bodhrán), and Sally Hayes Makulinski (keyboard, flute
and tin whistle). A fifth musician, Tim Galvin, sometimes plays
with the group and is on a number of the tracks available here.
The band performs a variety of Celtic and American folk songs
using two- and three-part harmonies along with some songs from
the sixties.

Website: http://www.keltick.net/
MP3: http://music.download.com/keltick
Buy CD "Keltic Beginnings"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/keltick/from/celtic/


16. "Ferry Me Over" by Ed Miller
Ed, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, now living in Austin,
Texas, is a product of the 1960s folk revival in Scotland. He
moved to the United States in 1968 to complete his graduate work
in Geography, and later Folklore, at the University of Texas at
Austin. In addition to his singing career, Ed is the host of a
folk music program on Austin's NPR station, KUT-FM.

Website: http://www.songsofscotland.com/
MP3: http://www.celticmp3s.com/listen/EdMiller-FerryMeOver.mp3
Buy CD "Generations of Change"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/edmiller3/from/celtic/


17. "Both Sides of the Tweed" by Rise

Rise has swept the independent Celtic music world with a tasteful
blend of traditional and original songs with an airy scent of
haunting effervencese. Enchanting and personable band that you
can expect to hear a lot more of in the future.

Website: http://www.riseband.co.uk/
MP3: http://celticmp3s.com/listen/Rise-Both_Sides_the_Tweed.mp3
Buy CD "Posing As Human"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/riseband2/from/celtic/



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NEW TO CELTIC MP3S MUSIC MAGAZINE
=========================

* Custom Celtic Knot Design and Celtic Artwork (added: 17-Feb-2005)
http://www.feline.se/~graywolf/
Are you looking for unique custom knotwork Ingrid Houwers,
one of the foremost Celtic knot scholars in the world. She's
extensively studied the Book of the Kells and makes
traditional and contemporary Celtic knotwork at amazing
prices. She's even redesigning the Celtic MP3s Music
Magazine logo so stay tuned!

The Dubliners' Tabby Cats (added: 19-Feb-2005)
http://dublinerstabby.catdrinkingsongs.com/
The Dubliners' Tabby Cats forage their way out of the
gutters of Ireland to create a musical menagerie that
combines Irish drinking songs and the folk music stylings of
groups like The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, the Irish
Rovers, and "Weird" Al Yankovic to create a sound unlike any
Celtic music group you've heard today. The songs will make
you laugh and cry with delight or distension as this feline
group reinvents traditional Irish folk music.

Past Celtic Features (added: 2-Mar-2005)
http://www.celticmp3s.com/past_celtic_features.shtml
A small sampling of the Celtic free music downloads, CD
reviews and Band Profiles offered by the Celtic MP3s Music
Magazine. For more Celtic MP3s, subscribe to the magazine
(it's free), and get exclusive access to my Members-Only
Directory

Fromseier Rose (added: 2-Mar-2005)
http://www.fromseierrose.com/
Modern acoustic music for violin and piano, based in the
Celtic tradition.

Andy Thorburn - Scottish piano player (added: 3-Mar-2005)
http://www.andythorburn.com
Scottish piano player who has just released a CD of solo
piano music - all his own compositions except one
traditional piece (Mrs Jamieson's Favourite). Andy is also
the piano player with Blazin' Fiddles, and he has played
with Mouth Music, Ceolbeg, and Wolfstone.

This Business of Dance and Music (added: 21-Feb-2005)
http://www.thisbusinessofdanceandmusic.com/
This Business of Dance and Music is a community and resource
site for dancers, musicians and writers.

Brothers 3 (added: 4-Mar-2005)
http://www.celticmp3s.com/bands/brothers_3/
Traditional Celtic songs and dance music in wide variety of
musical settings from jazz and World Beat to country-
western, pop, and rock.

IrishUSA (added: 9-Mar-2005)
http://www.irishusa.com/
Links to Irish entertainers, festivals, organizations and
pubs in the USA.

CD Manufacturing, Music CD Duplication, Data Conversion (added:
4-Mar-2005)
http://www.24hrcdduplication.com
Provide Quality CD Manufacturing, Music CD Duplication, Data
Conversion and Printing services. Specialize in projects for
Business and Musicians.

Celtic Music News & Podcast (added: 11-Mar-2005)
http://www.celticmusicnews.com/
Celtic Music News Podcast
Celtic Music, mainly the more rockin' kind, as well as News,
Giveaways and whatever I feel like talking about.

The Gutter Pups (added: 12-Mar-2005)
http://gutterpups.com/index2.htm
Rennaissance band from Michigan, USA. Listen to samples of
our music!

Minstrosity (added: 13-Mar-2005)
http://minstrosity.com
Minstrosity is a talented trio of troubadours performing
Celtic and folk music at your favorite Renaissance Faire
across the Midwest.

U.S. Scots (added: 14-Mar-2005)
http://www.usscots.com/
Home Page of the US SCOTS Directory of Scottish Games and
Festivals, listing all events worldwide by location and
date, and the US SCOTS Directory of Scottish Websites,
listing thousands of links to Scottish sites around the
world. Also the Home Page for the US SCOTS Ring of Scottish
sites, the largest Scottish-interest Ring on the Net with
over 200 Member sites.

Irish Music Reviews - Get Your Irish CD Reviewed (added: 14-Mar-2005)
http://www.irishmusicreviews.com
Reviews of Irish and Celtic music CDs by Michelle Osborne,
staff writer for the Celtic Mp3s Music Magazine.

Fans of Irish Celtic Music (added: 16-Mar-2005)
http://www.4celts.com/
I love Celtic music. So I started this website as a quick
guide to Irish Celtic music online.



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6. ABOUT THE CELTIC MP3s MUSIC MAGAZINE
http://www.CelticMP3s.com/
=========================

"Celtic MP3s Music Magazine" is a weekly publication by
Bard Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, The Original
Celtic Renaissance. Help spread the word about great
Celtic Music Online!

Members-Only Celtic MP3 Archive (you are a member)
http://www.celticmp3s.com/bands/

Learn more about
http://www.marcgunn.com <-- Bard Marc Gunn
http://www.thebards.net <-- Brobdingnagian Bards

Promote your music with Celtic MP3s
http://www.celticmp3s.com/promote/


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