Marc Gunn's "Celtic MP3 Music Magazine"

Changing the way you hear Celtic Music
A weekly ezine of legal free Celtic MP3 downloads
December 5, 2005 -- 7000+ subscribers

HIGHLIGHTS....
- Celtic Music News
- Feature: Athas
- CD Feature: The Barley Boys
- Feature: Highland Reign
- New Celtic Links
- Manage your subscription

Don't just download.
Support artists you like & Buy.
Then, forward this newsletter to a friend.
Or want to receive the newsletter in HTML?
Subscribe here: http://www.celticmp3s.com/subscribe.shtml



=========================
1. Celtic Music News
=========================

Greetings Celtic Music Lovers,

Happy holidays! No. I haven't forgotten you. The Celtic MP3s
Music Magazine is in a transitional phase, but it's still here.

I started this magazine five and a half years ago as a way to
promote independent Celtic music groups. For a number of years,
I struggled as a musician trying to get some sort of recognition.
Now the Brobdingnagian Bards have a secure fan base which allows
me to do music full-time.

I've always found it rewarding to help other struggling musicians
who want my help. But I face a lot of challenges. Many musicians
are still leary of MP3s. I had one rather well-known songwriter
tell me to remove a link I had to his website. That sort of
attitude towards MP3s makes it difficult to effectively promote
my website, but then there are others are amazing at telling
others about this site.

The other problem I have is that I only have space to feature
two bands in each issue. That means I can only "help" eight bands
per month, and I either don't have time for new releases or I
have to skip some bands. I don't like that. I needed a better
outlet.

When I learned about podcasting a few months ago, I found what
I needed, an exciting new outlet. It's not the best thing out
there, but it serves me well. I get to listen to lots of great
music and help a lot more bands.

So what's the point of all this? The point is that in the next
issue the format of the magazine will change a wee bit. And I'm
not yet sure how often I will publish it. Instead of posting
features in each ezine, I'll probably just link to my features
online. I'm still just not sure. I do plan to publish my Irish
& Celtic Music Podcast more frequently, however (I'm up to
Show #7). I also plan to reorganize my CelticMP3s.com website
to reflect some of these changes.

Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
http://www.celticmusicpodcast.com/

But I would love to hear your comments and feedback.

Slainte!
Marc Gunn, Bard

---

Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Now On Sale
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mgtdtc2/from/celtic/
Since I haven't published in a while I haven't mentioned that
my new CD Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers is now on sale!
It was even one of the Top 20 albums on CD Baby! The reviews
have been nothing but glowing. So if you like cats and Irish
songs, this CD is for you!

---

Lifetime Membership to Song Henge on Sale
http://www.celticmp3s.com/members/
Speaking of things on sale Song Henge is now on sale until the
end of the year. This is over 60% off the sales price. If you
like Celtic music and want free MP3s, join today.

---

Christmas in Brobdingnag
http://www.thebards.net/tales/
The Brobdingnagian Bards just finished a new five-song EP of
Christmas songs. You can be the first to get a copy. Find out
out by clicking the link above.

---

RESUBMIT YOUR BAND FOR A FEATURE
http://www.celticmp3s.com/submit/
If you haven't been featured but have MP3s or sent me a CD,
I made an update to the submission form and would appreciate
it if you would consider resubmit your band for a feature.
It will still take a while, but it may help speed up the
process. Thanks!

---

CELTIC MUSIC NEWS PODCAST
http://www.celticmusicnews.com/
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: CMN Podcast #46 featuring Bad Haggis, The Peelers,
Wolfstone, Green Man, and The Glengarry Bhoys

Remember, you don't have to download these files by hand. Get
a copy of iPodder or iTunes 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__________

JOIN SONG HENGE FOR GREAT CELTIC MUSIC
http://www.celticmp3s.com/members/
Save time and money when you join Song Henge,
the hottest new resource from the Celtic MP3s Music
Magazine.

Are you tired of scouring this website trying to find
the great Celtic music you love only to find out that
your band no longer offers free Celtic MP3s?

Song Henge will save you the effort. Here you will
find every band ever featured in the magazine and
you can quickly learn if they still offer MP3s, how
many and where to go to get them. This new service
is the product of five years of dedication to Celtic
music downloads.

Limited Lifetime Memberships Available
Order now http://www.celticmp3s.com/members/
_____________________________________________________
Become a Sponsor
http://www.celticmp3s.com/advertising.shtml



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

"Dance of the Honeybees" by Athas

After finding one another amongst the many local Irish sessions
and then forging fast friendships, Heather Lewin-Tiarks, Amy
Richter, and Jeff Ksiazek joined together as Milwaukee's latest
Irish Trad band, áthas. The name áthas (Irish for joy and
gladness) suits them perfectly--it's pretty near impossible to
catch them not laughing, joking, or spreading joy through their
music.

The musicians of áthas play various Traditional and non-Trad
instruments such as fiddle, flute, bodhrán, viola, cello,
whistles, saxophone, djembe, and guitar. áthas can be spotted
at local Trad sessions, pubs, ceilis, and other venues and
festivals.

