celtic

Watch the latest video from Alasdair Roberts, Amble Skuse, & David McGuinness for “The Fair Flower of Northumberland” from their new album “What News”. Filmed at the University of Glasgow it features the otherworldly presence of Glasgow-based performance artist Sgàire Wood.

It is the combination of attention to detail in every aspect, plus a great idea and considerable skill from a reliably exciting pair of musicians, that results in 365 being an excellent piece of work from the ground up that gently bewitches the listener with subtlety and pathos and lasts in the mind well after the final note has rung out.

Brother Wind is the newest release from Scottish folk band Gnoss a four-track EP available now via Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music. Don’t miss their UK Tour dates.

While it’s unfair to single out any one band to carry forward the torch that Planxty lit all those years ago, the music Pat Broaders, Liz Knowles and Kieran O’Hare are making can certainly hold its head high in such exalted company. The Joyful Hour gives out its joy in abundance and deserves a place in anyone’s collection.

Michael McGoldrick releases ARC, his new solo album, next month, his fifth in 22 years. We caught up with Mike in Manchester to chat about his new album, his championing of future generations of Irish traditional music players and to find out how he manages to balance his busy time as a musician.

What is so impressive about this release is the level of immersive intimacy that the quintet achieves in a live setting. Only the audience appreciation at the end of each track reminds you that they aren’t playing just for you. This is music deeply rooted in its time and in its space yet played without borders – and it’s all the better for it.

Our Song of the Day comes from Rachel Newton. Watch her performing The Bloody Gardener with her band live on BBC Radio Scotland’s Quay Sessions. She’s on tour this month as part of the equally innovative The Furrow Collective.

Uilliann piper Liam O’Flynn has died after a long period of illness. To most, he will best be remembered as a founding member of the groundbreaking Irish traditional group Planxty in which he played alongside  Christy Moore, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny.

Acclaimed folk singer and 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominee, Julie Fowlis, releases her latest video today to mark International Woman’s Day. The song, Go Your Way, features on Julie’s latest album Alterum.

Following on from the success of their debut album ‘Symbiosis’ Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton will release their second album ‘Symbiosis II’ this spring (20 April). Take a listen to the track Birds.

Scottish folk singer songwriter Kris Drever announces Spring UK Tour including a headline show at London’s Union Chapel. Support for the tour will come from Hannah Read, whose latest album is currently a Featured Album of the Month on FRUK.

Between Wind & Water is a joyous smorgasbord of Nordic Celtic traditional music that fairly warms the cockles and lifts the spirits. The essence of world-class fiddle music has not only been captured, but distilled into 12 potent shots.

Even if you believe you know what the word ‘personal’ implies, James Patrick Gavin has produced an exceptional album that is sure to make you think again…”For those that have gone and those that are yet to come… …This is a love letter to my family and Ireland.”

We talk to Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes at Celtic Connections, the day after The Martin Hayes Quartet delivered an outstanding, hugely energetic performance, about how he got from Clare to here.

Watch Irish folk legend Finbar Furey performing Sweet Liberty of Life which features on the live DVD accompanying his new UK album ‘Don’t Stop This Now’, set for release on March 30th and accompanied by a UK Tour.

Celtic Connections features some 2,100 musicians and more than 300 events in 18 days. Dave McNally talks to Donald Shaw about the latest 25th festival, drawing on the challenges and rewards of being the Artistic Director and more.

There’s far more to Undersong than the time Salt House spent recording on the tiny Hebridean island of Berensay, with seasoned producer Andy Bell. Undersong is a highly accomplished album of wonderful music, that singles Salt House out as a trio of exceptional talent.

As Greg Lawson said on the night – this was one man’s music, and it took this immense event to bring that music back to the stage. This week is the 13th anniversary of Martyn Bennett’s passing, and the music he was making 20 years ago continues to inspire today’s musicians.