Marc Gunn's "Celtic MP3 Music Magazine"

Changing the way you hear Celtic Music
A weekly ezine of legal free Celtic MP3 downloads
June 26, 2005 -- 7000+ subscribers


HIGHLIGHTS....
- Celtic Music News
- Feature: Susan Hamlin
- CD Feature: Rise
- Feature: Paul McKenna
- New Celtic Links
- Manage your subscription

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1. Celtic Music News
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Greetings Celtic Music Lovers,

As if I don't already have enough to do, this week I started
a new podcast. This one, is the Renaissance Festival Podcast.
What can I say, I haven't learned to manage my time effectively,
but that's okay, because I am finding some great bands with
prime Celtic music that I hope to feature in the near future.
Speaking of which, I hear The Rogues have a new CD coming out
real soon, so please excuse my drooling.

Renaissance Festival Podcast
http://www.renaissancefestivalmusic.com/

As I mentioned this podcast to Aaron Drake of the Celtic Music
News Podcast, I was told that he was talking about putting
together a Celtic Music Podcast Network. I look forward to seeing
that because more and more Celtic podcasts are peering through
the doors. I saw that Irish balladeer, Jonathan Ramsey, was
talking about starting one as well. Add on to that my Pub Songs
Podcast I've planned for a long time. There could be nice network
of Celtic podcasts for you to enjoy.

Meantime, I have two wonderful artists for you. I found Susan
Hamlin from the Celebration of the Celts back in May. She is
currently featuring a brilliant version of "Salley Gardens" on
her website that is sung in Gaelic. It's subtle and beautifully
magical. That's followed up by a young singer from Scotland with
another strong original Celtic ballad.

Celebration of the Celts
http://www.celebrationofcelts.com/

Next week, look for music from Niamh Parsons and NeidFyre.

Slainte!
Marc Gunn, Bard

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SPECIAL PROMO OPPORTUNITY FOR BANDS
I am looking for bands who would like to be a part of an exciting,
first-of-its-kind music promotion I'm doing for the Brobdingnagian
Fairy Tales CD. If you're interested, email me.
mailto:marc@...?subject=BFT_CD_Promo

---

CELTIC MUSIC NEWS PODCAST
Aaron Drake hosts the weekly Celtic Music News Podcast. If you
want to hear some great new Celtic music, interviews, and get
some Celtic music news, drop by the website.

This week: Podcast #25 featuring Ceili Rain, Wicked Tinkers,
The Temp, The Kissers, and The Town Pants

Remember, you don't have to download these files by hand. Get
a copy of iPodder (http://www.ipodder.org/) and let it download
your Podcast every week.

---

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

Latest News & CD Reviews
http://www.celticmp3s.com/magazine/

Celtic MP3 Archive
http://www.freeirishmusic.com/



_____________________________________SPONSOR__________

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Read the Reviews at CDBaby.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/celticmp3mag2/from/celtic/
_____________________________________________________



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

"Gort na Salean (Salley Gardens)" by Susan Hamlin

Fiery folkie Susan Hamlin (singer, guitarist, and composer)
is regarded as one of today's finest performers of Celtic and
American roots music. Her voice is hauntingly clear, ferocious
and effortlessly versatile, more mediumistic than diva, totally
unpretentious. Ditto for her "exquisite" guitar work.

Hamlin appears solo or with a variety of artists, moving
easily and intuitively through traditional Irish, Scottish and
Appalachian music to the high country of American folk and her
own fine originals, with a mischievous wit, power and grace that
leave her loyal fans all the better for listening. Hamlin's self
produced CDs (Younger Than The Sun 2002 and Magic, 1999) were
released to critical acclaim and folk radio airplay on all the
continents except the one with penguins. And permanent residence
in some CD changers. What's next for the artist who released an
Afro-Celtic remake of Talking Heads classic "Once In A Lifetime"
alongside a Gaelic translation of WB Yeats' "Salley Gardens?"
Hey, you never know.

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY
Similar Artists: Sandy Denney, Dolores Keane, Tim O'Brien,
Dick Gaughan, Loreena McKennit, Bothy Band, Dougie Maclean,
Alasdair Fraser, Nic Jones, Karan Casey, Altan, Aaron Copeland,
Keola Beamer

Website: http://www.susanhamlin.com/
Download MP3: "Gort na Salean (Salley Gardens)"
http://www.susanhamlin.com/
Buy CD: "Younger Than the Sun" by Susan Hamlin
http://cdbaby.com/cd/shamlin2/from/celtic/



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CELTIC CD FEATURE
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"Posing as Human" by Rise

by Joe Wallace

Artist: Rise
http://www.riseband.co.uk/
Album: Posing As Human
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/riseband2/from/celtic/
Year produced: 2004

Many bands pass themselves off as eclectic; few truly pull it
off well. Rise is one of those rare groups that show talent in a
diverse array of musical idioms. The Scottish foursome's second
album, "Posing As Human," begins with a strong cocktail of Dylan
and The Sundays-influenced sounds. Singer Debbie Dawson's voice
has a vulnerable quality perfect on songs like "Don't Stop the
World" and "I Will Love You Always". The multi-talented Gerry
Geoghegan's twelve-string guitar playing is both free-wheeling
and precise; "The Gallows" highlights his skill with perfect
timing with complex start-and-stop playing.