As of late they've become "regulars" to the weekly Set Dance
held at O'Donoghues on Wednesday's from 8-10pm. The band has
been working hard to revivie the Celtic Music Club at UWM and
have started up sessions in venues other than Irish Pubs, such
as the Good Harvest Market, UW-Milwaukee and The Milwaukee
Repertory Theatre. The band has a strong desire to spread the
music and keep it alive.

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Similar Artists: Lunasa, Comas, Liz Carroll, Flook, Emer Mayock,
Danú, Solas, Jackie Moran, and Mike Rafferty

Website: http://athasmusic.tripod.com/
Download MP3: "Dance of the Honeybees"
http://www.myspace.com/athas
Buy CD: n/a


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

"The Days of Abundance" by The Barley Boys

by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: The Barley Boys
http://www.thebarleyboys.com/
Album: "The Days of Abundance"
Year produced: 2005

The one thing that you will notice about The Barley Boys is that
they have a lot of energy, and they bring it to their music. The
Days of Abundance is a combination of traditional Celtic sounds
and more contemporary music, and the musicianship is quite good.
Sometimes, such as track 4, Life Divine, the song highlights the
music and just goes with it for a bit, rather than trying too
hard to be a sing along type of tune. It is nice.

I hate to pick favorites, but I can't help but tell you that
Raggle Taggle Gypsy was such a high energy song that the five
minutes it played was much too short and I had to play it again.
It was one of the best songs I have heard in a while. The
complexity of much of the music on this CD makes it exciting
to listen to.

You really get the sense that these guys are all about the music,
but they aren't afraid to have a bit of fun either. Track 9,
Scolding Wife is a good, easy romp which is done well and brings
a smile. There really is a nice mix to this compilation of songs,
and the energy continues throughout until the very last song,
which is the only one that is a fairly slow tune. A simple
wrap-up to a great album.

Buy the Album: "The Days of Abundance"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/barleyboys2/from/celtic/

---
Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer
specializing in the arts. She has written for Dance Teacher
Magazine, Classical Singer and Dance Spirit among others,
and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can
reach her at www.freelance-zone.com.



_____________________________________SPONSOR__________

New Celtic/Hebrew CD
http://www.preciousoil.com/raymond/

_____________________________________________________
Become a Sponsor
http://www.celticmp3s.com/advertising.shtml



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

"Camden Town" by Highland Reign

Highland Reign, a celtic band from Indianapolis, takes the tunes
of the old country and breathes a rocking new life into them!
Bagpipes, electric guitar and bass, accoustic guitar and the
Bodhran provide the root of this very upbeat celtic music!
Playing rocked up traditional tunes of Ireland and Scotland,
along with Celtic -based originals you will be glad you were
caught in the "REIGN"!

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Similar Artists: Prodigals, Runrig, Great Big Sea, Old Blind
Dogs, Tannahill Weavers

Website: http://highlandreign.com/
Download MP3: "Camden Town"
http://highlandreign.com/
Buy CD: My Roots Are Rocking
http://highlandreign.com/


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

Irish & Celtic Music Podcast (new website)
http://www.celticmusicpodcast.com/
Irish and Celtic music from grous featured in the Celtic
MP3s Music Magazine.

Jolly Rogues (added: 4-Nov-2005)
http://americaninsuranceagency.com/web7.htm
This talented band of musicians and singers has a varied,
intriguing repertoire of 18th and 19th Century material from
period commemorative, tavern/drinking, romantic ballads, sea
shanties, children's ditties, Irish tunes and songs
Among the titles will be found Lizzie Lindsay,All for Me
Grog,Raggle Taggle Gypsy,Star of the County Down,The Parting
Glass,Staten Island hornpipe,Harvest Home,Mermaid,Boys of
Blue Hill,The Butcher Boy,Three Jolly Coachmen, Maid of
Amsterdam.

THE REEL BOOK (added: 6-Nov-2005)
http://www.thereelbook.com/
Irish Music Collection
This is the first publication of 1739 transcriptions of
Irish Traditional Music Performances.
973 pages of hand written music from 117 albums and 190
Irish musicians.

Bluehorses (added: 6-Nov-2005)
http://www.nativespirit.co.uk/index.shtml
Fusing the passionate intensity of Celtic themes, a heavy
rock and roll mindset and stunning improvisations,
Bluehorses' music is a genuinely unique hybrid.
Bluehorses have received many accolades including a MOJO
'Album of the Month' and a 'Best Of 2005' award from The
Classic Rock Society.
Bluehorses' 5 critically acclaimed CDs and stunning live
shows are full of Celtic passion, instrumental virtuosity
and good old fashioned rock and roll fun!

Sound Of Erin Celtic Radio Programs (added: 8-Nov-2005)
http://www.soundoferinradio.com/
Radio programs (with 24/7 streaming audio) of music from the
Celtic regions and the maritime provinces of Canada.
Broadcast from WNTN, MA.

Hebridean Celtic Festival (added: 16-Nov-2005)
http://www.hebceltfest.com/
A unique four-day musical celebration held in the stunning
Hebrides of Scotland. Proclaimed the best festival of its
kind, this award-winning event has become one of the most
eagerly awaited attractions and celebrated its Tenth
Anniversary Year in 2005.



=========================
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/

=========================