Slide guitar fans will appreciate the bluesy "Welcome To The
Real World", and Debbie Dawson's voice works particularly well,
especially when the song changes from the minimal blues riff to
a fuller rock sound. Geoghegan takes a turn on the mic on some
tracks. "I Will See My Love Again" and "Green Grow the Rashes-o"
find him in good voice, especially on the harmonies. Geoghegan
sounds very much like a peer of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey
Buckingham; he is every bit as diverse and skilled with his song
arrangements as the `Mac guitarist.

There is a traditional influence on this CD, but `eclectic' is
the word of the day. Celtic purists may be a bit disappointed,
but those who like a combination of blues, folk and rock should
spend some time with this new release. On the technical side
it's a well-produced effort with the singing and guitars
expertly mixed-every note is clear and strong. There's some
beautifully restrained keyboard work going on in the background,
giving some songs an ethereal quality while others get a slight
gospel flavor.

Second albums are often difficult for any band, but Rise doesn't
show any signs of what music biz people call the "sophomore
slump". The group does well in capturing its essence on CD, but
after an extended listen to "Posing" you'll find yourself wanting
a live performance to catch Rise at its full power. A live CD
would be most welcome; in the meantime, "Posing As Human" is one
to put in the changer on `repeat'.

Buy the Album: Posing As Human
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/riseband2/from/celtic/

---
Celtic MP3 Music Magazine writer Joe Wallace reviews music
for many publications and writes both nonfiction as well as
short stories. His nonfiction work includes articles for Korean
Quarterly, Indie-Music.com, the Alternative Culture Guide, and
Factsheet Five. Contact him through his website at
www.freelance-zone.com.




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

"Take My Hand" by Paul McKenna

Paul McKenna is an 18 year old singer from Glasgow. He is a
regular at folk festivals throughout Scotland and northern
England. Paul is highly regarded for his vocal talents by some
key players on the folk music circuit. Artists that have
recorded with Paul include Scottish piping star Finlay MacDonald
and former member of the JSD Band, Chuck Fleming.

Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Similar Artists: Donal Lunny, Waterboys, Christy Moore, Paul Brady

Website: Paul McKenna
http://www.fintimrecords.com/
Download MP3: "Take My Hand"
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/npdrew/takemyhandpromo.mp3
Buy CD: "Take My Hand" by Paul McKenna
http://www.fintimrecords.com/


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

The Irish Rebel Music of Padraig Mor (Saoirse & Shebeen) (added:
23-Jun-2005)
http://www.padraigmor.com/
Site dedicated to promoting the formation of a 32 county
socialist & sovereign Irish Republic via the rebel music of
Glasgow/Irish balladeer Padraig Mor & the bands he has
played in over the years...saoirse & Shebeen.

Fiddler's Retreat (added: 23-Jun-2005)
http://www.fiddlersretreat.com/
The first and only school of its kind in Ireland that runs
an Irish music and cultural residential school for
violinists of all styles of music, for professional and non-
professional players alike.

The Plough and Stars (added: 24-Jun-2005)
http://theploughandstars.com/
Home of Traditional Irish Music in the Bay Area"
116 Clement Street at 2nd Avenue, San Francisco (415) 751-1122
All shows start at 9:00 pm unless otherwise indicated.
Voted "Best Irish Pub" by the SF Weekly
PDF printable calendar May June

Celtic Crossings (added: 24-Jun-2005)
http://www.celticcrossings.com/
Founded as an independent music agency producing and
promoting performances of Irish traditional music in
Northern California. Americans of Irish heritage were now
anxious to understand their cultural inheritance. In
commemoration, our first Irish History program began as a
series of Great Famine and Diaspora lectures for university
and community audiences from coast to coast.

Renaissance Festival Podcast
http://www.renaissancefestivalmusic.com/
Welcome to the Renaissance Festival Music Podcast.
Every week, I will bring you the latest updates and play
music for bands performing at Renaissance Festivals in
you neck of the woods.



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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!

HELPWARE:
This ezine is not totally free. It is designed to promote
Celtic musicians worldwide. You can help these artists by
doing the following:

1. Visit the links provided
2. Download the music
3. Order a CD or 'tip' the band
4. Forward this ezine to THREE friends
5. Ask them to subscribe and help Celtic music grow


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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